Udaipur is also known as the City of Lakes, and the
administrative headquarters of, the Udaipur district in the state of Rajasthan
in western India. It is the historic capital of the former kingdom of Mewar in
Rajputana Agency. Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake, Udai Sagar and Swaroop Sagar
in this city are considered some of the most beautiful lakes in the
state.[citation needed]
It is known for its Rajput-era palaces. Particularly famous
is the Lake Palace, which covers an entire island in the Pichola Lake. Many of
the palaces have been converted into luxury hotels.
Udaipur was the capital of the Rajput kingdom of Mewar,
ruled by the Sisodia clan. The founder of Udaipur was Rana Udai Singh. The
ancient capital of Mewar was Nagda, located on the Banas River northeast of
Udaipur. Legend has it that Maharana Udai Singh came upon a hermit while
hunting in the foothills of the Aravalli Range. The hermit blessed the king and
asked him to build a palace on the spot and it would be well protected. Udai
Singh established a residence there. In 1568 the Mughal emperor Akbar captured
Chittor, and Udai Singh moved the capital to the site of his residence, which
became the city of Udaipur.[2] As the Mughal empire weakened, the Sisodia
ranas, and later maharanas, reasserted their independence and recaptured most
of Mewar except the fort of Chittor. Udaipur remained the capital of the state,
which became a princely state of British India in 1818. After India's
Independence in 1947, the Maharaja of Udaipur acceded to the Government of
India, and Mewar was integrated into India's Rajasthan state.
Udaipur remained untouched by Mughals
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Sisodias, or the Guhilots (Suryavansh),[clarification
needed] have ruled the Mewar region since V.S 191,[clarification needed] were
against Mughal dominion, and tried to distance themselves from them.[citation
needed] Being a mountainous region and unsuitable for heavily armoured Mughal
horses, Udaipur remained unmolested from Mughal influence in spite of much
pressure. Maharana Fateh Singh of Udaipur was the only royalty who did not
attend the Delhi Durbar for King George V in 1911. This fierce sense of
independence earned them the highest gun salute in Rajasthan, 19 against the 17
each of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bundi, Bikaner, Kota and Karauli. Rosita Forbes, who
passed this land during the decline of the British Raj, described it as
"like no other place on earth.
Places to visit: -
City Palace Udaipur
Standing on the east bank of Lake Pichola is a massive
series of palaces built at different times from 1559. The balconies of the
palace provide panoramic views of "Jag Niwas" (the Lake Palace
Hotel), Jag Mandir on one side and on the other the city of Udaipur. Its main
entrance is through the triple-arched gate - the Tripolia, built in 1725. The
way now leads to a series of courtyards, overlapping parations, terraces,
corridors and gardens. There is a Suraj Gokhda, where the maharanas of Mewar
presented themselves in the times of trouble to the people to restore
confidence. The Mor-chowk (Peacock courtyard), gets its name from the mosaics
in glass decorating its walls. The chini chitrashala is noteworthy while a
series of wall paintings of Krishna are on display in Bhim Vilas. There are
numerous other palaces such as Dilkhush mahal, Sheesh mahal, Moti mahal and
Krishna vilas - in memory of a princess of striking beauty who poisoned herself
to avert a bloody battle for her hand by rival princes. Now the palace contains
many antique articles, paintings, decorative furniture and utensils and
attracts thousands of visitors every day.[citation needed] The former
guesthouse of the city palace, Shiv Niwas Palace and the Fateh Prakash Palace
have been converted into heritage hotels.hlhluuyholyhuo] op o op o op popo
Lake Palace: -
'''Built in 1743-1746 of marble on Jag Niwas island in
[[Lake Pichola]] as a royal summer palace and now a luxury 5 Star hotel
operating under the Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces.
Jag Mandir
Another island in the Lake Pichola, which is known for its
garden courtyard. Shah Jahan took refuge here while revolting against his
father.
City Palace and Museum
Pratap Museum, While entering the City palace the straight
way go to the Government Pratap Museum housed with old sculptures and
inscriptions. The antique paintings of Mewar, the turban of prince Khurram
later on called Shah Jahan, who built the world famous Taj Mahal has also been
displayed here as a token of friendship of Maharana Khazan Singh. Next to Fateh
Prakash Palace, houses glass and mirror works.
Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal
A museum of folk arts. Also hosts puppet shows in its
auditorium.
Maharana Pratap Memorial or Moti
Magri
Atop the Moti Magri or Pearl Hill, overlooking the Fateh
Sagar Lake is the memorial of the Rajput hero Maharana Pratap with a bronze
statue of the Maharana astride his favourite horse "Chetak". More
details are available at Maharanapratap.net, a collection of facts and figures
on Maharana Pratap and his life.
The summer resort of the Maharajas is atop the hill
overlooking all the lakes. This palace had a way to collect rain water for
consumption all year around.
Sukhadia Circle
Sukhadia Circle (Square), Udaipur, a large roundabout in the
city's northern suburb of Panchwati, on the road to Ranakpur and Mt. Abu. The
centrepiece of the Circle is a large, three-tiered fountain just over 21 m.
high, with scalloped dishes surmounted by a wheat-ear motif, representing
prosperity. Illuminated at night, it is now a well-known landmark. Its
foundation was laid in 1968 and was opened in 1970. The Circle is a popular
recreational centre and meeting place. A circular pond surrounds the fountain;
nearby are pleasant gardens. Families and friends come together, especially at
night, when music plays, and dozens of food, cold drinks and tea stalls do a
flourishing trade. Children particularly enjoy the experience: they float toy
boats in the central pond, where odd duck-shaped pedallos (paddle boats) vie
for space; there is even a mini train nearby. Sukhadia Circle commemorates the
memory of Udaipur's MOHAN LAL SUKHADIA, one-time Chief Minister of Rajasthan
and a native of Udaipur.
Jagdish Temple
A temple situated in the middle of the city - a big tourist
attraction, the temple of Jagannath Rai, now called Jagdish-ji, is a major
monument. It is raised on a tall terrace and was completed in 1651. It attaches
a double storeyed Mandapa (hall) to a double - storied, saandhara (that having
a covered ambulatory) sanctum. The mandapa has another storey tucked within its
pyramidal samavarna (bell - roof) while the hollow clustered spire over the
sanctum contains two more, non - functional stories. Lanes taking off from many
of the sheharpanah (city wall) converge on the Jagdish Temple. It was built by
Maharana Jagat Singh Ist in 1651 A.D. It is an example of Indo - Aryan
architecture.
Fateh Sagar Lake
Fateh Sager Lake is a vicinity for young lovers,[citation
needed] it is situated in the north of Lake Picholas. It was originally built
by Maharana Jai Singh in the year 1678 AD, but later on reconstructed and
extended by Maharana Fateh Singh, As lot of destruction was caused by heavy
rains.In the year 1993-1994,the water vanished from the lake and again in the
year 2005-2006, the lake regained its water.The lake is tried directly to
connect with mansivacal dam so that it doesnot suffer any type of water problem
again in future.
Lake Pichola
The Sapphire Udaipur : Lake Pichola is a lake that has two
islands, Jag Niwas and the Jag Mandir. This lake is 4km long and 3 km wide,
originally built by Maharana Udai Singh II after he discovered Rajasthan
"Udaipur". There are many ghats, like the bathing and washing ghats,
which can be approached through boats from the City Palace of Udaipur (Bansi
Ghat). In the heart of lake, the Lake Palace stands, which is now converted
into a heritage palace hotel. This palace hotel is considered to be 3 decades
old in the history of Udaipur. The Lake remains fairly shallow, at the time of
heavy rains, and gets dry easily at the time of severe drought. A hermit is
said to have advised the Maharana to establish his kingdom over Lake Pichola,
after the fall of Chittaurgarh by Mughal emperor Akbar.[who?]
Saheliyon-ki-Bari
Sahelion Ki Bari' was laid for a group of forty-eight young
women attendants who accompanied a princess to Udaipur as part of her dowry.
The gardens set below the embankment of the Fateh Sagar Lake have beautiful
lotus pools, marble pavilions and elephant- shaped fountains. These fountains
are fed by the water of the lake gushing through ducts made for the purpose.
Each water channel has its distinct sound and the mingling of these sounds
complement the ambience of the place.
Udaipur Solar Observatory
Asia's only solar observatory, the Udaipur Solar Observatory
is situated on an island in the middle of the Lake Fatehsagar (Location: 240
35.1' : 730 42.8' ) and the main office building is located at its NW-shore
near Bari Road - Rani Road Junction. The site is run under PRL (Physical
Research Lab) in Ahemdabad. The sky conditions at Udaipur are quite favourable
for solar observations.[citation needed] The large water body surrounding the
telescopes decreases the amount of heating of the surface layers. This
decreases the turbulence in the air mass and thereby improves the image quality
and seeing. The main objective of obtaining the high spatial and temporal
resolution observations of solar photospheric and chromospheric
Gulab Bagh & Zoo
A rose Garden laid out by Maharaja Sajjan Singh is situated
near the palace on east side of Lake Pichhola. A library in the garden has a
collection of ancient handwritten manuscripts and books. Within the garden,
there is a zoo with tigers, leopards, Chinkara gazelle, birds, and many wild
animals.
Doodh Talai
A "Rock Garden" from where one can enjoy sunset
view in Lake Pichhola and panoramic view of old city. Rajasthan's first
"Musical Fountain" manufactured by "Yagnik Mechanical
Engineering Works", is another attraction for the visitors.
Nehru Garden
This is a park situated in the middle of Fateh Sager Lake.
This park covers the huge area of about 41 acres (170,000 m2) with its flower
gardens and a lily pond. As the name suggests, it was inaugurated on the birth
anniversary of First Prime Minster of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. The garden
overlooks the ancient Moti Mahal of MahaRana Pratap and gives a view of
Aravalli hills surrounded from the three sides.
Bagore-ki-Haveli
This is an old building built right on the waterfront of
Lake Pichola at Gangori Ghat. Amir Chand Badwa, the Prime Minister of Mewar
built it in the eighteenth century. The palace has over hundred rooms and some
displays of costumes and modern art. The glass and mirror in the interiors of
the Haveli work. It also preserves an example of Mewar Painting on the walls of
Queen's Chamber. The two peacocks made from small pieces of colored glasses are
examples of glasswork. After the death Badwa the building became the property
of Mewar State. It came to be occupied by Maharana Shakti Singh of Bagore who
built the palace of the three arches also in 1878 and it acquired its name of
Bagore-ki-haveli, the house of Bagore. After independence the structure lay in
neglect until 1986 when it housed the West Zone Cultural Centre. The haveli now
stages evening's entertainment; the performance of Rajasthani traditional dance
and music in the moody surroundings of the haveli.
Ahar Museum
Located about 2 km east of Udaipur is a cluster of cenotaphs
of the Maharanas of Mewar. There are about nineteen cenotaphs of Maharanas
cremated there. One 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, as well as 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.
Shilpgram
The crafts village, located north west of Udaipur, Shilpgram
hosts crafts fair every year which is one of the biggest in India, people from
different states in the country hold their stalls showcasing their art and
crafts work. [5]
This temple is located on a green hill in the Dewali (Pronounced Dey-vaa-lee) area of Udaipur. It has both stairs and uphill slope way to climb, which is around 800 Meters of walk.
