The painted rooms of Samode Palace
Samode's rulers were nobles of the Jaipur court, and in the 19th century they rebuilt and decorated the palace to match their standing. The Durbar Hall, the hall of audience, has walls and ceilings covered in floral painting and figurative panels, with arches leading to a gallery where the women of the household could watch.
The Sheesh Mahal is a smaller room, its walls set with pieces of mirror and coloured glass in painted plaster. In daylight the patterns are clear; by candlelight in the evening, the room glitters. Other rooms and corridors are decorated in similar styles, and much of the work survives in good condition.
We arrange a short tour with a member of the palace team who can explain the family's history and the techniques used. Afterwards, take tea on a terrace overlooking the village. Some rooms may be closed for private events; check current status before you travel.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
What is special about Samode Palace
Its interiors: the Durbar Hall and the Sheesh Mahal are among the finest painted and mirrored rooms in Rajasthan. The palace is still family-owned and set in a quiet village in the Aravalli hills, an hour from Jaipur. The Durbar Hall is covered in floral and figurative painting, and the Sheesh Mahal is set with mirror and coloured glass. We arrange a tour with the palace team in late afternoon light.
Can you visit Samode Palace for the day
Day visits have generally been possible with a lunch booking or entry fee, depending on occupancy and events. Staying overnight allows you to see the rooms in evening light. Samode is about 42 km, 1 hour from Jaipur, so lunch and a look at the Durbar Hall fit into a half day. Some rooms may be closed for private events, so check current status before you travel.
How old is Samode Palace
The site dates back to a 16th-century fort, and the palace was enlarged and decorated mainly in the 18th and 19th centuries. The family converted it into a hotel in the late 20th century. Its builders were nobles who served as ministers at the Jaipur court, and their standing shows in the Durbar Hall and Sheesh Mahal. The small fort on the ridge above was once the first defence of Samode.
Also in Samode
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