CITY OF LAKE
Udaipur – the city of down. As the sun rises from across the azure lakes, the city awakens to a vision drenched in romance. Its sighs and sounds pure inspiration for poets, painters and writers.
Fairy tale palaces and gardens temple and narrow lanes create a picture perfect atmosphere. The placid lake Pichola mirror of feeling of wonder and tranquility. Yet, Udaipur was once –the epicenter of heroism valour and chivalry
Udaipur is the jewel of Mewar – a kingdom ruled by the Sisodha dynasty for 1200 years. And like so many other cities in Rajasthan Udaipur also comes with its own legend According to it, Maharana Udai Singh, while out hunting met a holy man meditating on a hill overlooking lake Pichhola. He advised the Maharana to build his palace on that spot where a shimmering stream flowed through a fertile valley. A most picturesque site indeed with a lake an agreeable altitude nestled in an amphitheatre of low mountains. This Maharana did as he was told and gave the world a city we know as Udaipur. Overlooking the aquamarine lake Pichhola stands the splendid City Palace – a marvel in granite and marble Oringinally there were eleven gates but now five remain. The Suraj Pol or the Sun Gate on the eastern side is the main entrance to the city. While an a visit to Udaipur do discover other attractions in its vincinity. The formidable Chittaurgarh, the mountain fortress of Kumbhalgarh the beautiful Jain temple of Ranakpur, to cool climes of Mt. Abu in the summer moths And it only stone’s throw from this magnificent city of dreams.
PRIME SITES
City Palace: A majestic architectural marvel towering over the lake on a hill surrounded by crenallated walls it is a conglomeration of courtyards, pavilions terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. The main entrance is through the triple arched gate the “Tripolia” with eight marble porticos. The maharanas were weighed under the gate in gold the equivalent amount of which was distributed among the populace. The Suraj Gokhanda the balcony the Suryavanshi Maharanas of Mewar presented to the people in times of trouble to restore their confidence. The ‘Mor Chowk’ known for its exquisite peacock mosaics in glase and the Chine Chitrashala noted for its blue and while ceramics are other attractions in the Palace.
Timings : 09.30 am – 16.30pm
Crystal Art Gallary Boat ride in Pichhala lake and Vintage car collection are added attraction.
Government Archaeological Museum in City palace with rich collection of paintings of Mewar is worth visting. Timings :9.30 am to 4.30pm.
Jagdish Temple: Built in 1651 A.D. by Maharana Jagat and the most beautiful temple of Udaipur with noteworthy sculpted images.
Bharatiya Lok Kala Musemum: The interesting collection exhibited by this Indian folk arts museum includes folk dresses ornaments puppets masks, dolls folk musical instrument folk deities and paintings.
Timings : 09:00 am -17:30pm
Saheliyan-ki-Bari: This small arnamental garden was a popular relaxing spot where royal ladies come for a stroll and hence the name The garden has many fountains in its four delightful pools, chiseled kioks and marble elephants
Pratap Memorial: Atop the Moti Magri or pearl hill overlooking the Fateh Sager lake is the memorial of the Rajput hero Maharana Pratap with a bronze statue the Maharana.
Evening lights sound programme Timming:7 pm to 8 pm.
Fateh Sagar : Beautiful lake overlooked by a number of hills on the three sides and the Pratap Memorial on the north was middle of the lake is Nehru Parks a Vovely garden island with a boat shaped café accessible by an enjoyable boat ride.
Pichhala Lake: The picturesque lake that entranced Maharana Udai Singh. It was later enlarged by the founder the lake is surrounded by hills palaces, temple bathing ghats and embankment. Two island palaces, Jag Mandir and Jag Niwas (lake Palace) on the lake are of breathtaking manificence.
Ahar: The ancient capital of Sisodias 3kms from Udaipur, Ahar boats of a profusion of Mewor. A rare collection of items excavated in the region are displayed in a small Govt. museum.
Timings: 10.00 am – 17.00 pm
Sajjan Garh: Dominating the city’s skyline is the monsoon palace of Sajjan Garh. It offers a panoramic overview of the city’s lakes palaces and the surrounding coundtryside
Gulab Bagh: A spectacular rose Garden laid out by Maharana Sajjan Singh. A library in the garden has a rare collection of ancient handwritten manuscripts and books. Toy trains & zoo for children are added attractions.
Excersions
Eklingji (22km): Built in 734 A.D. is the beautiful sculpted temple complex with presiding deity of Mewor an elabrorately pillared deity of Mewor rulers. The walled complex encloses an elaborately pillared hall or mandap undera a large pyramidal roof has four laced image of lord Shiva in black marble.
Nanda (23kms): he ancinets site dating back to the 6th century A.D. is renowned for the Sahastrabahu temple (9th – 10th century A.D.) with interesting architechure and carvings. The splendid Jain temple of Adbudji are also worth a visit.
Holdighati (40kms): A historical site witness to the great battle fought between Maharana Pratap and the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1576 A.D. The chhatri of Maharana’s horse – Chetak is noteworthy Haldigoti Musuem with light & spound show is on added highlight of this place.
Nathdwara (48km): The most revered 17th century shrine dedicated to Shrinathji or Lord Krishna attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the country, especially during Diwali Holi and Janmashtami when their number exceeds a lakh Foreign tourists are not permitted inside and photography is proshibited.
Kankroli (65kms); An important Vaishnava temple popularly called Dwarikadhish It is the most important temple of the Vallbhanchaya sec built to resemble the famous Nathdwara shrine.
Rajsamand Lake (66 kms): Close to kankroli is the dam built by Maharana Raj Singh in 1660 A.D. Many ornamental arches and chhatris adorn the embankment.
Kumbhalgarh (84kms): The second principal fortress in Rajasthan after Chittaurgarh it is perched atop the Aravalis Built in the 15th century by Maharana Kumbha it extends over 12km and encloses many temples palaces and gardens. The Badal Mahal or Cloud palace offers a spectaclor bird’s eye view of the surrounding countryside Closeby is the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary with a rich variety of wildlife The Fort is accessible only by jeep from kelwara through the seven gates.
Jagat (58kms): The splendid and well preserved 10th century temple of Ambika Mata is known for its intricate carvings in the outer walls Popularly known as the Khajuraha of Rajasthan.
Jaisamand Lake (68kms): A stunningly situated artificial lake built in the 17th century A.D. by Maharana Jai Singh is the second largest in Asia Graceful marble chhatris flank the Embankment and beautiful summer palaces of the Udaipur queens are built on either side of the lake Jaisalmand island Resort is also worth visiting. A trip to Jaisalmand wildlife sanctuary allows a close encounter with the rich wildlife in their natural habitat The fauna includes panther wild baar deer four horned antelope mongoose and various species of migratory birds.
Ranakpur (90km): The beautifully sculptured Jain temples lie in a tranquil valley of the Aravalis The main Chaumukha Temple is dedicated to the Tirthankara Adinath and has 29 halls supported by 1444 pillars all distintly carved. Two Jain temple dedicated to Neminath and Parshvanath and a Sun temple a little distance away are also noteworthy.
Shopping: Udaipur has countless shops and many interesting local crafts that make it a one of its kind shopping experience a plethora of items like folk toys colorful tie – and – dye – sarees and clothes turbans hand painted fabric silver jewellery wall hangings and miniature paintings in Rajput style are the favourite buys. The beautiful images of gods and goddesses made in the near by Mollela village near Nothdwara are not to be missed. The shopping spots include a cluster of stalls on the lake palace and other around the Jagdish Temple.
FESTIVE FUN
The Mewar Festival: On the occasion of Gangour a three days festival is organized by Rajasthan Tourism First day the boat procession in lake pichhola is a unique attraction. Clutral programmes fire works and best Mewari dressed foreign couple competitors are its added attractions. The Mewor festival ends at Gogunda (30km) from Udaipur where a big Gangour fair is arganished in rural area. March-April is the ceremonial welcome to spring and is dedicated to goddess Parvati. A procession of colorfully attired women carrying images of the goddess to the Gangaur Ghat of the Lake pichhola is the major highlight Songs dances and firework display marks the festivals.
Teej in July August is the festival celebration the advent of monsoon.
TRAVEL INFORMANTION
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: Dabok airport is 24 km from the city centre. Daily Indian Airlines flights connect Udaipur with Jodhpur Jaipur Aurangabad Mumbai and Delhi.
Rail: Udaipur is directly linked by Rail with major cities Some important train connections are 9643 Express Delhi Sarai Rohila – Jaipur – Ajmer- Chittaurgath- Udaipur).
Road: A wide network of bus services link Udaipur with several destinations Some of the important distances are Agra 630 km Ahmedabad 262 km, Jaipur 406 km ,Jodhpur 275 km and Mount Abu 185 km.
