Savings can help build palaces too! This might sound difficult to believe but has been proved true with the coming up of magnanimous Hotel Narain Niwas Palace Jaipur which was built by General Amar Singh Ji, the then Thakur of Kanota, in 1928, by his earnest savings he made while serving as the Commander of the erstwhile Jaipur State Force.
Gen Amar Singh was full of life and loved reading and writing. Also, he was a man of virtues and hence attended his wedding wearing a military uniform with just a few of his family members and friends to ensure there was no unwanted show of wealth.
This was the time when Rajput wedding ceremonies boasted of royalty and showed their mighty might.
In fact, it was his earnest values which made him save his salary and construct the lavish Narayan Niwas Palace.
Amar Singh was an avid traveller too and with his experience, he envisioned to create an exquisite architecture in Anglo-Indian style and hence came up Narayan Niwas Palace which was his country residence. General Amar Singh spent quality time here as and when he wanted a change from his busy schedule of administrative and court life.
This palace was surrounded by a dense forest until World War I where Amar Singh could go to shoot game birds and for hunting wild boar, black buck & the occasional panther.
Gen Amer Singh has another distinguished distinction of being the only Thakur who wrote a diary everyday for 44 years from 1898 to 1942 except for one day when he fell from a horse and was unwell. He made a world record by writing the longest diaries ever written which are still found preserved at Kanota Museum which is situated at the stretch of 15 km east of Jaipur, on the Agra highway
The palace boasts of being one of the best heritage hotels one can witness in present times. The ethnic furnishings, Rajput flourishing and traditionally painted wall decor takes you back in the king and queen era.
The acres and acres of lavish green gardens and orchards take you away from the hustle and bustle of city life and makes you feel residing in a palace which speaks the stories of regal times.
The high ceilings are covered with frescoes, murals and paintings; Also there are pretty chandeliers; four poster beds and rose petals seen spread in bath tubs.
The period furniture is yet another amazing thing which is more than a visual delight.
An elegant pool situated amid the lush green lawns immediately catches one’s fantasy as he takes a stroll.
The 37 rooms and suites at Narain Niwas Palace are fully air- conditioned and equipped with modern amenities. So next time, you feel that savings are useless, remember, they can make you build palaces too!
Isn’t it a decent message?
