Rajasthan :
The Sands Of Time Here, a thousand swords once flashed reflecting the fire of the scorching desert sun -the land of the great Thar desert, the home of heroes... a race of fierce and indomitable warriors. The unrelenting desert forged the character of the people. The proud, noble and fearless Rajput clans lived, loved, fought... and carved out for themselves a special glory... This glory survives today... in the people... and in the magic of the magnificent cities, forts and palaces... nowhere more striking than at Jodhpur's Umaid Bhawan Palace, the home of the present Maharaja, Gaj Singh II.

Jodhpur :
On the edge of the desert lies Jodhpur, a city which retains its old world charm and tradition. An island of craggy red sandstone in a shimmering sea of sand. Situated on a jagged outcrop or rock and surrounded by a great wall, Jodhpur was the stronghold of the Maharajas of the Rathore Dynasty whose antiquity dates back to the 5th Century and beyond -to times when myth and history merged without distinction.

A Lifetime Experience With Welcome Heritage :
Welcome Heritage represents some of the best traditions of heritage hospitality, offering 16 exclusive heritage destinations in India. In a country where the maharajas once held sway, it is a welcome development that their historic homes are now being opened to the world. WelcomHeritage contains, within its fold, palaces, forts, resorts and ancestral mansions, each a residence as well as a living monument to India's regal past.

Welcome To A Grand Experience :
Welcome to Maharaja Umaid Singh's Palace at Jodhpur one the largest and grandest private residences in the world. Build between 1929 and 1943 the Umaid Bhawan Palace is a splendid example of the Indo-Colonial and the art-deco style of the thirties.

It took three thousand artisans 14 years to create this magnificent edifice of hand-chiseled sandstone blocks put together by a special system of interlocking. There is no more binding an architectural triumph! Extending across 26 acres, 15 acres of which are taken up by gardens, the Palace is 195 meters long and 103 meters wide.

WelcomHeritage Umaid Bhawan Palace recreates for you a unique experience of the princely lifestyle. You drive past the immaculate lawns to be greeted by a doorman in Rajput livery. The main entrance to the Palace is surmounted by the ornate Rathore coat of arms. Pass through this imposing entrance into the reception lobby adorned by black Italian marble, flanked by the two fabulous banquet rooms -the Marwar Hall and the Rathore Durbar. After completing the formalities, you then surrender yourself entirely to the fantasies of royal existence as you follow the bell boy through the Palm Court. Here a pair of sweeping marble staircases lead to the Maharaja and Maharani suites.

Impressive as it is, with its crystal lamps and mounted hunting trophies, the Palm Court is only a prelude to the greater magnificence of the 56 meters high Center Dome Hall which is really the piece de resistance of the Palace.

Life of Ease
All the leisure facilities of the Palace are open to guests. Playa vigorous game or two of squash, tennis or badminton. Work out at the well-equipped Health Club, and after a swim in The Zodiac, the underground swimming pool, relax on the sun-drenched lawns. Or try your hand at billiards or croquet. Visit the private museum with its collection of antiques or ramble through the immense 15 acre landscaped gardens.

Journey Through Eternity
The winding narrow maze of bazaars offer an abundance of traditional and exotic sights of craftsmen at work. Visit the Mehrangarh Fort where the museum section has a valuable collection of royal palanquins, elephant 'howdahs', miniature paintings and hunting tents.

Within a 10 km. radius around Jodhpur, are the beautiful Mandore Gardens and the lakeside picnic spots at Bal Samand, rakhatsagar and Kailana. Osian with its Jain and Brahma temples is only 65 kIDs. away. Herds of black buck and chinkara ::an be spotted on a drive to Sardar Samand, the Maharaja's private lakeside residence. 90 kms. away is the WelcomHeritage Khimsar Fort at Khimsar, part of which dates back to the 14th century. Or just go on a Village Safari around the villages and the countryside to take part in the traditional welcome ceremony, besides many other unique experiences.