In my childhood days, I remember visiting a Chinese restaurant called ‘Kim-Wah” at Calcutta.
The restaurant ambience was a heady mix of intoxicating aroma of lip-smacking Chinese cuisine, herbs, and the tinkling sound of distant polished white crockeries from the kitchen.
Cambodian Style Curry
That was my first exposure to quality load of plates and dishes 🥛☕
After several years, when we visited the Gondal’s Royal family collection of “Awesome crockeries” around the globe 🍽️, we were swept off our feet.
at Gondal, Gujarat
In Part 1, we have seen the palace, its grounds, the ‘jharokas’ and its imposing structure overlooking the Gondal River 🏰
Part 2 of the Naulakha Palace series, gave us a glimpse of the outstanding objects, the library and the Royal family’s love for ships and seas. ⚓🤴
In Part 3, you may have seen the Royal customs, unique objects and the Queen’s kitchen 🥣🔪
Part 5, will take you through those times of 19th century where you can see a superb collection of horse drawn carriages of that era 🐎
Part 6 gives a visitor a brilliant tour of the Royal collection of toys, that include, scale models of cars, trains and airplanes 🚃🚗✈️
Where’s Naulakha Palace?
Let’s quickly find out where is this Palace before we become a blur in our Royal quest. Specially for the first-time readers who did not get a chance till now to visit the Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.
through the lanes and slender roads towards the river Gondal.
Collector Plates
begins with polished tree trunks adorned with
a variety of exotic rock samples
decorated one of the walls next to the
showcases at Naulakha Palace, Gondal
white glow within its glass enclosure
at Naulakha Palace, Gondal
Brassware, Wooden wonders
wooden Royal soldiers mounted on an elephant and a horse,
seemed to gaze at us through the glass, Note the unique caps the
soldiers wore were of the Royal family at
Naulakha Palace in Gondal
a brass tea set atop a lace-embroidered table cover, complemented
by gold-plated wooden chairs with plush cushions,
reflects the regal lifestyle at Naulakha Palace in Gondal
and animals, along with gods and goddesses, encircle
a centrally placed majestic lion-carved wooden chair. In front,
an ancient “Pachisi” game is displayed on a glass-topped
low mahogany table at Naulakha Palace, Gondal
Porcelain galore
wine glasses, from popular manufacturers such as Meissen,
Limoges, and Wedgwood looked stunning in the showcases
at Naulakha Palace, Gondal
goblets, ice tumbler and an extensive assortment of wine glasses
at Naulakha Palace, Gondal, spoke volumes of the Royal
family’s passion for exquisite crockery sets
could be seen from Ming and Qing dynasties.
Delicate craftsmanship and detailed
artwork ruled the designs
Gold plated crockeries
plates and designs looked fabulous on its
glass support at Naulakha Palace, Gondal
with plated gold shone a red wine color through
the delicate showcases at Naulakha Palace, Gondal
Ming dynasty collection
pottery and Chinese Asian designs glittered the
showcase at Naulakha Palace, Gondal
tea pots with plates of bone China crockeries made a
clarion call to the visitors at Naulakha Palace, Gondal
trays, tea sets, and cutlery, engraved with the royal family
crest and intricate patterns were in abundance
at Naulakha Palace, Gondal
Chandeliers and Stained glass
with numerous frosted glass rods, arranged in several
concentric patterns, cast a dispersed light throughout the
room at Naulakha Palace, Gondal
the harsh sunlight partially. The embossed wooden door,
its brass chain hanging open, reveals the
splendor of Naulakha Palace.
flower petals, dangled from a solitary brass chain. The white
bulbs, angled outward, illuminated the room
at Naulakha Palace, Gondal
Wrap up, crockeries
With legs aching wildly 😩 we take a short break and head for the next section outside the place.
has the Royal horse drawn carriage collection
at Naulakha Palace, Gondal
Part 5
The Naulakha Palace was non ending.
Passions and interest ran wild.
In Part 5, you will see the Royal family’s collection of international horse drawn carriages of 18th and 19th century.
Hope you are enjoying the Palace tour with us 🏰😊
Inference
- Anyone who loves museums will really like the Palace relics
- Remember, not to use camera everywhere as restrictions to photograph apply within the palace
| Distance from Orchard Palace to the Naulakha Palace | 1.7 kms |
| Best time to visit | December through early March, avoid summers. Wear cotton clothes as Gujarat does not have any winters |
| Timings | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed from 2.30 pm to 3 pm for lunch) Time Required: 4 hours Closed on Sunday |
| Parking | The Naulakha Palace has its own parking |
| Pocket pinch | Entry Fee: Indians – Orchard Palace Rs.150 when we went, perhaps Rs.200 now Camera – Rs.150 Mobile camera – Rs.100 Video Shooting charge: Rs.200 Palace Guide Cost – Rs.200 for 2 hours |
| Places to visit around | Shri Swaminarayan Mandir The Orchard Palace Shri Ramanath Dham |
SPITFIRE GAUTAM 