Deogarh
A hilltop palace, a mountain railway and rural Mewar
Deogarh, also spelled Devgarh, was one of the main estates of the Mewar nobility, held by the Rawats of Deogarh, who were among the senior nobles at the court of Udaipur. Their palace, Deogarh Mahal, was built in the 17th century on a hill above the town and grew over the next two centuries into a complex of courtyards, terraces and painted rooms.
The town gave its name to a school of painting in the 18th and 19th centuries, with hunting scenes, court portraits and festivals, and some of these paintings survive in the palace. Around Deogarh, the Aravalli hills, lakes and farmland are dotted with villages, temples and old step-wells. Deogarh Mahal still belongs to the family, who run it as a heritage hotel.
We use Deogarh as a one- or two-night stop between Udaipur and Jaipur or Pushkar, which breaks a long drive into two easy days. The palace's terraces and rooms are the main draw, along with a ride on the metre-gauge railway through the Goram Ghat, a village walk and an evening by the lake.
Highlights
What Deogarh does best
The 17th-century palace on the hill is a family-run heritage hotel with courtyards, painted rooms and terraces over the town and lakes. Dinner on the roof is the reason to stay.
A metre-gauge line winds through the Aravalli gorges between Kamlighat and Phulad, over bridges and through tunnels, one of the most scenic rail journeys in Rajasthan. Check current status before you travel.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, painters at Deogarh produced hunting scenes, portraits and court life in a distinct style. Some of these works can be seen in the palace.
Walk through the old town and villages around Deogarh, past temples, wells and craft workshops, and end at a lake as the sun sets and herders bring cattle home.
Deogarh sits roughly halfway between Udaipur and Jaipur or Pushkar, which turns a 6.5-hour drive into two easy days with a palace night between.
Experiences
Four hours to plan around
Getting there
How to reach Deogarh
Udaipur's Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR) is about 145 km, around 2.75 hours by car. Jaipur International (JAI) is about 285 km, 5 hours.
The main line stations of Ajmer and Beawar are about 2–2.5 hours away. The metre-gauge Kamlighat station near Deogarh is used for the Goram Ghat ride, not for regular arrivals.
Udaipur is about 135 km, 2.5 hours. Pushkar is about 150 km, 3 hours. Jaipur is about 285 km, 5 hours. Kumbhalgarh is about 110 km, 2.5 hours.
Where to stay
Rooms we book
Deogarh Mahal, the family palace on the hill above the town, is the place to stay: a heritage hotel with character, painted rooms, terraces and good Rajasthani food. Rooms vary in size and style, so we choose suites with views where possible. The family has also run smaller properties nearby; ask us for current options. For one night on the road between Udaipur and Jaipur, there is no better stop.
From our planners
Five things to know
- Request a suite with a terrace or view; rooms in the palace vary widely
- Check the Goram Ghat train timings in advance, as services change
- Take the village walk in the late afternoon for light and activity
- Ask the palace about the Deogarh paintings in its collection
- Combine with Pushkar for a full day between Udaipur and Jaipur
Questions travellers ask
Questions about Deogarh
Is Deogarh worth visiting
Yes, as a night between Udaipur and Jaipur or Pushkar. Deogarh Mahal is one of the most characterful heritage hotels in Rajasthan, and the Goram Ghat railway and village walks give a different view of Mewar. It is about 135 km, 2.5 hours from Udaipur, and splits the long drive north into two easy days. We suggest one night for most, two if you want the train.
How far is Deogarh from Udaipur
About 135 km, 2.5 hours by car. It is the natural first stop north of Udaipur on the road to Pushkar, Ajmer and Jaipur. Udaipur airport is about 145 km, around 2.75 hours. Pushkar is about 150 km, 3 hours on, and Jaipur about 285 km, 5 hours. A night at Deogarh Mahal turns the 6.5-hour drive between Udaipur and Jaipur into two easy days.
What is Deogarh Mahal
A 17th-century palace on a hill above Deogarh, the seat of the Rawats of Deogarh, senior nobles of Mewar. It is now a heritage hotel run by the family, with courtyards, terraces and painted rooms. The palace grew over two centuries above the town and lakes. Rooms vary in size and style, so we choose suites with views where possible. Dinner on the roof is the reason to stay.
How many nights should I stay in Deogarh
One night is enough to break the drive and enjoy the palace. Two nights allows the Goram Ghat train and a slower pace. Most of our guests stay one night. One night turns the long road between Udaipur and Jaipur or Pushkar into two easy days. A second night adds the morning ride through the gorges to Phulad, the painters in town and a sunset at the lakes.
Is Deogarh the same as Devgarh
Yes. The town is spelled both Deogarh and Devgarh. It is in Rajsamand district in northern Mewar, not to be confused with places of the same name in other states. Deogarh lies about 135 km north of Udaipur, roughly halfway to Jaipur or Pushkar. The palace was held by the Rawats of Deogarh, senior nobles at the court of Udaipur. Both spellings appear on maps and signs.
What is the best time to visit Deogarh
October to March for pleasant weather, and August to October for green hills and full lakes after the monsoon. April to June is hot, though the palace terraces are cooler in the evenings. The Goram Ghat is greenest in the monsoon, and the lakes are usually fullest from August to December. In winter, we plan the village walk for late afternoon and dinner on the terrace.
Is Deogarh good for families
Yes. Children enjoy the palace, the train ride through the ghat and the village walks. Rooms vary, so tell us about your family when we book so we can choose suitable rooms. The village walk is easy, about 3–4 km, and can be shortened. The local train is simple and crowded at times, which most children find part of the fun. Bring hats and water for outings.
Can you combine Deogarh and Pushkar
Yes. Pushkar is about 150 km, 3 hours from Deogarh. A route from Udaipur via Deogarh to Pushkar and on to Jaipur splits the long drive north into easy stages. We leave Udaipur after breakfast, reach Deogarh Mahal in about 2.5 hours, and stay a night. The next morning we drive to Pushkar, leaving time for the lake and ghats before Jaipur, about 2.5 hours on.
Does Deogarh Mahal serve good food
The palace kitchen is known for Rajasthani and Mewari dishes made with local ingredients. Dinner on the terrace is a highlight. Tell the hotel about dietary needs in advance. We book dinner on the roof terrace, which looks over the town and lakes. After a sunset drive to the lakes or a village walk in the old town, we return to the palace for dinner.
Journeys
Routes that stop in Deogarh
Nearby
Pair it with
Lakes, palaces and the slowest days in Rajasthan
A holy lake town of ghats, temples and roses
A mountain fort, its great wall and the Ranakpur temple
The great fort of Mewar and its stories of siege
Shape your own journey Tell us your dates and what you hope to feel. We draw the route around you. Begin Not sure where to start? We match the land to your month, your pace and the people travelling with you. Begin Talk to a planner A first route and an indicative price within one working day. No payment to start. Begin