UDAIPUR

Places of Interest

City Palace:- Standing on the east bank of Lake Pichola is a massive series of palaces built at different times from 1559. The balconies of the palace provide panoramic views of "Jag Niwas" (the 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. 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 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. There are numerous other palaces such as Dilkhush mahal, Sheesh mahal, Moti mahal and Krishna vilas - in memory of a princess of striking beauty who poisoned herself to avert a bloody battle for her hand by rival prince. Now the palace contains many antique articles, paintings, decorative furniture and utensils and attracts thousands of visitors every day.The former guesthouse of the city palace, Shiv Niwas and the Fateh Prakash Palace have been converted into heritage hotels.​

The Lake Palace is located on the Jag Niwas Island and covers the whole of 1.5 hectare of the island in the middle of the Pichola Lake. Built by Maharana Jagat Singh in 1743 it was meant as a royal summer palace and now converted in to a five star palace hotel. Here It is a magical palace and its image in the middle of the lake is like a leaf straight out of a fairy tale book with an excellent taste of intricate craftsmanship and the ethnic themes using the textiles and handicrafts all over highlight the beauty that is simply beyond compare the lake around makes a pleasant murmur with its rippling waves and lapping that adds to the mesmerising moments.

The Lake Palace is one of the most beautiful palaces in the world, arising out of the Turquoise Waters of the Pichola like an elegant fantasy in white marble. The Lake palace was built in the 17th century on a natural foundation of 4 acers of rock. It was initially called Jag niwas after its founder Maharana Jagjit Singh.​

Sajjan Garh:- The Monsoon Palace, formerly known as the Sajjan Garh Palace, is a hilltop palatial residence in the city of Udaipur, Rajasthan in India, overlooking the lake Pichola. It is named as Sajjangarh after Maharana Sajjan Singh (1874-1884) of the Mewar Dynasty, who built it in 1884. It offers a panoramic view of the city's lakes, palaces and surrounding countryside. It was built basically to watch the monsoon clouds; hence, appropriately, it is popularly known as Monsoon Palace. It is said that the Maharana built it at the top of the hill to get a view of his ancestral home of Chittaurgarh. Previously owned by the Mewar royal family, it is now under the control of the Forest Department of the Government of Rajasthan and has been opened to the public recently. The palace provides a beautiful view of the sunset.​

Jag Mandir is a palace built on an island in the Lake Pichola. It is also called the "Lake Garden Palace". Its construction is credited to three Maharanas of the Sisodia Rajputs of Mewar kingdom. The construction of the palace was started in 1551 by Maharana Amar Singh, continued by Maharana Karan Singh (1620–1628) and finally completed by Maharana Jagat Singh I (1628–1652). It is named as "Jagat Mandir" in honour of the last named Maharana Jagat Singh. The royal family used the palace as a summer resort and pleasure palace for holding parties. The palace served as a refuge to asylum seekers on two separate occasions.​

This is a very congenial old building built right on the waterfront of Lake Pichola at Gangor 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. The haveli stages delightful evening's entertainment; the pleasurable performance of Rajasthani traditional dance and music in the moody surroundings of the haveli. It is an ideal place for an evening entertainment while enjoying the view of Lake Pichola.​

Jagdish Temple is one of the famous temples of Udaipur. Located in the City Palace complex of Udaipur, this temple is made in the Indo-Aryan style of architecture. In 1651, Jagdish temple was built by Maharana Jagat Singh, who ruled Udaipur during 1628-53. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Laxmi Narayan), the preserver of the Universe. The gateway of this temple can be sited at a distance of 150 meters from the Bara Pol of the City Palace. This three-storied temple is a wonder of architecture that comprises beautifully carved pillars, decorated ceilings, painted walls and lush halls. In those times, 1.5 million rupees were spent to raise this structure. The spire of the main temple is around 79 feet high that undoubtedly dominates the skyline of Udaipur. This shikhar (spire) is festooned with sculptures of dancers, elephants, horsemen and musicians making it truly a sight to behold.​

City Palace Museum has a remarkable collection of ancient sculptures, curios, antiques and inscriptions of the bygone era. Located inside the complex of City Palace, this museum is also known as Pratap Museum. As you enter the City Palace, the straight way will take you to this museum of artifacts. The entrance gate of the City Museum is known as Ganesh Deori, which means "Door of Lord Ganesha". On entering the door, you will find yourself in a courtyard, which is identified as Rajya Angan (The Royal Courtyard). This is the exact place where Maharana Udai Singh was asked to construct a city by a sage. After crossing the courtyard, you will find the armory museum that exhibits a vast collection of protective gear, weapons including the fatal two-pronged sword. Pratap Museum houses the armor of the chivalrous Maharana Pratap. You can trace the drums and bugles of Rana Sanga too.

The museum has priceless possessions of the former age like antique paintings of Mewar and detailed Rajasthani art. Here, you will find an unusual assortment of coins, sculptures, inscriptions, portraits and wall-paintings. In fact, the museum is divided into several pavilions and halls. Every pavilion has a distinct theme of its own. 'Zenana Mahal' is the main place where you can see arms and armor, paintings and photographs, majestic insignia, processional accouterments and various other objects that reveals the royal legacy and conventions of the Maharanas of Mewar and Sisodia. The museum is a perfect destination to trace the relics of the bygone era.​

Pichola Lake is one of the most beautiful and picturesque lakes of Rajasthan, India. Located in the heart of the city, Pichola Lake is the oldest and one of the largest lakes of Udaipur. Pichola Lake the beautiful expanse of water that surrounds the islands of the Lake Palace Hotel (JAG NIWAS) and JAG MANDIR. The backdrop of the overlooking City Palace gives this lake its name-Pichola.Apart from this there is also an another version about it's name.It says that the name comes from the nearby small village of Picholi and was originally created early in the 15th century by a local Banjara tribesman who transported grain.

In 1560, a year after Maharana UDAI SINGH II began building his new capital of Udaipur around the shore, he strengthened the dam and greatly enlarged the lake. Apart from the two large islands, there are several smaller ones, among them are ARSI VILAS, which is a heaven for birds, and a platform, NATNI-KA-CHABUTRA, which has its own legend . At the northern end of the lake is the old town with its ghats and ceremonial ghat where the Gangaur Festival is celebrated with fireworks and illuminations. The height of the dam is 15.24 m. in the Badi Pol area.

Along its eastern shore sprawls the massive CITY PALACE. South of this is the hill known as MACHHALA MAGRA where part of the old city wall and the small fort of Eklinggarh can still be seen. Beyond this is the SHIKARBADI HOTEL, once the Khasi Odi, or hunting lodge, of the Maharanas. When full, Pichola Lake covers an area of almost 1.5 sq km.​