PLACES TO VISIT AT UDAIPUR

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. The palace has over hundred rooms and some very interesting display of costumes and modern art. The glass and mirror in the interiors of the Haveli delicate work and well preserved too. It also preserves a fine example of Mewar Painting on the walls of Queen's Chamber. The two peacocks made from small pieces of colored glasses are fine examples of glasswork. The haveli now stages delightful evening's entertainment; the pleasurable performance of Rajasthani traditional dance and music in the moody surroundings of the haveli. It is an ideal place for an evening entertainment while enjoying the view of Lake Pichola.

CITY PALACES

City Palace also known as Sawai Jai Singh's Chandra Mahal (Moon Palace) is the magnificent palace started by Maharana Udai Singh II and completed at different time periods is the largest palace complex of Rajasthan. Built in granite and marble it majestically towers over the Pichola Lake. The main gates to the palace are 'Hathi Pol', 'Bara Pol' and Tripolia gate'. The entrance through the Tripolia itself is enchanting with eight carved marble arches of 'Toranas' under which the rulers in the past were weighed against gold and silver. There are many enclosures inside with good views of the city or the lake. The museum houses an extensive collection of rare manuscripts, Mughal and rajasthani miniatures, mughal carpets, costumes and textiles, arms and weapons and royal paraphernalia.

JAGDISH TEMPLE

Climb up stone steps flanked by sculpted stone elephants to the divine Jagdish Temple, see the massive black stone idol of Lord Vishnu as Lord Jaggannath and invoke the divine with a clean mind and pure soul. 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. The three-storied temple structure is an architectural marvel with its perfectly carved pillars, carved ceilings, frescoed walls and plush halls. The main Jagdish temple structure is situated in the middle with four smaller shrines in the four corners of the temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Sun God, Goddess Shakti and Lord Shiva.

FATEH SAGAR

Fateh Sagar, the second of Udaipur four man-made lakes. Fateh Singh is 2.4 km. long, 1.6 km. wide and 11.5 m. at its deepest point; when full, it covers an area of about 1 sq. km., being fed by the Ahar (Berach) river. 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 accessible by an enjoyable boat ride. Enjoy a boat cruise on the sparkling Fateh Sagar Lake that overlooks green hills and pleasant Udaipur vistas. One of the major tourist attractions of Udaipur, Rajasthan, India, and the Fateh Sagar Lake captivates you with its myriad attractions. Watch spectacular sunsets as you enjoy a luxury boat cruise on the Fateh Sagar Lake in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India.

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. Lake Palace is a white beautiful palace of Udaipur, situated in the mid of the Lake Pichola. The lake palace was built by Maharaja Jagat Singh as his summer home. He built a masonry dam, known as the Badipol and the lake is now 4km in length and 3km wide. In the lake are two islands - Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir. Boat rides on the lake especially in the evenings are very popular.The lake palace is now a five star hotel in Udaipur. The scene of Lake Palace amidst Lake Pichola is mesmerising.

BHARATIYA LOK KALA MUSEUM

The Bharat Lok Kala Museum has a fabulous collection of Rajasthani folk articles and photographs that portray the tribal folk of the region in different moods. The interesting collection exhibited by this Indian folk arts museum includes folk dresses ornaments puppets masks dolls folk musical instruments folk deities and paintings. The Bharat Lok Kala Museum also displays a fine collection of henna handprints and color decorations of cow dung floors and terra-cotta devras (small shrines) that come from the village of Molela near Nathdwara.During your visit to the Bharat Lok Kala Museum you will also come across an expansive collection of dresses, dolls, masks, puppets and paintings that would take your breath away with their color and variety. A visit to the Bharat Lok Kala Museum in Udaipur will indeed take you closer to this artistic and culturally rich region of Rajasthan that has many admirers world over.

SAHELIYON KI BARI

Saheliyon ki badi (Garden of the maids of Honor), situated in the north of the city, is well maintained, with fountains and kiosks, a delightful lotus pool and marble elephants. There is also a small museum here; of which the main attraction are some stuffed cobras. 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.

AHAR

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 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 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. Some sculptures and other archaeological finds. Some pieces date back to 1700 BC and a tenth century metal figure of Buddha is a special attraction.

SAJJAN GARH

High on a hilltop just outside Udaipur lies this dramatic 18th century palace, with a breathtaking view of the Mewar countryside Originally intended to be a towering five-story astronomical centre, it was later abandoned and used as a monsoon palace and hunting lodge. 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. It was built by Maharana Sajjan Singh to house and observatory and was planned as a nineteen-storied structure. However the Maharana died prematurely & the plans were curtailed. The now derelict palace dominates the skyline 2468 feet high on top of Bansdara Mountain. It is visible from a great distance & affords splendid scenic views.

GULAB BAGH

Sajjan Niwas garden or the Gulab Bagh with an area of 100 acres is perhaps the biggest and best garden in India. Apart from the trees, flowerbeds and a zoo, the garden also has a museum known as Victoria Hall Museum to boast of. A spectacular rose Garden laid out by mharana Sanjjan Singh A library in the garden has a rare collection of ancient handwritten manuscripts and books illustrated manuscripts on Indology, Archaeology, and History. The museum, the library and a reading room are all located inside the Victoria Hall. In the month of Shravan a fair is held here on every Monday.