In the lexicon of the House of Mewar, leadership is not defined by the ownership of history but by its stewardship. Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Chairman and Managing Director of The Lake Palace Hotels & Motels Pvt Ltd, operates under a mandate that has remained unchanged for centuries: Seva (Service), Suraj (Duty), and Sanrakshan (Heritage Conservation). As the Diwan of Shree Eklingnath Ji, he views his role through the lens of a custodian, presiding over a lineage that he describes as a “living heritage” belonging to all of humanity.

Under his guidance, the historic partnership between the House of Mewar and the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has entered its sixth decade, marking it as one of the longest-running business alliances in the Indian private sector. Beyond the architectural marvels of Udaipur, Dr. Mewar’s focus is anchored in the “Two Es”, Education and Environment, pioneering social initiatives that have earned ten Guinness World Records.

In this conversation for The CEO Magazine, he reflects on the visionary decisions of his forefathers, the enduring relevance of the Sisodia dynasty in a digital age, and why the “human touch” remains the irreplaceable cornerstone of world-class hospitality.

TCM: What does it mean to you personally to carry forward the legacy of the House of Mewar today?

Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur: We are all born to carry forward the legacies of our families. Certainly, as the 77th Custodian of the House of Mewar, that responsibility is greater, and it brings with it a deep sense of pride and honour.

As Diwan of the Supreme Lord of Mewar, Parameswaraji Maharaj Shree Eklingnath Ji, we are honour-bound to discharge our duties, to remain independent, self-reliant and committed to serving people regardless of race, gender or religion. Our history goes back a long, long way and, needless to say, it has to be respected, upheld and shared with all. Mewar does not belong to us – it belongs to all humanity.

Our forefathers have emphasised that “we are here to serve”, and this has been the distinguishing factor in the history of Mewar in ancient and recent times. Service to humanity and the core values of remaining independent and self-reliant are equally important for us: Seva (Service), Suraj (Duty), and Sanrakshan (Heritage Conservation) sum it up!

TCM: The House of Mewar represents one of the world’s oldest living royal lineages. How has growing up within this legacy shaped your understanding of responsibility and leadership?

Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur: Growing up in the House of Mewar was like growing up in any family! Both my parents – His late Highness Maharana Arvind Singh Mewar and Rajmata Vijayraj Kumari Mewar – gave me a privileged but extremely grounded upbringing. Always rooted in reality and always ready to be more responsive to people around, understanding and learning from them. That is how I have grown in life: not merely going through life, but engaging with it.

Our legacy is spiritual, social, and cultural: it spans a wide spectrum.

TCM: Are there particular lessons or values from your family’s history that continue to guide you in your decisions today?

Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur: We can have a full session on values and belief systems of Mewar! Suffice it to say that our service to humanity and our focus on being self-reliant and independent have been the most guiding principles, the values we adhere to. This is not a chapter of history; it is the living heritage of Mewar.

I am deeply aware of the contributions of generations of Maharanas of Mewar: Rana Kumbha, Rana Sanga and Rana Pratap being the iconic figures who are part of South Asian history, not just Indian history.

Recently, on 14th March 2026, we unveiled the statues of Maharana Bheem Singh and Col James Tod at Shiv Niwas Palace, Udaipur. The Maharana was the custodian who worked closely with the British agent and guided the state of Mewar out of several crises. There are lessons of governance and leadership to be drawn from such history.

TCM: When you reflect on the legacy of the Sisodia dynasty, what aspects of that heritage feel most relevant in today’s world?

Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur: Everything is significant; everything is important and relevant! This is how we align and approach ‘our today’ with the achievements of the past. Be it spirituality, education, hospitality, sports, or care for the environment, these remain universally relevant. I am proud to state that Mewar’s record in each of these is spectacular. Let me share the example of education: Udaipur was the first to establish a secondary school exclusively for girls way back in 1864, more than 160 years ago! Education for the girl-child was an important agenda for Maharana Shambhu Singh Ji, my forefather in whose name the school was founded. We continue to support the school, even though it is under the purview of the Rajasthan Government.

TCM: As the custodian of a historic institution, how do you approach leadership in a way that respects tradition while also embracing change?

Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur: Life is not broken up into tradition and change! It is one single stream, like a big river that is flowing, with different waves and different currents.

It brings everything together: the new and the old, the real big challenges and the smaller one. We live and GROW, we live to IMPROVE and not just prove anything is old or new. It is the NOW that is to be embraced. Change is a universal constant, but as Custodian, it is my responsibility to ensure that the traditions and customs of the House of Mewar remain alive.

TCM: How has the Mewar Royal Family transformed the royal heritage into a globally admired hospitality experience in the past six decades?

Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur: The corporate story of The Lake Palace Hotels and HRH Group of Hotels is fascinating, as it begins in the early 1960s and continues to date. It was my illustrious grandfather, His late Highness Maharana Bhagwat Singhji, who took the decision to convert Jag Niwas into Lake Palace Hotel way back in the early 1960s. This was a pioneering, and I can say, a visionary decision because he foresaw the opportunity through tourism to maintain palaces and places of historic importance.

By 1971, he entered into a business partnership with the Taj Group of Hotels: the vision was to develop Udaipur as a global destination. The partnership with IHCL has strengthened consistently over the decades. In 2021, we marked fifty years of The Lake Palace Hotel and the HRH Group of Hotels. On that occasion, Mr N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, visited Udaipur and acknowledged both the architectural significance of the Lake Palace and the legacy it represents, along with the trust placed in IHCL by His late Highness Maharana Arvind Singh Mewar.

Now in its sixth decade, this association is regarded as one of the longest-standing partnerships in India’s private sector. With Taj Fateh Prakash Palace in Udaipur and Taj Gorbandh Palace in Jaisalmer, we continue to build on this partnership, drawing on IHCL’s expertise in management and global outreach to further strengthen Udaipur and Rajasthan as leading hospitality destinations. 

Hospitality is close to our hearts! With heritage hospitality, our Lake Palace Hotels & Motels Pvt. Ltd has always shown the way ahead. From destination marketing to regal weddings, we have pioneered several initiatives under the leadership of my father, His late Highness Maharana Arvind Singh Mewar. Today, as a Group we are in the process of consolidation and planning for the future.

TCM: How do you balance heritage preservation with the realities of running a modern hospitality business?

Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur: It is a fine balance, an everyday challenge to ensure that our heritage hotels and venues are well preserved. We have in-house expertise and consultants guiding us at every stage.

Our palace hotels and heritage venues continue to make our guests ‘Experience the Original in the Abode of Kings’. At the same time, Udaipur and the Lake Palace Hotels & Motels Pvt. Ltd. continue to see filmmakers and event management companies making a beeline to bring the uniqueness of Udaipur into their creative work.

TCM: In your view, what makes Rajasthan’s heritage tourism so compelling for travellers from around the world?

Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur: Udaipur and Rajasthan have an authenticity in their tourism offerings which is unique and incomparable. Our palace-hotels, sanctuary resorts, havelis, ancient temples and fort cities: where in the world can guests experience such a range of living heritage? The colours and textures of Rajasthan are infinite, which continue to inspire visitors to our ancient land.

Yes, the challenge is to keep on improving, offering newer experiences and immersive learning for both Indian and global audiences.

TCM: Beyond monuments and palaces, how does the House of Mewar contribute to preserving living heritage?

Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur: This again is a question which requires a session in itself! Our emphasis on ‘living heritage’ has witnessed the coming together of diplomats, academicians, architects, activists, social workers and artistes in Udaipur, time and again.

Through conferences, workshops, and collaborative platforms in Udaipur, we continue to align different perspectives and contribute to this evolving dialogue. Bahut lamba safar tay kiya hai humne Udaipur mein.

TCM: What role do institutions like the City Palace of Udaipur play in engaging younger generations?

Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur: The answer to this question is not in words but in being there in Udaipur at our Museum to see how the young and the youth are being engaged in different activities. They are able to absorb the living heritage of Mewar, even as they have fun and a new perspective on life and studies. Our galleries devoted to arms and armouries, paintings and photographs are a treasure trove for the young to see and understand their beauty.

TCM: Community welfare has long been central to the Mewar legacy. Which causes are closest to your heart?

Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur: The two E’s remain close to my heart – Environment and Education. And it is a matter of honour for me to share that the Guinness World Records has bestowed 10 Awards for the social campaigns I have organised since 2019. Let me share a few examples to inspire your readers: The Vastra Daan campaign began as a localised initiative collecting old clothes for the underprivileged. It became a donation drive across India and several countries, with a tally of over 329250 clothes on March 9th, 2019. The campaign reached out to over 120 schools, 15 colleges and around 30 NGOs during the campaign period. Donations also came in from 12 countries, including Australia, USA, Oman, Sri Lanka and the UAE.

We organised the largest donation of School Supplies in 24 hours to earn the 2nd Guinness World Record. The award-winning educational campaign was “Shiksha Protsahan Abhiyan”, inspired to make a material difference in the lives of thousands of school children deprived of educational supplies of all kinds. Guinness World Records acknowledged this self-inspired work as a social service campaign worthy of their global award. The 3rd record was set in 2020 when the ‘Go Green’ initiative called “Vriksh Hi Jeevan Abhiyaan” was launched. It witnessed the greatest number of people potting plants simultaneously at Udaipur. 4035 saplings were potted in less than 1 minute, setting a new world record.

TCM: Why do you believe education remains such a powerful driver of social change?

Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur: As mentioned earlier, Mewar has long prioritised education, especially for girls. The foundation laid in 1864 continues to guide our efforts today. Education empowers individuals and strengthens communities; it remains fundamental to progress.

TCM: How do you see heritage and culture strengthening India’s global identity?

Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur: Undoubtedly, culture and heritage are our identity. India’s USP and the responsibility for all the States to give culture and heritage the importance it deserves. Our spiritual heritage, temples and temple towns, forts and palace hotels are second to none in the world. The challenge, as I said, is to improve, to refine and to GROW as the years go by. Our Hon’ble Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat ji, is setting a new pace to reaffirm India’s tourism potential. I salute his endeavours!

TCM: What personal values guide your outlook on life?

Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur: There is only ONE LIFE – there is nothing private in our lives, and every activity or programme is for the public. It is important to remain honourable and respectful at all times, with all people. That’s it! In Mewar, honour and respect are paramount.

TCM: Looking ahead, what is your long-term vision for the House of Mewar and its institutions? What kind of legacy would you like to leave for the next generation?

Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur: It will be too early for me to talk about the legacy I would like to leave, as I have assumed the office of Maharana just one year ago in April 2025. Certainly, my focus is on keeping alive the heritage of Mewar and ensuring that we are working with the best institutions and professionals at all levels, giving Udaipur and Rajasthan a new direction and comprehensive growth for the city’s ‘centres of excellence’.

TCM: If you had to describe the spirit of Mewar in one sentence, what would it be?

Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur: Honour and respect, as our revered poet the late Pandit Narendra Mishra Ji said about Mewar, “Yash ki dharohar hai”.

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As the conversation concludes, it becomes evident that for Shriji Huzur Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, legacy is a living responsibility. Rooted in centuries of tradition yet aligned with contemporary realities, his approach reflects a leadership philosophy shaped by service, discipline, and continuity.

Through this lens, the House of Mewar continues to stand not merely as a relic of history but as a dynamic institution navigating the present while preserving its enduring ethos.