Junagarh Fort in Bikaner is considered one of India's most impressive fort complexes. It's exquisitely decorated interiors are in an excellent state of preservation. Built in 1588 by Raja Rai Singh, it is one of the few major forts that was not built on a hilltop. The complex consists of palaces, courtyards, pavilions, and balconies. The walls are adorned with carved stones, marble, paintings, and inlaid semi-precious stones. Each palace in the complex was built by a different ruler over the centuries. The most recent additions were made in 1943.
The Anup Mahal is one of the most impressive rooms in the complex. The ornately lacquered walls are covered in red and gold with colored glass inlay. White plaster pillars are decorated in delicate patterns and covered with gold leaf.
In a land where water is rare, the Badal Mahal or Cloud Palace's walls are painted with a fresco of rain clouds. The Rain Fresco photograph shows a painting of Krishna and Radna surrounded by the blue cloud motifs.

Click on the links below to see a larger view of each photograph.

Related Web Sites

• Indes Multimania Junagarh Fort: photographs (captions in French)
• India Mart, Indian Travel Portal Description of Junagarh Fort
• realbikaner.com Junagarh Fort, construction, old palaces, description of rooms within the fort
• India Tourist Office web site Bikaner