Jogi Mahal is a small forest rest house at the edge of Padam Talao, once used by the Maharajas of Jaipur as a hunting lodge. It is now operated by the forest department and gives a handful of guests the extraordinary privilege of sleeping inside the national park. The veranda looks directly over the lake; tigers, crocodiles, and deer are regular visitors.
Non-residents cannot enter the building, but the area around Jogi Mahal is included in regular jeep safari routes. The second-oldest banyan tree in India — said to be over 300 years old, with a canopy spanning several hundred square metres — stands just outside the rest house. The tree is impressive enough on its own to justify the approach.