Looking Up in the Taj Falaknuma Palace

Ceilings echoed floor designs, ceilings told stories, ceilings copied from European castles with their own unique Indian interpertations. (the maidens have to make you smile). Carved, coffered, inlaid, painted with scenes or strict geometric deco styled designs, in all the public rooms the ceilings were sumptuous....the more private family rooms just had glorious Belgian crystal chandeliers!

 

Taj Falaknuma Palace - The Ladies Gossip Room

This was one of my favorite spots in Falaknuma Palace, heavily scented with gorgeous bouquets of fresh flowers, thickly carpeted, a room feminine in shape with soft curves. It was decorated with late Victorian and French influenced early deco pieces, you could practically see the women all chatting. There were the four most unusual little settes I have ever seen...topped with mirrors for the ladies to check their faces and attire.

Phuket Catching Up and Continuing...Falaknuma Palace

My excuse for an absent January...life....and oh yes my beloved mac wanted the month off and took it!

So here goes as promised, pictures and a little background of the wonderful Taj Falaknuma Palace which today still reflects the glories of the Nizami period of Hyderabad.

When Falaknuma was built Hyderbad was a prosperous princely kingdom in India the size of Great Britain. The first Diwan or prime minister, Sir Sala Jung followed the revenue systems of the British. Managing the state from 1853 he had created a politically stable, wealthly and relatively independant state by the last decades of the century.

The man who commissioned the building of this particularly wonderful palace was Viqar ul Omra, a Diwan or prime minister married to the sister of the 6th Nizam. At this time it was customary for nobles of the Indian courts to travel to Britain and Europe. Viqar ul Omra spent eight months in Great Britain and Europe  in the year 1882, even being entertained by Queen Victoria. When he returned to Hyderabad inspired by European architectural styles he choose to create the grandest Neo - classical palace, Falaknuma ' The Mirror of the Heavens'.

From a dining table that seats 101, to a billards room that could be in a gentleman's club in London, a library ceiling based on Windsor castle's to the requisite ballroom Falaknuma Palace has it all. Wait till
you see the ladie's gossip room!

Taj Falaknuma Palace - Heaven on Earth

For a designer or photographer the Taj Falaknuma Palace is Heaven on Earth...
Everywhere you turn there is a romantic picture to be taken and/or a detail to absorb....
It is simply unbelievable and my next few posts will show you why!
Please indulge me and I do hope you enjoy the palace as much as I have.

Stepping into the entrance hall,
Is this not the most perfect profile, carved from pure white marble?

Above is a view of  the entry hall from the office and a closer view of a pair of doors leading from
one of the front rooms to the entry terrace. Below is the fabulous stair hall leading up to the entertaining rooms of the palace. All the more private rooms and the bedrooms are on the ground floor.

To the Happiest of New Year's for All!

 Completely spoiled in incredible India.....a small taste of New Year's Eve at  Taj Falaknuma Palace!