When it comes to places to visit in India, you’d think of chilly hill stations, expansive deserts, lush green forests or the iconic Taj Mahal. Have you ever considered visiting water palaces or seaports? These monuments hold a special place in history. They housed rulers, protected them from enemies and guarded treasures and secrets. Today, the rustic charm of seaports and the excellent craftsmanship of water palaces will take your breath away. So, here are 6 stunning water palaces and sea forts in India that you must undoubtedly add to your wishlist.
1. Neer Mahal In Tripura
Nestled in the middle of Rudrasagar Lake in Tripura, Neer Mahal is a summer palace built by King Bir Bikram Kishore Debbarman. It took 8 years to build this lake palace that is inspired by Mughal style architecture. This is the largest water palace in India that also hosts the water-sporting event, Neermahal Water Festival.’ The palace has 24 rooms, an open-air theatre for hosting cultural and public events, a courtyard and manicured gardens.
2. Sindhudurg Fort In Maharashtra
Sindhudurg literally translating to “fort of the sea” lies in the small town of Devgad just off the coast of Malvan in Maharashtra. This is one of the biggest and most well-kept forts of the Maratha empire. Built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj himself in 1664, Sindhudurg fort shares its architecture with the nearby twin fort of Vijaydurg. This sea fort has foundations laid with molten lead to ensure that the sea won’t erode it over centuries. Sindhudurg fort stretches across the 44-acre Kurute island and is said to have secret passages to the coast.
3. Deeg Palace In Rajasthan
Rajasthan’s Deeg Palace is perched between Gopal Sagar and Rup Sagar lakes. Legends say that Jat Rulers were inspired by the Mughal architecture while building this stunning palace. The interiors are intricately designed and the facade looks mesmerising in water. This palace built in 1772 by Badan Singh, was a luxurious summer resort for rulers of the Bharatpur State. The water palace was actively in use till the early 1970s.
4. Diu Fort In Diu
Diu Fort is a gigantic structure with a commanding presence. It was built by the Portuguese to give a boost to the local tourism industry. With cannonballs littering the entire place and a parapet displaying an array of cannon, this is an intimidating sea fort. Diu fort was called Praça de Diu by the Portuguese. It formed a striking monument on the coast of the island, offering mesmerising views of the sea.
5. Lakhota Fort-Palace In Gujarat
Erected by the Maharaja of Navanagar to serve as a summer retreat, Lakhota Fort Palace is one of the most stunning monuments in Gujarat. It was built on a small island in Lakhota Lake. Today, it serves as a popular sightseeing spot in Jamnagar. Lakhota Fort has been converted into a museum that houses an impressive collection of artefacts belonging to ancient villages nearby. The fort-palace connected to the mainland by a stone bridge.
6. Bekal Fort In Kerala
You’d recollect Kerala’s Bekal fort from the AR Rahman classic “Tu Hi Re” song. Set in the heart of nature, this lofty structure provides magnificent views of the coastline and the Arabian Sea. It’s one of the biggest forts in Kerala and has been excellently maintained over the years. The Bekal Fort Beach, nestled by the sea fort witnesses people flocking to catch soak in the sunset. The fort was put together using a laterite slab with a polygonal shape. The imposing views of the beach, majestic hills and golden sands will surely leave you yearning to visit Bekal fort.
These are some of the most stunning sea forts and water palaces in India that you must surely plan a trip to when the world’s a safer place. A trek up to the sea fort, a trip to a water palace, will energise you, and that might be the perfect dose of happiness.