Monday, March 17, 2014

Palaces of Junagarh Fort, Bikaner

Junagarh Fort at Bikaner encompasses several places each one surpassing other in magnificence. The fort was constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Rai Singh, a general in the army of Mughal emperor. The subsequent Maharajas have added luxurious suites to this palace. 



The palaces within the fort are on the southern side and make a picturesque ensemble of towers, courtyards, balconies and windows. A major feature of fort and palaces is the superb quality of stone carving.



Karan Mahal, built in 1680 classic Mughal style was is covered with rich Rajput elaboration of Mughal style in terms of the purity of white marble and stucco design. 



Anup Mahal has magnificent decorative art work in this palace with gold vermilion varnished work. There are beautiful motifs treated completely in gold and by mirrors and mirrors or glass mosaic. It also has one throne where the ruler would sit and meet his foreign guests and highly placed officials. Old and antique carpets adorn the floor. 



Gaj Mandir has walls that are covered with elaborate Mughal niches and panels enclosed by a framework of marble plaster slabs, which are carved into various Mughal open-work floral designs behind which mirrors have been placed.


Badal Mahal is stylized blue-and-white clouds, and it reflects the longing for rain in an arid area. Phool Mahal is the oldest part of the palace that has decoration with motifs of trays, flower vases. Inside the rooms the interior walls are decorated with stucco work and glass inlay works.

41 comments:

eileeninmd said...

The palace is beautiful. I love the stucco color and style. Wonderful photos, thanks for sharing.

Lina Gustina said...

Wonderful palace. Enjoying all shots.

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MaiThreeBoyz said...

Very beautiful! I love the Gaj Mandir the most.

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rupam sarma said...

Wonderful photos

Sridharan said...

Wonderful structure..!

Lowell said...

My goodness, the elegance of this place is breath-taking! Do people live in the palaces within the fort? It would be quite a place to wake up in every morning!

Sylvia K said...

Incredible captures of an incredible place, Rajesh!! Beautiful floral designs on the niches and panels!! Thanks as always for sharing the beauty of your world!!

islandwonder said...

Wow! What beautiful places. The entrance to the top place is stunning.

George said...

These are gorgeous pictures of a beautiful palace and its decorations. Thanks for sharing them.

Fun60 said...

Really like the first picture with the symmetrical staircases.

carol l mckenna said...

Your building are so exquisite and divine ~ Wonderful photos ~ thanks, xxx

artmusedog and carol

Carver said...

That's a stunning palace.

Arija said...

A fantastic palace indeed. I love the arrangement of stairs in the facade that lead to the massive iron doors as well as up to the first floor.

Kokila gupta said...

Very nice .. specially the badal mahal . Splendid!

Photo Cache said...

I haven't been here but the design and layout is familiar to the ones I've seen in Jaipur.

Rajlakshmi said...

The carvings are exquisite.. Beautiful Share.

Krishna/à´•ൃà´·്à´£ said...

Beautiful photos... and info

thanks

Mary Howell Cromer said...

What a beautiful place~

chai-and-chardonnay.blogspot.com said...

A stunning place! Unfortunately slowly crumbling due to the high consumption of water, due to the rising number of tourists….that is what I learned while staying there….outside the fort.Great pictures !

namaki said...

a wonderful architecture ! Thanks for sharing !

Leovi said...

A creative framing, nice palace!

Roger Owen Green said...

an impressive structure!
ROG, ABCW

photowannabe said...

Amazing artistry and architecture for so long ago. It is so well preserved too.

Reader Wil said...

I admire the way you present the beautiful buildings in India. Even if we are not able to visit your country we get to know little by little something of India! Thank you so much.
Wil, ABCW Team.

MaR said...

Truly magnificent!!

J is for...

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

The touches of red add intrigue!

10,000 Crimson Blossoms

Leslie: said...

It always amazes me to see the intricate details in Indian architecture! Stunning photos.

Leslie
abcw team

Unknown said...

Would really love to visit this great architecture and art in the future. Nice shots.

Obsessivemom said...

Such majestic structures.

R Niranjan Das said...

Lovely architecture and designs. Nice captures.

Obsessivemom said...

What majestic architecture.

Nabanita said...

so much history...so much beauty!

Marisol@TravelingSolemates said...

Very exquisite and with beautiful history.

AmitAag said...

Stately! Majestic!
Great post!

Shailaja V said...

I somehow assumed you would go with Jaipur for 'J':) But these are breathtaking photos.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Nothing beats the feel of luxury (therefore expense) than an Indian palace! That first photo shows off the symmetry of the place perfectly. YAM xx

Yogi Saraswat said...

Really Beautiful , having memories of Rich Indian culture

Anonymous said...

What wonderful symmetric structures. Very impressive.

D.Nambiar said...

Wow, those details! And such impressive architecture.

Kalpana said...

Was just expressing a desire to visit Bikaner to a friend of mine. Thanks for the beautiful shots.

Anonymous said...

The fort looks magnificent and stunning ...