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               UDAIPUR TRAVEL GUIDE

Udaipur is a beautiful city in Rajasthan, India famous for its lakes that have made it
the historical home of royalty, a current tourist favorite, and the backdrop for several
movies including the James Bond flick, "Octopussy".

Udaipur is referred to as the "Venice of the East" and the "Kashmir of Rajasthan" and
not without reason. Tourists to this enchanting old-modern town in the heart of the
Aravalli-Mountains, with tonnes of history, swear by the lovely sunsets in the
backdrop of the lakes.

Udaipur was the capital of the Rajput kingdom of Mewar, ruled by Ranawats of the
Sisodia clan. Founder of Udaipur was - Rana Udai Singh. The ancient capital of
Mewar was Chittor or Chittorgarh, located on the Banas River northeast of Udaipur.
Legend has it that Maharana Udai Singh came upon a hermit while hunting in the
foothills of the Aravalli Range. The hermit blessed the king and asked him to build a
palace on the spot and it would be well protected. Udai Singh established a
residence there. In 1568 the Mughal emperor Akbar captured Chittor, and Udai Singh
moved the capital to the site of his residence, which became the city of Udaipur. As
the Mughal empire weakened, the Sisodia ranas, and later maharanas, reasserted
their independence and recaptured most part of Mewar except the fort of Chittor.
Udaipur remained the capital of the state, which became a princely state of British
India in 1818. After India's Independence in 1947, the Maharaja of Udaipur acceded
to the Government of India, and Mewar was integrated into India's Rajasthan state.

Udaipur is famous around the world as the City Of Lakes or Venice of The East. The
Pichola Lake, Fateh Sagar, Udai Sagar and Swaroop Sagar in this city are
considered some of the most beautiful lakes in the state. Fateh Sagar contains two
small islands, one of which contains USO, or Udaipur solar observatory, and the
other one has a beautiful garden called Nehru Garden.

Udaipur is well connected to the world through land, rail and air. It is known for its
Rajput-era palaces. Particularly famous is the Lake Palace, which entirely covers a
small island in the Pichola Lake. Many of the palaces have been converted into
luxury hotels. The City Palace, or the Palace of the then King of Mewar, is one of the
most beautiful places to visit in the city.


PLACE TO VISIT

City Palace - Standing on the east bank of lake Pichola, is a massive series of
palaces built at different times from 1559 A.D. The balconies of the palace provide
panoramic views of "Jag Niwas" (the world wide famous Lake palace hotel), Jag
Mandir on one side and on the other the city of Udaipur. Its main entrance is through
the triple-arched gate - the Tripolia, built in 1725. The way now leads to a series of
courtyards, overlapping parations, terraces, corridors and gardens - a harmonic
profusion hard to describe. There is a Suraj Gokhda, where the maharanas of
Mewar presented themselves in the times of trouble to the people to restore
confidence. The Mor-chowk (Peacock courtyard), gets its name from the vivid
mosaics in glass decorating its walls. The chini chitrashala is noteworthy while a
series of wall paintings of Krishna are on display in Bhim Vilas.

Lake Palace - Originally known as the Jag Niwas, took three years to build and
was inaugurated in 1746. Nothing but marble is used in the composition of this
palace. It is now a luxury hotel.

Jag Mandir - Another island in the Lake Pichola, which is known for its beautiful
garden courtyard. Shah Jahan took refuge here while revolting against his father.

City Palace and Museum - Pratap Museum, While entering the City palace
the straight way go to the Government Pratap Museum housed with old sculptures
and inscriptions. The antique paintings of Mewar, the turban of prince Khurram later
on called Shah Jahan, who built world famous Taj Mahal has also been displayed
here as a token of friendship of Maharana Khazan Singh. Next to Fateh Prakash
Palace, houses beautiful glass and mirror works.

Sajjangarh Fort - The summer resort of the Maharajas is atop the hill
overlooking all the lakes. This palace had an ingenious way to collect rain water for
consumption all year around.

Jagdish Temple - a Temple situated in the middle of the city - a big tourist
attraction. The temple of Jagannath Rai, now called Jagdish-ji, is a major monument
and should be seen carefully. Raised on a tall terrace and completed in 1651

Fateh Sagar Lake- Lovers Paradise : Fateh Sager Lake is one of the most
romantic vicinity for young lovers, it is situated in the north of Lake Picholas. It is the
most peaceful and relaxing place to spend leisures for much of the travellers and
Udaipur localities . This beautiful Fateh Sager Lake bestow with infinite beauty of the
Aravali hills at the backdrop of serene lake body. It was originally build by Maharana
Jai Singh in the year 1678 AD, but later on reconstructed and extended by Maharana
Fateh Singh, As lot of destruction was caused, due to the heavy rains.

Lake Pichola - The Sapphire Udaipur : Lake Pichola is one of the most
fascinating lakes, which has two islands, Jag Niwas and the Jag Mandir. This
beautiful shimmering lake is 4km long and 3 km wide, originally built by Maharana
Udai Singh II after he discovered the jewel of Rajasthan “Udaipur”. There are many
ghats, like the bathing and washing ghats, which can be approached through boats
from the City Palace of Udaipur (Bansi Ghat). In the heart of lake, most delicate world
marvel is built the Lake Palace which is now converted into a heritage palace hotel.
This captivating palace hotel is considered to be 3 decades old in the history of
Udaipur. The Lake remains fairly shallow, at the time of heavy rains, and gets dry
easily at the time of severe drought. Once the island dries, it makes the best time to
take the leisure walk inside the most remote parts of Lake Pichola, where one can
sight row of crocodiles, which is none other a thrilling experience for most of the
enthusiastic travellers

Gulab Bagh & Zoo - A spectacular rose Garden laid out by Maharana Sajjan
Singh, is situated near the palace on east side of LakeGulab Bagh & Zoo Pichhola. A
library in the garden has a rare collection of ancient handwritten manuscripts and
books. Within the garden, there is a zoo with tigers, leopards, chinkara and many
wild animals and birds are being kept.

Dudh Talai - A beautiful laid out "Rock Garden" from where one can enjoy
sunset view in Lake Pichhola and panoramic view of old city. Musical Fountain is an
another attraction for the visitors.

Nehru Garden - Its a beautiful park, situated in the middle of Fateh Sager Lake.
This attractive park is blessed with great fauna of beauty, hence covers the huge
area of about 41 acres with its flower gardens and a lily pond. As the name suggest,
it was inaugurated on the birth anniversary of First Prime Minster of India, Jawaharlal
Nehru. The garden overlooks the ancient Moti Mahal of MahaRana Pratap and gives
a delightful view of Aravalli hills surrounded from the three sides. You can also
access here by an enjoyable boat ride

Bagore-ki-Haveli - This is a very congenial old building built right on the
waterfront of Lake Pichola at Gangori Ghat. Amir Chand Badwa, the Prime Minister of
Mewar built it in the eighteenth century. The palace has over hundred rooms and
some very interesting display of costumes and modern art. The glass and mirror in
the interiors of the Haveli delicate work and well preserved too. It also preserves a
fine example of Mewar Painting on the walls of Queen's Chamber. The two peacocks
made from small pieces of colored glasses are fine examples of glasswork

Saheliyon-ki-Bari - Maharana Sangram singh builds this in the mid 18th
century. The 'garden of the maidens' brings to mind the lifestyle of the ladies of the
court. The delightful gardens appear discreet and in impeccable taste. There are
four pools with dainty kiosks, and all around are flowerbeds, lawns, pools and
fountains protected by a series of walls and shady trees.


HOW TO REACH

By plane - Udaipur has a small airport called Maharana Pratap Singh Airport,
after the legendary medieval Rajput King.
Jet Airways has a daily flight to Udaipur from both Delhi-Jaipur and Bombay. Indian
Airlines also operates daily flights between Udaipur and major cities like Jaipur and
Mumbai, and Air Deccan has three flights a week from Delhi/Jaipur.

By bus - Udaipur is connected by an efficient bus service with most Rajasthani
towns including Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Ajmer, Mount Abu, etc. Buses also head
south to Ahmedabad with connections to Mumbai but it is not a short journey. There
are comfortable sleeper coaches available to most distant places, though.  

By train - Train service has improved over the last few years after Udaipur was
converted to broad gauge railway line. There are now daily trains from New Delhi
and Jaipur. You can take Mewar Express(Train No.-2963) from H. Nizamuddin
Station, which leaves at 19.00 hrs and reaches Udaipur at 07.00 hrs next day
morning.