Udaipur Tour & Travel

 

The city of Dawn,Udaipur is a lovely land around the azure water lakes, hemmed in by the lush hills of the Aravalis.A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty.Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sounds and experiences an inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writers.

Udaipur is the jewel of Mewar a kingdom ruled by the Siodia dynasty for 1200 years.The foundation of the city has an interesting legend associated with it.Accordaing to it,Maharana UdaiSingh, the founder,was hunting one day when met a holy man meditating on a hill overlooking the Lake Pichhola.

The hermit blessed the Maharana and advised him to build a palace at this favourably located spot with a fertile valley watered by the stream,a lake, an alttitude and an ampitheatre of low mountains.Maharana followed the advised of the hermit and founded the city in 1559 AD.

Overlooking the aquamarine expanses of the Lake Pichhola stands the splendid City Palace a marvel n granite and marbel. Exquisite lake palaces of Udaipur,shimmering like jewelson the Lake Pichhola are overwhelming in splendour.

Places to See in Udaipur

City Palace

The magnificent palace started by Maharana Udai Singh II and completed in a long time lag is the largest palace complex of Rajasthan. Built in glittering granite and marble it majestically towers high on the Pichola Lake. The main gates to the palace are 'Hathi Pol', 'Bara Pol' and Tripolia gate'. Many enclosures inside the palace offer good views of the city or the lake. The 'mahals' include the 'Barri Mahal' (Garden Palace) which has a garden and twin water tanks, Dilkhush Mahal (Palace of Joy) renowned for its frescoes, 'Moti Mahal' (Pearl palace) decorated with mirrors, 'Mor Chowk' (Peacock Courtyard) a visual delight in glass laid mosaics of peacocks which decorate its walls. The 'Chini Chitrasala' is remarkable for its blue and white ceramics, 'Manak Mahal' (Ruby Palace) with figures of porcelain and glass and 'Zenana Mahal' are some of them.

Lake Pichola

Lake Pichola with breathtaking scenic beauty is surrounded by hills, embankments, bathing ghats, shrines and palaces. The lake was expended further by Maharana Udai Singh II after he founded the city. Nearly 5 kms in length and 3 kms in width, the magnificence of the lake is enhanced by beautiful Lake Palaces, Jag Niwas and the Jag Mandir. The cruises in the motor boat can be arranged for the lake as well as Jag Niwas Palace.

Lake Palace

Jag Nivas palace was build in 1746 by Maharana Jagat Singh II as a summer residence of the rulers which is now converted to Lake Palace Hotel. The beautiful white-marble and granite building stands in the middle of the Pichola lake. The palace covers an area of 4 acres exemplifying the Mughal-Rajput architecture. Boats are available from the jetty and at the base of City Palace Museum.

The Jag Mandir Palace stands on an island at the southern end of the lake. A three storied building, built of yellow sandstone and marble slabs with a dome resembling a crown. The interior is decorated with coloured stones. There is a spacious circular apartment built elegantly in white and black marble, murals and paintings. Built by three Maharanas - Amar Singh, Karan Singh and Jagat Singh; the palace is named after Maharana Jagat Singh. There is also a small mosque in memory of saint-Madar inside the palace.

Fateh Sagar Lake

This artificial lake was built in 1678 by Maharana Jai Singh. After heavy rains destroyed it the reconstruction took place under the guidance of Maharana Fateh Singh. The Nehru Park and a fountain are situated amidst the lake.

City Palace Museum

The museum is at the City palace complex built by Udai Singh and extended by subsequent Maharanas. The palace converted into a museum houses memoirs of archaeology and history with a fascinating collection of coins, portraits of former rulers of Mewar; narrative wall paintings, armoury and a the turban of Khurram (Emperor Shah Jahan).

Saheliyon ki Bari

Built by Maharana Sangram Singh, Saheliyon ki Bari or Garden for the Maids of Honour of the queen, is at Saheli Marg on the eastern banks of lake Fateh Sagar. The garden has beautiful fountains, pools with delicately chiseled kiosks and elephants in marble. There is a delightful Lotus pool and a sitting room decorated with paintings and glass mosaics too.

Jagdish Temple

This Indo-Aryan Temple made by Maharana Jagat Singh in 1651 AD, is the largest and the most beautiful temple of Udaipur, with many intricately sculpted idols displaying the fine Indo-Aryan architecture. The temple of Jagannath Rai, now called Jagdishji, is a major monument and should be seen carefully. Completed in 1651, it encloses a double storied Mandapa (hall).

Shopping in Udaipur

Udaipur has countless shops and many interesting Local crafts that make it a one -of-its -kinds shopping experience. A plethora of items like folk toys, colourful tie-dye sarees and clothes, turbans, hand painted fabrics, silver Jewellery, wall hangings and miniature paintings in Rajput Style are the favourite buys. The beautiful images of Gods and goddesses made in the nearby Molalla village near Nathdwara are not to be missed. The Shopping spots include a cluster of stalls on the Lake Palace road next to the Rang Niwas Palace Hotel and other the Jagdish Temple.