Aina Mahal
Aina Mahal
3.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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3.5
315 reviews
Excellent
64
Very good
109
Average
90
Poor
33
Terrible
19
Anuradha
New Delhi, India1,258 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
Very beautiful palace with rich history and heritage of Kutch, with a lot of artefacts. A lot of glass could be seen on roof and walls in the palace but Sheen has faded, due to lack of maintenance.A part of the compound was under renovation, a part was in total ruins, sadly. In such remote areas, cultural heritage needs more protection and conservation.
Most of the pictures uploaded by travellers here, are of Parag Mahal, which shares the same compound. Photography was prohibited inside Aina Mahal.
Most of the pictures uploaded by travellers here, are of Parag Mahal, which shares the same compound. Photography was prohibited inside Aina Mahal.
Written January 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PSIndia
New Delhi, India148 contributions
Feb 2023
It's so sad and shameful that precious history and artifacts are left to literally gather dust and lie in tatters.
What promised to be a beautiful slice of royal life from Kutch's glorious past, is a pitifully crumbling edifice with heirlooms buried under layers of dust and a mockery of the name 'aina mahal' (palace of mirrors), where the mirrors are cracked and stained and reflect only the sad state of affairs.
Signages (if any!) are literally scrawled on old, stained slips of paper. Large sections have no descriptions or translated text. The one part that suddenly hits the eye is a laminated, typed brochure selling hotel rooms at a property owned by the erstwhile royal family.
If the Trust that manages this can't cope with the maintenance, it's better to just move the heirlooms to a private collection. Truly, this is actually a disrespect to a glorious past.
We left saddened and disheartened. Also couldn't fathom, why one is expected to take off footwear before entering... surely this is not adding to the inches of dust on the artifacts and the peeling layers of paint?
What promised to be a beautiful slice of royal life from Kutch's glorious past, is a pitifully crumbling edifice with heirlooms buried under layers of dust and a mockery of the name 'aina mahal' (palace of mirrors), where the mirrors are cracked and stained and reflect only the sad state of affairs.
Signages (if any!) are literally scrawled on old, stained slips of paper. Large sections have no descriptions or translated text. The one part that suddenly hits the eye is a laminated, typed brochure selling hotel rooms at a property owned by the erstwhile royal family.
If the Trust that manages this can't cope with the maintenance, it's better to just move the heirlooms to a private collection. Truly, this is actually a disrespect to a glorious past.
We left saddened and disheartened. Also couldn't fathom, why one is expected to take off footwear before entering... surely this is not adding to the inches of dust on the artifacts and the peeling layers of paint?
Written February 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rahul P Singh
Mundra, India629 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
Only a small part of the palace can be visited, one that was (good) restored after the 2001 earthquake, an old 18th century palace situated at the northeast corner of HamirsarLake, converted into a museum, which is next to PragMahal and is full of glass mirrors that adorn its walls all around, the entrance is a bit narrow but widens up as we first visit PragMahal Palace. The AinaMahal palace or “Hall of Mirrors” was built during the flamboyant rule of Lakhpatji in the middle of the 18th century. Master craftsman Ramsingh Malam, who trained as an artisan for 17 years in Europe, felt unappreciated by lesser rulers in the area, so he went to the royal court at Bhuj and appealed to the king for work, who commissioned thispalace. Malam designed it in a mixed Indo-European style and set about creating the materials for the palace locally. There are five floor inside it. Top floor is currently closed for visitors after Earthquake.
Time: 9:00am to 12:00 am & 3:00 pm to 6:00
Closed: Thursday
Charges: Entry - Rs. 20/-, Photography - Rs.30/-
Durbar The great room is a great example of what were the princely residences of local rajas to the British colonial era.It is worth visiting it as it contains interesting exhibits of the history of the maharajah.
Time: 9:00am to 12:00 am & 3:00 pm to 6:00
Closed: Thursday
Charges: Entry - Rs. 20/-, Photography - Rs.30/-
Durbar The great room is a great example of what were the princely residences of local rajas to the British colonial era.It is worth visiting it as it contains interesting exhibits of the history of the maharajah.
Written December 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheTouringTexan
New Delhi, India41 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
The Aina Mahal is a must see for anyone interested in the history and culture of Kutch. The curator, Mr. Jethi, and staff have done a great job preserving, renovating, and displaying the history and unique aspects of Kutch, especially relating to the former royal dynasty. Mr. Jethi is a wealth of knowledge about the history of Bhuj and Kutch and is very helpful to those who ask. I especially like how they don't sit back and let the place collect dust, but I find new displays and arrangements every time I visit.
Written July 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
413Travel
54 contributions
Nov 2017 • Solo
I met Pramod Jethi at his office/booth at Bhuj’s New Palace, seeking some advice for a 3 day tour of Kutch for which I had already booked a car through Hotel Ilark. I was delighted that he was available at the last minute to accompany me as a guide, and at the same reasonable rate quoted in Lonely Planet.
With a degree in Economics and background in business, Pramod shifted his career to Kutch culture and the arts, serving as curator of the Old Palace and as Trustee of other museums until his recent retirement. Also author or a fine guidebook on the region, Pramod is clearly an expert on Kutch tribes, culture, architecture and arts, who brings to his current role as guide not only his expertise but also infectious enthusiasm and insatiable intellectual curiosity.
We were able to see much more than I had thought possible in three days, visiting not only the Great White Rann and many tribal villages and other sites (including Than) on the way, but also the far west and Manci in the south. Pramod was truly a lot of fun to be with, and I would recommend him without hesitation to anyone for a tour, even if one has time for only one day of touring in the Bhuj area.
With a degree in Economics and background in business, Pramod shifted his career to Kutch culture and the arts, serving as curator of the Old Palace and as Trustee of other museums until his recent retirement. Also author or a fine guidebook on the region, Pramod is clearly an expert on Kutch tribes, culture, architecture and arts, who brings to his current role as guide not only his expertise but also infectious enthusiasm and insatiable intellectual curiosity.
We were able to see much more than I had thought possible in three days, visiting not only the Great White Rann and many tribal villages and other sites (including Than) on the way, but also the far west and Manci in the south. Pramod was truly a lot of fun to be with, and I would recommend him without hesitation to anyone for a tour, even if one has time for only one day of touring in the Bhuj area.
Written November 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bala Rao
Atlanta, GA53 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
A good and planned exhibit of the Kutch heritage. You can see the royal styles of living and the various currency, weaponry and gifts in display. Give it a couple of hours and soak in the Kutch experience.
Written March 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dimpoo1971
Mumbai, India385 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
plan your bhuj city tour in such a way that
you dont have to miss out on aaina mahal as its closed on thursday and i missed it,
have given rating as its mandatory
you dont have to miss out on aaina mahal as its closed on thursday and i missed it,
have given rating as its mandatory
Written March 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
APARTHA
Gurugram (Gurgaon), India94 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
Aina Mahal a palace containing collections of mirrors, paintings, furnitures of erstwhile rulers Bhuj. Certainly worth visiting if one is in Bhuj. There are ornate doors, which are very good. One door where front part is decorated with ivory is certainly a prized possession to see.
It takes around 45 minutes to see collections.
It takes around 45 minutes to see collections.
Written April 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gogsblore
Bengaluru, India230 contributions
Feb 2015 • Family
Keeps loads of time for this place if you are a fan of Indian history. The walls have loads of stories to tell. Rooms are well maintained & looked after.
Written February 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
keith h
Chesham, UK1,170 contributions
Jan 2015 • Solo
The 2001 earthquake wreaked some serious damage-some repairs have been made.
I took a knowledgeable guide which greatly added to the experience.There is much bric-a-brac on display, some more interesting than others, some good coinage & the fabric of the building has lost its original sparkle. However, take your time & you will find some interesting things & see some fine craft work.
I took a knowledgeable guide which greatly added to the experience.There is much bric-a-brac on display, some more interesting than others, some good coinage & the fabric of the building has lost its original sparkle. However, take your time & you will find some interesting things & see some fine craft work.
Written January 31, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the visiting time and fees for visiting Aina Mahal
Written September 3, 2019
Yes check at google for correct time, I don’t remember the ticket price but I am sure it’s not expensive, approx 30 rs. !!!
Written September 4, 2019
What are the timings of Alina Mahal?
Written March 10, 2017
Friday - Wednesday:
9–11:45AM - 3–5:45PM
Closed on Thursday.
Written March 11, 2017
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