Kanotagarh palace- 19th century to Hollywood Movies – Part 2
Writer on a visit to the 19th century Kanota palace
Recap
The impressive entrance to Kanotagarh fort
We were on a day-trip to the simple elegance of Kanota Garh Thikana, popularly known as Kanota Palace, a princely state of Rajasthan. We had driven on the Jaipur-Agra highway for 15 km from the former to reach Kanota, today it forms an integral part of the international and national tourism known for its tranquil stay, the mid-18th century palace charm, the museums and Libraries! Also, it shot to fame as one of the film location in both parts of Exotic Marigold Hotels– the Hollywood hit movies. Besides, total of 13 movies had been filmed here!!
Hollywood film shot in Kanota. Also 13 movies have been shot here including Bhool Bulaiya!!
We had already explored the magnificent Durbar Hall with unique artefacts and resplendent portraits of the Thakurs of Kanota , the museum and library of the illustrious General Amar Singh and proceeded to the admire the luxury bedrooms and the arms and ammunition museum outdoors.
The attractive Library in the new wing built in traditional style
The vast collection of Arms and Ammunition are displayed beautifully in the Kanota garh museum
The impressive Swords collection of Kanotagarh Thakurs
Exotic Marigold hotels – a brush with Hollywood
Outside the Museum–Library we walked around with a distinct sense of déjà vu thanks to the film shootings, trying to locate the Viceroy club of the Hollywood hits – Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and its sequel Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
Hollywood movie filmed at Kanota
We again went past the canons kept along the pillared corridor towards the rooms of Kanota garh which have been converted into an admired hotel today.
52 rooms Luxury hotel by ITC Storii at the medieval Kanota palace
The rooms have been restored keeping the interiors well intact – the traditional bed, furniture and riveting paintings to name a few.
Thakur General Amar Singh collection of photos and Europe map during World War -1
On a previous trip years back, I recalled that some rooms were being cleaned and we happened to step on laminated large placards printed with English actors’ names – Celia Imrie, Denzil Smith Ronald Pickup and many more. Our guide told us that ‘some English film’ had been shot here recently. In the movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, the film’s characters of Madge and Norman hang around here in the Viceroy Club run by Mr Dhurana. What we came across was the second sequel shooting of the Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
Lithographs from the private collection of the Kanota Thakurs
Both the Marigold hotel movies are based upon a group of old people who look for peace at a resort in Rajasthan India, starring Downton Abbey fame Maggie Smith and Judie Dench of James Bond fame. Richard Gere who joins the second sequel correctly sums up – the movie is not about age but people yearning for love and connection. It’s about damaged people, understanding relationships, heartaches and moving on…
Into the Time Machine
As we had completed the tour of the grand house and hotel we again stepped outside on the garden paths towards the Arms and Ammunitions Museums past beautiful royal rooms that were like stepping into the Time machine, yet fitted with modern amenities!
The Male side of the garden during a royal event, in the bygone era
The female side of the gardens during a royal event in the last two centuries
Appreciating the intricate wall murals with bel-butas in the passages we stopped by at the household carriages used in the bygone era; some looked so British while some had the Indian look.
Reusing antiques- a Bookcase in the new Library
Subsequently we entered room after room with vast collection of Household accounts, books, paintings, portraits and War paraphernalia, maps and impressive arms display, an impressive camel back war-seat; not a moment to miss!
Camel back seat used during battles
The Kanota- Thakurs family have spared no effort to resuscitate their legacy and brilliant maintenance is commendable. It can be a perfect destination to relax with nature if suitable or definitely an ideal day trip.
Restoration gallery of Carriages in which different animals were deployed
Old Carriages being restored
Artefacts from the Medieval Kanota collection- canons and atta chakki
ITC Storii and Kanotagarh
Next, our guide said that previously the bookings at Kanotagarh visit or stay were being made at Hotel Narain Niwas in Jaipur as it was owned by the Thakurs. Thakur General Amar Singh built the now well- known Hotel Narain Niwas as his ‘Garden House’ near the royal Ram-Bagh Palace in Jaipur as the Maharajah of Jaipur had asked him to! Another interesting fact which came to fore was that Narain Niwas was surrounded by a forest used for Gaming until World War II.
The hand held Ceiling fan on the ground floor room of Thakur General Amar Singh
Since November 2025 the property is being managed by the ITC Hotels Storii.
Later we took a long walk backwards through the grand Durbar Hall to the vast magnificent Banquet halls and special contemporary look rooms with ornate wall murals and fabulous flooring – all set for a splendid stay.
Lithographs from the private collection of the Kanota Thakurs
Another Lithograph of Fatehpur Seekri
We walked past the medieval sepia look super fine Lithographs by Vincent Brooks, London of Gate and Iron Pillar (most probably Qutab Minar complex), majestic Gateway to Saint Saleem tomb at Futtehpore Secree and many more for art lovers to appreciate.
The opulent dazzling Banquet hall in the New Wing
We were visiting the new construction by Storii ITC Hotels who have opened a Luxury hotel in the 19th century Kanotagarh fort with 52 rooms and suites, outdoor pool and extensive lawns.
Writer presenting a copy of her coffee table book Timeless Trails to the ITC Hotel management for the library
The Thakurs of Kanota created a spectacle here and the hoteliers have given a further stimulus to the Kanota experience by making it available for destination- weddings too. According to one’s personal liking, the entire wedding can be planned and executed at Kanota garh.
Lord Shiva at Kanotagarh
Subsequently, we moved on past a huge Bel (Wood Apple) laden tree to the mystical scenic Shiva stone temple in the garden with a brief family tree on a marble plaque inscription outside that had names of all ancestors till the temple was finally given this shape in 1948 by descendants of Thakur Amar Singh.
The scenic Lord Shiva Temple with the huge Bel tree outside
It is believed to be Shiva’s favourite fruit offering in the temple. We all may remember it as the cooling Bel Sherbet of Summer too.
Paying obeisance to the tranquil spiritual complete Shiva family we gazed around at the unique wall paintings too.
Au Revoir
We drove back brimming with memories of the visionary Thakur Zorawar Singh from the royal household of (Jodhpur) Marwar in the mid-19th century who migrated to set up his own identity in the Princely state of Kanotagarh, his administrator son Thakur Narain Singh who served under 2 Maharajahs of Jaipur, his scholar progeny Thakur General Amar Singh and the museums of Kanotagarh. Glad we had decided to explore the filming set and Libraries and found ourselves reliving the interesting past treading the Timeless Trails!