Samode Haveli in Rajasthan
The Samode Haveli is located 50 kilometers from Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. It was built in the 1800s, a period when many traders of Rajasthan were flourishing thanks to their business links with the British. This haveli houses a hotel today, and is popular with visitors to Jaipur. There is nothing about the Samode Haveli that can be called “haveli”, mansion. It is like a luxurious palace in every respect. Today, the Samode Haveli houses a comfortable hotel.
The haveli is located among acres of verdant gardens, which are well maintained and beautifully landscaped. So visitors get a good first impression of the haveli. Don’t worry, the impression will last as you continue touring the interiors. Right at the entrance is a huge elephant carved out of stone. The elephant in Rajasthani culture is a symbol of might and prosperity, a harbinger of good luck.
The architecture is superb, with decorated walls, carved pillars, and antique figurines adding a mystique and charm to the haveli that is typically Rajasthani. Nothing is understated – the bold colors, the dazzling mirrors set in the walls, the exquisite ceilings with miniature paintings, everything is a riot of colors and shimmer.
The haveli is located among acres of verdant gardens, which are well maintained and beautifully landscaped. So visitors get a good first impression of the haveli. Don’t worry, the impression will last as you continue touring the interiors. Right at the entrance is a huge elephant carved out of stone. The elephant in Rajasthani culture is a symbol of might and prosperity, a harbinger of good luck.
The architecture is superb, with decorated walls, carved pillars, and antique figurines adding a mystique and charm to the haveli that is typically Rajasthani. Nothing is understated – the bold colors, the dazzling mirrors set in the walls, the exquisite ceilings with miniature paintings, everything is a riot of colors and shimmer.
But nothing is loud or gaudy, for the Samode owners knew art from mere pageantry. Curious about the original owners? You can see their portraits on the walls – majestic men, very few women, but carrying the unmistakable aura of power and authority that comes with possessing a haveli that can make a king feel insecure about his palace.
If you are planning to stay at the hotel, you could not have selected a better place to stay. Samode offers rooms and suites with all modern amenities to guests. Dining arrangements include the ornate dining hall where you can order Indian, Indo-Chinese, and Continental dishes. If you are still hungry after a sumptuous lunch or dinner, you can always use the services of the coffee shop on the premises.
Around the Samode Haveli are the many sightseeing attractions of the region. The chief among them is the Samode Fort, which was built on a hill overlooking the city. The Samode Bagh is a well maintained garden with plants and flowers of many varieties. A trip to Samode Haveli is worth the effort, for nothing allows you better glimpse into the past than this luxurious mansion, which can rival a palace any day.
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