City Palace
About City Palace
City Palace complex is actually a conglomeration of buildings added by various Maharanis, the palace
manages to retain a surprising uniformity of design. Building was started by Maharana Udai Singh II .
The palace is surmounted by balconies, towers & cupolas and there are wonderful views over the lake
and the city from the upper terrace.
Main entrance is from northern end through the Baripol of 1600 and the Tripolia Gate of 1725 , with
its eight carved marble arches. It was once custom for Maharanis to be weighed under the gate and
their weight in gold or silver distributed to the populace.
In Badi Chowk , the large rectangular courtyard outside the museum, there are some shops selling
pricey handicrafts and a money exchange facility.
The main part of the palace is now preserved as the City Palace Museum, housing a large and varied
collection of artefacts. Downstairs from the entrance is an armoury section, sporting a collection of old
weapons including a lethal two-prolonged sword.
The Ganesh Deori is the entrance to the museum and leads up to the Rajya Angan, or Royal courtyard
, the very spot where Udai Singh met the sage who told him to found this city here. The rooms of the
museum are extravagantly decorated with mirrors , tiles and paintings. In the Manak Mahal (Ruby
Palace) there is the exquisite glass and mirror work, while Krishna Vilas has a remarkable collection of
the miniatures.Teh Moti Mahal has beautiful mirror work and the Chini Mahal is covered in ornamental
tiles. The Surya Chopar has a huge ,ornamental sun-the symbol of mewar dynasty, the origins of
which are traced to the sun. The Mor Chowk (Peacock Square) has beautiful mosaics of the peacocks,
the favourite Rajasthani bird. In the Bari Mahal there is a fine central garden with good views over the
old city. More beautiful paintings can be seen in the Zenana Mahal , which opens onto Laxmi
Chowk;there's a beautiful white pavilion in the center of this square. Note the large tiger catching
cage near Zenana Mahal entrance ; a helpless goat of buffalo would be tied up inside the cage to lure
the tiger in-gruesome.
Photography is not permitted in Krishna Vilas.
Information for The Tourists
In City Palace Complex
Still Camera - 75 Rs.
Video Camera - 300 Rs.
For City Palace Museum
Entrance Fee :-
For children under 5 - Free
For children under 12 - 20 Rs.
For adults - 35 Rs.
Pictures of City Palace
City Palace, Udaipur
About Saheliyon ki Bari
Saheliyon ki badi, situated in the north of the city, is well maintained, with fountains and kiosks, a
delightful lotus pool and marble elephants. There is also a small museum here; of which the main
attraction are some stuffed cobras.
Pictures of Saheliyon ki Bari
Saheliyon ki Bari
Suraj Gokhada
About 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.
Pictures of Suraj Gokhada
About Pratap Memorial
Atop Moti Magri (Pearl Hill), overlooking Fateh Sagar, is a statue of the Rajput hero Maharana Pratap,
who frequently defied Mughals, riding bravely on his beloved horse Chetak. The path to the top
traverses some pleasant gardens including a Japanese rock garden.
Pictures of Pratap Memorial
Pratap Memorial, Udaipur
About Sajjan Garh
Sajjan Garh, a former monsoon palace 1100 ft. high above the surrounding and 3100 ft. from sea
level, was built by Maharana Sajjan Singh in 1884. The palace looks its best during the rainy season.
It offers a panoramic overview of the city's lakes, palaces and surrounding country side.
The hillside is thickly wooded and the former rulers maintained this as a royal shooting preserve
Pictures of Sajjan Garh
Fateh Sagar
About Fateh Sagar
Surrounded by a number of hills, Fateh Sagar was originally built in 1678 by Maharana Jai singh, but it
was reconstructed by Maharana Fateh Singh after heavy rains destroyed the dam.
It is an artificial lake. A canal links the two, via Swaroop Sagar and Rang Sagar Lakes. A pleasant
drive winds along the east bank and in the middle of the lake is Nehru Park, a popular garden island
with a boat shaped cafe. In dry years, you can walk there otherwise you can catch a boat, from the
bottom of Moti Magri, to reach there.
Information for The Tourists
Boat rent:-
Motor Boat - 10 Rs. Per Person
Pedal Boat - 50 Rs. for 1/2 an hour
and 100 for 1 hour
Pedal Boats are not operated when the water level is low.
Nehru Garden Timings :-
8 am to 7 pm in Summers
8 am to 6 pm in Winters
Pictures of Fateh Sagar
Fateh Sagar
Pichola Lake
About Pichola Lake
Beautiful Lake Pichola was enlarged by Maharaja Udai Singh II after he founded the city. He built a
masonry dam, known as the Badipol, and the lake is now 4km long and 3 km wide. Nevertheless, it
remains fairly shallow and can actually dry up - in severe droughts it's possible to walk to Jagniwas
and Jagmandir island.
A handful of crocodiles are believed to inhabit the more remote parts of the lake, near the inhabited
sections of the shore. The City Palace extends for a long stretch along the east bank.
Pictures of Pichola Lake
Pichola Lake
Lok Kala Museum
About Lok Kala Museum
An interesting collection exhibited by this small museum and foundation for the preservation and
promotion of local folk arts includes dresses, turbans, dolls, masks, musical instruments, paintings and
- it's high point - puppets. Regular 15-minute puppet shows are held daily and are included in the
admission charge.
Nagda
About Nagda
At Nagda there are some 10th century temples. The Jain temple of Adbudji is essentially ruined, but
its architecture is intresting. About 500m away, the Sas Bahu temple hsa very fine and intricate
carvings. There are also some small temples submerged in the nearby lake.
Picture of Nagda
Nagda
Haldighati
About Haldighati
Situated 40 Kms north of Udaipur, Haldighati, is where Maharana Pratap defied the superior Mughal
forces of Akbar in 1576. The site is marked by a small chhatri which commemorates the warrior's
horse, Chetak. Although badly wounded and exhausted, this brave horse carried Maharana Pratap to
safety before collapsing and dying. It is for this loyalty and courage that Chetak is honored.
The vast terrain that was so supposedly covered with blood, that the sand there is still red in colour.
Picture of Haldighati
Haldighati
Kumbhalgarh Fort
About Kumbhalgarh Fort
Kumbhalgarh, situated 65 km north of Udaipur hold a heroic past having sheltered the heir of Mewar
throne in times of Danger. It was here that the baby prince of Mewar was hidden from an assassin. It
is an isolated and fascinating place, built by Maharana Khumbha in the 15th century. Because of its
inaccessibility - at1100m on top of the Aravalli Range - it was taken only once in history. Even then, it
took the combined armies of the Mughal emperor Akbar, and of Amber and Marwar to breach its
defenses. The thick walls of this mighty fort stretch some 36km and are wide enough for eight horses
to ride abreast. They enclose many temples, palaces, gardens and water storage facilities. The fort
was renovated in the 19th century by Maharana Fateh Singh. It is worth taking a leisurely walk in the
large compound, which has some interesting ruins and is very peaceful.
There is also the Kumbhalgarh wildlife sanctuary here, known for its wolves. The scarcity of water-
holes between March and June makes this the best time to see animals, including chowsinghas (four-
horned antelopes), leopards, panthers, sloth bears and various bird species.
Picture of Kumbhalgarh Fort
Kumbhalgarh Fort
Jagat
About Jagat
Jagat is a small town, located 56 Kms southeast of Udaipur, containing a small 10th century Ambika
or Durga Mata Temple. There are some fine carvings which have inspired some people to call the town
the Khajuraho Of Rajasthan.
Jaisamand Lake
About Jaisamand Lake
Jaisamand Lake was built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the 17th century and created by damming Gomti
River; today it measures 14 km long and 9km wide. There are beautiful chatries (cenotaphs) around
this embankment, each with an elephant in front. The summer palaces of the Udaipur Maharanis are
also here. The lake features a variety of bird life and the nearby Jaisamand Sanctuary is home of
panthers, leopards, deer, wild boars and crocodiles. The forests used to be a favorite hunting ground
for the former rulers of Mewar, and elaborate hunting expeditions would frequently take place here.
Pictures of Jaisamand Lake
Jaisamand Lake, Udaipur
Ranakpur
About Ranakpur
The Ranakpur Complex hold an exceptional beauty, which is well worth seeing, and makes for a
convenient stop between Jodhpur and Udaipur. It is tucked away in remote and quite valley of the
Aravalli Range, 90km from Udaipur.
The main temple is the Chaumukha Temple, or Four-Faced Temple, dedicated to Adinath, the first
tirthankar ('Jain Teacher'). Built in 1439, this huge, superbly crafted and well-kept marble temple
has 29 halls supported by 14 pillars - no two are alike. Within the complex are two other Jain temples
(dedicated to Neminath and Parasnath) and,, a short distance away, a Sun Temple. Amba Mata
Temple is 1 km from the main complex.
Pictures of Ranakpur
Ranakpur Jain Temple
Ranakpur Jain Temple
Kankroli
About Kankroli
Situated 65km away from Udaipur, Kankroli, also known as Dwarkadhish, is an important Vaishnava
temple and ranks very high among the temples of the Vallabhacharya.
Rajsamand Lake
About Rajsamand Lake
Rajsamand Lake was created by a dam constructed in 1660 by Maharana Jai Singh. There many
ornamental arches and beautifully carved chatries (cenotaphs) along the huge bund (embankment).
It also has several interesting old inscriptions.
Pictures of Rajsamand Lake
Rajsamand Lake, Udaipur
Ahar
About Ahar
About 2 Kms east of the ancient capital of Sisodia- Udaipur, Ahar is famous for the impressive cluster
of cenotaphs of the Maharanis of Mewar, which are recently been restored. A total of around 19
former Maharanis were cremated here. The most striking cenotaph is that of Maharana Amar Singh,
who ruled from 1597 to 1620.
There is a museum, where you will find a limited, but very old collection of earthen pottery, sculptures
and other archaeological finds. Some pieces date back to 1700 BC and there is a beautiful 10th
century metal figure of Buddha.
Photography is not allowed.
Time
Open Saturday - Thursday from 10 AM -4:30 PM.
Admission fees 3 Rs. from Saturday - Thursday except Monday.
On Monday - Free
Picture of Ahar
Ahar
