Jai Vilas Palace Gwalior

Jai Vilas Palace & Museum

The gleaming white Jai Vilas Palace of Gwalior built by Lt.Col. Sir Michael Filose resembles a quaint Mediterranean resort.

The Jai Vilas Palace was designed to resemble an Italian palazzo and constructed in three years flat (1872-74), to welcome the ‘Prince of Wales’ on his visit here.

Although the palace was executed in sandstone, it was painted a brilliant white to simulate marble.

Jai Vilas Palace- Museum Gwalior (Scindia Palace- Museum or Gwalior Palace- Museum)

Though the present Maharaja still lives in the palace,  35 of ‘Jai Vilas Palace’ rooms house the Scindia Museum, which displays royal memorabilia.

Darbar Hall in Jai Vilas Palace – Museum of Gwalior

The Jai Vilas Palace – Museum, boasts of a remarkable collection of artifacts, culled from all over the world.A crystal staircase winds its way up to the spectacular Durbar Hall in Jai Vilas Palace. The arched ceiling, with stunning gold leaf work, carries two of the world’s largest and most magnificent chandeliers, each weighing over three tons and holding 248 candles. The roof was tested in advance by getting 10 elephants to climb upon Durbar Hall of Jai Vilas Palace via a two-kilometre ramp.

The chandeliers were gilded with 56 kilograms of gold. Spread out across Durbar Hall of Jai Vilas Palace is the largest carpet in Asia, made in the Gwalior Prison.

The Durbar Hall of Jai Vilas Palace of Gwalior is dotted with all kinds of curios such as Belgian cut glass and crystal furniture – including a rocking chair. Stuffed tiger hides speak of the hunting expeditions of the erstwhile royalty of Gwalior.

You will even find a Rolls Royce on rails and a German bubble car. Elsewhere, is a room of erotica where an explicit life-sized marble statue of Leda having her way with a swan, occupies pride of palace. It should be mentioned here that according to Greek mythology, Zeus visited Leda in the form of a swan, and together they begot the famous Helen of Troy.

However, the most enchanting curiosity is the famous model train that circulates brandy, dry fruit and cigars around the table after dinner. The lifting of a container or bottle would automatically reduce pressure on the track and thus stop the silver train.

Timings: Open 0930-1700; closed on Monday.