Samode is situated in the
royal Indian state of Rajasthan around 42 km from Jaipur, the
capital city. Located on way to Shekhawati, this small village is famous for
its haveli and fort. Samode is connected to Jaipur through a good network of
roads. Unlike the other havelis of Rajasthan, the Samode Palace does not
belong to any royal family but a family of noblemen, the Rawals of Samode.
Samode Palace is about four hundred years old, and has some new
additions and modifications. This family traces its descent to Prithvi Singh
of Amber (1503-1528), the seventeenth prince of the house of Kachwaha
Rajputs, who in turn trace their descent to Lord Rama. Gopal Singh, one of
the 12 sons of Prithvi Singh, was given Samode, which owed loyalty to the
rulers of Amber and Jaipur.
These noblemen of Samode were
bestowed the title of
'Maha Rawal', in place of just
'Rawal' by the royal family for their bravery and loyalty towards the royal
family.
The
Samode Palace, now a heritage hotel, is built in the characteristic
pattern of an open courtyard with rooms leading off the arched corridor that
runs along all the four sides of the building. The Sultan Mahal is on the
first floor-an exquisite room with a marble pillared verandah. It has the
famous Jaipur blue tile decorations.
Every inch of the ceiling
and the walls are covered with floral, paisley and geometric motifs painted
in vegetable colors. It is called Sultan Mahal after the craftsman, who
painstakingly created it. Old and heavy carved silver furniture brought from
Nepal by the grandmother of the present Rawal gleam dully in sunlight even
today. To the left of the main haveli is the Durbar Hall, which was built
about a hundred years ago. Again it is painted with ornate floral motifs and
colored delicately with vegetable pigments, which still have a special glow
of their own.
| » Major Attractions of Samode |
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Samode
Palace : The history of Samode Palace goes back to more than four and a
half centuries. Prithviraj Singhji of Amber, the seventeenth prince of the
house of Kachhawah Rajputs, had awarded Samode to one of his twelve sons -
Gopal Singhji alongwith the hereditary title of Rawal Saheb. Set cosily in
the scenic rocky hills, Samode Palace with its stately majesty opens a grand
journey into the glorious past through its frescoed corridors. The palace is
full of architectural delights.
The birds, animals and flowers
painted on the walls of the Sultan Mahal, the dining room with its stained
glass windows and its collection of old family portraits, the Durbar Hall
with its painted ceilings and intricately carved walls and beautiful
chandeliers, give this palace its ethnic charm. Each room is done up in
traditional Rajasthani style and the antique furniture blends well with the
surroundings. A traditional welcome with camel carts, buggies, elephants and
local musicians is organized on preference. Camel safaris are available.
Samode Bagh : Built more than 400 years ago
by Rawal Sheo Singhji, it is modelled on the geometric style of the Mughal
Garden. Members of the Samode family came here to enjoy rare moments of
privacy and relax in the airy pavilions, surrounded by rippling water
fountains. A special feature of the stay here is the accommodation being
provided in the tents. Meeting point at the Bagh is the elegantly furnished
Durbar tent. Dune coloured tents, all luxuriously furnished with every
comfort, the lawns, fruit trees, grape vines, and the flowering shrubs make
the stay here a memorable one.
| » How to Get there |
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Air : The nearest airhead is Jaipur from
where flights can be taken for the other important cities of India. Major
cities that are connected with Jaipur by air are Delhi, Mumbai, and Udaipur.
Rail : Jaipur is the nearest railhead that
links Samode with the other parts of the country. There are several good
trains that connect Jaipur with Delhi, Mumbai, and Calcutta.
Road : The distance from Jaipur to Samode is 42
kilometers. From Jaipur one can drive out on the highway to Bikaner. Samode
can be reached after taking a left turn from a village called Chomu. The
Samode Palace is only about 10 km from this village. Samode is connected to
the other places in Rajasthan through state transport corporation buses.
| » General Information |
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Climate :
Summer :Max. - 48°C Min. - 37.6°C
Winter
: Max. - 10.5°C Min. - 1.0°C
»
Clothing
: Summer - Light Tropical
Winter:
Woolen
»
Languages :
Rajasthani, Hindi, English
Samode
Tour Packages | Hotels
in Rajasthan
