The
Lake City - Udaipur is bathed in a mild, almost feminine aura,which contrast
greatly with the harsher tone of Rajasthan's numerous fortress towns. also known
as city of Dawn, 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.
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 Pichola.
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.
PRIME SITES
City
Palace : 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.
Saheliyon-ki-Bari
: This small ornamental garden was a popular relaxing spot where royal ladies
came for a stroll and hence the name. The garden has many natural fountains
in its four delightful pools,chiseled kiosks and marble elephants.
Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum : The
interesting collection exhibited by this Indian folk arts museum includes folk
dresses,ornaments,puppets,masks,dolls,folk musical instruments, folk deities
and paintings.
Fateh
Sagar Lake : A beautiful lake,overlooked by a number of Aravali
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.
Pichola 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 Lake Palace on the lake are of breathtaking
magnificence.
Pratap Memorial : Moti Magri also known
as pearl hill, overlooking the Fateh Sagar Lake is the memorial of the Great
Rajput hero Maharana Pratap with a bronze statue of the Maharana.
Ahar
Museum : 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 : Also known as Mansoon Palace Dominating
the city’s skyline.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 Navlakha Mahal has
a rare collection of ancient handwritten manuscripts and books
SHILPGRAM
: West Zone Cultural Centre of India has set up an artisan's crafts
village at 3 Kms west of Udaipur. It is a living ethnographic museum depecting
life style, traditions, customs and folk arts of the rural and tribal people
of the states of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujrat, Goa, Daman, etc. There are
several huts constructed in the traditional architectural style using mud and
local building material to reflect the geographical and ethnic diversity of
the different states of west zone of India. The rural artisans and folk artists
reside here and perform in the natural surroundings in a village environment.
Every year, more than a lakh visitors visit this village which is spread out
in an area of 55 acres, surrounded by Aravali mountains. The Shilpgram Utsav
organised every year from 23rd December to January 1st, attracts massive crowd
creating a scene of rural market fair and festival with live performance of
folk artist from different parts of the country. The Terracotta Museum, the
museum of masks, folk and musical instruments are of particular attraction
Bagor
Ki Haveli : Situated on the bank of Pichola Lake, This Haveli
was built by Shri Amarchand Badwa, who was the Prime Minister of Mewar-the rulers
of Mewar Pratap Singh, Maharana Ari Singh, Maharana Hamir Singh during the period
1751 to 1778. This palatial building reportedly has 138 rooms, balconies, terraces,
courtyards and corridors. The glass and mirror inlay within the Haveli is Unique
and procured in its original form. The two peacocks made with small pieces of
colored glasses are unique reflection of the finest craftsmanship of glass work.
What was once upon a time a living centre of nobility of Udaipur lay in darkness
and ruin for nearly half a century till when it was handed over to the West
Zone Cultural Centre (WZCC) in 1986.
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 (44 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
(50 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 festivals.
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.
Fort
Kumbhalgarh (84 km) : This is the most important fort in the
Mewar region after Chittorgarh. It's an isolated and fascinating place 84 km
from Udaipur, builtby Maharana Kumbha in the 15th century.Because of its inaccessibility
at 1100m on top of the Aravalli Range it was taken only once in its history.There’s
also a large sanctuary here, known for its wolves. The scarcity of water holes
between March and June makes this the besttime to see animals.Leopard, panther
and sloth bear. This is one of the few sanctuaries that allows people to enter
on 'horseback’.
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.
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.
Chittor Garh ( 110 km ) : The
hilltop fortress of Chittorgarh epitomizes the whole romantic, doomed ideal
of Rajput chivalry. Three times in its long history, Chittor was sacked by a
stronger enemy and, on each occasion, the end carne in textbook Rajput fashion
as jauhar was declared in the face of impossible odds. The men donned the saffron
robes of martyrdom and rode out from the fort to certain death, while the women
and children immolated themselves on a huge funeral pyre. Honour was always
more important than death.
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