Ambika Nivas Palace

Ambika Nivas Palace was built in the 1930s by the 22nd ruler of Muli, HH Thakore Saheb Harischandrasinhji, and finished in 1936. Since then, it has been the home of the Muli royal family. Before Ambika Nivas Palace was made, the family stayed at the Darbargadh in Muli town, which also has the shrine of their kuldevi, Dhar Devi Amba. In recent years, the palace was lovingly restored by the family, and since 2014, part of it has been opened to guests, while the other part remains private.

The palace carries the legacy of nearly 24 generations of rulers who trace their lineage back to 1158 AD, when Laghdhirsinhji I of the Parmar Rajputs made Muli his home. For over 800 years, the family has ruled here and left behind temples, stepwells, lakes, and traditions that people still visit today. Each ruler added something of their own. Ramasinhji I built the seven-storey Raat Ba ni Vaav stepwell in memory of his daughter. Karansinhji created Karansar Lake and Gorbai ni Vaav, and during his time, Muli’s army fought in the famous Battle of Bhuchar Mori. His son Jagdevsinhji later saw the “Partridge War” in 1693, after which the partridge bird was declared sacred in Muli and no one hunts it here even today.

Ambika Nivas Palace rises majestically, surrounded by green lawns and open space. The two-story building features 10 palace rooms and two suites, with most rooms offering a view of the central and east courtyards, creating a sense of openness. Even though it’s now a hotel, the interiors retain the royal aura, like the carved doors, traditional furniture, and detailed embellishments everywhere remind you it was a palace meant for a royal family.

The palace architecture is mostly Indian, but European influences are visible in arch-shaped entrances, intricate carvings on the façade, vintage ornaments, and chandeliers that catch your eye. Courtyards are multiple, turned into sitting areas with lawns, while verandas surround the palace, corridors are open, there’s a large hall, and a spacious dining area. Floors in the corridors have colourful patterned tiles, and the main rooms and lounge are enhanced by designer walls.

The Royal Suite on the first floor overlooks the courtyards, very elegant, large, and with all the comforts you’d expect. The Palace Rooms are on the ground floor, opening directly to the courtyards. The palace also draws visitors because parts of the Malayalam film Empuraan were shot here.

You can have Kathiyawadi cuisine, full of bold spices and delicate sweetness, or choose from Indian, Continental, and Chinese dishes. For breakfast, you can have Asian, Continental, or American options, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan choices. For children, special kids’ meals are available on request. The chef often comes to talk to guests, to understand what they like, and can customize the menu so it feels personal. Most fruits and vegetables come from local sources, are seasonal, and fresh. For special requests, they can make Rajasthani, Swaminarayan, Jain, or vegan meals, prepared exactly as requested.

For a proper traditional experience, there’s the sit-down Kathiyawadi thali. Guests sit down in the old-style way, the food comes in thalis, each dish telling a story, recipes passed down for generations. The thali typically includes spicy curries, tangy pickles, seasonal vegetables, and sweet treats, with each bite reflecting the local flavour of Kathiawar. This requires at least 10 paying guests.

Then there’s the Palace Gala Dinner, held in the courtyard under the stars. Guests are served a carefully curated multi-course meal, featuring local specialties alongside Indian and continental dishes. The presentation is elaborate, and the experience is accompanied by live music and dance performances. However, 10 guests minimum are required for this setup. The candlelight dinner is another highlight that's perfect for a quiet romantic night. It can be set in the courtyard or on the terrace, with floral décor, cake, or small gifts with prior notice.

Ambika Nivas Palace, with its regal vibe, makes for a perfect destination wedding venue. The palace sits on a private estate, and the spaces here feel both grand and personal, suited for intimate gatherings as well as larger celebrations. There are several outdoor venues within the palace, the Central Courtyard, East Courtyard, and the Dining Room, each of which has its own character and atmosphere.

The palace has seen destination weddings from 50 to 300 guests, and the main lawns can host even bigger celebrations, up to 2,000–3,000 guests, without ever feeling crowded. The staff at Ambika Nivas Palace are attentive and experienced, ready to help with requests and arrangements if planned in advance, from décor to special setups or catering preferences.

Cultural and Outdoor Experiences

On-site at Ambika Nivas Palace, guests can unwind at the spa and wellness center, enjoy yoga in the gardens, take a dip in the pool, or keep active in the gym. If you’re in the mood for some indoor fun, you can also play billiards or table tennis.

For those curious about history and culture, the palace organizes tours right from the property. The Muli Heritage Tour takes you through the palace complex, Mandavrai ji Sun Temple, the second oldest Swaminarayan Temple, the Wooden Haveli and Museum, Jhombai Ma Temple with War Memorial, and the stepwell Raatba-ni-vav. The Cotton Story Tour shows the full journey from cotton farms to weaving, while the Textile Artisans Tour introduces you to Patola and Tangalia weavers and their craft. Each of these tours is priced around INR 2,000–2,500 (USD 22-28), depending on the activity.

Nature and rural life can also be explored through the Muli Birdwatching Safari, with over 300 species in the wetlands and grasslands, and the Little Rann of Kutch Wild Ass Sanctuary Safari for those who want a jeep adventure. The Organic Farm-Life Tour shows how traditional chemical-free farming is done, and the Village-Life Tour lets you experience local homes, food, and occupations firsthand. These nature and village tours generally cost between INR 2,500–5,000 (USD 28–60) per activity.

Evenings are special with Kathiawadi dance and music performances in the courtyard. Local troupes bring traditional music and dance alive, making the palace feel alive with culture. Performances are available at around INR 40,000 (USD 455) per show.

The palace also comes alive during festivals. During Diwali, the festival of lights, guests can see the entire palace glowing with lamps and decorations. There’s fireworks and a special dinner with music is served to give visitors a glimpse of Muli’s vibrant cultural life right on the palace grounds.

Ambika Nivas Palace is a favorite spot for film shoots in Gujarat, be it movies, web series, regional films, documentaries, music videos, or even pre-wedding shoots. The palace has plenty of different settings for historical or modern setups. They also take care of crew stay, food, power backup, travel help, and local production support.

Other Celebrations

Apart from other activities, Ambika Nivas Palace offers educational trips for schools and colleges to explore Rural India. Students get hands-on experience of local culture, history, traditional crafts, and daily life in Muli, making learning fun and eye-opening.

The palace warmly welcomes private celebrations, from birthdays and anniversaries to other intimate gatherings. The staff is attentive and flexible, helping plan and accommodate special requests to make each occasion memorable. For corporate events, the palace offers the Meeting Room that can host meetings, seminars, product launches, press conferences, training programs, and workshops, with a capacity of around 40 guests.