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 Lake Pichola is surrounded by hills, palaces, temples, bathing ghats and has two island palaces- Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir. It was later enlarged by the founder.
Lake Pichola, Udaipur, RajasthanThe placid Lake Pichola, has a masonry dam, known as the Badipol, and the lake is now four kms in length and three kms in width. Nevertheless, it remains fairly shallow and actually dries up in severe droughts and one can walk up to the island palaces from the shore.
The sunset over this lake is absolutely blissful. Pichola is encircled on all sides by numerous palaces, marble temples, family mansions, dark hills and rows of bathing ghats, which is thronged by bathers at dawn.
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 City Palace Udaipur, Located in the center of the walled city, Udaipur, the City Palace is the fine example of the far sightedness of the founder of Jaipur Sawai Jai Singh. The breathtaking palace has the most magnificent architecture in the Indian history. The palace boasts of the wonderful blend of Medieval, European and Chinese Architecture and its various towers, domes and arches add to the flavor of heritage site. City Palace has a marvelous assortment of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. Towering on the banks of Pichola Lake, this imposing Palace is wholly built in granite and marble.
The interiors of City Palace area feast to the eyes owing to its lavish use of marble, mirror work, frescoes, wall paintings, colored glass, fluted columns, inlay work and silver doors. There are many relics and decorative items in the Palace, which comprises 11 wonderful palaces, built by different rulers, still they resemble each other. Manak Mahal (Ruby Palace) has figures of crystal and porcelain, whereas Bhim Vilas flaunts a fabulous collection of miniature paintings depicting the real life stories of Radha-Krishna. |
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 Kumbhalgarh Fort is the second most important fort of Rajasthan after Chittorgarh. Located at a distance of 64 kms from Udaipur in Rajasmand district, Kumbhalgarh Fort is easily accessible from the city of Udaipur. This unconquerable fortress is secured under the kind protection of the Aravali ranges. Kumbhalgarh Fort was built by Maharana Rana Kumbha in the 15th century. The fort derived its name from the same factor.
Encircled by thirteen elevated mountain peaks, the fort is constructed on the top most ridges around 1,914 meters above sea level. The fortifications of the fort extend to the length of 36 kilometers and this fact has made this fort to be in the international records. It is stated to be the second longest wall in the world, the first being ''the Great Wall of China''. The huge complex of the Fort has numerous palaces, temples and gardens making it more magnificent. |
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 Fateh Prakash Palace, named after one of Mewar dynasty's greatest ruler- Maharana Fateh Singh, is a Grand Heritage Palace built along the shores of Lake Pichola. This heritage hotel is a repository of exquisite chandeliers and rare paintings, unique crystal and crockery collections and recapitulates royal traditions and lifestyles in its antique furniture, original paintings and opulent interiors. It has fetched National Tourism Award for the best heritage hotel in 'Heritage Grand' category for 2001-2002 by the Department of Tourism, Government of India.
The magnificent Durbar Hall, the exclusiveGallery Restaurant and the dazzling Crystal Gallery complete the royal repertoire of unparalleled experiences at Fateh Prakash Palace Hotel Udaipur. Traditional Indian hospitality coupled with efficient service and facilities adds to the pleasure of a holiday at Fateh Prakash Palace Hotel Udaipur.
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 Fateh Sagar Lake of Udaipur in 1678. Hills on three sides and Pratap Memorial on the fourth surround it and thus it presents captivating scenery. Since it had been destroyed due to heavy rains, Maharana Fateh Singh took it upon himself to bear the pains and expenditure of reconstructing the dam and it was in honor of his contributions to the place that the lake was named after him.
Today, in its present capacity, this lake serves as a second major source of drinking water of the city of Udaipur. One may opt to drive along the east bank while enjoying the scenic beauty of the lakeside or go in for a boat ride to any of the three islands of the lake that is a sure to be a pleasure with their distinct fervor and panoramic location. The largest of the three islands is indeed a lovely garden known as Nehru Park, which has been named after the esteemed first Prime Minister of India, Jawahar Lal Nehru. Its focal point is the boat shaped café, which is a hot favorite amongst the visitors who love to sip coffee as they take in the reigning tranquility and serenity of the place. |
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 Jaisamand Lake is renowned for being the second largest artificial lake in Asia. Located at a distance of 48 kms from the city of Udaipur, Jaisamand Lake is also known as Dhebar. In 1685, Maharana Jai Singh built this lake while making a dam on the Gomti River. This lake covers an area of 36sq km, stretches to the length of 14 km and width of 9 km. The lake is deep to the maximum of 102 feet and has a circumference of 30 miles.
Jaisamand Lake was the largest artificial lake in Asia, till the time when Aswan Dam of Egypt was not constructed. The dam on this lake is worth mentioning due to its massive size. It is 1202 feet in length, 116 feet in height and width of 70 feet at the bottom. The kings of Mewar were religious by nature and this is conformed by the fact that this dam has a Shiva temple. Centrally located, this temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
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 The museum has priceless possessions of the former age like antique paintings of Mewar and detailed Rajasthani art. Here, you will find an unusual assortment of coins, sculptures, inscriptions, portraits and wall-paintings. It also displays the turban of Khurram, who was popularly known as Emperor ShahJahan. The turban still depicts the friendship that survived between ShahJahan and Maharana Khazan Singh. City Palace Museum acquires a major part of the City Palace Complex.
In fact, the museum is divided into several pavilions and halls. Every pavilion has a distinct theme of its own. 'Zenana Mahal' is the main place where you can see arms and armor, paintings and photographs, majestic insignia, processional accouterments and various other objects that reveals the royal legacy and conventions of the Maharanas of Mewar and Sisodia. The museum is a perfect destination to trace the relics of the bygone era.
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 Ranakpur is one of the five holiest places of the Jain community and exceptional in beauty. Situated at a distance of around 60 km from Udaipur, these temples were constructed in the AD 1439.
For the main temple here is reputed to have 29 halls that cover over 4,000 square yards. Its dome is supported by as many as 1,444 pillars, each of which is carved in a distinctive style and pattern.
Ranakpur is named after Rana Kumbha whom Dharna Sah, a Jain businessman, approached when he had the vision of his great temple to ask for the land for its construction. Renowned for some marvelously carved Jain temples in amber stone. |
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 The Ahar Museum, Udaipur is named after the beautiful city Ahar, where this museum is located. Ahar is the capital of Sisodias and is about 3 Kms away from Udaipur, in Rajasthan. There are various types of iron objects and also a wide variety of other objects of art forms in the magnificent Ahar Museum. These objects are around 5000 years old. Earthen Pots are among the rare collection of antiquities in Ahar Museum.
The architectural pieces stored in the museum are extremely old, as a matter of fact some of the pieces date back to 1700 BC. One of the major attractions and an eye catcher is a Buddha statue, which is a 10th century figure made out of metal. |
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 Lake Palace is subtly managed by the eminent Taj Group of Hotels. Being the original iconic palace-hotel of Rajasthan, the Udaipur Lake Palace is undoubtedly luxurious, combining traditional opulence with every modern amenity a five star traveller might desire. See the famous Lake palace Heritage Hotel in Udaipur.
This beautiful Lake Palace hotel, afloat on Lake Pichola , decorated by portraits of robust maharajahs and ambrosial maharanis, wholeheartedly preserve the explicit decor of age-old culture and tradition of India. Book yourself for the Taj Lake palace stay in Udaipur .Check into any of the 83 rooms including 17 suites, and get cocooned in authentic royal luxury, surrounded by the warmth of royal hospitality. |
Vintage Collection of Classic Car Museum | Top^ |
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 Who is not delighted by a close look at Vintage cars? The Cadillacs and the Chevrolets that once transported Maharajas and Maharanis are now displayed as the collection of the Garden Hotel. Sleek, beautiful and luxurious; anybody will fall in love with the cars here. There is an entry fee of Rs 100 per person that is a small price to pay to enjoy these beauties.
The Garden Hotel is a circular building located in Udaipur near Gulab Bagh. Among its collection of vintage and classic cars, the pride of place goes to a 1934 Rolls Royce Phantom II. There is also a 1939 Cadillac convertible, used by Jackie Kennedy during her visit to Udaipur.
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Rishabhdeo Temple is an important pilgrimage site for followers of Jain religion. The temple is located on Udaipur-Ahmedabad road, at a distance of 65 kms from the city of Udaipur in Dhulev. Dhulev is a small town that is also known as Rikhabdeo, famous for its Rishabhdeo Temple. The temple traces its origin in the 15th century and is dedicated to Lord Rishabh Dev. Rikhabdeo ji is supposed to be one from the 'Trithankar' of Jain religion. The lord is also referred as Keshariyaji, since pilgrims offer immense quantity of saffron to the lord.
The Jainism sect is believed to be founded by Lord Mahavira. Rishabhdeo is regarded as one of the descendants of Lord Mahavira. Rikhabdeo temple is a centre of devotion not only for Jains, but for Meena tribals, Bhils and Vaishnavites too. People of Jain and Bhil community, make it a point, to visit this holy shrine of Lord Rishabhdeo, every time they visit to Udaipur. The Bhils catch acquaintance with the image of Rishabhdeo linking it with their dark complexion of skin.
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 Situated 3 kms west of Udaipur near the Havala village is the Centre's Shilpgram - the Rural Arts and Crafts Complex. Spread over an undulating terrain of 130 bighas (70 Acres) of land and surrounded by the Aravallies, the Rural Arts and Crafts Complex is conceived as a living enthnographic museum to depict the lifestyles of the folk and tribal people of the West Zone. Within this complex, huts of the member states are constructed incorporating traditional architectural features of different geographical and ethnic groups residing within the West Zone of India comprising of five Federal States.In this integrated pattern are 5 huts from Rajasthan, representing weaver's community from Marwar.
There are 2 huts named after the two sand bound villages of Rama and Sam from the desert region of western Rajasthan. From the hilly region of Mewar, is a potter's hut from the village Dhol, 70 kms west of Udaipur. Two huts represent the tribal farmer communities of the Bhil and the Sehariyas of the Southern regions of Rajasthan.
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 Rajsamand Lake is located 66 kms in the north of Udaipur and lies between Rajnagar and Kankroli. Rajsamand Lake was built by Maharana Raj Singh in 1660 and stretches to the length of 6.4 kms and 3 kms in width. This lake also boasts of a glorious dam that was built in the 17th century. On the southern end of the lake there is huge embankment all made in white marble. It has marble terraces and stone steps that touch the waters of the lake. Here, one can also see the five toranas (weighing arches), where Maharana Raj Singh and his descendants organized the event of Tuladan (Kings used to weigh themselves in gold and then distributed it amongst the Brahmans).
On the embankment of the lake, there domicile nine pavilions or 'Nauchowki', which were constructed by Maharana Raj Singh. The beautifully carved pavilions are festooned with pictures of the Sun, chariots, Gods, birds and wonderful carvings. The history of Mewar is inscribed in 1017 stanzas, on twenty seven marble slabs, that are called as 'Raj Prasasti'. It has also been acclaimed as one of the longest etchings acknowledged in India.
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 Ambika Mata Temple is a small shrine made in crevice of a rock. The temple dedicated to Goddess Ambika (a form of Goddess Durga). Being located at the village called Jagat in Rajasthan, the temple is also known as Jagat Temple. The shrine is comfortably positioned at a distance of 58kms in the south-east of Udaipur. Built in 961 A.D, the Jagat Temple is renowned for its intricate carvings in the exteriors.
The village Jagat is popular with the term of 'Khajuraho of Rajasthan' and the place is particularly famous for its well-preserved temple of the 10th century.
Though Ambika Mata Temple is not very big, but its splendid architecture makes it different from others. The main shrine has an image of Ambika, a form of the Hindi Goddess Durga. The goddess is worshipped as Shakti (Power) that is a primitive source of energy. Goddess Ambika is linked with Maa Durga due to the presence of Lion as her mount. |
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 Eklingji is located about twelve miles to the North of Udaipur in Rajasthan, India. Eklingji or Shiva, whose temple is located here, is said to be the guardian deity of Mewar.
This deity was revered as the virtual ruler, by the Maharajas of Mewar - who considered themselves to be regents or Dewans under Eklingji. Ekligji or Kailashpuri is a town based in a beautiful valley and it attracts large number of visitors throughout the year.
The existing structure of the temple, is one built out of the ruins of a previously destroyed structure, dating back to the 15th century. The architecture of the temple is parallel to the Jain temples of Gujarat. Shiva is worshipped here as a four faced black marble image, the four faces representing Bhrama facing west, Vishnu facing North, Maheshwar facing South and Surya (Sun) facing the east. The flat top of the composite idol is covered with a Yantra, a mystic symbolic drawing, standing for the ultimate reality. Shiva here is worshipped as the Ultimate Reality, the supreme power, and the wholesome one - Parabhrama.
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 Shri Nathdwara (a pathway to Lord Shri Krishna) lies 48 km from Udaipur and literally means the gateway to the Lord. This great Vaishnavite shrine was built in the 17th century on spot exactly defined by the Lord himself. The legends have it[who?] that the image of the Lord Krishna was being transferred to safer place from Vrindaban to protect it from the destructive wrath of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The image when it reached the spot it vehicle the bullock carts wheel sank axel deep in mud and refused to move further. The accompanying priest realised that this was lord's chose spot and the image did not want to travel any further. Accordingly a Temple was built here. However, the Holkar Marathas did what Aurangzeb could not do, and plundered the area and took booty from the temple in 1734, prompting the Rajputs to wake up to the Maratha threat.
This is a temple and place of pilgrim amongst believers. Devotees throng the shrine in large number during occasions of "Janmashtmi" the day of Lord's birth and other festivals like Holi. The priests treat it like a living deity and tend to the lord with daily normal function like bathing- dressing meals called "prasad" and the resting times in regular intervals. |
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 Nagda, which lies 2km (1 1/4 miles) north, is a far cry from this vibrant place of worship. All that survives of the site of the ancient capital of Mewar, which dates back to A.D. 626, are the ruins of the Saas Bahu, a 10th-century Vaishnavite twin temple (Saas meaning "mother-in-law" and Bahu "daughter-in-law") and the remains of Adbhutji Temple. Regrettably, the temples have been vandalized over the years and look much the worse for wear unless you're of the archaeological bent, skip them if you're pushed for time. |
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