Udaipur Travel Guide
The
city of Udaipur is a lovely land around the Azure water lakes hemmed in by the
lush hills of the Aravails. 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 writen.
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. The foundation of the city has an interesting legand associated with
it. According to it, Maharana Udai Singh the founder was hunting one day when
he met a holy man meditaing on a hill overlooking the lake pichhola.
The hermit blessed the Maharana and advised him to build a palace at this favourable
located spot with a fertile valley watered by the stream, a lake, an agreeable
altitude and an the advise of the hermit and founded the city in 1959 A.D.
Overlooking the aquamarine xpanses of the lake Pichhola stands the splendid
city palace-a marvel in granite and marbel. Of the original eleven gates of
the Udaipur City, only five remain. The suraj pol or sun Gate on the eastern
side is the main entrance to the city.
Exquisite lake palaces of Udaipur shimmering like jewels on lake Pichhola are
overwhelming in splendour. Several palaces of interest around Udaipur, including
the majestic Chittaurgarh the mountain fortress of Kumbhalgarh, beautiful jain
temples of Ranakpur, Eklingli and Nathdwara and the cool retreat of Mr.Abu make
the visit to udaipur a memorable one.
Places to See
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
crenallated walls, it is a conglomeration of courtards, 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 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 if Udaipur with noteworthy scupted 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 jills 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
accessile 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 mharana Sanjjan Singh A library in the
garden has a rare collection of anicient handwritten manuscripts and books.
Fairs & Festivals
The Mewar festival
March-April
is the ceremonial welcome to spring and is dedicated to goddess parvati. A procession
of colourfully attired women women, carrying images of the goddess to the Gangaur
Ghat of the Lake Pichhola is the major highlight songs dances and firework displayas
mark the festivals.
Gangaur Festival
March-April is popular among women who pray to the goddess Parvati. A procession
caparisoned horses and elephants accompanying the image of Lord Shiva is the
major attraction. Teej in july-Agust is the festival celebrating th advent of
monsoon.
