Monsoon Palace (Sajjangarh)

The Monsoon Palace, or Sajjangarh, crowns the Bansdara hills above Udaipur. Maharana Sajjan Singh, the 72nd ruler of Mewar, began it in the 19th century as a nine-storey astronomical centre from which to watch the monsoon clouds; he is also said to have chosen the hilltop to see his ancestral seat, Chittorgarh. His early death left the plan unfinished.

The white marble palace has turrets, a central courtyard, a grand staircase and pillars carved with flowers and leaves, and it is lit up at night. From its watchtowers the views take in the city's lakes and palaces, Fateh Sagar Lake and the Aravalli hills, with sunset the favourite time. The palace appeared as a location in the James Bond film Octopussy.