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There is something about visiting the old monuments. They tell a very unique and different story and even transpose us to a completely different era. India is blessed to be having so many old monuments, palaces, and forts. One among them is Juna Mahal. Located right in the land of royalties and riches, Juna Mahal, Dungarpur is one of the most anticipated palaces to be visited in Rajasthan. Also known as ‘Bada Mahal’, this place is situated right at the foothills of the Aravali Hills. It was built by Rawal Veer Singh Deo and has been undergoing a lot of renovation till the 19th century to come to life as it is seen now.
History
The first palace or mahal in the Juna Mahal complex is believed to have been built around the thirteenth century. However, many new courtyards, rooms, floors, wings, and fortifications kept on being added to the Mahal until the 19th century. Until the middle of the 20th century, i.e., until the 1950s, this mahal was used for inhabitation. However, after that, it fell into disrepair, and now is just another tourist location in the city. Today, it is among the World Monuments Watch (added in 2014) and awareness about this longest inhabited structure is being spread.
Architecture
The Juna Mahal is pedestaled high on a Darwa Stone. This gives it an elevation and helps you get a panoramic view of Dungarpur from the mahal complex. The palace is 7 stories high and has just one single staircase running through the entire palace complex, which gives it the look of a single structure. What sets this palace apart from the other palaces is that it is majorly built using the local Parewa stone. Its architecture shares a similarity with the Rajput style architecture. One can see detailed handwork on the window panes that are also built using green and blue Parewa stone.
Best Time to Visit
Located in the Dungarpur area of Rajasthan, it is always advisable to visit the Juna Mahal during the cool months of the year. Summers can be very hot and humid in Rajasthan and you might not be able to enjoy to the fullest if you visit during the hot months. It is advisable that if you are planning to explore the Juna Mahal, Dungarpur, travel between the months of July and March while avoiding the hot April, May, and June.
How to Reach
You can easily reach the Juna Mahal area using your own car or by hiring a taxi or cab. Udaipur has well-built roads that can take you to the palace. You can also take local transport to reach Dungarpur and from there take an auto or any other public transport to reach Juna Mahal.
Nearby Attractions
If you are visiting the Juna Mahal in Dungarpur, there are several other places that you can also pay a visit to in Dungarpur itself. One of them is the very popular Udai Bilas Palace in Dungarpur. It is a heritage hotel where you can either stay or plan a visit. You can also visit the Gaibsagar Lake in Dungarpur if you love to see the blue waters. The Dev Somnath Temple is also located just 25 kms from Dungarpur. If you want to explore some history, you can visit the Rajmata Devendra Kunwar Museum in Dungarpur as well.
