An Indian castle in North of India, standing alone, covered in art and deco work by skilled craftsmanship of artisans from long-gone eras, presents a breathtaking spectacle.
The isolation of the castle provides a sense of magic and mystery amidst the richness of the site. It stands tall and welcomes guests to enter a realm where history is reflected in every stone and brushstroke and time appears to have stopped.
Its architecture and cultural richness whispers of long-gone dynasties and empires. Every little detail in the castle, from the floral designs to the geometric, tells a tale. Each room in the castle showcase the skill of Indian artisans, combining elements from different historical periods and geographical areas in a unified and beautiful design.
The Indian Castle, Maharaja Hari Niwas Palace was the royal residence of Maharaja Hari Singh. The last ruler of Jammu, Maharaja Hari Singh, of the Dogra Dynasty, built this palace. Situated atop with Tawi river valley on one side and Vaishno Mata’s Trikuta hills stood at the other side of this Indian castle. The history of J&K is exquisitely depicted in several portraits within the castle.
Capturing the Indian Castle in my lens on my trip to Katra & Jammu
I took this picture of the Maharaja Hari Niwas Palace on my visit to Jammu. My friends and I visited Mata Vaishno Devi, a Hindu pilgrimage located in the north of India in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Mata Vaishno Devi is one of the most popular and visited shrines in India. The temple on the Trikuta hills is dedicated to Goddess Vaishno Devi.
And during our time in Jammu, we came to about this castle and made the decision to visit. We visited this stunning, aesthetically pleasing palace beside the Tawi River, where a large number of people were spending their evenings. As in 1990, Hari Niwas Palace underwent a transformation into a heritage hotel and the spectacular Amar Mahal Palace Museum & Library built within the complex. This India Castle is an example of Art-Deco works.
There was the maharaja’s golden royal throne still preserved in the old glass room. Aside from that, the queen’s clothes are still in her regal chamber. We came to know about their way of lifestyle at that time on touring the castle.
This palace has now been expanded, and I turned it into a heritage site/heritage hotel where guests may stay. There is a sitting area outside the royal hotel alongside the river, which is quite lovely to observe. They designed an incredibly warm and serene atmosphere. The hotel provided excellent hospitality, and I would strongly suggest it to anyone considering a visit.
The Heritage Hotel Hari Niwas Palace is a wonderful example of a historical and modern fusion. This palace has stood the test of time, having seen the chaos and bustle of this city since antiquity, and it continues to symbolize power and solidarity. The Maharaja’s generation is still actively engaged in a variety of social and cultural pursuits while consistently advocating for their city. This historic palace has raised the value of the area and provided breathtaking beauty. The visitors from all over the world come to see it. Kept and preserved in the glass garage, the visitors can also view the classic, vintage, many decades old automobiles of Maharaja.
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