Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
Umaid Bhawan Palace is a splendid example of Indo-colonial and art deco style of the 30s. The only palace to be constructed in the 20th century, it took three thousand artisans 14 years to create this magnificent edifice. A unique feature of this palace is the fact that the hand-chiseled sandstone blocks have been put together in a special system of interlocking. There is no mortar binding. This is even more amazing because the palace is very large - 195 meters long and 103 meters wide.
The imposing entrance leads one to the lobby adorned with black Belgium marble flanked by two impressive banqueting-halls - the Rathore Durbar and the Marwar Hall. Crystal lamps mounted Shikar trophies in the Palm Court lead to the spectacular 56 meters high Center Dome Hall. A pair of polished marble stairs leads to the Maharaja's private apartments and the Regal suites. With original furniture in all the rooms, each room seems more luxurious than the other.
Jodhpur is well connected by rail, road, and air. 
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