Udaipur
About Udaipur
Udaipur is the jewel of Mewar kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years.
The foundation of the city has an interesting legend associated with it. According
to it, Maharana Udai Singh, the founder, was hunting one day when he met a holy
man meditation on a hill overlooking the Lake Pichhola.
The hermit blessed the Maharana and advised him to build a palace at this favorable
located spot with a fertile valley watered by the stream, a lake, an agreeable altitude
and an amphitheater of low mountains. Maharana followed the advise of the hermit
and founded the city in 1559 A.D.
Udaipur is one of the most beautiful cities of Rajasthan, it is located on the banks
of lake Pichola, also known as a 'Jewel of Mewar'. The most romantic city of India
can take the tourist into paroxysm of heaven.
The center of attraction vibrates around the shimmering blue waters and the royal
white marble palaces constructed with unique artistic insight. This remarkably chiseled
out Lake Palaces shines like a jewel on Lake Pichhola certainly enchants the tourist
and overwhelms them with its charm.
Tourist Attractions in Udaipur
Sajjangarh Palace:
In the late 18th century Sajjangarh or the heritage palace of Sajjan was built by
its namesake Maharana Sajjan Singh (1874-1884). About 5km west of Udaipur City it
is at a height of 3100 feet above sea level and 1100 feet over the Fateh Sagar Lake.
The palaces of the fort look like a tiara on the head of a rocky hill, the one on
which the fort proudly stands. The rocky crag is massive and has an excellent view
of the surrounding hills, pristine lakes and snow-white palaces.
The fort place is crowned by the Monsoon Palace, which also has a panoramic view
of the lakes and palaces and the city below. The fort was built by Maharana Sajjan
Singh as an observatory to watch the progress of the monsoon clouds over the surrounding
areas.
Towards the left of the Monsoon heritage palace is Shikarbadi or the Khas Odi, a
shooting box that lies at the southern end of the lake Pichola. It was built by
Sir Sajjan Singh between 1874 and 1884 and now has been converted into a small palace
with exquisite surroundings.
City Palace:
City Palace complex is actually a conglomeration of buildings added by various Maharanis,
the palace manages to retain a surprising uniformity of design. Building was started
by Maharana Udai Singh II. The palace is surmounted by balconies, towers & cupolas
and there are wonderful views over the lake and the city from the upper terrace.
Main entrance is from northern end through the Baripol of 1600 and the Tripolia
Gate of 1725, with its eight carved marble arches.
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City Palace in Udaipur
Lake Palace (Jag Niwas):
The largest palace complex of Rajasthan. It is a completely white structure standing
majestically on a hill surrounded by crenellated walls.Started by Udai Singh, this
enormous edifice of 30.4 meters height and 244 meters length was subsequently built
upon by later rulers.
The entrance to this palace is through 'Hathi Pol', along the main street of the
old city. The 'Bara Pol', brings you to the first court which leads into the tripolia
gate, which has eight carved marble arches or torans.
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Lake Palace in Udaipur
Gulab Bagh:
A spectacular rose Garden laid out by Maharana Sajjan Singh, is situated near the
palace on east side of Lake Pichhola. A library in the garden has a rare collection
of ancient handwritten manuscripts and books.
Within the garden, there is a zoo where tigers, leopards, chinkara and many wild
animals and birds are being kept.
Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum:
An interesting collection exhibited by this small museum and foundation for the
preservation and promotion of local folk arts includes dresses, turbans, dolls,
masks, musical instruments, paintings and - it's high point - puppets.
Regular 15-minute puppet shows are held daily and are included in the admission
charge.
Visiting Hours : 0900 Hrs to 1800 Hrs, open on all days except the day following
Holi. Evening Show- 1800 Hrs to 1900 Hrs.
Jagdish Temple:
Maharana Jagat Singh built this temple between 1628-1653 at a whopping cost of Rs
1.5 million. Udaipur temple tour will take your to Jagdish temple, the famous temple
of Udaipur, dedicated to Lord Jagannath, is at a great height and can be approached
by a long flight of stairs.
The entrance to the temple is flanked by two massive stone elephants. The temple
has a pyramidal spire (shikar), a vestible (mandap) and a porch. The spire is about
79ft high and is decorated with friezes of dancers, musicians, elephants and horsemen.
The temple is a three storeyed structure and has 50 pillars each in the first and
second storeys and is one of the largest and popular Vishnu temples in Northern
India.
The interior of the temple has exquisite carvings and is supplemented with prominent
friezes. The temple has several smaller shrines in four corners of it that are dedicated
to Lord Ganesh, Shiva, the Sun God and Goddess Shakti.
A Sanskrit inscription in the porch written by Krishna Bhatt in the year 1651, gives
a detailed history of the reign of Maharana Jagat Singh. A huge brass image of Garuda,
the vehicle of Lord Vishnu stands guard in front of the main shrine.
Sahelion ki Bari:
Saheliyon ki Bari lies just beneath the Fateh Sagar Lake. Maharana Sangram Singh
II designed this garden in the early 18th century purely as a pleasure garden and
a summer palace for the 48 young maids that formed a part of the princes dowry.
Inside the garden is a reservoir surrounded by four black marbled cenotaphs in its
four corners and one white marbled one in the centre. The terraces of these cenotaphs
have water fountains shaped like birds from whose beaks water gushes out in thin
sprays like the singing rain producing a wonderful sight.
The Maharanas entertained themselves around the four ornamental pools and the five
fountains. These fountains were imported from England in 1889. Maharana Bhopal Singh
specially was very fond of this place and built a rain fountain, so that it looked
like rain dancing on the dancing maids.
Pichola Lake:
Beautiful Lake Pichola was enlarged by Maharaja Udai Singh II after he founded the
city. He built a masonry dam, known as the Badipol, and the lake is now 4km long
and 3 km wide. Nevertheless, it remains fairly shallow
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Pichola Lake in Udaipur
Maharana Pratap Smarak:
The Smarak has been built to pay tribute to the great Rajput hero Maharana Pratap
who fought many legendary battles with the Mughals.
There is a bronze statue of Maharana Pratap riding his favourite horse 'Chetak'
on an elevated platform. On both sides of the path to the top are many beautifully
maintained gardens including a Japanese rock garden.
Fateh Sagar:
Fateh Sager Lake is one of the most romantic vicinity for young lovers, it is situated
in the north of Lake Nicholas. It is the most peaceful and relaxing place to spend
leisures for much of the travellers and Udaipur localities.
This beautiful Fateh Sager Lake bestow with infinite beauty of the Aravali hills
at the backdrop of serene lake body
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Fateh Sager Lake in Udaipur
How To Reach Udaipur
Fly Away: Dabok Airport is located on the outskirts of Udaipur at a distance
of 24 kms. There are regular flights from New Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad,
Aurangabad and Mumbai.
On Tracks: Railway station, 4 km from centre. It is well linked by means
of rail transport. Trains from Mumbai via Ahmedabad, Delhi Chittorgarh connects
Udaipur. Royal luxurious train the Palace on Wheel also covers this place.
On Wheels: Deluxe and semi deluxe buses are operated by Rajasthan Roadways
from Jaipur, Delhi, Ahmedabad to Udaipur. The highways are very well constructed
and it takes around 8-9 hr. from Jaipur. Taxis can also be hired from Jaipur and
Ahmedabad. Some of the important distances are: Udaipur to Ahmedabad- 262 km, Delhi
is- 670 km from Udaipur, Mumbai- 739km, Ahmedabad- 262 km, Jaipur- 407 km.
Where To Stay in Udaipur
Please visit our exclusive section on
Hotels in
Udaipur to find the best accommodation in Udaipur.
Where To Shop in Udaipur
Udaipur is one of the best places in Rajasthan to pick up exquisite crafts and looms
made by the gifted artisans of the place. The best buys of Udaipur include folk
toys, colourful tie-dye sarees and clothes, hand painted fabrics, silver jewellery,
wall hangings and miniature paintings.
The main markets of Udaipur are located on the Lake Palace road and around Jagdish
temple. Two of the best places for shopping in Udaipur are Rajasthali-the govt.
fixed price emporium and Sadhana-a fixed price shop run by an NGO for charitable
purposes.
