Rani Roopmati's Pavilion

Situated on the edge of the holy river Narmada, Rani Roopmati's Pavilion is one of the prominent sightseeing spots for tourists visiting Mandu, an ancient fort city in Madhya Pradesh. Standing as a testimony to the tragic love story of sultan Baz Bahadur and Roopmati, this place offers a stunning panoramic view of the Mandu city and Narmada valley.

Visitor information-

• Popular for: History, architecture, photography, tourism

• Timings: 8 am to 7 pm

• Visiting duration: approximately 1 hour

• Entry fee:

• Rs 5 for Indians

• Rs 100 per person for foreigners.

• Rs 25 for video cameras

Traveler's tips:

• Visit during the daytime is preferable as there is no proper lighting facility after dusk.

• If possible avoid visiting this place on weekends or public holidays as it gets overcrowded.

• Carry plenty of water, umbrella and light snacks.

• To reach the pavilion on the hilltop, one has to climb about 40-50 steps which might be a little difficult for old people and kids.

History:

Immortalized for the legendary Baz Bahadur and Rani Roopmati love story, this beautiful piece of architecture is one of the most visited tourist places in Mandu. If history is to be believed, this pavilion was built by Malwa sultan Baz Bahadur to show his love and devotion for his beloved Rani Roopmati, a very beautiful Hindu classical singer. As per folklore, Roopmati agreed to go to Mandu with sultan Baz Bahadur on the condition that she would stay in such a palace from where she could see her beloved sultan’s residence and river Narmada. The beautiful love story of ended tragically owing to the intrusion of Adham Khan, a general in Mughal emperor Akbar’s royal army, who tried to take possession of Baz Bahadur's lady love Rani Roopmati. When Adham Khan defeated Baz Bahadur in the war, Rani Roopmati preferred to poison herself to avoid capture.

Architecture:

Perched atop a hillock to the south of Baz Bahadur Palace, this vintage, sandstone made fort is a magnificent expression of Afghan architecture. Originally built to use as an army observation post, this fort later was used as a pleasure palace by Baz Bahadur and his favorite lover Rani Roopmati. The original structure of this 72 feet high building consisted of a low-ceiling, large hall with a pair of room on both sides and a thick slopping base. The west wing of the building was extended later with two square pavilions crowned with hemispherical domes so that Rani Roopmati could see Narmada River every morning and offer her prayers without stepping out of the fort. The basement of this beautiful fort has a number of arched openings along their width. The western edge of the monument also has a large water reservoir, called Rewa Kund, to collect rainwater during the monsoon.

Things to do

Explore the awe-inspiring architecture of this magnificent palace

Enjoy the stunning view of river Narmada flowing 305 meters underneath from Rani Roopmati's pavilion.

To enjoy the beauty of this monument at its best, visit it at the time of sunset. Surrounded by the serene natural landscape and river Narmada flowing underneath, the view of the sunset from the pavilion is a sight to behold.

How to reach?

One can easily get a private car or local bus for Rani Roopmati Pavilion in Mandu from Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport, Indore, which is around 90 km away.

The nearest railway station is Indore Junction, which is connected with most of the major cities of India.

This palace is accessible by both public and private modes of transport. Direct buses are available from nearby main cities like Dhar, Indore to Mandu. From Mandu bus stand the distance of Rani Roopmati Pavilion is nearly 5.5 km.

Best time to visit

Rani Roopmati's Pavilion is open throughout the year so it can be visited in any season. However, the best time to visit this fort in Mandu is from October to March as this period experiences pleasant weather. With occasional rainfall, monsoon is also a good time to plan a trip to Mandu and its nearby attractions.

Nearby attractions

The following are some of the most popular places around Rani Roopmati’s pavilion that you should include to your itinerary if visiting Mandu.

• Jami Masjid

• Rewa Kund

• Hathi Mahal

• Hindola Mahal

• Baz Bahadur's Palace

• Champa Baoli and Hammam

Don't miss visiting the enchanting Rani Roopmati’s Pavilion on your trip to Mandu.