Badal Mahal

The Badal Mahal or the Palace of Clouds is situated at the top of the Kumbhalgarh Fort. This two-storied structure is divided into two interconnected distinct portions, namely, the Mardana Mahal and the Zanana Mahal.

Both the portions have rooms that are painted with pastel-coloured murals of the 19th century. The rooms are predominantly in colour schemes of turquoise, green and white and are a contrast to the grim and earthy fortress.

The Zanana Mahal comprised stone ‘jalis’ that facilitated the private viewing of court proceedings and other events by the queens. An interesting feature of these chambers is the ingenious ‘air conditioning’ system. The series of ducts of this system draw cool air into the rooms and ventilate them from the bottom.