Udaipur – A Tete a Tete with the City  :

Location :  Western India, in Rajasthan, to the north-west of Jaipur

Founded In : 1557 A.D. by Udai Singh

When to Visit : September to March

Souvenir : Metal images, Pichwal wall hangings, Dyed sarees, Folk Toys, Silver jewellery

Important Places of Interest : Kumbhalgarh Fort, Jaisamand Lake, Rajsamand Lake, Nagda, Haldighati, Ranakpur Jain temples, Lake Palace, City Palace, Jag Mandir, Saheliyon ki Bari, Fateh Sagar, Gulab Bagh, Nehru Park, Boat rides on Lake Pichola.

Transport : Luxurious cabs, Tongas, Auto-rickshaws, Three-wheelers, Buses, Bicycles.

The Tale of the City :

Once there lived a hermit who was practicing meditation in the Aravalli hills of India. This sage advised Maharana Udai Singh to found a kingdom on the valley surrounded by the Aravalli mountains. Following the advice of the great hermit, in 1557 A.D. Maharana Udai Singh laid the foundation of Udaipur- the city of lakes. Maharana Udai Singh was the scion of the Sisodia family and he was the one responsible for the growth of the city. He beautified the city and ruled successfully. The Sisodia family are supposed to be descendants of the Sun God. They are respected as the bravest Rajput clans ever. The city was a safe bet as it was surrounded by the magnificently tall Aravalli Mountains.

Udaipur - Down the Ages :

Udaipur the land of Dawn has traversed a long distance down the ages. This city founded by Maharana Pratap Singh had the pride and valour of the Rajputs. This was then the capital of Mewar. The Mughals were unable to crush its power. The historic battle of Haldighati was fought between the valiant Maharana Pratap and the brave Mughal Emperor Akbar. Chetak was the horse ridden by Maharana and it was this horse that carried the king back to his kingdom when he got gravely injured in the battle. The Battle of Haldighati was a landmark in the history of Udaipur.

Travel Kitty :

As we enter the city of lakes, Udaipur the feeling is something exotic. The lakes dotted all over the city glitter in the bright sun and the sparkling water refreshes tired feet and minds. Tourists from the entire world get attracted to the beauty and sheer magnificence of the city and thus it is not surprising that Udaipur is the centre of most of the heritage related activities. The travel kitty therefore has stuff like Pichwal wall hangings, tie and dyed sarees, folk toys, hand printed textiles, metal images and silver jewellery. All these add beauty to the already beautiful travel kitty.

Udaipur- Joie de Vivre in the City :

A rendezvous with the city ensures that one accepts this is a place where one visit is not enough to fulfill the craving of the heart. Intricate work, beautiful surroundings, grand monuments, magnificent architecture and structural elegance lend the joie de vivre in the city. This is a centre of arts, paintings, crafts and heritage value. The longing to come back to the city increases with the boat cruise on the Lake Pichola. The month of April sees Udaipur all dressed up and adorned like a bride when it is time for the Mewar festival. Tourists should make it appoint to make this the joie de vivre of their trip. This is the perfect place for a couple trying to be together or a couple going on a honeymoon, or a family wanting to just unwind and relax.

Entertainment Factor :

Udaipur, the city of beauty hypnotizes the tourist’s psyche and captures the visitor’s heart to the extent that it lands up being the most frequented city in the tour of Indian cities. The placid graceful lakes, the majestic monuments and palaces entice the tourist’s interests and he sees the following in this city of magic:

Palaces :

Lake Palace : This palace cum fort is also known as Jag Niwas. Lake Palace was built by Maharana Jagat Singh II in the y ear 1754. This palace is located on the lake Pichola and is a tourist’s favourite tourist spot. The white marble reflected on the calm, serene lake waters is a sight to behold. A must see for a traveler.

City Palace : This is one of the stupendous palaces in Rajasthan and is nestled between the Lake Pichola. It comprises of eleven magnificently constructed palaces also called Mahals in Rajasthan. It has balconies and towers and these imposing structures provide a fantastic view of the surroundings. The extravaganza doled out by this palace is felt in its interiors which has the richness of a cultural heritage par excellence. The effect is emphasized even more by the presence of the best kind of chandeliers in the palace. This is a treat for the eyes. A must watch for any beauty lover.

Jag Mandir : This is a palace on the Lake Pichola built in 1615 A.D by Maharaja Karan Singh. Today a palace, earlier it was the shelter for the Mughal prince Khurram or Shah Jahan. He hid here after protesting against his father the Mughal Emperor Jehangir. This took place in 1620. The beauty and magnificence of the palace is added by the cenotaphs and giant elephants which have been sculpted. Thus the island palace is a sure bet for tourists.

Sajjan Garh Palace : This palace was built by Maharana Sajjan Singh. It was built to be used as an observatory to watch the progress of the monsoon clouds. The view from this palace is wide and vast and extends to far distance of the city. This heritage palace is near the Sajjan Niwas Garden. Another place to visit near the palace is the small hill which is shaped like a fish called the Ekling Garh or the Machla Marg.

Saheliyon Ki Bari : This was built in the 18th century and was the recreation and refreshment spot for the Royal Family ladies. The ladies spent their time resting here. The constructions here lend the mind and body to unwind and relax. The lotus pool, fountains, expanse of lawns, flowerbeds, and pavilions made of marble all contribute the body to relax and rest here. It is the ideal place to rest while on a tour of the palaces.

Jagdish Temple : This temple was built by Maharana Jagat Singh in 1651 A.D. It is the largest and the most exquisitely carved temple in Udaipur. The sculpted image and the immensely made peak of the temple is a feast for a tourist’s eye. This architectural beauty comprises of the entire history of Maharana Jagat Singh’s reign in sculpted form. This was written in Sanskrit by Krishna Bhatt in 1651 A.D.

Fateh Sagar : Near Saheliyon Ki Bari lies a serene, calm and beautiful lake called the Fateh Sagar. This was built by Maharana Fateh Singh in the year 1678.

Gulab Bagh : The biggest garden in India measuring 100 acres is the Gulab Bagh. It has the best flowerbeds and the best zoo in India. The museum in Gulab Bagh is a monument which has a collection of antiques, curios and artifacts.

Nehru Park : Inaugrated on the November 14, 1967, this oval shaped park located in the Fateh Sagar Lake is a mesmerizing place with its exquisite gardens and calm, placid lake waters. The garden has the site of the Moti Mahal of Maharana Pratap. The garden is named after Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India.

The following are the distances of the cities from Udaipur. This is easy as a reference to calculate the per km basis rides.

• Agra : 630 Kms

• Delhi : 670 Kms

• Mumbai : 739 Kms

• Ahmedabad : 260 Kms

• Ajmer : 265 Kms

• Chittaurgarh : 115 Kms

• Jaipur : 405 Kms.

• Jodhpur : 275 Kms.

Thus Udaipur, the city of water bodies is an experience to forever remain etched in the memories. The lakes and the palaces are the much sought after tourist spots and they mesmerize the tourist to the extent of making him to long to come back again. The grand palaces, the pompous looking forts, coupled with the serenity of the lakes, the imposing monuments with the magical gardens all lend a perfect blend of culture and modern tourism. Honeymooning couples, young hearts and elderly people all alike enjoy coming to this city of varied experience. This thus has become the perfect favorite spot for people who want to let their hair down and relax. As we leave we feel,” Live in Udaipur happily ever after.”