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 |
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.
History Of Udaipur
It is the jewel of Mewar, a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1,200 years, making it the oldest dynasty in India, perhaps in the world! Claiming descent from Surya, the sun God, they were the only Rajput princes who steadfastly refused to marry with the powerful Mughals. The capital of Sisodias was Chittor, until the 6th century, when it was moved to Udaipur, named after Maharana Udai Singh.
According to legend, the Maharana was out hunting one day when he met a holy man meditating on a hill overlooking the Lake Pichola. The hermit blessed the Maharana and told him to built a palace at that very spot, as it would be well protected.
The Maharana followed his advice and Udaipur came into being! Over-looking the aquamarine waters of the Lake Pichola stands the shimmering granite and marble Lake Palace, a harmonious blend of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. Eight marble porticos mark the spot where the Mewar sovereigns were weighed in gold, the equivalent value of which was then distributed to the poor.
Tourist Attraction in Udaipur
City Palace :
Udaipur is popularly known as the Jewel of Mewar, the city was founded by Maharajah Jai Singh in 16th century. The city of Udaipur endorses three major lake, Pichhola, Fatehsagar and Udaisagar. The three lakes add to the magic of the city.
| Udaipur City Palace is one of the architectural marvels of Rajasthan, located peacefully on the banks of Lake Pichola. This majestic City Palace is the most-visited tourist attraction of Udaipur and often distinguished as the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. Initially, Maharana Udai Singh built this superb wonder, but the present form of the Palace is the result of subsequent additions by his successors. City Palace boasts of the wonderful blend of Medieval, European and Chinese Architecture. The Palace has various towers, domes and arches, which add to the flavor of heritage site. Towering on the banks of |  |
City Palace has several gates that are known as “Pols”. City Palace comprises 11 wonderful palaces, which were built by different rulers still they resemble each other. Situated in the premises of City Place complex, Jagdish Temple is the biggest and most beautiful temple of Udaipur. In 1974, a part of the City Palace and the 'Zenana Mahal' (Ladies Chamber) have been transformed into a museum.
Lake Palace (Jag Niwas) :
| Lake Palace or Jag Niwas is regarded as one of the most beautiful palace of the world, the mere sight is mesmerizing as this white wonder arises out of the turquoise waters of lake Pichola. Built in 1746, by Maharana Jagat Singh II on the island of Jag Niwas, as a summer resort. This cool haven is a marvel in stone and is the best example of Mughal- Rajput architecture. The courtyards lined with columns, spectacular terrace gardens, foliage and fountains all add to its striking architecture. |  |
It has a perfect Moorish setting – coloured glasswork framing the windows, marble flooring, the bed with its luxurious bedding and offers the most enchanting way to watch the sun set over the quiescent waters of the lake. In the heart of the room is an antique jhoola (swing).
The upper room of the palace is a perfect circle and is about 21 feet in diameter. Ferguson, the noted antiquarian, is of the opinion, that it was the prettiest room that he had ever seen or known in India. The walls are ornamented with niches and decorated with arabesques of different coloured stones in the same style as the Taj at Agra, though the patterns are Hindu and dome is exquisitely beautiful in form.
A room built of 12 enormous slabs of marble, Shah Jahan’s throne sculptured from a single block of serpentine and the little mosque dedicated to Kapuria Baba, a Muhammedan Saint, are other objects of interest on the island.
It is a completely white structure standing majestically on a hill surrounded by crenellated walls. This enormous edifice of 30.4 meters height and 244 meters length.
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.
There is a 'Suraj Gokhada', the 'Balcony of Sun', Where the Maharanas of Mewar in times of trouble gave an audience to the people to restore their confidence.
Bhagwat Singh, one of descendants of the empire, decided to convert the Jag Niwas Palace into Udaipur’s first luxury hotel. Didi Contractor, an American artist, became a design consultant to this hotel project.
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 |
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.
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.
Udai Vilas Palace :
| The Udai Vilas Palace is situated on the Brahmapuri island on the western side of Lake Pichola and spreads in an area of 30 acres of beautiful gardens lined up with decorative fountains and pavilions. The palace is a classic example of the architectural skills of the Mewar dyansty. The palace took nearly ten years to complete and served as a hunting resort for the royal family. Today, the palace has been converted into a heritage hotel. |  |
Moreover, the spectacular views of the Jagmandir and Jagniwas palaces, specially during sun rise and sun set adds to the feeling of being in a completely different world. Inside the palace hotel, the beauty of hand-painted mural, carved stone columns, landscaped terraces, lotus flowers carved in marble, brilliantly shinning gold-leaf cover of domes are a feast for eyes and joy for heart.
Eklingji Temple :
The temple at Eklingji or Kailashpuri is one of the prime pilgrimage destinations in Rajasthan. Eklingji has been the deity of the royal Mewar family since the time of Bappa Rawal, founder of the Mewar dynasty. Ek means 'one' while ling means 'lingum or the life giving phallic symbol of Lord Shiva'. The patron deity of the Mewar clan is considered the actual ruler of the region while the kings are merely the Dewan (or the Prime Minister) of this God of Mewar.
 | The Eklingji Temple is located at a distance of around 22 km from Udaipur and is said to be initially built by Bappa Rawal on the side of 72 rooms Jain temple which housed a four faced statue of Adinath, first Jain Saint. The site is also important as it was the place where Bappa Rawal received religious discourse from his guru, Harit Rishi. The temple was first built in the year 728AD, however, subsequent changes and renovation work was |
The temple is the centre of attraction during the festival of Shivratri. The entire complex as well as the deities are decorated to make them appear as beautiful as possible. Devotees in large number throng the temple to offer their prayers to the Lord of universe.
Kumbhalgarh Fort :
This is the most important fort in the Mewar region after Chittorgarh. It's an isolated and fascinating place 84 km from Udaipur, built by Maharana Kumbha in the 15th century. It's worth taking a leisurely walk in the large compound, which has some interesting ruins and is very peaceful. The fort is open daily and entry is free.
Jagdish Temple :
This exquisite Indo-Aryan temple is located north of the entrance to the City Palace. Maharani Jag Singh built it in 1651. A black stone image of Vishnu as Jagannath, Lord of the Universe is installed there. A shrine in the front of the temple has a brass image of the Garuda, a mythological bird .The steps upto the temple are flanked by elephants.
Fateh Sagar :
North of Pichola Lake, this water body is overlooked by a number of hills and parks. It was originally built in 1678 by Maharana Jai Singh, but reconstructed by Maharana Fateh Singh after heavy rains destroyed the dam. A pleasant drive winds along the east bank and in the middle is Nehru Park, a popular garden island with a cafe shaped like a boat. You can get there by boat from near the bottom of Moti Magri. Paddle boats are available.
How To Reach
Fly Away: Udaipur is well connected by air to Jodhpur, Jaipur, Aurangabad, Mumbai and Delhi. The Airport is 21 km from the city centre from where one can hire a taxi for the main city.
On Tracks: Udaipur is on the Western Railway metre gauge network. It is directly connected by rail with Delhi, Jaipur, Ajmer, Chittaurgarh, Jodhpur and Ahmedabad. The railway station is about 4 km from the city centre.
On Wheels: Udaipur is on National Highway No. 8, the main link between Delhi and Mumbai. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh Road Transport Corporation buses operate from Udaipur to various places. Some private operators also ply between the main cities. Luxury coaches run at night.
Shopping In Udaipur
Shopping in Udaipur is a rendezvous with bright colors, exquisite crafts, brilliant hues, warm people and a lot more that has to be felt and cannot possibly be described in mere words. In all, a glorious experience - shopping tours to Udaipur offer you the perfect opportunity to shop till you drop
Buy colorful folk toys, bewitching puppets, elaborate traditional attire, pottery, metal craft, traditional paintings, batiks, hand printed textiles and dyed saris during your shopping tours to Udaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Shop for the famous Pichwai paintings of Udaipur that were traditionally done in bright hues and were hung behind idols or images of Lord Krishna. Also shop for Phad paintings, tie and dye fabrics, kundan jewelry, silver jewelry, precious stones, bright turbans and more while on shopping tours to Udaipur in Rajasthan, India.
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