Deeg Palace, Bharatpur, Rajasthan
Deeg is a palace that may force you to change your image of Rajasthen as an arid state with a perennial shortage of water. It will also explain the term “land of contrasts” like nothing else will.
The road north of Bharatpur goes via Kumher to Deeg ( 34 km). Kumher was founded by Kumbi Jat of Sinsini and was at one time the second capital of Bharatput State.
Badansingh in 1722 built the palaces and many of the fortification which are now impressive ruins to the east of the road.
The important palaces here are Nand Bhawan, Gopal Bhawan, and Krishna Bhawan. The Palaces are still in very good condition and it is possible to see the kind of meticulous planning that has gone into their construction.
Deeg Palace Attractions
Deeg is justly known for its palaces and gardens begun by Badan Singh and laid out by Suraj Mal following the tradition brought to India by the early Mughals. The Palace pavilions and gardens are laid out with an excellent sense of balance.
The present area is probably only half what was originally planned with two complementary gardens to be linked by a broad terrace. However, what was built is exciting and well preserved, with the buildings forming a large rectangle enclosing the gardens and two large tanks at the eastern and western ends.
The largest and most impressive building, Gopal Bhawan, was built around 1763 and overlooks the Gopal Sagar (tank) to the west. It is flabked by two smaller pavilionswhich purport, in their curved roofs and pillers, to simulate a large pleasure barge, and is fronted by an arch for a swing and two marble thrones with the gardens beyond.
On the northen side of the garden is a large audience hall known as Nand Bhawan. The focal point of the garden is the pillered summer pavilion with its ingeniouslydesigned waterworks overlooking Roopsagar to the east.
At the southwestern corner is Suraj Bhawan, completed by Jawahar Singh. Suraj Bhawan is built of white marble, decorated with a mosaic and inlay of semiprecious stones. Puran Mahal, at the southeastern corner, has a display of Rajput wall paintings, many influnced by the Mughal schools.
This palace is an attraction spot for each and every tourist who visits Rajasthan. Bharatpur Bird Sanctury makes Bharatpur well known all over the world but Deeg Palace makes it well known into the hearts of tourists who visit it even once.
