Jaipur’s City Palace has no shortage of rooms that look like they were designed to make you feel underdressed. But tucked inside this sprawling royal complex is one part that most visitors can’t simply wander into. We recently visited the iconic City Palace for the latest episode of Palaces of India, and that took us beyond the postcard-perfect courtyards to Chandra Mahal, the private residence of Jaipur’s royal family.
Chandra Mahal Jaipur Is Still A Private Royal Residence
When Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II set out to build Jaipur in the 18th century, he wasn’t just looking for a new address for his kingdom. He envisioned an entirely new capital, planned with remarkable precision and built around principles of architecture, astronomy and urban design. The City Palace became one of its most enchanting landmarks!
But Chandra Mahal is a little different.
Spread across seven storeys, Chandra Mahal was built as the royal family’s private residence. The palace rises dramatically above the City Palace complex, and at the time of its construction, its height made it one of the tallest buildings around.
Each level has its own name and character, but the one that really catches attention is the top floor, the Sukh Niwas.
And the name gives away the vibe. Sukh means happiness or comfort, while niwas means residence. In other words, this was quite literally the royal relaxation zone.
Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh Lives At Sukh Niwas
Unlike the public areas of the City Palace, Sukh Niwas isn’t a room where tourists queue up to admire old furniture and then move along to the next exhibit. It remains part of the family’s private residence.
Today, Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur lives at Sukh Niwas with his family. He became the titular Maharaja of Jaipur in 2011 following the death of his grandfather, Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh. At just 12 years old, Padmanabh Singh was crowned in a traditional ceremony at the City Palace, making him one of the youngest titular kings in modern India.
That detail changes the way you look at Chandra Mahal. You’re not simply looking at another spectacular piece of Jaipur’s royal architecture. Somewhere above the courtyards and museums filled with centuries-old treasures, there is a home where the Jaipur royal family still wakes up, spends time together and switches off from the outside world.
And that’s the most fascinating thing about Chandra Mahal. For all the tourists who come to City Palace to get a glimpse of royal Jaipur, there is one part of it where the royal life isn’t being displayed at all. It’s simply being lived in and rested in.
Watch the full Palaces Of India episode on the Curly Tales App and Curly Tales YouTube Channel.
Cover Image Courtesy: pachojaipur/Instagram and Internal
FAQs
Where is Chandra Mahal located?
Chandra Mahal is located within the City Palace complex in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
Is Chandra Mahal open to tourists?
Parts of Chandra Mahal can be visited, but the royal family’s private residential areas are not freely accessible to tourists.
Who lives in Chandra Mahal?
Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur lives with his family at Sukh Niwas, the top floor of Chandra Mahal.
