Deogarh Mahal stands on its hill above the town of Deogarh, in a fold of the Aravallis between Udaipur and Jodhpur: a seventeenth-century fortified palace of the Rawats, turreted and jharokhaJharokhaAn enclosed balcony window projecting from an upper wall, carved and canopied, from which those inside could watch the street unseen.Read in the glossary'd, with rooms dated to 1670 and a family who still occupy part of it.
It is the best kind of heritage hotel — one that was never designed as a hotel. Courtyards open off courtyards, staircases go where staircases went, and dinner is laid on the ramparts because that is where the view is.
Why We Place Guests Here
- The Deogarh family own it and live in it; the hospitality is theirs rather than a trained approximation of it.
- The 1930s metre-gauge heritage railway runs through the Aravalli hills from here — the hotel arranges the ride, and it is one of the finest hours in Rajasthan.
- It breaks the Udaipur–Jodhpur road exactly where the road most needs breaking, close to both Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur.
The Table
- Two restaurants within the palace
- Dinner served on the ramparts
- Breakfast in the courtyards
The Elevated India Signature
The heritage railway through the Aravallis, then rampart dinner as the town lights come on below.
Questions, Answered
Is Deogarh Mahal still owned by the royal family?
Yes — the Deogarh family own the palace and part of it remains their residence. Guests occupy the rest.
What is there to do at Deogarh Mahal?
The hotel runs the Aravalli heritage railway ride, excursions to its own Gokal Garh Fort and the Anjana Mahadeoji cave temple, village drives and vintage cars. Most guests stay two nights and wish they had taken three.
Journeys That Take You There
Beyond the Fort Walls
20 Days / 19 Nights
Pride of India: A 16-Day LGBTQ+ Heritage & Wellness Journey
16 Days / 15 Nights
Pride of the Raj: LGBTQ+ Luxe Odyssey
16 Days / 15 Nights
Palaces & Forts: The Heritage Path of Rajasthan
13 Days / 12 Nights
Explore the destination guide: Deogarh, Rajasthan ↗
Photography: Photograph courtesy Deogarh Mahal