The Monsoon Palace, or Sajjangarh, crowns a high Aravalli peak west of Udaipur, visible from almost anywhere in the city. The white marble structure looks like a fairy-tale palace from a distance, especially at sunset when it glows golden. From its terraces you get panoramic views of Fateh Sagar Lake, the city, distant hills and monsoon clouds rolling in – exactly what it was built for. The surrounding Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary adds forested slopes and wildlife to the experience, and the palace is a popular sunset and viewpoint excursion. It has also appeared in films like the James Bond movie “Octopussy,” which used it as a villain’s residence, further boosting its fame.
About this place
History & highlights
The palace was built in 1884 by Maharana Sajjan Singh, the 72nd ruler of Mewar, and named Sajjangarh after him. His original plan was to construct a multi-storey astronomical centre to observe monsoon clouds, keep time, and symbolically watch over his kingdom, but his early death cut the project short. The completed structure was instead used as a monsoon retreat and hunting lodge, taking advantage of its high, breezy position. After independence, the palace came under government control and the surrounding hills were notified as a wildlife sanctuary (1980s). Today, Sajjangarh represents the late-19th-century phase of Mewar architecture and Udaipur’s shift towards scenic tourism, with sunset views often marketed as one of the city’s top experiences.
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