Udaipur Travel Guide
Udaipur, the 'City of Lakes' was founded in 1599 by Maharana Udai Singh.
The city hailed as the 'Venice of the East' set amidst the Aravalli hills
of South Rajasthan, is one of the most romantic destinations in India. Udaipur
has a profusion of marble palaces, lakes, temples, cenotaphs and rugged
hills. It's also proud of its heritage as a centre for the performing arts,
painting and crafts. Famous historical personalities like Maharana Pratap,
Rani Padmini and Meera Bai, the poetess and devotee of Lord Krishna hail
from here. The enchanting marble palaces and scenic beauty makes it a most
fantastic place for leisure.
Places of Interest in Udaipur
City Palace

City Palace towers over the Pichola Lake. Maharana Uday Singh initiated
in the construction of the palace but succeeding Maharanas added several
palaces and structures to the complex retained a surprising uniformity to
the design. The entry to the Palace is from the Hati Pol, the Elephant gate.
The Bari Pol or the Big gate brings you to the Tripolia, the Triple gate.
It was once a custom that the Maharana would weigh under this gate in gold
and silver, which was distributed to the populace. It is also now the main
ticket office. Balconies, cupolas and towers surmount the palace to give
a wonderful view of the lake. Suraj Gokhada or the balcony of the sun is
where the Maharana would grant public audiences mainly to boost the morale
of the people in difficult times. The Mor Chawk is the peacock square and
gains its name from the vivid blue mosaic in glass of a peacock that decorates
its walls.
City Palace Museum
The main part of the palace is now preserved as a museum displaying a large
and diverse array of artefacts. Down steps from the entrance is the armoury
museum exhibiting a huge collection of protective gear, weapons including
the lethal two-pronged sword. The City Palace museum is then entered through
the Ganesh Deori meaning the door of Lord Ganesh. This leads to the Rajya
Angan, the royal courtyard that is the very spot where Maharana Udai Singh
met the sage who told him to find a city here. The rooms of the palace are
superbly decorated with mirror tiles and paintings. Manak Mahal or the Ruby
Palace has a lovely collection of glass and mirror work while Krishna Vilas
display a rich collection of miniature paintings. Moti Mahal or the pearl
palace has beautiful mirror work and the Chini Mahal has ornamental tiles
all over. The Surya Chopar or the sun square depicts a huge ornamental sun
symbolising the sun dynasty to which the Mewar dynasty belongs. The Bari
Mahal is a central garden with view of the city. Some more beautiful paintings
can be seen in the Zenana Mahal or the ladies chamber, which leads to Lakshmi
Chowk a beautiful white pavilion.
Fateh Prakash Palace Crystal Gallery
It is situated in the Fateh Prakash Palace is a breath taking collection
of crystals. Maharana Sajjan Singh mainly ordered these crystals from F
& C Osler England. But he could not see the crystals because of his
untimely death. The crystal item includes tables, sofa sets, dinning table,
dressers, fountains and even beds besides a whole array of washing bowls,
decanters and perfume bottles. There is also an exquisite jewel studded
carpet, which is beyond description.
Lake Palace

The Lake Palace is located on the Jag Niwas Island and covers the whole
of 1.5 hectare of the island in the middle of the Pichola Lake. Built by
Maharana Jagat Singh in 1743 it was meant as a royal summer palace and now
converted in to a five star palace hotel. It is a magical palace and its
image in the middle of the lake is like a leaf straight out of a fairy tale
book with an excellent taste of intricate craftsmanship and the ethnic themes
using the textiles and handicrafts all over highlight the beauty that is
simply beyond compare the lake around makes a pleasant murmur with its rippling
waves and lapping that adds to the mesmerising moments.
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Vintage Car Collection
The collection within the grounds of the Garden Hotel comprises a variety
of classic and interestingly rare transportation vehicles; some stately
and vintage like Cadalec, Chevalate, Morais etc., while the others are sleek
and fast .The Maharanas of Udaipur once possessed and used these regal splendours
of automobiles as their luxuries but most of the other models are gradually
being added to the collection ,since it provides a unique aristocratic safari
for the exclusive guests.
Lake Pichola

Pichola Lake derives its name from Pichola Village was submerged and Maharana
Udai Singh enlarged the lake after he founded the city.
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Fateh Sagar Lake
This delightful lake, bordered by hills and woodland was constructed by
Maharana jai Singh to the north of Lake Pichola.
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Jag Mandir
This is the other island palace in Lake Pichola, which was constructed by
Maharana Karan Singh as a hideout for Prince Khurram the estranged son of
Emperor Jehangir the implacable foe of the Maharana.
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Jagdish Temple
Built by Maharana Jagat Singh I in 1651 the temple enshrines a black stone
image of Lard Vishnu.
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Saheliyon ki Bari
Maharana Sangram singh builds this in the mid 18th century. The 'garden
of the maidens' brings to mind the lifestyle of the ladies of the court.
The delightful gardens appear discreet and in impeccable taste.
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Eklingji Temple
A RELIGIOUS COMPLEX Northern region of Mewar (22 Kms)
It houses 108 temples chiselled out of sandstone and marble, this temple
of Eklingji was built in 734 AD. Enclosed by high walls, it is devoted to
Eklingji (A form of Shiv Deity adored under the epithet of EKLINGA).
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Ranakpur
Beautiful sculptured Jain temples mark the glory of this renowned place.
Marked as one of the five holy places for the Jain community, these were
created in the 15 the century. During the reign of Rana Kumbha and are enclosed
within a wall.
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Shrinathji Temple Nathdwara
Nathdwara lies 48 kms from Udaipur and literally means the gateway to the
Lord. This great Vaishnavite shrine was built in the 17th century on spot
exactly defined by the Lord himself.
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Kumbhalgarh Fort
Located 64 kms north of Udaipur in the wilderness, Kumbhalgarh is the second
most important citadel after Chittorgarh in the Mewar region. Cradled in
the Aravali Ranges the fort was built in the 15th century by Rana Kumbha.
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Chittorgarh Fort
Chittorgarh is the epitome of Rajput pride, romance and spirit. It reverberates
with history of heroism and sacrifice, which is evident as it echoes with
the tales sung by the Bards of Rajasthan.
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Ahar
Located about 2 kms east of Udaipur is an impressive cluster of cenotaphs
of the Maharanas of Mewar. There are about nineteen cenotaphs of Maharanas
cremated there.
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Jaisamand Lake
Maharana Jai Sigh had built this picturesque artificial lake. It the second
largest lake in Asia. The lake has elegant step leading to the water and
marble Chhatri (cenotaphs) on its bank and a small Shiv temple marks the
grace of the lake.
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Rajsamand Lake
On the way to Kumbhalgarh lies their royal lake with a magnificent dam created
in the 17th century offers a spectacular views of the sunset adorned by
beautiful Torans [arches] and Chhatris And number of attractive pavilions.
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Suggested Tour Packages
|
Rajasthan
Pushkar Tour (18 Days)
Delhi - Jodhpur - Luni - Dhamli - Deogarh - Narlai - Kumbalgarh -
Ranakpur - Udaipur - Dungarpur - Udaipur - Delhi |
Temples,
Desert and Beaches Tour (17 Days)
Delhi - Varanasi - Khajuraho - Orchha - Jhansi - Agra - Jaipur - Jodhpur
- Udaipur - Bombay - Goa - Bombay |
Palace
on Wheels Train Tour (08 Days)
Delhi - Jaipur - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Ranthambore - Udaipur - Agra
- Delhi |
North
India Holiday Packages (18 Days)
Delhi - Srinagar - Gulmarg - Kargil - Leh -Alchi - Jammu - Amritsar
- Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Delhi |