Jahaz Mahal

Location: On the northeastern corner of Hauz-i-Shamsi at the southern end of Mehrauli

Famous for: The festival of Phulwalon Ki Sair

Time to Visit: Open on all days

Preferred Timings: sunrise to sunset

Admission Fees: Free and open to all

Photography charges: nil

How to Reach: Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach this monument, which is located in south Delhi, or they can hire auto-rickshaws and taxis or take the metro rail.

Nearest Railway Station: Nizamuddin Railway Station

Nearest Metro Station: Central Secretariat

Functional Metro Station: Central Secretariat

Nearest International Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport

Time required for sightseeing: About 30 minutes

Jahaz Mahal is situated on the northeastern corner of Hauz-i-Shamsi, a tank built by Iltutmish, a ruler of the Slave Dynasty. The mahal or palace belongs to the Lodi period and is said to have served the purpose of a sarai or pilgrim's apartments. It is called Jahaz (ship) Mahal because it is located on the banks of Hauz-i-Shamsi, and appears as if is floating on the surface of the vast lake.

The main entrance of the palace is from the eastern side. It has a rectangular courtyard in the center with arched chambers on the sides beautifully decorated with several designs of squinches. The palace too has a small mosque as suggested by a mihrab in the western wall. The main features of the palace are its intricately carved chhatris and domed pavilion ornamented with blue tiles. The corners of the chambers are surmounted by the chhatris and the gateway by the pavilions having the tiles.

The beautiful festival of Phulwalon Ki Sair, which started in 1720, was celebrated here in this palace in which the flower-sellers from Mehrauli paid tribute to the Mughal Emperors. The festival has been revived and is held during the month of October.

Nearby Tourist Attractions

Dargah of Qutb-Sahib, Hathi Gate & Zafar, Jamali Kamali Mosque, Qutab Minar, Gandhak ki Baoli and Rajon-ki-Bain and mosque.

Nearby Places to Eat

Thai Wok Ambavata Complex, Osaka Aurobindo Marg, Red Snapper Aurobindo Marg and a number of roadside food stalls are there nearby to the Qutab complex.

Nearby Shopping Venues

Ambavata Shopping Complex, Mehrauli, Hauz Khas Village, Sahara Mall and DT Mall in Gurgaon.

Last Updated On: 2011/07/01