Jal Mahal (Water Palace), Jaipur

Jal Mahal is one of the most photographed Jaipur attractions: a sandstone palace that appears to float on Man Sagar Lake. It is seen from the free lakeside promenade.

Jal Mahal stands in the middle of Man Sagar Lake on the road between Jaipur and Amer. It was first built around 1699 by Sawai Jai Singh of Amber as a duck-hunting lodge rather than a residence, and was renovated and enlarged along with the lake in the mid-18th century by Madho Singh I. The palace is five storeys of pink and red sandstone. When the lake is full, about 4.5 m deep, the lower storey is underwater, so only the upper floors show and the building appears to float.

The roof terrace has a garden with arched passages and an octagonal chhatri at each corner. The Aravalli hills rise behind it to the northeast, and the Kanak Vrindavan temple garden lies in the valley beyond. Rajasthan Tourism describes it as a sight to enjoy from outside, and there is no advertised public access to the palace itself.

Visitors come to the roadside promenade on the western shore for photographs, especially at sunset, and in winter the lake draws water birds such as egrets and cormorants. It makes an easy stop on the way to or from Amber Fort, which lies further up the same road.