Udaipur, the Romantic City in India

[Anil Rawat]

Udaipur is the jewel of Mewar - a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 years. This famous ‘white city’ was founded in 1559 A.D. There are a number of reservoirs surrounding the town along withforts and ancient ruins. It is one of the most important tourist cities in India. It is a dream destination for a romantic holiday. It is famous for its Rajput-era palaces. Many of the palaces have been converted into luxury hotels. This city is well connected to the all-major cities in India by road, rail and air. It lies on the Golden Quadrilateral, midway between Delhi and Mumbai.

Udaipur is commonly referred, as "Venice of the East" that is the most romantic city in India. It is a beautiful tourist city set amidst the Aravalli Ranges of Rajasthan known for its picturesque lakes, therefore it is also called 'city of lakes'. There are three interconnected lakes in the city named as Fateh Sagar Lake, Lake Pichola and Swaroop Sagar Lake. This city is well equipped with forts, palaces, temples, gardens, mountains, museums, monuments and narrow lanes. It is the fascinating blend of sights, sounds and experiences - an inspiration for the imagination of the poets, painters and writers.

Udaipur was named as the 2nd best city in Asia, 2007 and travel & leisure magazine named Oberoi Udaivilas as the "world's best hotel" in 2007. It has developed as the popular marriage destination for the rich and the famous in the recent years.

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UDAIPUR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

There are some of the prominent places to see in Udaipur as City Palace, Lake Palace, Saheliyon Ki Bari, Jagdish Temple, Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Palace, Fateh Sagar Lake, Jaisamand Lake, Maharana Pratap Memorial, Eklingji Temple, Gulab Niwas Garden, Jag Mahal Palace, Sajjan Garh and Bagore ki Haveli etc.

City Palace: It is one of the architectural marvels in Rajasthan India that is located on the banks of Lake Pichola. This largest palace complex of Rajasthan is the most-visited tourist attraction of Udaipur. The palace complex has eleven constituent palaces constructed by successive kings in 300 years that was the foundation of Udaipur. The Crystal Gallery and Durbar Hall in the complex is amazing. Half of this palace is converted into a heritage hotel and rest into a museum. The newer additions - the Shiv Niwas Palace and the Fateh Prakash Palace are run as hotels at present. It is the wonderful blend of Medieval, European and Chinese Architecture that consists many towers, domes and arches. This palace has many courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. The main entrance is through the triple arched gate, the ‘Tripolia’ with eight marble porticos.

City Palace Museum: This museum is the jewel in the crown of City Palace Complex in Udaipur. The construction on the City Palace started in 1559 that makes it the oldest part of the Palace Complex. The successive rulers continued the work over four and a half centuries in phases that gave rise to the Mughal and British influences in the palace architecture. In 1969, the City Palace was opened to the public as the City Palace Museum. This was done in order to generate income and maintain the building after independence of India. This museum is taken care of by the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation.

Saheliyon Ki Bari: It is one the most beautiful gardens and a major tourist attraction in Udaipur. Maharana Sangram Singh built it in the 18th century for the royal ladies. This garden used to be the popular relaxing haunt of the royal ladies. It is famous for its lush green lawns, marble art and fountains. It is located on the banks of Fateh Sagar Lake that is dotted with four water pools, chiseled kiosks and marble elephants etc.

Lake Pichola: It is an artificial fresh water lake that was developed in 1362 AD that is named after the nearby Picholi village. It was developed to meet the drinking water and irrigation requirements of Udaipur city and neighboring areas. There are two islands named Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir at Pichola Lake, which present a magnificent sight. A boat ride is the major attraction of this place. This lake is surrounded by verdant hilly terrains, palaces, bathing Ghats, temples and gardens that enrich the beauty of this romantic city.

Lake Palace: Lake Palace or Jag Niwas is regarded as one of the most beautiful palaces of the world. The mere sight of this palace is mesmerizing as soon as it arises out of turquoise waters of lake Pichola. Maharana Jagat Singh II constructed in 1746 on Jag Niwas Island as a summer resort. It was built in the 17th century on 4 acres natural foundation of a rock. This palace stands amidst the lake Pichola over the backdrop of beautiful Aravalli Mountain. It also served as hiding place for British families during the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. At present the Lake Palace is being used as a heritage hotel and managed by the famous Taj group chain of luxury hotels. World famous personalities like Queen Elizabeth, Lord Curzon, and first lady of USA Jacqueline Kennedy etc have stayed and admired this beautiful palace.

Jag Mandir: It is another island palace in the Lake Pichola that was built by Karan Singh in 1615. It derives its name from Jagat Singh who added to the initial structure. The Palace made in red stone of translucent thinness, was once laid with rubies and jasper. The island has an impressive cenotaph carved from gray blue stone that is flanked by a row of enormous stone elephants. It was never used for the purpose for it was built. This palace was used to provide shelter to the Mughal prince Khurum (later Emperor Shah Jahan) who rebelled against his emperor father Jahangir in 1620. Jahangir was succeeded by Shah Jahan who was still in Udaipur at the time of his father's death. During the 1857 Mutiny this island palace once again served as a safe haven for British women and children.

Jagdish Temple: Maharana Jagat Singh built it in 1651 A.D that is located at about 150 meters north of the entrance to the city palace. This Indo-Aryan temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a manifestation of lord Vishnu. It is the largest and most beautiful temple of Udaipur that is well equipped with beautiful sculpted images. There is exquisite brass image of Garuda lies in front of the temple.

Bagore ki Haveli: In 18th century Amirchand Badwa constructed this congenial building on the waterfront of Lake Pichola at Gangori Ghat. The palace has very interesting display of costumes and modern art. It also preserves a fine example of Mewar Paintings on the walls of Queen's Chamber.

Fateh Prakash Palace: This 12-century palace is named after Maharana Fateh Singh who ruled the city from 1884 – 1935 and used to be the royal occupant of this palace. The formalities of royal occasions are still maintained. It is now converted into a heritage hotel managed by professional HRH group. You may enjoy the royal authentic luxury at Fateh Prakash Palace. 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 17-19 century. The lake facing suites in the turrets are suitably appointed with four-poster beds and period furniture, festooned with maroon velvet curtains and delicate silk tassels.

Fateh Sagar Lake: It is an artificial lake built by Maharana Jai Singh in 1678, but it is named after Maharana Fateh Singh who made additions to it after a lot of destruction was caused by torrential rainfall. Fateh Sagar is about 2.4 kilometers long and 1.6 kilometers wide. There are three small verdant islands within the confines of the Fateh Sagar Lake. The largest of these islands has been developed as a park called Nehru Park, which is a popular garden with a restaurant. The second island houses a public park and the third island consists Udaipur Solar Observatory (USO). You can access the Nehru Park by inboard motorboats from the bottom of Moti Magri.

Jaisamand Lake: It is one of the five popular lakes of Udaipur that is located 66 kms in the north of Udaipur, lies between Rajnagar and Kankroli. This lake was built by Maharana Jai Singh in 1685 that is the second biggest artificial lake in the world next only to Aswan dam in Egypt covering an area of 36 sq kms. It is also known as Rajsamudra Lake. It stretches to the length of 4 miles and 1.75 miles width, 30 miles circumference and 102 feet deep that has marble staircases leading into the water. The summer palaces of the queens of Udaipur surround Jaisamand Lake. There are seven islands on this lake. It also has a glorious dam that was built in the 17th century. You can also see the five toranas (weighing arches), where king Raj Singh and his descendants organized the event of Tuladan (Kings used to weigh themselves in gold and then distributed it amongst the Brahmans).

Shilpgram Museum: It is a Rural Arts and Crafts Complex that is situated 3 kms west of Udaipur near Havala village. It literally means"Craftsman’s Village" that is the living ethnographic museum depicting the enormous diversities in craft, art and culture along with the lifestyles of the folks and tribals in India. The specialty of this ethnic village rests with exquisite terracotta work in dark red and brown sand material along with the wooden carvings. This village comprises 26 huts set in 70 acres of natural surroundings at the foot of the Aravali Hills. A colorful craft festival is organized in winter season every year with utmost enthusiasm and vitality.

Ahar Museum: It is located about 2 kms east of Udaipur that is an impressive cluster of cenotaphs of the kings of Mewar. There are around nineteen cenotaphs of kings who were cremated here. The most impressive cenotaph belongs to Maharana Amar Singh, who reigned from 1597 to 1620. There is Ahar Museum close to it where you can see the display of limited but rare earthen pottery along with sculptures and other archaeological finds date back to 1700 BC. You can also see a 10th century metal figure of Buddha that is the special attraction.

Eklingji Temples: It is a white marble temple complex located 25 km to the north of Udaipur. Bappa Raoel built it in the 734 AD that consists 108 temples. The temple complex was renovated by Maharana Raimall (1473-1509). These are pyramid shaped decorated temples dedicated to the god of the Ranas of Mewar. This beautiful temple has a height of 50ft. The door of the temple and Nandi idol is made of silver. The Eklingaji God is enshrined with four heads made of black stone. The western face is of Lord Brahma, northern one is of Sree Vishnu, Eastern one of Sun God and the southern one is of Rudra or Lord Shiva. There are 10-faced Kali, Parvati, Ganesha and many other idols of Hindu gods and goddesses in these temples.

Jagat Temples: This is a small temple that is dedicated to Goddess Ambika/ Durga. The goddess is worshipped for power that is the primitive source of energy. It was built in 961 A.D that is renowned for its intricate exterior carvings. It is made in crevice of a rock. Since it is located at the village called Jagat, hence it is popularly known as Jagat Temple. The village Jagat is popular with the term of 'Khajuraho of Rajasthan' and this place is famous for its well-preserved temple of the 10th century.

NEARBY PLACES OF INTERESTS

Nathdwara - Shri Nathdwara, lies 48 km from Udaipur and literally means the gateway to the Lord Krishna. It is famous for its 'pichwai' paintings, is recognized for profuse use of gold colour.

Ranakpur - A village that is home to one of the most important Jain temples. At an estimate around thousand marble pillars support the temple. There is ancient Sun Temple opposite the Jain temple. It is located in Rajsamand District, 110 km north of Udaipur.

Chittorgarh- It is around 140 kms from Udaipur. Chittorgarh was the capital of Mewar from 734 AD to 1559. Chittorgarh Fort is a massive fort situated on a hilltop near Chittorgarh town.

Haldighati - A mountain pass in Rajsamand District that hosted the battle between Rana Pratap Singh of Mewar and the Mughal emperor Akbar. It has become memorial site now.

Kumbhalgarh - A 15th-century fortress, built by Rana Kumbha of Mewar, with 36 kilometres of walls. Over 360 temples are within the fort. It also has a wildlife sanctuary. It is also located in Rajsamand District, 64 km from Udaipur. The vista from the top of the palace typically extends tens of kilometers into the Aravalli hills.

Mount Abu - A popular tourist hill station.