Jahaz Mahal is hidden in the middle of the tiny but busy town of Mehrauli in the southern region of Delhi bordering Gurugram. The access to the Jahaz Mahal is via the Mehrauli Market, a famous but crowded market of Delhi where one can find shops selling everything imaginable from stylish hookah to cheap Chinese lanterns.
Parking was free after I confirmed with the shop owner in front on which I found a little opening between already crammed two-wheelers to park my Bajaj Boxer. The small entrance to the Mahal was difficult to spot since the space in front of the broken gate was obstructed up by a fruit vendor.
Once inside the Jahaz Mahal I experienced time travel and at the same time enjoyed the mesmerizing beauty and old-world charm of this medieval era construction which lies abandoned today but neatly-preserved by the Archeological Survey of India or the ASI. There was also a full-time security person posted who doubled up as the guide for a tiny fee. If you ask how their day was going, locals also volunteer to provide tidbits of whatever little information and interesting stories they have heard over the years generations about the now broken palace.
I moved around through the small and big chambers and the main assembly hall and enjoyed every moment of the hour or less I could spend there while the security fella looked at a lonely visitor in me as he enjoyed chewing his tobacco and perhaps also continued to do so long after I had left the place.
Technically Jahaz means a ship and Mahal is a palace so this is a 15th-century palace with domed towers and a courtyard surrounded by a moat all of which are now in shambles. Nevertheless, visiting this captivating beauty was my long-standing dream that I fulfilled last week on a warm November afternoon when a cool breeze was flowing over Delhi so the climate was perfect and the Jahaz Mahal was beckoning.
Have you been to a historic place that was hidden inside the rush of city life?IтАЩd be interested in knowing your experiences.
Until thenтАж Happy Guiding ?
Accessibility Features
In spite of being a historic site, no accessibility for the differently-abled feature was available either outside and inside the monument.
Ramp Access.
A wheelchair-accessible Entrance.
A wheelchair-accessible Parking.
A wheelchair-accessible Restroom/Toilet.
What Else To Do In Delhi
While you are in Delhi, these are the top-recommended places:
Amazing placeтАж By seeing your photos I could feel my presence there. Very nice write up. Beautiful photos by you @TusharSuradkar . Thanks for sharing here with us buddy.
What an incredible post about Jahaz Mahal !!! You are a story-teller @TusharSuradkar From photos to your writing style, I am a big time fan of your posts Thanks for sharing such lesser known place with us.
Totally agree with you @TusharSuradkar Who else can describe the place better than locals themselves. Even I strike conversations with the locals when visiting new places, much valuable suggestions and information is obtained from them.
Thanks for sharing post on Jahaz Mahal I have been to Delhi so many times but was not aware about this place next time when ever I visit Delhi will visit jahaz mahal.
Accessibility Features
Ramp Access.
