Udaipur is a city of shimmering lakes, rugged hills and embattlements in the shape of palaces both big and small. Marble palaces, beautiful gardens and placid blue lakes enhance the beauty of this city. Impregnable forts and floating palaces, resplendent Maharajas and fabulous tales of regalia, speak of an age of glitter and grandeur in the romantic city of Udaipur. It has been hailed as the ‘Venice of the East.’ Lazing on the edge of the Lake Pichola, Udaipur was the capital of the SisodiaRajputs after they moved from Chittuar.
City Palace & Museum
The City Palace is a complex of reception halls, residential suites and internal courts and has several carved balconies, arches and decorated pillars. Built in granite and marble, the grand edifice rests on the crest of an elevated ridge parallel to Lake Pichola. Imposing octagonal towers surmounted by cupolas, add excellence to the architecture. The eastern terrace affords a panoramic view of the city. At every step, there is a hoary relic. From the ramparts of the Fort, the Pichola Lake adds to the panorama of the city landscape. The entrance through the Tripolia itself is enchanting with eight carved marble arches of ‘Toranas’ under which the rulers in the past were weighed against gold and silver.
Of Peacocks &Pearls
The most fascinating of the inner courts is the MorChowk (Peacock Court) which has lavish mosaics of peacocks. The richly decorated balcony with delicate glass-inlay work, three imposing peacocks created with blue glass and mirrors, and the ornate pillars make MorChowk a unique landmark. The ManakMahal (ruby mahal) has entire walls inlaid with coloured glass and ornate mirror work, while Krishna Vilas has a remarkable collection of miniatures. In the Bari Mahal there is a pleasant central garden. The walls of Moti Mahal (pearl palace) are inlaid with bits of glass and mirrors, creating a magical interplay of reflections.
Chambers of Magnificence
Dilkush Mahal (palace of joy) is embellished with a series of magnificent miniature frescoes and two splendid chambers- KaanchikiBurj(turret of glass) and Chitran Ki Burj(painted turret). The KaanchikiBurj, as the name suggests, is a breathtaking chamber with its walls, dome and ceiling decorated profusely with red and golden glass-mirror work. ChitramkiBurj has elaborately painted murals depicting important court scenes and battles. With its impressive pavilions, small chambers with paintings and murals, and panoramic views of Lake Pichola and views of island palaces through its windows, BadiChatrashali is an important landmark of the Palace Museum.
Royal Artefacts
The colonnaded verandahs of the Zenana Mahal have displays of royal palkis (palanquins), buggies and interesting articles of daily use by the royal ladies. The first floor, on the western wing, houses another ‘picture gallery’ of paintings of the Mewar School. Also visit the ‘Symphony of Mewar’, a Music Gallery of royal collection of musical instruments belonging to the House of Mewarthat are well preserved and displayed in the Gallery. Located in Zone D, of the Zenana Mahal, in the City Palace Museum, some of them are over hundred years. This makes the collection unique as it is a continuation of family’s personal interest in music and preservation of these musical instruments.
Lake Pichola
Encircled by hills, temples, embankments,family mansions, bathing ghats and palaces, Lake Pichola is the star attraction of Udaipur. Named after the nearby Picholi village, its magnificence is enhanced by the Taj Lake Palace Hotel, glimmering in its aquamarine waters. With archways embellished with intricate carvings, scenic courtyards filled with lily ponds and fountains, it is just a boat ride away and was also one of the filming spots for the James Bond’s movie, Octopussy. Equally fascinating is the Jag Mandir Palace, the first island palace of Lake Pichola that was also the inspiration behind the world famous Taj Mahal.
Crystal Gallery
This is probably the single largest private collection of crystal in the world. The Crystal Gallery located in the Fateh Prakash Palace boasts of an exquisite collection of European crystal cut-glass furniture, vases and mirrors dating back to the 1870. The gallery also houses perfume hookahs, fountains, bottles, furniture, crockery and cutlery and the only crystal bed in the world.
Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens
On the eastern banks of Lake FatehSagar is Sahelion-ki-Bari – the garden for the maids of honour of the queen, built by MaharanaSangram Singh in the mid-eighteenth century. The garden has four pools ornate with delicately chiselled kiosks and elephants made of marble. Surrounded by beautiful fountains, the garden has a lotus pool, a sitting room decorated with paintings and glass mosaics.
Vintage & Classic Car Museum
There are 20 odd cars on display- from the 1930s to models from the 1960s.For automobile junkies, it can be overwhelming to watch the Maharaja’s gleaming collection which include grand limousines, magnificent Rolls Royce, Cadillac open convertibles, rare Mercedes models, a 1936 Vauxhall, and a 1937 Opel which belonged to the House of Mewar, all of which are still in perfect condition. Some of the cars are truly unique- like the Rolls Royce converted into a jeep for hunting expeditions.
Jagdish Temple
Built by Maharaja Jagat Singh, the temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath (an avatar of Vishnu) whose black statue has ruled here since the 17th century. A brass image of Garuda is in a shrinein front of the temple. The magnificent Mandi flaunts an 80-ft-high-spire, richly decorated with friezes of apsarasand elephants.
By Air: Connecting flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur and Jodhpur are available.
By Rail: It is connected by rail with all cities and towns in and around Rajasthan.
By Road: It is well connected with all major cities.
Where to stay: Fateh Prakash Palace, Taj Lake Palace, Shiv Nivas Palace Hotel, etc.
Festivals: Holy kaDahan, Karthik Poornima,etc
Shopping:Head to Hathipole, one of the places recommended for bargain-hunters or JagdishChowk that extends from Jagdish Temple to the Badi Pol of City Palace. This street is also known as Jagdish Bazaar, City Palace Bazaar or Tourist Bazaar. It is filled with dozens of small and colourful shops selling cloth lanterns, traditional Indian fabrics, antique jewellery, local crafts, ornaments and miniature paintings by local artists.