Lalgarh Palace in Bikaner Rajasthan India

Museums & Collections

Lalgarh Palace

Lalgarh Palace was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh to commemorate his father, Maharaja Lal Singh. The building is carved in red sandstone and adorned with delicate filigree work. The estate is approached through an ornate gateway which is open to all, but once inside, sadly, most of the area in out-of-bounds for tourists.

One part of the palace and most of the grounds are still inhabited by the royal family. Another part of it has been made into a hotel. Only a tiny portion, which houses a museum, is open to tourists. The museum contains a collection of photographs and preserved trophies of wildlife. The hotel is open to guests only. Photography is prohibited almost everywhere.

This means that the only pictures that you can carry away with you are the ones in your mind. It is tempting to stroll around the quadrangle outside the museum, or to venture onto the lawn in its midst and inspect the marble seating area in the centre. It is, however, forbidden.