About the City
Udaipur is the historic capital of former kingdom of Mewar and now the administrative headquarters of Udaipur districts. Udaipur, the city of lakes and palaces are surrounded by lush green Aravali range and crystal clear water lake. A perfect combination of romance and beauty, Udaipur could be the first choice for the imagination of painters, poets and writers.
A Date With the Past
Udaipur is situated in the southern part of Rajasthan and surrounded by the Aravalli range. Jewel of Mewar, Udaipur was ruled by the Sisodia Dynasty for the period of 1200 years. But the basic foundation of Udaipur was led by the Maharana Udai Singh, who was once blessed and advised by a holy man to build palace at this favourable spot. He followed the advise and constructed this beautiful city Udaipur in 1559 A.D, which is now known as a City Of Lakes or Venice Of East.
Must See in Udaipur
Udaipur is known for its beautiful lakes, well structured palaces, lush green gardens and temples but the major attractions of this place are the Lake Palace and the City Palace
Lake Palace : The Lake Palace or the Jagmahal was built by
Maharajah Jagat Singh II in 1754 that stands tall in the middle of Lake Pichola,
surrounded by the rugged hills of Aravali range. The Palace is constructed
using pretty white marble with excellent handicrafts hanged all over the walls
of the Palace. By seeing the popularity and luxury of the Palace, it has been
converted into five star hotel that attracts thousands of tourists every year.
City Palace : City Palace is situated on the banks of Lake
Pichola, a magnificant and inspiring citadel designed with the help of mirror
and glass works. A perfect combination of arts and design,City palace is known
for its advancement in technology and architecture. A part of Palace is now
converted into a museum, that displays some of the best forms of art and culture.
Other Attractions
Udaipur is blessed with many added attractions and natural beauty, one of the famous city of Rajasthan known for its excellent architecture and handicrafts. There are many beautiful sites and monuments situated in and around the city. Jag Mandir, Fateh Prakash Palace, Crystal Gallery and Shilpagram are some of the best monuments and sites situated in the surroundings of the Udaipur.
Jag Mandir : This is another island palace located in Pichola
Lake,constructed by Maharana Karan Singh for the hideout of prince Khurram.
It showcases the best form of carvings including rows of elephants, and it
seems as if they are guarding the island. It is also known for its beautiful
gardens, courtyard and carved "Chhatri" presented in grey and blue stone.
Fateh Prakash Palace : A perfect example of luxury and style
that states Udaipur as a city of royal hospitalilty and culture. Maharana
Fateh Singh was the real occupant of this palace and stayed there between
the period of 1884-1935. Rajasthan Tourism
Crystal Gallery : It is located in the Fateh Prakash Palace
and maintains huge number of crystal items. Maharana Sajjan Singh has ordered
these crystals from the F & C Osler England. All sort of items are there like
tables, sofa sets, dinning table, dressing tables, fountains and beds. Apart
from these it has an exquisite jewel studded carpet, which is something new
and beyond one's expectation.
Shilpagram : It is designed on the concept of village with
little emphasis on the modern concept. It is built up on 70 Acres of land
in the vicinity of Aravali hills. A perfect blend of arts, culture and craft
is presented here and known for its terracota work mainly done in dark brown
and dark red sand material.
Festivals in Udaipur
Mewar festival is one of the important festival of Udaipur and held every year in the month of April. Devotional songs, folk music, cultural performances fills the entire atmosphere with joy and happiness. Apart from this, common Indian festivals are also celebrated from time to time.
Shopping in Udaipur
Shopping in Udaipur is always a delightful experience and it displays excellent handicrafts and works developed by local traders. The main markets of Udaipur are Palace Road, Hathi Pol, Bada Bazaar, Bapu Bazaar and Chetak Circle. Rajasthali, is the approved emporium of the Rajasthan government and it offers a wide choice of Rajasthani handicrafts, textiles and jewellery under one roof.
Best Time to Visit
September to March is the best season to visit Udaipur.
Travelling in the City
To travel in the city a local taxi service can be taken from the Chetak Circle, the Shastri Circle and the Town Hall Road in the city. Bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles can also be hired from select outlets.
How to get There
By Air : Flights can be taken from Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur
and Mumbai and the nearest airport is Dabok airport at Udaipur.
By Rail : This place can be accessed by the train also. The
Chetak Express and the Mewar Express connect this place to Delhi, Chittor,
Jaipur and Jodhpur. Palace On Wheels is another very important train that
cover this area.
By Road : Rajasthan Roadways operates deluxe as well as semi-deluxe
buses from Jaipur, Delhi and Ahmedabad to Udaipur. Taxis can also be hired
from Jaipur and Ahmedabad. It takes around 8-9 hours from Jaipur to reach
Udaipur.
More Rajasthan Destinations :
