The refurbished palace hotel will have wall murals mirroring the history of Wadiyars. The murals will depict Khedda (Operation to trap wild elephants through decoy methods), Jamboo Savari in the days of Wadiyars’, Parade, the First Day Parade, Jamboo Savari in Bannimantap grounds, royal hunting among other things. The murals will be remade with the help of murals available at Jaganmohan Palace and the personal collections of Wadiyars including photographs.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar said that, “In future even if the people do not come to visit the main Palace, they will surely visit Rajendra Vilas Palace, just because of its interiors”. The Palace, built in Indo-sarcenic style, has been standing atop Chamundi Hills since 1939.

He said “The Palace is being renovated for the past four years at an estimated cost of Rs 4 to 5 crore. After the closure of Rajendra Vilas Imperial, as it was then known, in 1998, the entire building had to be completely renovated and now the interior works is on. The new decor will have a Rajasthani flavour will all the rooms ceilings decorated with mirror to attain the look of ‘Sheesh Mahal’, Wadiyar added. Apart from ceilings, even the walls will be adorning the same work.

Suites

The new hotel will have 40 to 50 suites as against the earlier operation which had only single and double bed rooms and very few suites. Most of the rooms will have independent gardens, besides private balconies to relax followed by health club, gym, spa, swimming pool, ornamental gardens. Of 10 different bungalows existing in the premises, two will be used for the construction of 11 cottages. The rooms will be priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 12,000 and may go up to Rs 20,000 for suites.

And, if all goes well, it will be added to the list of existing hotels here by next Dasara.