Taj Falaknuma Palace standing 2,000 feet above the city of Hyderabad, is indeed a jewel amongst the clouds. And, being able to visit and have an exclusive shoot at this serene location, I felt like a true queen.

Falaknuma, meaning ‘like the sky’ or ‘mirror of sky’, was built in 1894 by Nawab Sir Viqar-ul-Umra, Prime Minister of Hyderabad and the uncle and brother-in-law of the sixth Nizam; the enchanting palace merges modern lifestyle with ancient heritage in Hyderabad. The Nawab was an avid traveller, and his influences show in the architecture, which combines Italian and Tudor influences.

On arriving at the location, I rode to the magnetic palace in a horse-drawn carriage and was able to retrace the steps of numerous Nizams, European royalty, Begums and distinguished Heads of State. Spread across 32 acres, the palace has 60 rooms and suites that are beautifully refurbished and lovingly restored by Her Highness Princess Esra (Nizam’s Turkish wife).

Scroll through the mesmerising shots clicked in the beauty, that is Falaknuma.