Visiting Place

Sheesh Mahal Jaipur – The glass palace of Jaipur city.

By Girish Kumar
April 14, 2023

Best Place to visit in Jaipur

About the Sheesh Mahal Jaipur

Sheesh Mahal is a stunning palace made of exquisite precious stones and glass. Located in the Amber Fort of Jaipur, it is a popular and beautiful attraction for visitors.

History of Sheesh Mahal Jaipur

Sheesh Mahal, also known as the Mirror Palace, is a part of the Amber Fort located in Jaipur, India. The palace was built in the 16th century by Maharaja Man Singh. I and was completed in 1727 which is also the foundation year of the Jaipur state. Maharaja Man Singh I was a trusted general of the Mughal Emperor Akbar.

The palace gained further fame due to its appearance in the legendary Bollywood movie “Mughal-e-Azam,” specifically in the iconic song “Jab Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya. ” The song was shot in the Sheesh Mahal with the legendary actress Madhubala, who played the role of “Anarkali” in the movie. The combination of the beautiful Sheesh Mahal and Madhubala’s performance was excellent.

The palace has gained renown for its intricate mirror work, as it adorns the walls and ceilings with thousands of tiny mirrors. The royal family primarily used the palace as a private chamber.

What makes the Sheesh Mahal particularly unique is the way it was designed to manipulate light. The palace’s architecture is a masterful blend of science and aesthetics, with glass pieces placed in a way that creates a stunning display of light and reflection. When just two candles are lit inside the room, thousands of candle pictures are formed on the walls, pillars, and ceiling, creating a dazzling and mesmerizing effect.

In addition to the mirror work, artisans have adorned the palace’s forty pillars with exquisite glass pieces in a decorative manner. The beauty of the Sheesh Mahal’s architecture is not only in the glass setting around its walls, pillars, and ceiling but also in the way it manipulates light to create a truly unique and breathtaking experience. Today, people consider the Sheesh Mahal as one of the most remarkable examples of Rajput architecture and design. It attracts visitors from all over the world who come to witness its beauty and marvel at its innovative use of glass and light.

The architecture of Sheesh Mahal Jaipur

The queen desired to sleep under the twinkling stars, but as she was not allowed to sleep in the open, the king commissioned skilled architects to build a palace that would fulfill her wish. The architects constructed the Sheesh Mahal using glass and stones. At night, the reflection of two candles on the mirrors in the hall gave the effect of a starry sky.

Artisans adorned the walls and ceiling of the hall with beautiful paintings and flowers made from pure glass and precious stones. The design of the ceiling glass was remarkable, as the reflection of two candles turned into thousands of stars, creating a spectacular view. This palace showcases the exceptional level of architecture in India at that time.

Apart from the aesthetic value, the palace had a practical purpose as well. During the winter season, when the king moved from Sukh Niwas to Sheesh Mahal, the reflection of the candles on the glass ceiling helped to keep the room warm.

Why did they build the Sheesh Mahal?

Two reasons led to the construction of the Sheesh Mahal. Firstly, the queen desired to sleep under the twinkling stars, but the authorities did not permit her to sleep in the open. Consequently, the king had a palace constructed to fulfill her wish. Secondly, during the winter season, when the king moved from Sukh Niwas to Sheesh Mahal, the reflection of the candles on the glass ceiling helped to keep the room warm. The architects used glass and stones to design the palace, adorning the walls and ceilings with beautiful paintings and flowers made from pure glass and precious stones.

Nowadays, authorities restrict visitors from entering the Sheesh Mahal. However, visitors can still admire the beautiful artwork of glass from outside the palace.
If you shine a flashlight towards the ceiling during the daytime, you can still see the stars, a phenomenon known as “Din me tare” in Hindi.

How to reach Sheesh Mahal

The Sheesh Mahal is a famous tourist attraction located in the Amer Fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. To reach the Sheesh Mahal, you can follow these steps:

By Air: The Jaipur International Airport is the nearest airport to Jaipur. It provides well-connected flights to major cities across India and the world.

By Train: Trains provide excellent connectivity from Jaipur to major cities in India. The Jaipur junction is located in the heart of the city. To reach the Amer Fort, you can take a taxi or bus.

By Road: Jaipur has excellent road connectivity to major cities in India. You can take a bus, taxi, or hire a car to reach the Amer Fort.

Once you reach Jaipur, you can hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach the Amer Fort. From there, you can easily walk to the Sheesh Mahal, which is located inside the fort.