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Udaipur Travel Guide
The city of Udaipur is a lovely land around the Azure water lakes hemmed in
by the lush hills of the Aravails.
A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend
of sights sounds and experience-an inspiration for the imagination of poets,
painters and writen.
Its kaleidoscope of fairy tale palace lakes temples gardens and narrow lanes
strew with stalls, carry the flavour of a heroic past. Epitomising for 1200
years.
The foundation of the city has an interesting legand associated with it. According
to it, Maharana Udai Singh the founder was hunting one day when he met a holy
man meditaing on a hill overlooking the lake pichhola. The hermit blessed the
Maharana and advised him to build a palace at this favourable located spot with
a fertile valley watered by the stream, a lake, an agreeable altitude and an
the advise of the hermit and founded the city in 1959 A.D.
Overlooking the aquamarine xpanses of the lake Pichhola stands the splendid
city palace-a marvel in granite and marbel. Of the original eleven gates of
the Udaipur City, only five remain. The suraj pol or sun Gate on the eastern
side is the main entrance to the city.
Exquisite lake palaces of Udaipur shimmering like jewels on lake Pichhola are
overwhelming in splendour.
Several palaces of interest around Udaipur, including the majestic Chittaurgarh
the mountain fortress of Kumbhalgarh, beautiful jain temples of Ranakpur, Eklingli
and Nathdwara and the cool retreat of Mr.Abu make the visit to udaipur a memorable
one.
Udaipur is known as the Venice of the east. It is also called the city of lakes.
The Lake Palace on ag Niwas Island in the middle of Pichola Lakes is the finest
example of its architectural and cultural explosion.
The grand City Palace on the banks of the lake compliments the palace along
with the Monsoon Palace (Sajjan Garh) on the hill above. Udaipur is also the
centre for performing arts, craft and its famed miniature paintings.The Shilp
Gram festival is a center of attraction during the season.
Maharana Udai Singh II founded Udaipur in 1568 after his citadel Chittorgarh
was sacked by Mughal Emperor Akbar. The legends says that Udai Singh was guided
by a holy man meditating on the hill near Pichola Lake to establish his capital
on this very spot. Surrounded by Aravali Ranges, forests and lakes this place
was less vulnerable than Chittorgarh.
Maharana Udai Singh died in 1572 and was succeeded by Maharana Pratap who valiantly
defended Udaipur from subsequent Mughal attacks. Maharana Pratap is the most
revered Rajput icon and gallantly fought the Mughal at the Haldighati in 1576.
Mewar continuously defied foreign invaders and has a history of bloody battles
until the British intervention in the nineteenth when a treaty was signed to
protect Udaipur. Upon independence Udaipur merged in the union of India.
Places to See
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.
City Palaces
A majestic architectural marvel towering over the lake on a hill surrounded
by crenallated walls, it is a conglomeration of courtards, pavilions, terraces
corridors rooms and hanging gardens. The main entrance is through the triple
arched gate. The Tripolia with eight marble porticos. The maharanas were weighed
under the gate in gold, the the equivalent amount of which was distributed among
the populace. The suraj Gokhada, the balcony of the sun, is where the suryavansi
maharanas of mewar presented themselves to the people in time of trouble to
restore their confidence. The "Mor Chowk' known for its exquisite peacock
mosaics in glass and the Chini Chitrashala noted for its blue and white ceramics
are another attraction in the palace.
Jagdish Temple
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.
Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum
The interesting collection exhibited by this Indian folk arts museum includes
folk dresses ornaments puppets masks dolls folk musical instruments folk deities
and paintings.
Saheliyon Ki Bari (Garden of the maids of Honor )
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.
Fateh Sagar
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
accessile by an enjoyable boat ride.
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.
Ahar
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
Sajjan Garh
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.
Gulab Bagh
A spectacular rose Garden laid out by mharana Sanjjan Singh A library in the
garden has a rare collection of anicient handwritten manuscripts and books.
Udaipur Travel Guide, Rajasthan Travel Guide
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