VENICE OF THE EAST

The city of 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 experience-an inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writers. Its kaleidoscope of fairy tale palace lakes temples gardens and narrow lanes strew with stalls, carry the flavour of a heroic past. Epitomising for 1200 years.

Places to Stay

Location

Udaipur is a part of royal Indian state of Rajasthan, extending from latitude 27°42' in the North to longitude 75°33' in the North. It is well connected through air, rail, and road to other important cities of India like Jaipur, Delhi, and Mumbai.

Climate

The climate of Udaipur is tropical with the mercury staying between a maximum of 38.3°C and a minimum of 28.8°C during summers. Winters are a little cold with the maximum temperature rising to 28.8°C and the minimum dipping to 11.6°C. The annual total rainfall is 61 cm.

Visiting Time

Winters (September–March) are the best period for visiting Udaipur.

The Past

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 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 agreeable altitude and on the advise of the hermit he founded the city in 1568 A.D.

Tourist Attractions

Pratap Memorial

Atop the Moti Magri or prarl hill, overlooking the Fateh Sagar lake is the memorial of the Rajput hero Maharana Pratap with a bronze statue of the Maharana.

City Palaces

A majestic architectural marvel towering over the lake on a hill surrounded by crenellated 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 Gokhada, the balcony of the sun, is where the suryavansi maharanas of mewar presented themselves to the people in time of trouble to restore their confidence. The "Mor Chowk' known for its exquisite peacock mosaics in glass and the Chini Chitrashala noted for its blue and white ceramics are another attraction in the palace.

Jagdish Temple

Built in 1651A.D. by Maharana Jagat Singh, this Indoarmy temple is the largest and the most beautiful temple of Udaipur with noteworthy sculpted images.

Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum

The interesting collection exhibited by this Indian folk arts museum includes folk dresses, ornaments, puppets masks, dolls, folk musical instruments, folk deities, and paintings.

Saheliyon Ki Bari

Garden of the maids of Honor, this small ornamental garden was a popular relaxing sport where royal ladies came for a stroll and hence the name. The garden has many fountains in its four delightful pools chiseled kiosks and marble elephants.

Fateh Sagar

A beautiful lake, overlooked by a number of hills on the three sides and the Pratap memorial on the north was built by Maharana Fateh Singh. In the middle of the lake is Nehru Park a lovely garden island with a boar shaped café accessible by an enjoyable boat ride.

Pichhola lake

The picturesque lake that entranced Maharaja Udai Singh. It was later enlarged by the founder. The lake is surrounded by hills, palaces, temples bathing ghats and embankments. Two island palaces, jag Mandir and jag Niwas {Lake Palace} on the lake are of breathtaking magnificence.

Ahar

The ancient capital of sisodias, 3 Km from Udaipur, Ahar boasts of a profusion of royal cenotaphs of the rulers of Mewar. A rare collection of antiquities including earthen pots, iron objects and other art items excavated in the region are displayed in a small Govt. museum

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 countryside.

Gulab Bagh

A spectacular Rose Garden laid out by Maharana Sajjan Singh. A library in the garden has a rare collection of anicient handwritten manuscripts and books.

Sites Nearby

About three kilometers from the town of Udaipur lies

Ahar

, the ancient capital of the Sisodias, which boasts of numerous chhatris or cenotaphs that commemorate Mewar’s royal personages.

Nathdwara

, 48 kilometers from Udaipur, is an important Hindu pilgrim center, also famous for nurturing the glorious tradition of Pichwal paintings.

Ranakpur

, 98 kilometers away, boasts of some of the most exquisite Jain temples in the country. These are but a few of the several places of interest in and around Udaipur.

Fairs and Festivals

The Mewar festival in March-April is the ceremonial welcome to spring and is dedicated to goddess Parvati. A procession of colourfully attired women, carrying images of the goddess to the Gangaur Ghat of the Lake Pichhola is the major highlight songs dances and firework displays mark the festivals. Gangaur Festival in March-April is popular among women who pray to the goddess Parvati. A procession comprising horses and elephants accompanying the image of Lord Shiva is the major attraction. Teej in july-Agust is the festival celebrating the advent of monsoon.

Shopping

Udaipur has wares on offer that can convert the most unwilling of shoppers into avid buyers. The better known items include folk toys, brightly colored garments, hand printed textiles, batiks, dyed saris, metal images, silver jewelry, and the Pichwal wall hangings.

How to Reach

By Air

Debock Airport is 24 km from the city centre, Daily Indian Airlines flights connect Udaipur with Jodhpur, Jaipur, Aurangabad, Mumbai and Delhi.

By Rail

Udaipur is directly linked by rail with major cities.

By Road

A wide network of bus service link Udaipur with several destinations.