Devigarh

Devi Garh Palace
General information
Location Delwara, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Coordinates 24.7729N, 73.7493E
Opening 2000
Owner Boutique Hotels India Private Limited
Management Boutique Hotels India Private Limited
Other information
Number of suites 39
Number of restaurants 1
Parking Yes
Website
raasdevigarh.com//

Devi Garh Palace is a heritage hotel and resort, housed in the 18th-century Devi Garh palace in the village of Delwara. It was the royal residence of the rulers of Delwara principality, from mid-18th century till mid-20th century. Situated amidst in the Aravalli hills, 28 km northeast of Udaipur, Rajasthan, Devigarh forms one of the three main passes into the valley of Udaipur.[1][2]

In 2006, the New York Times named it as is one of India's leading luxury hotels,[3] and Frommer's Review, while calling it "the best hotel on the subcontinent", stated that "Devi Garh is more than beautiful, it is inspiring.".[1] In 2008, it was featured in Lifestyle Channel Discovery Travel and Living series, 'Dream Hotels' spread over five continents, other two Indian hotels that made it to the list of 55, were Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, and Rambagh Palace, Jaipur[4]

History

The principality of Delwara was given out to Raja Sajja Singh, one of the lieutenant of Maharana Pratap, after the 'Battle of Haldighati' in 1576.[5] First a rudimentary palace was built by Raghudev Singh II, which was later revamped a few years later in 1760s for a royal visit of the Maharani of Udaipur. The seven-storeyed hilltop fort palace in Rajasthani architecture was built in the 1760s.[6]

Restoration

Two centuries later, it was in ruins and empty for 20 years, when it was acquired by Poddars, an industrial family from Shekhawati region in 1984.[7] The restoration took over 15 years and a team of 750 people, led by architect Gautam Bhatia and architect Navin Gupta. The interior spaces were redesigned in minimalistic style by Mumbai-based interior designer Rajiv Saini, to turn this palace into an all suite luxury hotel, complete with a spa and Ayurvedic retreat,[8][9][10] today it is considered one of India's best designed hotels.[11][12]

Visitors and events

In 2004, came into limelight with British model-actress Liz Hurley and her NRI boyfriend Arun Nayar visit to the Devigarh Palace to celebrate the latter's birthday.[13] Since then it has also been visited by Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan and Fardeen Khan, and the Ambani brothers.[14]

The 2007 Hindi film, Eklavya: The Royal Guard was set and extensively shot at Devigarh.[15]

Transport

Located 28 km northeast of Udaipur, on the road between Udaipur and the religious township of Nathdwara, Devi Garh is a 45-minute drive from the city.

References

  1. 1 2 New York Times Review - Devi Garh New York Times.
  2. ↑ Arabian Nights The Dragon's Playground: Exploring Asia with Panache, by Christine Meaney, Various. Published by PPP Company Ltd, 2005. ISBN 988-98225-7-1. Page 164.
  3. ↑ Devi Garh, one of India's top hotels. New York Times, November 20, 2006.
  4. ↑ Discovery brings home global Dream Hotels from Aug 21 The Economic Times, Aug 13, 2008.
  5. ↑ "Slip into the past with a trip to Devigarh". CNN-IBN. Dec 20, 2007.
  6. ↑ Where the past meets the future The Hindu, Jul 09, 2005.
  7. ↑ Rajasthan & Gujarat handbook, by Roma Bradnock, Anil Mulchandani. Published by Footprint Travel Guides, 2001. ISBN 1-900949-92-X. Page 202.
  8. ↑ ...The Mumbai-based Saini’s big moment was designing Devigarh Palace in Udaipur. Indian Express, Aug 03, 2008.
  9. ↑ India: Palace hotel with a minimalist twist The Daily Telegraph, Feb 6, 2001.
  10. ↑ Devi Garh Frommer's India, by Pippa De Bruyn, Keith Bain, Niloufer Venkatraman, Shonar Joshi. Published by Frommer's, 2008. ISBN 978-0-470-16908-7. Page 463.
  11. ↑ Devi Garh Best designed wellness hotels 1.: Indien, Südostasien, Australien, Südpazifik, by Martin Nicholas Kunz. Published by Birkhäuser, 2002. ISBN 3-929638-90-8. Page 28-30.
  12. ↑ India: decoration, interiors, design, by Henry Wilson. Published by Watson-Guptill Publications, 2001. ISBN 0-8230-2513-6. Page 47.
  13. ↑ Hollywood diva Liz Hurley and her boyfriend Arun Nayar arrived at the majestic Devigarh Palace in Udaipur to celebrate the latter's birthday Rediff.com, November 05, 2004.
  14. ↑ Rajputana Royalty The Economic Times, Jun 22, 2008.
  15. ↑ Eklavya belongs to Amitabh Bachchan! Aprajita Anil, Indian Express, February 16, 2007.

External links

Coordinates: 24°46′21″N 73°44′57″E / 24.7725°N 73.7493°E / 24.7725; 73.7493

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