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Udaipur

The state of Rajasthan has so much to offer be it artistic extravaganza or ethnic parade, to tourists from India and abroad. Now be a part of our discovery as we help you traverse the mystic city of Udaipur. Udaipur is one of the most popular tourist destinations and little is left to be discovered about the exotic city of lakes and palaces. Rightly termed the Venice of Asia, the city exemplifies a plethora of exquisite splendor.

The important places that you should visit at Udaipur are as follows

Lake Pichola: It is rightly termed the life line of Udaipur. The crystal clear water of the lake surrounds the magnificent edifices of Udaipur namely the Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir. It is believed that the lake got its name from Pichola Village which got submerged here. Maharana Udai Singh extended the lake and constructed the Badipol dam. The lake measures 4km in length and 3km in width.

Two beautiful islands were constructed in the middle of the lake .The Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir were then built here. The Jag Niwas is popularly known as Lake Palace, located on the Jag Island which adds to the beauty and splendor of the lake. The lake palace was the summer residence of the royalty and was made of white marble. Presently it is a heritage hotel and an important tourist attraction. It was built by Maharana Jagat Singh II in the year 1754.It is a white marble structure which appears to be emerging from clean blue water.

Jag Mandir is another island palace built by Maharaja Karan Singh. It is interesting to note that this palace once provided shelter to the Mughal Prince Khurram. The distinguishing feature of this place is the presence of a gigantic stone sculpture of elephants and cenotaphs or chattri.This is actually a part of the extensions made by Rana Jagat Singh. He built a zenana and named the palace after himself as Jag Mandir.

There is a pavilion on the island known as the Gul Mahal which is an example of Mughal architecture and presently houses some exquisite Mughal paintings.

The lake is made picturesque by the presence of grand palaces, places of worship, bathing ghats and hills. To the southern part of the lake a hill known as a Magra is seen from where you can see the Eklinggarh Fort. Towards the eastern banks of the lake you will see the City Palace of Udaipur.

It is interesting to note that apart from the two large islands, there are several other smaller islands. Arsi Vilas is one such island which is now a haven for birds. Besides Jag mandir and Jag Niwas there is the Mohan Mandir and Natani ka Chabutra. The latter was built in memory of a tightrope walker or Natani. Legend has it that the tight rope walker was challenged by Maharana Jawan Singh to cross the lake on a rope and if she succeeded she would be awarded half the kingdom. Unfortunately she was deceived and died by drowning in the lake. But before she died she cursed the king that he may never have a real heir to the throne. True to her curse out of the 7 Ranas succeeding Maharana Jawan Singh 6 were adopted.

The Mohan Mandir was built between 1628 and 1652 by Jagat Singh. It is an uncomplicated structure which looks like the temple but does not have a deity. It was built in memory of one of the unofficial sons of Maharana Jagat Singh, Mohandas. Presently it is owned by the state government and is used for display of fireworks during the Gangeur or Mewar festival.

It is interesting to note that at the northern side of the lake, there is the ceremonial ghat wherein the opulent Gangaur Festival is celebrated. This festival is celebrated with much devotion by the womenfolk and is dedicated to Goddess Gowri.

The beautiful lake offers boat rides to tourist and it is advisable not to miss the boat ride while you are here. The beauty of the lake, the picturesque images of the monuments on the water and the lush green surroundings make this place worth visiting.

City Place Udaipur: Standing elevated and overseeing Lake Pichola is the regal city palace of Udaipur. Though the construction of the palace was pioneered by Maharana Udai Singh, subsequent Maharanas added new structures within the palace. Despite this there is no irregularity in the palace complex. The plain exteriors defy the elaborate and exquisite interiors. The older part of the complex has been converted into a museum wherein the visitors can get a glimpse of stored artifacts of the Rajput rulers. The two new portions of the palace have been converted into hotels.

Inside the palace you will see a blend of European and Chinese architecture. The palace is mainly built of marble and granite and the first entrance is known as the Hati Pol or the Elephnat Gate followed by the Bada Pol and the Tripolia Gate. The complex may be reached via the Bada Pol also. At the space between the two gates, the major custom of weighing self against gold and silver took place. Kings generally took part in this custom. Later the gold or silver coins were distributed among the common people. The Tripolia gate leads to a courtyard where elephant fights were staged.

The architecture seen here is either Moghul or Rajputana style. The balconies are in Rajput style. The walls are ornate with miniature paintings topped in gold. There are several annexes inside the palace namely the Suraj Gokhada, Bada Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Bhim Vilas, and the Mor Chowk. The Suraj Gokhada is a balcony from where the king used to address large crowds. The ranas also gathered here to greet the sun God.

Sheesh Mahal is an exotic palace which has inlaid mirrors. The mirrors are vibrantly colored and this is what makes the Sheesh Mahal special. The Krishna Vilas is famous for the miniature paintings. The paintings seen here were installed by Raja Bheem Singh in memory of his daughter Krishna Kumari after her demise. Paintings of the events like processions can also be seen here.

The other wings of the palace include the Zenana Mahal, Fateh Prakash and the Durbar Hall. The Zenana Mahal is a fortified palace, built exclusively for women in the year 1620. It is located towards the south of the City Palace Museum. It can be entered through well guarded doorway. There is a room which is dedicated to jewelry and the state treasury, in the ground floor of the Zenana. You will see shrines of Lord Krishna and Meera Bhai in a room known as the Rang Bhavan. The Rang Bhavan leads into the Laxmi Chowk dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, and this leads into Osara which houses the trophies, howdahs, trumpets, drums and palanquins. Just next to the Zenana is the Fateh Prakash Palace which is closed to visitors.

The Bhim Vilas is inundated with beautiful paintings of Radha and Krishna. The Mor Chowk is famous for the peacock mosaics and is a visual treat. It was constructed by Sajjan Singh. There are 5,000 pieces of Mosaic in green, blue, crystal and gold. You can witness the architectural advancement in its concave mirrors, which evoke the elegant movements of the dancing bird. There is a Manak Mahal which houses exotic work in crystal and porcelain.

The Amar Vilas is popular for its beautiful hanging gardens with fountains, towers and terraces. It provides a picturesque view of the Lake Pichola and Udaipur City. The Shiv Niwas Palace and the Fateh Prakash Palace have been converted into heritage hotels. There is a crystal gallery which is a delight for visitors. The other places of interest at the palace complex include the Doodh Talai and Moti Magri.

Besides the exquisite blend of Rajput and Moghul architecture the palace is also famous for an influx of European style seen in the elaborate drawing rooms, looking glasses, sideboards laden with silver, and billiard-rooms which are quite a rarity in Indian surroundings. The palace is beautiful in itself and what makes it all the more fascinating is the fact that it is a huge complex having many palaces of different era and distinct architectural styles. It is undoubtedly a must visit while you are at Udaipur

Gulab Bagh & Zoo: If you are traveling with children then make sure to visit this zoo at Udaipur. It is situated close to the Pichola Lake on the eastern side. Within the garden there is a library and zoo. The library has a good collection of ancient books and handwritten manuscripts.

Sajjan Garh palace or the Monsoon Palace

Located on Bansdara hilltop, this edifice is now totally deserted but the view of the city from here is incomparable. It is situated about 5 km north of Udaipur city at a height of 1100feet over Fateh Sagar Lake. It was initially built to serve astronomical purpose but as it was abandoned it came to be used as the Monsoon palace. It was also used as hunting lodge. Though the entry is restricted, at nightfall it gets decorated in vibrant hues of pink and green. The inhabitants of Udaipur refer to it as Tutti Frutti. This place is worth visiting with prior permission for the excellent view.

The fort was built in the 18th century and is at a height of 3100 feet above sea level. There are palaces within the fort which appear like a crown on rocky hills. The Sajjangarh palace was built by Maharana Sajjan Singh initially as an observatory to watch the changes in the monsoon clouds. The Rana had planned to build a nine storey observatory but this dream could not be fulfilled due to his untimely death.

There is a shooting box or Shikarbadi which is now transformed into a small palace, located towards the left of the Sajjangarh palace. This is present in the southern end of the Pichola Lake and can be reached by boat or car though a boat ride is highly recommended.

Sajjan Garh Wild life Sanctuary

It is situated 5 km west of tourist city of Udaipur. This safari park was created along the hillock and now it is being extended further thereby improving the vegetal cover of the sanctuary area. The animals mainly seen here include Chital, Sambar, Wild Boar, and Blue Bull. Carnivores like Panther and smaller animals like hyena, hare and Jackal are also seen here. Indian horned owl, spoonbills, partridge, parakeets, quail, kingfishers, owls, storks, ducks and geese are the commonly spotted avian variety.

You will also see an artificial lake on the north west of Sajjangarh known as “Bari Lake” or “Tiger Lake” The Lake has an area of 1.25 square miles and a storage capacity of 400 million cubic feet of water. The sanctuary may not be spectacular in terms of area covered but definitely is worth visiting for the green cover and the lake.

Ekling Garh or Machla Magra

A little distance away from the Sajjan Niwas Garden there is a small fish shaped hill better known as Ekling Garh. It is also known as Machla Magra. It has some cannons which were left behind during the Scindian attack on Udaipur. It gives you a fabulous view of the Pichola Lake and the low lying Udaipur city.

Bagore-ki – Haveli

Formerly a rest house for royal guests, it is now converted into a cultural center where you can witness the traditional Rajasthani Dance and Cultural programs. The cultural events start at 7pm every day and this place is worth visiting.

Fateh Sagar

This is the second largest manmade lake of Udaipur. It was constructed by Maharana Jai Singh in the 17th century which was later rebuilt by Maharana Fateh Singh after whom the lake is named.

You may also visit the three islands that are present here. The largest among them is converted to a park known as the Jawaharlal Nehru Park. There is a boat shaped café which is apt for tourists who love sipping coffee by the lake side. The park was inaugurated in the year 1967 on the 14th November. You can get a picturesque view of the Moti Mahal of Rana Pratap.

The second largest island is a must see for those with a scientific bend of mind. There is a high-resolution solar observatory which helps in obtaining very clear solar images by virtue of its location, i.e. having clear skies above and crystal clear water below.

The smallest of the three islands lies to the west, and is made attractive by the presence of jet fountain.

Lake Fateh Sagar lies to the north of Lake Pichola .A canal links the two via Rang Sagar Lake and Swaroop Sagar Lake. There are woody mountains surrounding the lake. The famous Fateh Sagar Drive which is made of stones runs parallel to the lake. So if you are visiting the place by your own vehicle then make sure to drive along the side of the lake. A boat ride is also highly recommended and make sure to capture the picturesque sunset.

Udaipur is rightly known as the city of lakes and the Fateh Sagar Lake just helps it live up to its name.

Saheliyon-Ki- Bari

This is a beautiful garden near the Fateh Sagar Lake, designed by Maharana Sangram Singh II in the early 18th century. In the past when princesses were married off a group of maids followed the bride .This garden was specifically designed for the 48 maids who accompanied the queen, hence the name.

Saheliyon Ki Bari was meant to be a summer relaxation spot for the ladies. There are numerous fountains located on the four pools that are present here. You will be pleasantly surprised at the delightfully carved marble pavilions and elephants chiseled out of marble. The fountains are placed at a lower level than waters of Fateh Sagar Lake and are thus gravity fed.

There is a rose garden with over hundred different varieties that greet visitors. The garden was once damaged when the lake flooded them but was reconstructed by Maharana Fateh Singh in the nineteenth century.

As you visit the city of lakes and take in the grandeur of the picturesque lakes of Udaipur make sure to visit this garden on the banks of the Fateh Sagar Lake.

Pratap Smarak: It is located atop the pearl hill, overlooking the Fateh Sagar Lake. It was constructed in memory of the Rajput hero Maharana Pratap. There is a bronze statue of the Rana straddling his favorite horse - Chetak.

Jagdish Temple: This temple stands on a tall terrace and is the largest Jagdish temple in Udaipur. The architecture is Indo Aryan. It was built by Maharaja Jagat Singh in 1651 A.D. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple has a bell roof and is multistoried .It is famous for its attractive sculpted images.

Ahar Cenotaphs: It is a small town and also a cremation ground of the Mewar rulers. Today it is an archeological site.

Besides these places you may also visit the Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum, which has a rare collection of folk articles of Rajasthan which includes rural-dresses, beautiful ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls, folk musical instruments and deities, and exclusive paintings.It is located near the Chetak Circle in Udaipur city.

Things to do at Udaipur

You may go on a boat cruise at the Pichola Lake. Be a part of the vibrant folklore by visiting the Bagore- ki -Haveli to witness Rajasthani traditional dance. While you are here make sure to relish the Dil Jani which is a part of the Rajasthani Thali specific to this place.

If you are looking to shop at Udaipur, then the place is famous for wall hangings and miniature paintings. Fabric mirrored lanterns, handmade paper books in brocade, fabrics, wooden puppets and tribal jewelry in silver are sure to lure you. Though the narrow streets are brimming with local artists and crafts you may have to bargain to get goods at the right prices.

Excursions From The city

Shilpgram: Situated 3 km towards the west of Udaipur near the Havala Village. it is the rural arts and crafts complex. It is spread over an area of approximately 60 acres of land and is surrounded by Aravali Mountains. It has the distinction of being a living enthnographic museum depicting art and lifestyle of the local tribals.

You will find an assortment of huts dedicated to different parts or tribes of Rajasthan and few huts representative of Gujarat. There are lifestyle depictions of Maharastra, Goa and Daman. The special attractions of shilpgram include the terra Cotta museum, the ethnographic museum, the kothi museum and sculpture park. You will be enticed by the articulate performances that are held everyday.

Besides these there are craft stalls and camel and horse rides. The best time to visit the place however would be during the Shilpgram Utsav organized every year from the 23rd of December to January 1st.You will experience a rural market scene come alive with performance by folk artists from across the country. The place is open from 11.00 am – 7.00 pm all days of the week.

Haldighati

Located at a distance of 40km from Udaipur, it is a mountain pass in the Aravalli range which connects districts of Rajsamand and Pali in Rajasthan. In the year 1576, armies of Rana Pratap and Akbar took positions at Haldighat which is a turmeric colored Vale hence the name.

Kankroli and Rajnagar

About 66km north of Udaipur are the twin towns namely Kankroli and Rajnagar. Both the towns are nestled by the beautiful lake Rajsamand, which is believed to have been built by Maharaja Raj Singh as a famine relief work in the17th century. The main attraction at the lake is the Nauchowki dam.

Nagda Town

It is located at a distance of 23 km from Udaipur and was the ancient Capital of Mewar. Earlier it was known as Nagahrida or Nagadraha and was founded by Nagaditya of Guhilot in the 6th century AD. This place is famous for the Saas Bahu temples and smaller shrines that lie close to the temples.

Eklingji Temple

Located at a distance of 22 km Eklingji is a complex of temples comprising 108 ancient temples. Chiseled out of sandstone and marble the most prominent temples are the Saas Bahu temple in Marble and Adbhudji Jain Temple in black marble. It was built in 734 AD by Mewar household. There is a flight of steps leading to the kund. The ornate mandap or pillared hall has a canopy of huge pyramidical roof which is composed of hundreds of knots. A must see temple for all the devout.

Shrinathji Temple

The Shrinathji temple is located at Nathdwara about 48 km from Udaipur. A beautiful trip along the city of lakes is almost incomplete without a visit to the pilgrimage spot located at a short distance away. It is sure to entice you with the idol, historic background and the important places within the complex. The royalty of Udaipur pray at the temple and it is believed to be the second richest temple in the world. During Aurangzeb’s rule, in order to protect the idol and escape his tyranny Goswami Dev fled from Mathura to Udaipur. On the way however, in a place called Sinhad the chariot got stuck in mud and did not move further. Taking this as God’s will he consecrated it on that spot. This place is known as Nathdwara and thus the idol was placed at the Lord Krishna temple with vedic rites.

The Idol of lord Krishna seen here is carved out of a single black marble stone and has one arm raised up, giving the onlooker an impression of the lord’s historic feat of lifting the Govardhan Mountain. The other arm is rested on the waist and it appears like a dance posture but a devout would think that it is his way of giving blessings.

The Deity is kept in the inner sanctum and glimpses of the idol are permitted only for short intervals during the day. Rest of the time the place is free of crowds and visitors may enjoy the royal splendor while they are here. The place is well known for art and architectural splendor and the temple is rightly referred to as the Haveli.

The Shrinathji temple is unique in many ways. The temple workers are always dressed in costumes of the bygone era. You will witness pankhwalas fanning, announcements being made with the beating of drums and blowing of trumpets which will take you back in time, to the royal era. Apart from the practices that make this place unique there are paintings of beautiful maidens, horses, elephants and doorkeepers on all the doorways.

The temple has three entrances. The red door at Chaupati is where you will enter from and a place where Govardhan is worshipped. There are two more and one of them is the Surajpol meant exclusively for women. Festivals like Janmashtmi, Phooldol and Diwali are celebrated with much pomp. The annakoot ritual is world famous .Cooked rice is flung at devotees who devour the rice with utmost respect for the almighty and regard it as holy food.

There are a few places that you cannot afford to miss while you are here. They include the Sudarshan Chakraraj, Moti Mahal. Dhwajaji, Kamal Chowk, Ratan Chowk, Mani Kotha and the temples of Shri Navnit Priyaji. There is a Sri Krishna storehouse which has silver and golden mills. Besides these, there are places like the Shakghar milkbooth and outlets for roses, betel leaf, sweets and clothes. The garden too is a must visit.

On your visit to Udaipur make sure to visit the Shrinathji Temple as it has so much to offer. Be it the monuments, the well adorned walls or the sanctity of the temple there is something new and unique about this place.

Kumbhalgarh Fort

A major attraction for most tourists visiting Udaipur is Kumhalgarh. The greenery is a welcome change from the desert heat of Udaipur and the exotic

About 65 km from the lake city Udaipur, this is indeed a fort with great historic importance. It has the world’s second largest wall fortifications running up to 33 km and is next only to the Great Wall of China. The earthy fort is complemented with an exquisite palace which is believed to be the birthplace of Maharana Pratap. The fort is now converted into a heritage hotel.

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary

It is a major attraction for wildlife enthusiasts visiting Udaipur. It lies at a distance of 65km from Udaipur on the Udaipur- Pali-Jodhpur road. It is located in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan. It spans an area of about 578 sq. km and is located at an altitude of 500 to 1300m.This thick jungle adjoins the historical Kumbalgarh Fort and in the past was helpful in safeguarding the massive fort.

Today it is home to some of the very rare species of animals which are struggling for their survival. The wildlife species present here include sloth bear, wolf, jackal, jungle cat, hare, nilgai and the four horned antelope. Leopards and hyena are also seen here. Ornithologists will love the place as it is a haven for birds namely white breasted kingfisher, parakeets, golden oriole, varieties of pigeons, bulbul and red owls.

Ghanero Castle: It is a beautiful castle located at a distance of 140 km from the city of Udaipur. It offers a magical insight to the lavish lifestyle of the one time royalty. It is now a splendid place of stay especially if you want to visit the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary.

Reaching there

By Air: The nearest airport is Maharana Pratap Airport,located near Dabok at a distance of 22 kms from the city of Udaipur.

By Rail: The Rajasthan Railways connects Udaipur with all the other cities of Rajasthan as well as India.

By Road: The Udaipur bus stand has regular bus services, connecting Udaipur with cities including Delhi, Jaipur, Chittorgarh, Indore, Kota, Ajmer, Ahmedabad and Mt. Abu. A better option would be to hire a cab to Udaipur.

Staying there

The Oberoi Udaivilas Hotel (5 star)
Haridasji Ki Magri,
Udaipur

Udai Kothi hotel Udaipur(3 star)
Hanuman Ghat,
Outside Chandpole,
Udaipur

Lake Pichola hotel Udaipur (3 star)
Outside Chand Pole,
Udaipur- 313001

Oriental Palace Resort hotel Udaipur
Main Road Subhash Nagar
Udaipur