Bhuj Local Sightseeing

Aina Mahal Museum

Kutch kings are called Maharaos. Maharao Lakhpatji's antique palace, constructed in traditional Kutchi style, is created in a small fortified courtyard in the old part of the metropolis. It is a beautifully presented Museum and is one of the highlights of a visit to Bhuj. The entrance to the palace homes the tourist office, and that is also the site of the Maharao Madansinhji Museum, which has a varied collection of paintings, images and embroideries. There may be a 15m long scroll depicting the royal procession of Maharao Shri Pragmalji Bahadur (1838-75). Check out the expression at the remaining blue-turbaned figure in this epic portray he appears pretty amazing at having to ignobly lead the procession!

The real enchantment here, even though, is the corridor of mirrors - a truely marvellous creation which was created by way of the master artisan, Ram Singh Malam, under the patronage of his poet-ruler, Maharao Shri Lakhpatji across the center of the 18th century. A blend of Indian and European artistry (Ram Singh acquired, his skills in while staying in Europe), the walls of the splendid hall are of white marble blanketed with the aid of mirrors separated via gilded ornaments, lighting fixtures being furnished by means of elaborate candelabra, with shades of Venetian glass. Its one of the most magical scenery to be seen to believe.

Some other terrific characteristic is the satisfaction pool, in the middle of which rises a square platform in which the Maharao composed his poems and gave encouragement to the classical arts of dancing artists, bards and musicians.

Interior of Aina Mahal

1.The Nagpanchami Ashwari Scroll

This forty seven foot long scroll vividly depicts the royal procession of Maharao sri pragmalji ii (1838-76 AD) held annually on Nagpanchmi. It changed into drawn in the 12 months 1876 by using Juma Ebrahim, a Kamagar artist on paper using herbal dyes. The procession began from the Aina Mahal Chowk, winding its way via the market earlier than terminating on the foot of Bhujia hill.

2.Fuvara Mahal

Built in 1740 by way of Lakhpatji who had an ardor for music, art, structure, and literature.  this turned into an amusement room, decorated by way of nice portions of art, Belgium chandeliers and lamps filled with colored water.

3.Aina Mahal

Also known as the hall of mirrors, it changed into built during the flowery rule of Maharao Lakhpatji in 1750 AD. Aina Mahal become a royal dream that had finally been converted into a fact via an exceedingly great craftsman named Ramsinh Malam. He designed it in a mixed Indo-European fashion and set about creating the substances for the palace which is second to none in its true beauty.

4.Ivory Door

Made in 1708 AD at some stage in the rule of Maharao Godji Second through the skilled wood worker Madho, this fantastic piece of labor is an amalgamation of quality carving and inlaid ivory. It is said that exertions charges for growing this masterpiece changed into 400Kori (the Kori was the running currency of Kutch till India's independence conversion rate 1 rupee = 3½ Kori.)

5.Hira Mahal

You cant miss this one !The king’s bedroom is a piece of art in itself,The Aina Mahal is a large two storey stone mansion, which was built in 1752. 27 Rocco fashion intricately carved, gold plated mirror frames enhance the room , every layout is one-of-a-kind. Semi valuable stones have been engraved into marble panels with first-rate Minakari paintings. Those panels had been then screwed into the walls. Small home windows for air flow were made, earlier a 3 foot long Zardozi embroidered fan hung from the ceiling. It's far stated that a regular supply of mild air is all it took to mild up the complete room in no time.

The Maharao’s mattress is displayed in the Hira Mahal, its a 4 legs product made of 24-karat gold.Most of the many other opulent and expensive objects displayed in the room are a diamond studded sword and protect which have been supplied by way of the Mughal Emperor Alamgir II inside the 18th century, an apparently designed pair of slippers which sprayed perfume on every occasion the knob at the heel turned into pressed a tricky silver and an amazing technology of the late eighteenth/early 19th century's great craftsmanship.

6. Marriage Ceremony Mandap

A Mandap is a temporary shape made for the wedding ceremony wherein the holy rites are performed.

This precise Mandap turned into this in 1884 for Maharao Khegarji III. A few articles displayed had been used historically within the royal wedding ceremony of the Jadeja Rajput a clan from Jamanagar.

7. Darbar Hall

Darbar is a Persian phrase for a court in Urdu. It is used for the king to hold meetings with ministers. The seating arrangement inside the Darbar hall is such that the king sat facing his many noblemen. The seats had been organized consistent with rank. Every changed into reserved for a selected Jagirdar (even in his absence the seat was not to be used by all and sundry else). The modern association of the darbar hall is that of the British fashion, in advance Gaddi-Takiya (cotton Diwan/bed and round pillow) became used. The royal throne is made in natural silver with the Zardozi embroidered silk pillows placed on top. It's far flanked by way of a set of nineteenth century gilt wood chairs

8. Maharao's Horoscope 

Every ruler had a eager hobby in astrology. Every Maharao(the kings of Kutch) had his own jyotish (astrologer) who drew inventive and beautiful Janma Kundalis (horoscopes) for his grasp.

This precise horoscope( components of that are displayed) is that of Maharao Pragmalji II made in 1839. It's miles 127 feets in length and is thought to be one of the longest in the world.

Sharadbagh Palace

The last Maharao in 1991 and his palace to the east of the lake has been become a small Museum. A retreat of the Maharaos of Kutch, this Museum displays a group of silver caskets, crammed tigers, elephant tusks or even Maharao Madan Sinhji's tennis trophies! The folks Museum has a re-created Kutchi village within the forecourt and an first rate collection of beadwork, embroidery, leather articles, woodcarvings, pottery, and historic relics.

This amazing 1867 Italianate palace, set among color bushes complete of crows and bats, was the home of the final Maharao of Kutch, Madansingh, until his loss of life in 1991. It lost most of its third ground in the 2001 earthquake, and the closing decrease floors are closed. However, the adjoining former dining corridor now homes the palace’s eclectic Museum series. Standout reveals are large crammed tigers that the erstwhile Maharao shot, and his coffin.

Royal Cenotaphs

About a 20-minute walk southwest of Hamirsar lake, through open areas that now not appear like you're in the metropolis, are the royal cenotaphs (memorials to the ones now not surely buried there and, in this example, no longer buried at all but cremated). Many of the monuments are in ruins due to earthquakes, but those of Lakhpatji, Raydhanji II and Desarji are nonetheless quite intact. The scenario may be very quiet, out in the center of a discipline, not surrounded by way of homes, and is very non violent in morning or night, even though inside the middle of the day it could be quite hot below bright sun.

Swaminarayan Temple

Like most of the Swaminarayan temples, this one has the standard brightly colored wood carvings around the building, broadly speaking depicting lord Krishna and Radha. Positioned just down the road from the Ramkund Stepwell and the Alfred High School, the temple marks the spot in which Swaminarayan sat with neighborhood holy men when he came via Bhuj. Swarminarayan temple is one of the most famous locations of Bhuj. Tourist can take various sight seeing tours while staying at Rannutsav tent city.