UDAIPUR: The capital of the Mewar Kingdom & City of Lakes
UDAIPUR: Venice of the East
Udaipur is considered the most romantic city in Rajasthan and is also called the Venice of the East because of its many lakes. Numerous films have been shot here, including the James Bond film “Octopussy” in 1983. The city owes its elegant beauty mainly to the harmonious interplay of the old town, the palace, the lake and the mountain backdrop, which always change their appearance depending on the time of day and the incidence of light and offer a breathtaking sight. Udaipur is the capital of the state of Mewar. Maharana Udai Singh II founded the city in 1568 when it became apparent that the old capital of Chittor would no longer be able to repel the attacks of Muslim invaders. The lake, which had been artificially created 100 years earlier, not only ensured the supply of drinking water but also provided protection against invasions. The current ruler is the 76th in an unbroken succession of the Sisodias of Mewar, who trace their lineage back to the sun and are the second oldest existing dynasty in the world. The Mewar rulers also document their claim to leadership in their honorific title by calling themselves Maharana (great warrior) instead of Maharaja (great leader) as is customary. Lake Pichola A boat trip on Lake Pichola should not be missed, water level permitting, as it offers the best view of the city. The two islands in the lake are Udaipur’s most famous motif. On the larger one is the Jag Niwas, built as a summer palace under Jagat Singh, which houses the Lake Palace Hotel, one of the best hotels in the world. On the second island is the still unchanged water palace Jag Mandir, built about 100 years earlier under Karan Singh. Well known are the beautiful gardens in the courtyard, where there is also a café.
Top Tourist Attractions in Udaipur
City Palace
Udaipur’s City Palace on the northwest shore of Lake Pichola is still the residence of Maharana Arvid Singh, the reigning head of the House of Mewar. However, the main part of the palace is a museum. From the old city, one first reaches the Tripolia Gate. Under the eight stone arches to the left of it, the Maharanas used to have themselves weighed out in gold and silver on their birthday, which was then distributed to the population. Behind the high windowless walls on the north front of the palace is a rock that reaches to the upper floor, now invisible, was included in the complex. On several floors there are a total of eleven palaces and numerous courtyards, connected by narrow corridors with low ceilings. It was hoped that this would prevent a surprise intrusion by armed enemies. There are brilliant miniature paintings, some rooms are decorated with mosaics of mirror glass, others are bathed in a sea of colors by the sun shining through the stained glass windows. Huge cisterns carved out of marble used to contain water and were used to cool the air. From the upper floors there are always beautiful views of Lake Pichola, the city center and the Aravalli Mountains.
Jagdish Temple
Standing immediately north of the City Palace at a crossroads, the Jagdish Temple was built by Jagat Singh in 1651 in the Indo-Aryan style. The exterior walls and soaring Shikhara tower are decorated all over with depictions of Vishnu, scenes from the life of Krishna, and dancing nymphs (apsaras). Inside the temple, Vishnu is depicted in the form of Jagannath, the lord of the universe. Four small side shrines are dedicated to the deities Surya, Shiva, Shakti and Ganesh. Outside the temple, a small raised shrine houses a bronze Garuda, Vishnu’s mount.
Saheliyon-ki-Bari
Maharana Sangram Singh had this garden created in the 18th century as a pleasure garden for the women of the court. The shady park is located in the north of the city on the eastern shore of Fateh Sagar Lake and with its lush flower beds, water features, pavilions, lotus ponds and life-size stone elephants is a popular meeting place for locals, especially on weekends.
Heritage Hotels in Udaipur