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Introduction
In the harsh terrain of the hills and ravines
of Aravallis, flourishes the city of lakes,
Udaipur.
One of the most romantic places in India,
Udaipur is situated around the shimmering
clear blue water lakes, which whisper the
mood of a bygone era.
The city was founded in 1567 AD by Maharana
Udai Singh on the advice of a sage. Udaipur
was last of the numerous Mewar capitals.
It was in Udaipur that legendary Maharana
Pratap was born. He was obsessed with Chittaur
and the past glories of the Sisodia clan
possesed his mind. Maharana Pratap left
Udaipur to win back Chittaur from the Mughals.
But he failed in his attempts and Udaipur
remained the capital of Mewar till India
got her independence.The memory of the failure
of noble Pratap gives Udaipur its pervading
mood of nostalgic wistfulness.
The city acquires its scenic beauty from
the Aravallis. Three lakes- Pichola, Fateh
Sagar and Udai Sagar make it an oasis in
the desert.
City
Palace:
The City Palace built in granite and marble,
the grand edifice rests on the crest of
an elevated ridge parallel to Lake Pichola.
Imposing
octagonal towers surmounted by cupolas add
excellence to the east terrace affods a
panoramic view of the city .
The palace built at different periods of
time measures 1,500 by 600 to 800 feet and
is as such the largest in Rajasthan and
comparable in magnificence to Windsor Palace
of United Kingdom.
Zenana
Mahal:
It is built for the queens by Maharana Karan
around 1620 AD.it is the situated to the
south of City Palace Museum and is supported
by 100 feet high towers emanting from lake
side. Orginal name was " Ramala". The Mahal
has also RangBhawan
Laxmi Chowk , Badal Mahal.
Lake
Palace:
The Lake Palace situated at the Lake Pichola
bank the palace is 800 feet and is area
of four acres. It built by marble and
granite and was raised by Maharana Jagat
Singh - II in 1746. The Palace has fountains,
bath reservoirs, royal furniture and columns.
Mor Chowk:
Peacock yard has a visual delight in glass
laid mosaics of peacock and nowhere else
in India
Visiting Timing -: 9 AM. to 4:30 PM.
Sahelion-Ki-Bari:
On the shores of Fateh Sagar
Lake was built a garden for the 48 young
girls
waiting to be sent to the royal house as
part of dowry. This garden is laid with
extensive lawns, fountains and shady walking
lanes. There are four pools with dainty
kiosks and fountains with elephant trunks
for spouts. These gardens appear discrete
and impeccable in taste.
City Palace Museum:
A major portion of the city palace is a
museum of archaelogy and history . The museum
has collection of the coins; portrait
of former rulers of Mewar
Visiting Timing -: 10 AM. to 5 PM.
Bharatiya Lok Kala
Mandal: This is a museum of folk
arts, which has rich collection of folk
dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls,
folk musical instruments and paintings.
World famous puppeteers put shows here,
on request in advance.
Pratap
Memorial: Erected atop Modi Magri
is this equestrian bronze statue of the
valiant hero, Maharana Pratap. Sajjan Garh,
Gulab Bagh, Dudh Talai Park, the Sunset
point are also the places to be seen.
Ahar Museum: It
is situated the fast crumbling ruins of
the ancient townsip of Ahar. In the museum
special mention are the cenotaphs of Maharana
Amar Singh I and Maharana Sangram Singh
II.
Visiting Timing -: 10 AM. to 5 PM
Dhulkot
Museum:
In east of Ahar another city situated named
Tambawati Nagari. It is said that ancestor
of Vikramaditya
resides here before
the Hindu conquered Ujjain .
Jagdish Temple:
Dedicated to Vishnu, this temple
was built in 1651 AD by Maharana Jagat Singh.
Jagat Mandir:
A temple of 10th century in in village Jagat
dedicated to Ambika Devi approchable via
Kurabad. The shrine sculptures of Khajuraho
Eklingji:
22 kms from the city is a temple complex
of 108 temples enclosed by high walls. Built
in 1734 AD, the temples are dedicated to
the royal deity Ekling ji. The complex has
been chiselled out of sandstone and marble.
It has an ornate 'mandap' or pillared hall,
the canopy of a huge pyramidical roof composed
of hundreds of knots. more...
Nathdwara:
This temple is one the most celebrated Vaishnava
shrines of Lord Krishna or Nathji. Thousands
of pilgrims visit this shrine during the
festivals. Foreigners are not allowed in
the temple and photography is prohibited.
It is located 48 kms from Udaipur. more...
Kankroli:
Known as Dwarkadhish, this temple is an
important Vaishnava temple and ranks very
high among the temples of the Vallabhacharya.
65 kms from the city.
Ranakpur:
(98 Kms) Famous for the beautiful Jain temples.more...
Jagat (58 Kms):
The tenth century Ambika Mata
Temple is well preserved in all its splendour.
Rishabhdeoji
(65 Kms): Popularly known as Kesariyaji
because of the large saffron offerings, this
temple is dedicated to the Jain Tirthankara
Rishabhdeoji. { Book Temple Tours }
Nagda:
This ancient place in Mewar is famous for
their intricate carvings of the graceful 'apsaras'.
23 kms from the city.
Haldighati:
This place, 40 kms from Udaipur, has immense
historical importance. It was at Haldighati
in 1576 AD that armies of Maharana Pratap
and Mughal Emperor Akbar clashed. A 'chhatri'
with delicate white marble columns is dedicated
to the indomitable hero and his loyal charger.
{ Book City Tours }
FORTS Kumbhal Garh
Fort: Kumbhalgarh Fort was built
by Maharana Kumbha in the 15th century. Perched
on the Aravallis, this is the second most
important fort in Rajasthan after the Chittaurgarh
Fort. Nearby is the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary.
more.
LAKES
Lake Pichola :
is surrounded by hills, palaces, temples,
bathing ghats and has two island palaces-
Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir. Lake Fateh sagar
lies to north of Pichola and was built by
Maharana Jai Singh but it got the name of
Fateh Singh who rebuilt its dam. Both the
lakes are breathtakingly beautiful and one
can take a cruise on their waters. The sunset
over these lakes is a sight to be cherished.
Jaisamand lake:
48 kms from the city, this artificial lake
was built in 17th century by Maharana Jai
Singh. The marble 'Chhatris' along the embankment
add grace to this second largest lake in Asia.
On either sides of the lake were built the
palaces for the favourite queens of the King.
People of the Bhil tribe still inhabit the
islands in Jaisamand lake.
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