Chowmahalla Palace opens its doors after hours with curated royal experiences

Experience the magic of Chowmahalla Palace at night with guided tours, royal dining, and live music.

When the 19 Belgian Crystal chandeliers, of the 300-year-old Chowmahalla Palace in Hyderabad’s Old City are lit, the moment feels almost theatrical. I have visited the palace several times — as a tourist, a reporter and a wedding guest — and each experience has felt distinct. But seeing Chowmahalla after sunset reveals a version of the palace that few ever encounter.

Usually open only during the day, the palace has now begun hosting The Chowmahalla Experiences (TCE): private, guided evening tours followed by a musical programme and a royal dinner. The initiative reflects a growing interest in experiential heritage hospitality, where monuments are not merely preserved but thoughtfully activated to engage contemporary audiences.

Launched in November, TCE is a premium offering inspired by the popularity of supper clubs, curated dinners and private heritage walks. “The idea was not just to promote the palace, but the culture of the city around it,” says Aamir Tameen, curator of The Chowmahalla Experiences.

The Belgian Crystal Crystal chandeliers at the Durbar Hall | Photo Credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR

Guests arrive after public hours, in limited numbers, and begin with a guided heritage walk through the palace. “The experience goes beyond a conventional dinner,” Aamir explains. “It starts with a detailed walkthrough of key halls and courtyards, designed to contextualise the architecture, royal customs and lesser-known stories of the Nizami era. The walk unfolds as an immersive narrative rather than a standard museum tour.”

For the ones who are not aware of this palace in Hyderabad, Chowmahalla’s construction began around 1751 AD during the reign of Nawab Salabat Jung, the third son of Asaf Jah I. When Nizam Ali Khan Asaf Jah II shifted the capital from Aurangabad to Hyderabad, he added several mahals during his reign, shaping the complex into the ceremonial heart of the Nizams.