Udaipur is one of the most romantic cities in all of Rajasthan and also knwon as "Lake City". The marble palaces, the beautiful gardens and the placid blue lakes enhance the beauty of this city. Udaipur is located in the North Western corner of India and part of Rajasthan. It was founded in 1568 by Maharana Udai Singh II. The Lake Palace is certainly the best late example of this unique cultural explosion, but Udaipur is full of palaces, temples and havelis ranging from the modest to the extravagant. It's also proud of its heritage as a centre for the performing arts, painting and crafts.
The grand City Palace on the banks of the lake compliments the palace along with the Monsoon Palace (Sajjan Garh) on the hill above. Udaipur is also the centre for performing arts, craft and its famed miniature paintings.The Shilp Gram festival is a center of attraction during the season. 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 experiences an inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writers.
Area of Udaipur : 37 sq km (approx.)
Population in Udaipur : 3,66,000 (approx.)
STD Code of Udaipur : 0294
Best time to visit Udaipur : September to March
Languages Spoken in Udaipur : Hindi, English, & Mewari
Climate in Udaipur :
Udaipur has a tropical climate, but more pleasing than other places in Rajasthan. In the summers, mercury rises up to a maximum of 38.3°C. Not much respite is there in the summers, as the minimum temperature does not fall below 28ºC. 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. Winters (September-March) are the best period for visiting Udaipur.
Udaipur Tourist Attractions :
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.
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.
Fateh Prakash Palace : It's like being cocooned in authentic royal luxury at the Fateh Prakash Palace, the grand heritage palace of the HRH group. The warmth of royal hospitality greets you as you walk along the corridors lined with large paintings of the Mewar school that flourished in the seventeenth through nineteenth century.
Saheliyon Ki Bari : 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.
Lake Palace : The Lake Palace is located on the Jag Niwas Island and covers the whole of 1.5 hectare of the island in the middle of the Pichola Lake. Built by Maharana Jagat Singh in 1743 it was meant as a royal summer palace and now converted in to a five star palace hotel. It is a magical palace and its image in the middle of the lake is like a leaf straight out of a fairy tale book with an excellent taste of intricate craftsmanship and the ethnic themes using the textiles and handicrafts all over highlight the beauty that is simply beyond compare the lake around makes a pleasant murmur with its rippling waves and lapping that adds to the mesmerising moments.
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.
Museums in Udaipur :
Shilpgram Museum : Literally meaning a "Craftsmen's Village" is a living ethnographic museum depicting the enormous diversities in craft, art & culture between various Indian states, but the exquisite terracotta work mainly in dark red and dark brown sand material along with the wooden carvings are the forte of this ethnic village . Shilpgram comprises 26 huts set in 70 acres of natural surroundings at the foot of the Aravali Hills.A colourful craft festival during winter seasons to the whole set up induces viatanity and zeal.
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.
City Palace Museum : The main part of the palace is now preserved as a museum displaying a large and diverse array of artefacts. Down steps from the entrance is the armoury museum exhibiting a huge collection of protective gear, weapons including the lethal two-pronged sword. The City Palace museum is then entered through the Ganesh Deori meaning the door of Lord Ganesh.
Vintage Collection of Classic Car Museum : The collection within the grounds of the Garden Hotel comprises a variety of classic and interestingly rare transportation vehicles; some stately and vintage like Cadalec, Chevalate, Morais etc., while the others are sleek and fast .
Ahar Museum : Located about 2 kms east of Udaipur is an impressive cluster of cenotaphs of the Maharanas of Mewar. There are about nineteen cenotaphs of Maharanas cremated there. The most striking cenotaph is that Maharana Amar Singh, who reigned from 1597 to 1620. Nearby is also Ahar Museum, where on display is limited but very rare earthen pottery.
Temples in Udaipur :
Jag Mandir : This is the other island palace in Lake Pichola, which was constructed by Maharana Karan Singh as a hideout for Prince Khurram the estranged son of Emperor Jehangir the implacable foe of the Maharana. The reason for the aid was that the prince was the son of a Rajput mother. It is also said that Shah Jahan [prince Khurram] derived some of these ideas for the Taj Mahal from this palace when he stayed there in 1623-24. The island has some striking carving including a row of elephants that looks as though they are guarding the island. The exquisitely carved chhatri in grey and blue stone is another example.
Nathdwara : Nathdwara lies 48 kms from Udaipur and literally means the gateway to the Lord. This great Vaishnavite shrine was built in the 17th century on spot exactly defined by the Lord himself. The legends have it that the image of the Lord Krishna was being transferred to safer place from Vrindaban to protect it from the destructive wrath of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
Jagdish Mandir : Built by Maharana Jagat Singh I in 1651 the temple enshrines a black stone image of Lard Vishnu. There is a brass image of Garuda the Lord bird carrier. The exterior and the plinth are covered with base relief of alligators; elephants, horsemen and celestial musicians rise in tiers.
Eklingji : Eklingji, Udaipur tourism a religious complex northern region of Mewar (22 Kms) It houses 108 temples chiselled out of sandstone and marble,
this temple of Eklingji was built in 734 AD. Enclosed by high walls, it is devoted to Eklingji (A form of Shiv Deity adored under the epithet of Eklinga).
Fairs and Festivals in Udaipur :
Mewar Festival : The Mewar Festival is celebrated to welcome the advent of spring. It coincides with the festival of Gangaur in Udaipur, and has a unique charm about it. The women folk gather to dress the images of Isar and Gangaur and then carry them in a ceremonial procession through different parts of the city.
Shilpgram Fair : Literally meaning a "Craftsmen's Village" is a living ethnographic museum depicting the enormous diversities in craft, art & culture between various Indian states, but the exquisite terracotta work mainly in dark red and dark brown sand material along with the wooden carvings are the forte of this ethnic village .
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Shopping in Udaipur :
Udaipur is a Shoppers Paradise for Art Lovers. Paintings, Miniatures, Contemporary Art, Marble Handicrafts, Metal Furniture, Jewellery, Fabric, Carpets & Rugs and much more awaits your arrival. Udaipur has both traditional and modern shopping areas. It is known for leather products, jewellery, rug weaving and marble work. You also find Art Galleries in Udaipur A captivating collection of exquisite dainty folk toys, brightly coloured garments, hand printed textiles, batiks and tie & dye sarees and fabrics can be bought here. Craftsmanship at its best can be seen in the rustic and chunky silver jewellery and wooden toys. The animated colours and themes painted on the pichwais or the wall hanging are world renowned. There are numerous small and big shops offering all the above, the main shopping places being Rajasthan Government Handicraft emporium - a shoper's delight, Chetak Circle, Bapu Bazar, Chetak Circle, Hathipole and Lake Palace Road.
Accommodations in Udaipur :
Udaipur has accommodation options available for all categories of tourists. The best options, if one does have enough money to spend, are the heritage hotels, which are grand, royal, and bring alive the bygone eras.
How to Reach Udaipur :
By Air : Udaipur is connected by regular flights to Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Aurangabad, and Mumbai.
By Train : Udaipur is on the Western Railway meter gauge network. Trains connect it to Delhi, Chittor, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Ajmer, and Jodhpur.
By Road : Udaipur is on National Highway No. 8 and is linked with several states such as Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.
