Kusum Vilas Palace

Kusum Vilas Palace

The palace is set in forty acres of grounds, and is entered through a majestic wrought iron crested gate. The lawn in front has as the centrepiece a fabulous fountain with three massive marble statues of European women rising up from the centre of the water. Beside the lawn is the Shalimar, a Mughal style fountained garden. The faade is dominated by a huge dome flanked by smaller domes and turrets. A massive portico with cusped arches marks the entrance, and marble steps lead to a reception area with intricate filigree work on stone, the whole housing a sofa set, a glass cabinet guarding historic books, and big cats duly stuffed. The drawing room is beautifully attired in French period furniture, Belgian crystal chandeliers, marble Italian statues, stuffed animals and exotically coloured carpets. Paintings here depict religious Indian themes and old scenes of Chotta Udaipur. The games room displays an elderly billiard table. The banqueting hall has a long communal table with matching chairs. A marble staircase leads upstairs, where another drawing room is resplendent with beautiful furniture and paintings. Art Deco furnished bedrooms and a bar room run the length of the first floor. A colourfully floored verandah offers views of the hills. The old guesthouse, the Prem Bhuvan, beside the palace, has a collection of royal portraits and pictures. The indoor swimming pool, housed in a special structure to give privacy to the royal family, is enclosed by carved pillars.