The Monsoon Palace, officially Sajjangarh, crowns the highest hill above Udaipur and commands the city's grandest panorama — a 360-degree sweep over Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake, the City Palace and the rolling Aravalli hills. It is the city's most celebrated spot to watch the sunset.
Built in the late 19th century as a royal retreat from which to watch the monsoon clouds gather, the palace today sits within a wildlife sanctuary on the climb up the hill. This guide covers its history, the views, the sanctuary, timings, tickets and how to reach the summit. For more of the city, see our places to visit in Udaipur and things to do in Udaipur guides.
A short history of Sajjangarh
The palace was built in 1884 by Maharana Sajjan Singh of Mewar, after whom it is named, atop Bansdara hill overlooking Udaipur. It was conceived in part as a place from which to watch the approaching monsoon clouds — earning it the popular name "Monsoon Palace" — and as a cool retreat above the city.
Plans for a grand multi-storey astronomical observatory on the site were never fully realised after the Maharana's early death, but the hilltop palace of white marble survives as a striking landmark visible from across Udaipur, glowing golden at dusk.
The views & the wildlife sanctuary
The panorama: from the palace terraces you look out over Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake, the City Palace and the surrounding Aravalli hills — the finest viewpoint in Udaipur and especially magical at sunset, when the lakes and palaces turn gold.
Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary: the road up the hill winds through a protected sanctuary of dry forest that is home to nilgai, wild boar, jackals, peacocks and a variety of birds; a separate sanctuary entry fee usually applies.
The palace itself: the interiors are modest compared with the City Palace, so the real draw is the architecture, the breeze and the sweeping views rather than museum displays.
Monsoon Palace timings, tickets & how to reach
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Roughly 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (last entry before sunset) |
| Entry (Indian adult) | Around Rs 100 (approx; subject to revision) |
| Entry (foreign tourist) | Around Rs 200–300 (approx; subject to revision) |
| Vehicle / sanctuary charges | Additional charges usually apply for vehicles and the wildlife sanctuary |
| Getting to the top | Private vehicles often stop at the gate; official jeeps or taxis take you to the summit |
| Time needed | About 1 to 1.5 hours, longer to enjoy the sunset |
| Best time | Late afternoon to sunset; October to March for the clearest views |
How to reach & plan your visit
The Monsoon Palace stands about 9 km west of central Udaipur, atop Bansdara hill. The approach road climbs through the Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary; private cars and autos are often required to park near the lower gate, from where official jeeps or taxis carry visitors up the steep final stretch to the palace.
Plan your visit for the late afternoon so you reach the top in time for sunset, the palace's star attraction, and combine it with the city's lakes and viewpoints — see our things to do in Udaipur guide. The best season is October to March, when the skies are clearest.
Frequently asked
Love Udaipur? You could own a resort here — and earn from it.
Beyond visiting, Udaipur is one of India's strongest branded-resort investment markets. Own a registered unit in a 5-star resort and earn 8–10% assured annual returns — with complimentary owner stays. ResortWealth is an independent advisor that compares projects across developers and brands, so you get the right one.