Travel Guide
Udaipur, often known as the City of Dawn, is a beautiful city. It’s also known as the East’s Venice, and it’s a vision in white, bathed in romance and beauty. Udaipur is a remarkable combination of views, sounds, and sensations, with turquoise water lakes in the middle of sandy landscape, bound in by the green Aravalis hills.
It is a kaleidoscope of fairy-tale castles, lakes, temples, gardens, and small roads scattered with booths, conveying the flavour of a glorious past, epitomising velour and chivalry, and inspiring the imagination of poets, artists, and authors. The sight of their reflection in the calm waters of Lake Pichhola is alluring.
HISTORY
The Sisodia dynasty governed Udaipur, Mewar’s crown treasure. In 1559 AD, Maharana Udai Singh established the foundations of the city. The fabled Ranas of Mewar, whose ancestors may be traced back to the Sun, governed the province for the first time in the 7th century from their fortress of Chittaurgarh.
Unlike the monarchs of Jaipur, the rulers of Udaipur took pleasure in their independence. Despite its uniqueness, Udaipur remained one of Rajasthan’s poorest princely kingdoms as a result of being nearly continuously at war. Mewar eventually fell under British governmental rule in 1818, although it managed to evade practically all British cultural impact.
CULTURE
With its Rajput love of the whimsical and its wonderfully built beauty, Udaipur surpasses any of the world’s most renowned Mughal monuments, having been founded in 1568 after the last destruction of Chittorgarh by the Mughal emperor Akbar. The magnificent Lake Palace sits above the blue expanses of Lake Pichhola.
It is perhaps the greatest illustration of the city’s cultural boom, but Udaipur is full with palaces, temples, and havelis that range from humble to opulent. It also takes pride in its history as a centre for the visual and performing arts, as well as paintings and crafts.
FOOD
You won’t have to go far in Udaipur to get the meal you’re searching for. The Lake Palace’s magnificent dining patio, the Shiv Niwas Palace Hotel, and Gallery Restaurant at the Fateh Prakash Palace Hotel are among the finest places to dine in town. Another area where you may have an evening dinner against the picturesque background of the lake is Amet-ke-Haveli.
SHOPPING
Some of the greatest areas to shop in Udaipur include Chetak Circle, Clock Tower, Hathi Pol, Palace Road, and the City Market. Another worthwhile destination is the Rajasthan Government Handicrafts Emporium. Make an effort to visit Shilpgram, the handmade mart. Every year, starting in mid-December, it conducts a retail bonanza. If you’re purchasing stone jewellery anywhere in Udaipur, don’t give in to the price before haggling.
ENTERTAINMENT
Holi, the festival of colours, is held in February/March to commemorate the end of winter and the start of spring. At the City Palace in Udaipur, the royal family of Udaipur holds an extravagant ceremony.
LOCATION: Southern Rajasthan, 270 kilometres south of Ajmer. Udaipur is well-connected to numerous major cities in central and western India, thanks to its location on National Highway 8.
How to Get There
Daily flights are available from Jodhpur, Jaipur, Aurangabad, Mumbai, and Delhi with Air IA. In addition, Alliance Air and UP Air both conduct flights from Delhi and Mumbai. Dabok Airport is 25 kilometres from the city centre. A cab ride to the city centre would set you back roughly Rs 250.
By Rail Metre gauge rail connects Delhi, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad. The city centre is 4 kilometres from the train station. The Mewar Fast Passenger from Ahmedabad, the Ahmedabad Delhi Mail, and the Chetak Express from Delhi to Ajmer via Jaipur are the main trains reaching Udaipur. On City Station Road, 5 kilometres from the city centre, is the railway station.
By Road From Delhi, overnight luxury/deluxe coaches operate. The tickets cost between Rs 260 and Rs 380. Taxis are available from Jaipur (405 km via Ajmer). The bus stop is located 2 kilometres from the train station, just across from the Udai Pol
CLIMATE
Unlike the sweltering heat of the adjacent Thar Desert during the summers, Udaipur offers more acceptable and frequently delightful weather. Though the temperature may reach 40 degrees Celsius at times, it usually stays in the 30s for the most of the year. The summers are hot and humid, while the winters are mild.
Places to Visit in UDAIPUR
The Palace of the City
It is a collection of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, passageways, chambers, and hanging gardens that towers above the lake on a hill and is enclosed by crenellated walls. Other sights at the palace include the Mor Chowk, which is recognised for its superb glass peacock mosaics, and the Chini Chitrashala, which is notable for its blue and white ceramics.
Temple of Jagdish
This Indo-Aryan temple, built in 1651 A.D. by Maharana Jagat Singh, is Udaipur’s biggest and most magnificent temple, containing notable carved statues.
Fateh Sagar is a character in the film Fateh Sagar
Maharana Fateh Singh constructed a lovely lake, which is surrounded on three sides by hills and faces the Pratap Memorial on the north. Nehru Park, a gorgeous garden island with a boat-shaped café in the centre of the lake, is reached by a pleasant boat ride.
Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum is a museum in Bhartiya, India.
Folk clothing, jewellery, puppets, masks, dolls, folk musical instruments, folk deities, and paintings are among the fascinating items on display at this Indian folk arts museum.
Saheliyon-ki-Bari
The term comes from the fact that this modest ornamental garden was a favoured relaxation location for royal women. There are several fountains in the garden’s four lovely ponds, as well as sculpted kiosks and marble elephants.
Pratap Memorial is a memorial to Maharaja Pratap
A bronze monument of the Rajput warrior Maharana Pratap stands atop the Moti Magri or Pearl Hill, which overlooks the Fateh Sagar Lake.
Pichola Lake is a beautiful lake in India.
Maharaja Udai Singh was enchanted by the Pichhola, a beautiful lake. It was subsequently expanded by the creator. The lake is surrounded by hills, palaces, temples, bathing ghats, and embankments. The lake’s two island palaces, Jag Mandir and Jag Niwas, are breathtakingly beautiful.
Others
AHAR Ahar is home to a plethora of royal cenotaphs honouring Mewar’s monarchs. A modest government museum has a unique collection of antiquities discovered in the area, including clay pots, iron objects, and other artefacts. JAGAT (Joint Action Group Against Terrorism) Ambika Mata’s magnificent and well-preserved 10th century temple is notable for its elaborate sculptures on the outside walls. Rajasthan’s Khajuraho is a popular nickname.
Garh Sajjan
Sajjan Garh’s monsoon palace dominates the city’s skyline. It provides a 360-degree perspective of the city’s lakes, palaces, and surrounding landscape.
Additional Excursions
KANKROLI
Dwarikadhish, a prominent Vaishnava temple, is an important Vaishnava temple. It is the vallabhacharya sect’s most significant temple, intended to replicate the famed Nathdwara shrine.
Gulab Bagh is a place in Gulab Bagh, India
Maharana Sajjan Singh created a magnificent rose garden. A remarkable collection of antique handwritten manuscripts and books may be found in the garden library.
Haldighati
This historical landmark bears evidence to Maharana Pratap’s heroic fight against Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1576 AD.
The Maharana’s horse Chetak’s Chhatri is a famous sight
Eklingji
This wonderfully carved temple complex, which was built in 734 A.D., has 108 temples inside its lofty walls. The temples are devoted to Lord Shiva, the Mewar emperors’ reigning deity. The walled compound has an intricately pillared hall or mandap beneath a tall pyramidal roof, as well as a four-faced black marble figure of Lord Shiva.
Kumbhalgarh Fort is a fort in Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan
This is Rajasthan’s second most important fortification, after Chittaurgarh. It was built by Maharana Kumbha in the 15th century and included various temples, palaces, and gardens. The Fort may only be reached by vehicle from Kelwara through the seven gates.
Ranakpur
The Aravallis’ calm valley is home to the magnificently sculpted Jain temples. The main Chaumukha Temple is dedicated to Tirthankara Adinath and consists of 29 chambers supported by 1444 intricately carved pillars.
Nathdwara
This famed 17th-century temple is dedicated to Shrinathji, or Lord Krishna, and draws thousands of pilgrims from all over the nation, particularly during the festivals of Diwali, Holi, and Janmashtami, when the number of visitors reaches a lakh. Inside, foreign visitors are not allowed, and photography is restricted.
Lake Jaisamand
It is Asia’s second biggest artificial lake, and it was established by Maharana Jai Singh in the 17th century AD. Beautiful summer palaces of the Udaipur queens are situated on each side of the lake, flanked by graceful marble chhatris. A visit to the Jaisamand Species Sanctuary enables visitors to get up close and personal with the diverse wildlife in their natural environment.
Lake Rajsamand
The Maharana Raj Singh Dam, in Kankroli, was erected around 1660 A.D. by Maharana Raj Singh. The embankment is adorned with several ornate arches and chhatris.