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City Palace - UdaipurCity Palace Location
Udaipur is popularly known as the Jewel of Mewar, the city was founded by Maharajah
Jai Singh in 16th century. The city of Udaipur endorses three major lake, Pichhola,
Fatehsagar and Udaisagar. The three lakes add to the magic of the city.
Udaipur City Palace is one of the architectural marvels of Rajasthan, located peacefully
on the banks of Lake Pichola. This majestic City Palace is the most-visited tourist
attraction of Udaipur and often distinguished as the largest palace complex in Rajasthan.
Initially, Maharana Udai Singh built this superb wonder, but the present form of
the Palace is the result of subsequent additions by his successors.
Architecture of City Palace
City Palace boasts of the wonderful blend of Medieval, European and Chinese Architecture.
The Palace has various towers, domes and arches, which add to the flavor of heritage
site. Towering on the banks of Pichola Lake, City Palace is truly a feast to the
eyes. City Palace is a marvelous assortment of courtyards, pavilions, terraces,
corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. Encircled by fortifications, this imposing
Palace is wholly built in granite and marble.
City Palace Attractions
City Palace has several gates that are known as Pols. Bara Pol (Great Gate)
is the main gate to the City Palace complex that will take you to the first courtyard.
On passing Bara Pol, you will come across a triple arched gate, which is known
as Tripolia. Between these two gates, you would see eight marble arches or Toranas,
where Kings used to weigh themselves with gold and silver. Besides Tripolia, there
is an arena where elephant fights were staged. Across 'Tripolia', you would enter
the 'Elephant Gate' or the 'Hathi Pol'.
City Palace comprises 11 wonderful palaces, which were built by different rulers
still they resemble each other. With the sheer glimpse of unique paintings, antique
furniture and exquisite glass mirror & ornamental tiles work of these palaces, you
will get amazed. Manak Mahal (Ruby Palace) has figures of crystal and porcelain.
However, Bhim Vilas flaunts a fabulous collection of miniature paintings depicting
the real life stories of Radha-Krishna.
The 'Krishna Vilas' is known for the noteworthy album of miniature paintings portraying
royal processions, festivals and games of the Maharanas. Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace)
is celebrated for its lavish decor while Sheesh Mahal (Palace of mirrors) is known
for its breathtaking mirror work. Chini Chitrashala is renowned for its Chinese
and Dutch ornamental tiles. Dilkusha Mahal (Palace of Joy) is known for the murals
and wall paintings.
Bada Mahal is the exotic garden palace that stands erect on a 90 feet high natural
rock formation. Rang Bhawan is the palace that used to contain royal treasure. There
are temples of Lord Krishna, Meera Bai and Shiva, located right to the 'Rang Bhawan'.
'Mor Chowk' has exceptional glass mosaics of peacocks, set in the walls presenting
the three seasons of summer, winter and monsoon. Laxmi Vilas Chowk is an art gallery
with a distinctive collection of Mewar paintings.
Situated in the premises of City Place complex, Jagdish Temple is the biggest and
most beautiful temple of Udaipur. This temple Appeals to the aesthetic sense of
the people. You can also trace a Shrine of Dhuni Mata in the complex of City Palace.
This part is considered as the oldest part of the Palace where a sage passed his
life meditating here.
Amber Fort Museum
In 1974, a part of the City Palace and the 'Zenana Mahal' (Ladies Chamber) have
been transformed into a museum. The museum is open for public and we have discussed
it in our other section about museums. One can locate some striking paintings in
the Zenana Mahal which further leads to Lakshmi Chowk. 'Lakshmi Chowk' is a beautiful
white pavilion. In City palace, the most captivating sight can be viewed from the
towers and terraces of Amar Vilas from where you can get a breathtaking view of
Lake Pichola.
'Amar Vilas' is the highest point of this Palace and has wonderful hanging gardens
with fountains, towers and terraces. City Palace is structured in a way that it
offers a splendid view of the lake from all its Balconies, cupolas and towers. Unlike
the craggy exterior, City Palace has amazing interiors with delicate mirror-work,
marble work, murals, wall paintings, silver work, inlay work and surplus of colored
glass. The exquisite work of City Palace cannot be bounded in words, so one must
visit this palace to capture the real picture of it.
Museum Visiting Hours: 1000 Hrs to 1630 Hrs, Closed on Friday and gazetted holidays.
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