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The city of Dawn,Udaipur is a lovely land
around the azure water lake,hemmed in by the lush hills of the Aravallis.
A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating
blend of sights, sound and experiences and inspiration for the imagination
of poets,painters and writers.
Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale
palaces,lakes,temples,gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls,carry
the flavor of a heroic past,epitomizing valour and chivalry. Their
reflection in the placid waters of the Lake Pichhola is an enticing
sight.
Udiapur is the jewel of Mewar-a kingdom ruled
by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years. The foundation of the city has an
interesting legend associated with it. According to it, Maharana Udai
Singh, the founder,was hunting one day when he met a holy man meditations
on a hill overlooking the Lake Pichhola.
The hermit blessed the Maharana and advised him
to build a palace at this favorable located spot with a fertile valley
watered by the stream, a lake,an agreeable altitude and an ampitheatre of
low mountains. Maharana followed the advise of the hermit and founded the
city in 1559 A.D.
Overlooking the aquamarine expanses of the Lake
Pichhola stands the splendid City Palace-a marvel in granite and
marble.
Of the original eleven gates of the Udaipur
City,only five remain. The Suraj Pol the original 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 splendor.
Several places of interest around Udaipur,
including the majestic, Chittaurgarh,the mountain fortress of Kumbhalgarh,
beautiful jain temple of Ranakpur,Ekligji and Nathdwara and the cool
retreat of Mt. Abu, make the visit to Udaipur a memorable one.
PRIME
SITES
- City Palaces :
A majestic
architectural marvel towering over the lake on a hill surrounded by
crenallated walls, it is a conglomeration of
courtyards,pavilions,terraces,corridors,rooms and hanging gardens. The
main entrance is through the triple arched gate, the ‘Tripolia’with eight
marble porticos. The Maharana were weighed under the gate in the gold,the
equivalent amount of which was distributed among the populace.
- The Suraj Gokhada :
The balcony
of the sun, is where the Suryavanshi 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 other
attractions in the palace.
- Jagdish Temple :
Built in 1651
A.D. By Maharana Jagat Singh, this Indo-Aryan temple is the largest and
the most beautiful temple of Udaipur with noteworthy sculpted
images.
- Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandir :
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 Honour) : brThis small ornamental garden was a popular relaxing
spot 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.
- Pratap Memorial :
Atop the Moti Magri
or pearl hill,overlooking the Fateh Sagar Lake is the memorial of the
Rajput hero Maharana Pratap with a bronze statue of the
Maharana.
- Fateh Sagar :
A beautiful
lake,overlooked by a number of hills 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 boat shaped café
accessible 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 Sajjangarh.It offers a panoramic
overview of the city’s lakes,palaces and the surrounding
countryside.
- Gulab Bagh :
A spectacular rose
garden laid out by Maharana Sajjan Singh. A library in the garden has a
rare collection of ancient handwritten manuscripts and books.
EXCURSIONS
- Eklingji (22 km) :
Built in 734
A.D. is the beautifully sculpted temple complex with 108 temples within
its high walls. The temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva, the presiding
deity of Mewar rulers. The walled complex encloses and elaborately
pillared hall or ‘mandap’ under a large pyramidal roof and has four-faced
image of Lord Shiva in black marble.
- Nagda (23 km):
The ancient
site dating back to the 6th century A.D. is renowned for the
Sas-Bahu temples (9t - 10th century A.D.) with interesting
architecture and carvings. The splendid Jain temples of Adbudji are also
worth a visit.
- Haldighati (40 km) :
A
historical site, witness to the great battle fought between Maharana
Pratap and Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1576 A.D. The Chhatri of Maharana’s
horse-Chetak is noteworthy.
- Nathdwara (48 km) :
The most
reverred 17th century shrine, dedicated Shrinathji or Lord
Krishna,attracts thousands of Pilgrims from all over the
country,especially during Diwali, Holi and Janmashtami when their number
exceeds a lak. Foreign tourists are not permitted inside and photographs
is prohibited.
- Kankroli (65 km) :
An important
vaishnava temple popularly called Dwarikadish. It is the most important
temple of the Vallabhacharya sect,built to resemble the famous Nathdwara
shrine.
- Rajsamand Lake (66 km) :
Close
to Kankroli is the dam built by Maharana Raj Singh in 1660 A.D. Many
ornamental arches and chhatris adorn the embankment.
- Kumbhalgarh Fort ( 84 km) :
The
second principal fortress in Rajasthan after Chittaurgarh, it is perched
atop the Aravallis.Built in the 15th century by Maharana
Kumbha, it extends over 12 km and enclose many temples,palaces and
gardens.The fort renovated in the 19th century. The Badal Mahal
or Cloud Palace offers a spectacular bird’s eye view of the surrounding
countryside. Closeby is the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary with a rich
variety of wildlife. The Fort is accessible only by jeep from Kelwara
through the seven gates.
- Jagat (58 km) :
The splendid
and well preserved 10th century temple of Ambika Mata is known
for its intricate carvings in the outer walls. Popularly known as the
Khajuraho of Rajasthan.
- Jaisamand Lake (48 km): A
stunningly situated artificial lake, built in the 17th century
A.D. by Maharana Jai Singh is the second largest in Asia. Graceful marble
chhatris flank the embankment and beautiful summer palaces of the Udaipur
queens are built on either side of the lake. Jaisamand Island Resort is
also worth visiting.
A trip to Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary allows a
close encounter with the rich wildlife in their natural habitat. The fauna
includes panther,wild boar,deer,four honed antelope, mongoose and various
species of migratory birds.
- Ranakpur (90 km) :
The
beautifully sculptured Jain temples lie in a tranquil valley of the
Aravallis. The main ‘Chaumukha Temple’ is dedicated to the tirthankara
Adinath and has 29 halls supported by 1444 pillars, all distinctly
carved.
Two jain temples dedicated to Neminath and
Parsvanath and a Sun Temple a little distance away ,are also
noteworthy.
GENERAL
INFORMATION
- Area : 37 sq. km.
- Altitude :
577metres
- Climate : Mean Max. Mean Min.
- Summer : 38.3 degree C 28.8
degree C
- Winter : 28.3 degree C 11.6 degree C
- Rainfall : 61
cms.
- Best Season : September- March
- Clothing : Summer light
tropical
- Winter light woolen
- Languages : English, Hindi,
Mewari.
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