Introduction to city Udaipur - In Rajasthan
Located in the Aravalli ranges of Rajasthan, the city of Udaipur is
situated at a distance of about 405 km from the state capital Jaipur. The
city is well connected through air, rail, and road to other important
cities of India like Jaipur, Delhi, and Mumbai.
Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sound and experiences. Right
from the medieval times, the city has been an inspiration for poets,
painters and writers. Founded in 1559 and named after Maharana Udai Singh,
Udaipur became the capital of the Sisodia dynasty whose earlier capital
was Chittor. 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 the holy
man”s advice and Udaipur came into being.
Today, Udaipur is a one of the better-known tourist destinations of India.
Summers in Udaipur are quite hot with temperature going up to 38°C during
the day. Winters are relatively pleasant with temperature remaining at
around 28°C during day and up to 11°C during night. The winters are the
best time to visit historic city.
Sightseeing
: Places to visit in destination - Udaipur
If Jaipur is a city in pink, Udaipur is a study in white. The city is
famous for its palaces, lake, museums, temples, and gardens. The City
Palace and Museum is considered as the largest palace complex in
Rajasthan and its museum has stunning collection of objects collected by
different Maharanas of Udaipur over the centuries. The Picholia Lake,
Udai Sagar, and Pratap Sagar are some of the most beautiful lakes in
the state. Some other attractions in the city are the Jagdish Temple,
Saheliyon Ki Bari, Jag Mandir, Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir, Pratap Memorial,
and Ahar Museum.
CITY PALACE AND MUSEUM - Udaipur
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Towering over the Pichola Lake on a hill lies the imposing City
Palace, a majestic marvel of architecture. It is the largest palace
complex in Rajasthan. Although a conglomeration of buildings
constructed by various Maharanas over a period of time, the complex
still manages to retain a uniformity of design. The palace has many
courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging
gardens. One can get a magnificent view of the lake and the city
from the upper terraces of the palace
The main part of the palace has now been preserved as a museum. You
get to see the beautiful mosaics of peacocks at the Mor Chowk, the
glass and mirror work in the Manak Mahal and Moti Mahal, and a
beautiful collection of miniatures in Krishna Vilas.
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JAGDISH TEMPLE - Udaipur
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Built in 1651 by Maharana Jagat Singh, the temple is located at
about 150 metres north of the entrance to the City Palace. The
temple, built in Indo-Aryan style, is the largest temple of Udaipur.
Here you can have a look at a black stone image of Lord Vishnu, who
has been enshrined here as Jagannath, lord of the universe. A brass
image of Garuda lies in front of the temple.
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SAHELIYON-KI-BARI - Udaipur
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To the north of the city lies Saheliyon-Ki-Bari, a garden of the
maids of honour. This small ornamental garden has many fountains,
delightful lotus pools, chiselled kiosks and marble elephants.
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JAG MANDIR - Udaipur
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Commenced by Maharana Karan Singh, the island palace takes its name
from Maharana Jagat Singh who had made a number of additions to it.
The island has an impressive chhatri (cenotaph) carved from grey
blue stone and is flanked by a row of enormous stone elephants. It
is believed that Prince Khurram (later Shah Jahan) was given refuge
here when he was leading a revolt against his father Jehangir. From
the balconies, you get a superb view of the lake and the city.
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BHARTIYA LOK KALA MANDIR - Udaipur
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Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandir, the Indian folk arts museum, has
interesting exhibits that include folk dresses, ornaments, puppets,
masks, dolls, folk musical instruments, folk deities and paintings.
You can also watch puppet shows that are held here daily.
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PICHOLA LAKE - Udaipur
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About 4 km in length and 3 km wide, the picturesque Pichhola Lake is
fringed with hills, gardens, havelis, ghats and temples. The lake
was enlarged by Maharana Udai Singh II after he founded the city.
The two islands on the lake, Jag Mandir and Jag Niwas, present a
magnificent sight. One of the major attractions here are the boat
rides. The boats leave regularly from the City Palace jetty (known
as Bansi Ghat) and take you on a pleasant trip around the lake
including a visit to Jag Mandir Island and other ghats around the
lake.
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PRATAP MEMORIAL - Udaipur
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On the top of Moti Magri overlooking the Fateh Sagar Lake is the
bronze statue of Maharana Pratap on his horse Chetak. Known as
Pratap Smarak (memorial), the statue is kept in a well laid out
garden. Legend has it that Chetak jumped an abyss of extraordinary
width in the battle of Haldighati to save his master’s life.
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FATEH SAGAR - Udaipur
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This beautiful lake, constructed in 1678, lies to the north of
Lake Pichola. The lake, built by Maharana Fateh Singh, is overlooked
by a number of hills on three sides and the Pratap Memorial on the
north. The east bank of the lake has a pleasant drive along it. In
the middle of the lake is Nehru Park—a lovely garden island that
has a boat-shaped restaurant in it. The island can be accessed only
by boat.
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UDAI SAGAR - Udaipur
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The Udai Sagar Lake lies 15 km east of Udaipur. It was built
Maharana Udai Singh in order to provide the city with secure water
supply in case of a war besides agricultural and leisure purposes.
The lake is around 4 km long and 2.5 km wide with a maximum depth of
around 9 metres. Today, the waters of the lake are used in the
nearby zinc smelter.
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AHAR MUSEUM - Udaipur
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About 3 km from Udaipur lies Ahar, the ancient capital of the
Sisodias. A small government museum has on display a rare collection
of antiquities including earthen pots, iron objects and other art
items excavated in the region. You can also have a look at an
impressive cluster of cenotaphs of the Maharanas of Mewar that stand
nearby.
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Excursions
: Places nearby city - Udaipur
The entire Mewar region of Rajasthan is full of legends of bravery and
the courage. Surprisingly, the warring clans of these regions also created
some of the most splendid architectural wonders in India. Ranakpur
is famous for its Jain Temples while Eklingi is known for its
temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Nagda is also known for its temple
complex while Chittorgarh and its mighty fort has taken many pages
in the history of India. Kumbhalgarh Fort is the best example of
fort architecture of Rajasthan while Ghanerao nearby has beautiful
red sandstone havelis. Some other excursion points from Udaipur are Nathdwara,
Rajsamand, Jaisamand, Sardarsamand, Haldighati, Dungarpur, and Narlai.
Dungarpur
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Nestled in the foothills of the Aravallis, around 120 km off
Udaipur, Dungarpur has an interesting topography, ranging from wild
and rugged terrain in the northeast to fertile plains of alluvial
soil in the southwest. The main attractions in the town are the Udai
Bilas Palace, Juna Mahal, Gaib Sagar Lake, Vijay Raj Rajeshwar
Temple, and Government Archaeological Museum.
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Eklingji
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Eklingji is a small town famous for its temples. The Eklingji
Temple is dedicated to Shiva, who is regarded to be the guardian
deity of the Mewar. The deity was regarded as the virtual ruler by
the Maharajas of Mewar who considered themselves to be the regents (dewans)
under Eklingji.
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Ghanerao
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With its red sandstone havelis and a number of old temples,
baolis, and marble chattris, Ghanerao is an irresistible place.
Founded in 1606 by Gopal Das Rathore, Ghanerao is situated just 5 km
beyond the Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary.
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Haldighati
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Haldighati is a historical place that has now become a symbol of
courage and bravery. It hosted the legendary war between Rana Pratap
and Akbar in 1576. Haldighati is situated at a distance of around 60
km from Udaipur.
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Jaisamand Lake
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With an area of 15 km by 10 km, it is a vast artificial lake
situated at a distance of around 52 km southeast of Udaipur. The
lake is surrounded by the summer palaces of the Ranis of Udaipur
dating back to 17th centuries. The main attractions here are Hawa
Mahal and Ruti Rani palaces.
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Kumbhalgarh
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Though little known, Kumbhalgarh has one of the finest examples of
defensive fortifications in entire Rajasthan. There is a palace and
several temples that are worth visiting. In addition, a stroll along
the walls of the fort gives great panoramic views. Kumbhalgarh is a
must visit for anyone looking forward to experience the best of
Rajasthani fort architecture.
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The Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is situated to the west of the
fort. The sanctuary has enabled the endangered wolf to breed and
support besides providing shelter to the leopard, sloth, chowsingha,
sambhar, hyena, flying squirrel, crocodiles, and a good number of
bird species. Kumbhalgarh is situated at a distance of around 63 km
from Udaipur.
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Nagda
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Nagda has three the ruined Jain temples—Adbhutji Temple and the
Vaishnavite Sas-Bahu Temples—all dating back to the 11th century.
Nagda is situated in the vicinity of Eklingi and can be reached by
bicycles.
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Narlai
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Also known as Rawal Narlai, this place is situated 25 km beyond
Kumbhalgarh Fort. It is famous for its 17th-century fort. It is also
a renowned Hindu and Jain pilgrimage.
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Nathdwara
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Nathdwara, 48 kilometres from Udaipur, is an important Hindu pilgrim
centre. It is also famous for nurturing the glorious tradition of
Pichwal paintings
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Rajsamand Lake
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The lake is situated 56 km north of Udaipur on National highway 8
at Kankroli. A vast expanse of water, the lake was the result of a
dam constructed on the Gomati River by Maharana Raj Singh I
(1653-6180). There are ornamental arches and pavilions lining the
lake.
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Ranakpur
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Ranakpur, 98 kilometres away, boasts of some of the most
exquisite Jain temples in the country.
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Sardarsamand
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Situated at a distance of around 200 km from Udaipur on the road
to Jodhpur, Sardarsamand is named after the great grandfather of
Maharaja Gaj Singh of Jodhpur. The Sardarsamand Palace (now
converted into a hotel) and Balsamand Lake are two other highlights
of the place
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