Unique architecture of the half-submerged, half-floating palace

The marble palace Jal Mahal is almost completely submerged under the surface of a lake in Jaipur, India, leaving only the roof and top floor exposed, creating a rare wonder.

Jal Mahal Palace in the middle of the lake. Photo: Flickr.

Jal Mahal, a beautiful marble palace also known as the "Water Palace" rises above the waters of an artificial lake in the city of Jaipur in the state of Rajasthan, according to Amusing Planet.

The palace was built in the 18th century by Maharaja Madho Singh, the ruler of Jaipur, to host duck-hunting parties. After the death of his son, who succeeded him, the palace lay abandoned for two centuries until it was restored in the 2000s.

Jal Mahal is a curious 5-story building with a unique architecture, with the top floor floating on the lake, while the lower 4 floors are almost completely submerged when the lake is full of water.

The architecture of Jal Mahal is a blend of Hindu, Islamic and Persian styles. The corridors and halls are decorated with beautiful paintings. On the roof of the palace is a rectangular hanging garden called Chhatri with covered walkways. At each corner are ancient semi-octagonal minarets with elegant domes.

The artificial lake surrounding the palace, Man Sagar, was created in 1610 during the reign of Raja Man Singh to address severe famine and water shortages in the state in the late 17th century. For decades, the reservoir provided drinking water and irrigation to the area's residents. It is also home to many species of birds.

By the 20th century, Man Sagar Lake had become a dumping ground for untreated sewage and other industrial waste. In 2004, a private company undertook to dredge the lake and restore the palace, improving water quality and attracting birds.

According to VNE