Shriji Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar ofUdaipur (77th Custodian of the House of Mewar) is the Chairman and Managing Trustee of Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation and the Chairman and Managing Director of Lake Palace Hotels and Motels Pvt. Ltd., Udaipur.
In conversation with Shriji Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar on preserving royal heritage, redefining hospitality, and transforming Udaipur into a global wedding capital.
Suhani Nagpal: Your family has upheld a distinguished royal legacy in Mewar for centuries. How did your ancestors first envision transforming the majestic palaces into world-class heritage hotels?
Shriji Dr Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur: It is a fascinating fact that brings the growth of hospitality industry neck-to-neck with historical changes happening in the country. Independence in 1947, the merger of Princely States for the formation of Rajasthan and then the Abolition of Princely Privileges in 1971.
In the midst of these dramatic times, my illustrious grandfather His late Highness Maharana Bhagwat Singh Ji Mewar took a pioneering decision: to ‘convert’ the Family’s Jag Niwas Palace into a luxury hotel, the ‘Lake Palace Hotel’ was established. In the early 1970’s, the Taj Group entered the scene as our business partners. The rest, as they say, is history: in 2022-23, we commemorated 50 years of association with the Taj Group.
We are immensely proud of this unique business association which has set records of being the longest-ever partnership in contemporary India. The pioneering business decision of Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar demonstrated the power to trigger economic growth, transform the urban landscape of a heritage city, and make an impact that lasts for generations, not merely decades.
The development of tourism in Rajasthan, as you can see, has grown by leaps and bounds. Today, tourism contributes almost 15% to the state’s economy which is a remarkable facet. Inspiring and challenging for us in the 21st century.
Suhani Nagpal: Could you share a defining moment or decision by your forebears that laid the foundation for Udaipur’s renowned hospitality tradition?
Shriji Dr Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur: With Taj Lake Palace Hotel putting Udaipur on the global tourism map, we can see how the 1980s and 1990s shaped up under the leadership of my father, the 76th Custodian of House of Mewar, His late Highness Maharana Arvind Singh Mewar. He built the HRH Group of Hotels with the promise of making guests ‘Experience the Original in the Abode of Kings’. It is our USP guiding us till date.
HRH Group of Hotels is India’s largest chain of palace-hotels and sanctuary resorts under private ownership. HRH Group is headquartered in Udaipur with iconic palaces and resorts in Gajner, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Ranakpur. HRH Group of Hotels with its palace-hotels and sanctuary-resorts was branded around this authentic experience by my father: Where once Royalty lived and entertained, today the guests were being welcomed in those environs. We are upholding this ‘living heritage’ of Mewar and sharing it with guests from far and near.
Suhani Nagpal: What were the earliest challenges in opening the royal palaces and resorts to guests while preserving their grandeur?
Shriji Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar: Yes, these are challenges which we face day after day! The more we open our doors to hospitality, the more we have to preserve, conserve and ensure that the authenticity of our palace-hotels and heritage venues is not diluted.
Moreover, we have worked hard at developing not just our tourism-related businesses but for Udaipur as a ‘destination’. Of course, there is no denying that HRH Group pioneered the concept of ‘Regal Weddings’ and threw open the doors of our palaces for ceremonial events. Our heritage venues are unique and in comparable; it was over a period of time that Udaipur become a
leading ‘destination wedding’ venue.
Our House of Mewar has been contributing to the development, growth and well-being of the region for the past 1500 years; it would be unfair on my part to just enlist the efforts to increase the
business coming into the city of Udaipur, as it is just a small part of our broader initiatives.
Today our focus on developing The City Palace (managed by the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation) and the Maharana Mewar Public School are adding completely new dimensions to the growth-trajectory of Udaipur as a heritage-city of Rajasthan and India. In all these endeavours, we continue to grow and remain as vigilant about preservation, safety and security at all levels. It is a tough job, believe me!