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City Palace
Towering over a serene lake Pichola is one of the most magnificent of Rajasthani palaces built in parts by its legendary Maharana kings, yet exuding a strange uniformity of structure. Today City Palace, as it is called, with with elegantly carved arches, cupolas, romantic balconies, is a regal Heritage Resort. The inhouse Museum has many treats to the vision - the Mor Chowk with its beautiful blue peacock mosaics, the Manak or Ruby Mahal has figures made in glass and porcelain, Krishna Vilas and Zanana Mahal has beautiful paintings and miniatures, Bari Mahal is known for its eclectic garden and the princely Chini Mahal is covered with ornamental tiles.
Lake Pichola
Udaipur's glittering necklace, 4 km long, is the Pichola lake. And like two pretty pendants are studded two palaces on the lake island - Jagniwas and Jagmandir. Jagniwas, now a Heritage Hotel, was the erstwhile summer retreat of prince of Mewar. While Jagmandir was constructed by Maharana Karan Singh to provide refuge to Shah Jehan, the reason being the latter was born of a Rajput mother. It is believed that this palace also provided some inspiration for the Prince's magna carta Taj Mahal. On the east bank is embellished the City Palace and a sprawling garden. A boat ride to the islands is undulating fun.
Fateh Prakash Palace
An oriental beauty, preserved since the legacy of Maharana Fateh Singh, is this heritage palace-turned-hotel. The reflection of its magnificent turrets in the quiet waters of Fateh Sagar lake as you take a boat ride to the little island with a garden, creates an euphoria beyond words. The cafetaria at the island, serves excellent coffee.
Pratap Samak
The statue of Rajput demigod Maharana Pratap, who held the reigns of his homeland against the Mughals, stands proud atop the Moti Magri or the Pearl Hill, overlooking the Fateh Sagar Lake. Do drop by the interesting Japanese rock garden as you climb uphill.
Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum
Here is where lies the virtual kaleidoscope to the heritage of this princely Rajput city. Look out for paintings, dolls, masks, musical instruments, dresses and the puppet show held almost regularly.
Saheliyon ki Bari
Saheliyon ki Bari lies just beneath the Fateh Sagar Lake. Maharana Sangram Singh II designed this garden in the early 18th century purely as a pleasure garden and a summer palace for the 48 young maids that formed a part of the prince’s dowry. It is also said that the garden was presented as a peace offering from the Emperor of Delhi. Inside the garden is a reservoir surrounded by four black marbled cenotaphs in its four corners and one white marbled one in the centre. The terraces of these cenotaphs have water fountains shaped like birds from whose beaks water gushes out in thin sprays like the singing rain – producing a wonderful sight. The Maharanas entertained themselves around the four ornamental pools and the five fountains. These fountains were imported from England in 1889. Maharana Bhopal Singh specially was very fond of this place and built a rain fountain, so that it looked like rain dancing on the dancing maids.
Shiv Nivas Palace
The debonair Shiv Niwas Palace was first opened for the shooting of the 007 Bond film Octopussy. This crescent shaped palace was originally the annexe to the Shambhu Palace near the southern end of the Pichola Lake. It was built sometime in the beginning of the century by Maharana Fateh Singh for nearly Rs 6,00,000, a very great sum in those days. The style and design of the building is purely European although it has retained some of the distinctive traditional Hindu elements seen in Udaipur. It is a beautiful combination of Hindu tradition and European elegance. As a structure it is more harmonious and artistic than the Shambhu Niwas. The maharana had sent two of his court artisans, Khaja Ustadh and Master Kundan Lal, to England; the former to learn the art of glass-mosaic design and the latter to study the fine art of fresco painting. The former has given the interiors of Shiv Niwas their radiant effect. In 1903 when the Prince of Wales came to visit Udaipur he was dazzled by the brilliance of the palace and described it as ‘the Diadem of the Palace’.
Gulab Bagh
Sajjan Niwas garden or the Gulab Bagh with an area of 100 acres is perhaps the biggest and best garden in India. Apart from the trees, flowerbeds and a zoo, the garden also has a museum to boast of. The museum, originally known as Victoria Hall Museum, was well known for its collection of antiques and curios. It has now been shifted to Karan Vilas Mahal within the City Palace complex. There is also a public library attached to the garden, which has large volumes and illustrated manuscripts on Indology, Archaeology, and History. The museum, the library and a reading room are all located inside the Victoria Hall. In the month of Shravan (Jul/Aug) a fair is held here on every Monday.
Ahar
About 3.2km from the Delhi Gate, Ahar is a favourite haunt of archaeologists and research scholars. Historians say that the town was founded around 950AD by Rawal Allat of Mewar. He built the city on the ruins of the Harappan site of Tambavati Nagri, the city of the ancestors of King Vikramaditya before he shifted to Ujjain. It is also said that Ahar was the ancient capital of Mewar, the residence of the Gehlot rulers later known as the Sisodias, ancestors of the present Ranas. The excavations done by the Archaeological Department of the State have revealed the remains of the Chalcolithic era of Rajasthan dating back to nearly 3750 years. Ancient temples, sculptures, coins, pottery and mounds from the ashes of volcanic eruptions are also found in abundance here at Ahar. Four Jain temples with their intricate carvings and dating over 1000 years old found here is still intact and in one piece. Ahar was quite a happening place for the Jain community and ancient Jain literature names Ahar as Aghatpur.
Shilpgram Udyog
Barely 3km outside the city premises and located in the Aravallis, Shilpgram is a planned village-cum-exhibition centre of traditional craftspersons and artisans presenting their handicrafts. It was established in 1989, and is an ethnographic museum formed as a part of the West Zone Cultural Centre. The sole aim of Shilpgram is to encourage and appreciate the huge diversity in the folk and tribal arts, crafts and architecture of the four states of the West Zone. 26 huts spread out over a large area represent the folk and tribal communities of the member states. These huts are furnished with traditional household objects in front of which the folk musicians and the craftsmen perform their artistry. Today the complex has etched its place on the tourist map of India where an arts and crafts festival takes place every year.
Sajjan Garh Palace
In the late 18th century Sajjangarh or the heritage palace of Sajjan was built by its namesake Maharana Sajjan Singh (1874-1884). About 5km west of Udaipur City it is at a height of 3100 feet above sea level and 1100 feet over the Fateh Sagar Lake. The palaces of the fort look like a tiara on the head of a rocky hill, the one on which the fort proudly stands. The rocky crag is massive and has an excellent view of the surrounding hills, pristine lakes and snow-white palaces. The fortplace is crowned by the Monsoon Palace, which also has a panoramic view of the lakes and palaces and the city below. The fort was built by Maharana Sajjan Singh as an observatory to watch the progress of the monsoon clouds over the surrounding areas. It is said that the Rana had planned to build a nine storey observatory here but his dreams remained unfulfilled owing to his untimely death at the age of 26. Towards the left of the Monsoon heritage palace is Shikarbadi or the Khas Odi, a shooting box that lies at the southern end of the lake Pichola. It was built by Sir Sajjan Singh between 1874 and 1884 and now has been converted into a small palace with exquisite surroundings that can be approached both by car and boat. The boat trip is recommended more as it gives an extraordinary view from the south end of the lake.
Nehru Park
As the name suggests this Park has indeed been named after the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru.
The Park was inaugurated on the birth anniversary of Nehru on 14th November 1967. It is an oval shaped island and lies humbly on the Fateh Sagar Lake.
The garden overlooks the ancient Moti Mahal of Rana Pratap. This island garden is a real delight to the eyes, sitting softly on the calm waters of the Lake and amidst the enchanting hills surrounding it. The Park covers a huge area of about 41 acres with its flower gardens and a lily pond.
Kankarwa Haveli
Kankarwa Haveli is a fine heritage hotel located on the bank of the Lake Pichola. The hotel Kankarwa Haveli offers wonderful view of the Lake Pichola and famous City Palace. The hotel Kankarwa Haveli is located about 24 kilometres from the airport. The hotel Kankarwa Haveli Udaipur offers warm hospitality and personalized service to its guests.
Bagore-Ki-Haveli
Bagore Ki Haveli, Udaipur ToursThis is a very congenial old building built right on the waterfront of Lake Pichola at Gangori 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.
Jaiwana Haveli
Jaiwana Haveli is an elegant standard heritage hotel located on Lal Ghat i.e., the east bank of Lake Pichola that is historically very significant w.r.t Udaipur Rajasthan India. Popularly known as Hotel Caravanserai, standard heritage hotel Jaiwana Haveli was the home of Rajmata Vijaylaxmi Ranawat and was later converted into a glorious heritage hotel that gives you a peek into the fascinating lifestyle of Mewar royalty.
Jagath Temple
This place of worship is situated 56 kms southeast of Udaipur in a small village called Jagat. The temple is actually known as Ambika Mata Temple and the principal shrine of worship in this temple is the goddess of Durga mounted on a lion. The Jagat temple is an ancient temple built on the 10th century. The temple is shaped as a hall and it is having decorated windows panels, and even on the entrance door. The temple carvings are of any postures like that of the musicians, and even they are related to the tales of ancestral myths and supernatural stories. The sculptures also are the postures of female god Durga and her attendants in exotic postures, which are, in sharp contrast to the carvings of holy saints.
Jagdish Temple
It is an Indo-Aryan temple built by Maharana Jagat Singh in 1651. It is 300 meters away from the north of Badi Pol. To view this holy place of Udaipur you need to climb a series of thirty-two steps, which had elevated the temple to a height of 24 kms. This elevated temple can easily be viewed from City Palace. The foothold of the Jagdish temple steps has two spotless white elephants on both the sides to greet you to the temple. The exterior wall of the holy temple is made up of local stone The principal god in this pilgrimage center is lord Vishnu or jagannath which is a idol of black stone. There is some fixed time for darshan to the temple and during this time you can hear the worshippers chanting spiritual hymns in praise of the lord.
Kankroli Temple
Kankroli temple is also known as Dwarkadheesh temple where the principal idol is Lord Krishna. Dwarkadheesh is the other name of lord Krishna. It is said that the principal shrine of this Kankroli temple is brought from Mathura. It is an important temple for the Vaishnavas and even among the Vallabhacharyas.
Nathdhwara Temple
Nathdwra is 48 kms in the north east of Udaipur. Traveling to Nathdwara temple from Udaipur by the rental coaches will take some 90 minutes. The Nathdwara temple is situated on the banks of Banas River. If you are traveling to Nathdwara temple by public transport then also it is quite easy as there is frequent communication system from Udaipur. The nearest railway junction to Nathdwara is Mavli. The word Nathdwara means the 'gate of the lord'. Nathdwara is a famous pilgrimage for the Hindus. The principal shrine in this temple is Shrinathji, which is again another form of Lord Krishna.
The Nathdwara temple is a holy place for the Vaishnavas. It is also the center of Pushtimarg Sampradaya a principle laid down by Jagat guru Sri Vallabhacharya. The main idol of Nathdwara temple is Srinathji, which is carved out of one piece of black marble. The Nathdwara temple is also known as the 'Haveli of Srinathji'. It was once the palace for the Rajput rulers.
Ranakpur Temple
The principle temple in this Ranakpur temple complex is the 'Chaumukha' or 'the Four-faced temple'. It is dedicated to Lord Adinath or the first Jain teacher also known as 'thirthankar'. This Ranakpur temple is built on 1439 is exquisitely carved and maintained well. The temple is brilliantly planned with its 29 halls and 1444 pillars. The 1444 pillars on which the structure stands are uniquely designed and none of the pillars are same as of the other. The shading of light and darkness is amazing. It is said to be one among the five important piligrimage centers of Jains.
There are also two other important Jain temples one is dedicated to 'Neminath' and the other to 'Parasnath'. Also about a distance of 1km from the main temple complex there are also temples of sun god and Amba Mata.
Rishabdeo Temple
The main tourist attraction in Dhuler is the Rishabdeo temple. For Jains and Bhils while making an Udaipur tour a visit to the Rishabdeo temple nearby Udaipur is a must. Lord Mahavira is the founder of the Jainism sect and Rishabdeo is said to one of his forms. The idol in the Rishabdeo temple is about 1 meter tall and it is made up of black marble. It is located in the midst of the highway that leads to Ahmedabad. The Bhils find some familiarity with the black marble idol of Rishabdeo with their dark-skin complexion. While the Jains believe that the idol is related to the reign of Rama and Sita. The Bhils has great regards for the Rishabdeo temple, as they believe that all their desires and wants are fulfilled over here.
Eklinji Temple
The present temple of Eklingji is built on the ruins of the ancient temple. The principal god of the temple Lord Shiva has four faces. On the west side of the idol the face is of Brahma, Vishnu is facing the north direction, Maheshwar or Shiva facing southwards and Surya facing east side. The other gods that re also worshiped in the same temple are Parvati, Ganesha, Ganga, Kartikeya, Yamuna and Saraswati. There are also small temples of Amba Mata, Kalka Mata and Ganesh in the same temple arena.
Shivratri is celebrated in this temple with great pomp and show. The lord of the temple along with its complex is adorned with the best jewelry costumes and other enhancing decorative items.
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