Udaipur Tourism, Udaipur Travel Guide, India Udaipur Travel, Udaipur in India, Udaipur Tour Packages, Udaipur Tours.
Amorous and heavenly, Udaipur is much more than an oasis in the arid region with
its charming lakes, exquisite palaces and architectural heritage and
justifies its nickname of 'the Venice of the East'. The Lake Palace
placed on Jag Niwas Island in the middle of Lake Pichola is the supreme
example of its graceful architecture and refined culture. The banks of
the lake have another beautiful building to boast of - the outstanding
City Palace. Well-known for its arts and crafts and miniature paintings,
Shilp Gram festival is a much loved tourist attraction of the city.
Maharana Udai Singh II established Udaipur in 1568 after he lost
Chittorgarh to Mughal Emperor Akbar. It is believed that a saint
contemplating on a hill near Lake Pichola guided him to set up his
capital here as it is surrounded by Aravallis, forests and lakes that
makes it a safer place than Chittorgarh. His heir Maharana Pratap was a
legendary hero who is still venerated for his valor and gallantry and
being the most ferocious Rajput warrior who gave a strenuous time to the
Mughals all his life.
Shopping Attractions
Pleasing local arts and crafts and numerous shops flood the markets of
Udaipur. The tourists love to buy hand painted fabrics, folk toys,
silver jewellery, turbans, colorful tie-dye and batik saris and clothes,
miniature paintings done in Rajput style and 'Pichwais', the brightly
dyed and themed wall hangings. One may shop for impressive metal images
of gods and goddesses that are made in the nearby village of Molalla.
The popular shopping spots are a constellation of stalls on the Lake
Palace road, near Rang Niwas Palace Hotel and Jagdish Temple. Clock
Tower, Hathipole, Chetak Circle and Bapu Bazaar are other favorite
places to shop from.
Prime Attractions
City Palace
Erected by Maharaja Udai Singh, the elegant City Palace is a marvel in marble,
situated on the banks of Lake Pichola. Majestically positioned on a
hill, it is flooded with balconies, towers and cupolas along with the
superb views of the lake and the city that can be appreciated from the
upper terraces. A perfect fusion of Medieval European and Chinese
architecture, the palatial complex has a number of astounding buildings,
well-planned gardens and fountains.
Lake Palace
The Lake Palace is placed on the Jag Niwas Island in the middle of the
Lake Pichola. It used to be a recreation palace for the royal family in
summers and has now been turned into a heritage hotel. Fantastic
location, dreamy ambience, fairy tale slight craftsmanship and the
interiors based on ethnic themes using textiles and handicrafts all over
are simply stupendous.
Jag Mandir
The first island palace of Lake Pichola, Jagmandir was constructed by
Maharana Karan Singhji in 1622 AD and was intended to be a pleasure
palace for imperial parties and functions. It has served as a shelter
for Moghul Emperor Shahjahan when he was a prince against the wrath of
his father in the seventeenth century. The tale goes on to say that
Jagmandir was the inspiration behind the world-renowned Taj Mahal, which
Shah Jahan built in the memory of his departed wife, Mumtaz.
Lake Pichola
Maharana Udai Singh II significantly inflated the gorgeous Lake Pichola
as a security measure, when he founded Udaipur. Embraced amongst hills,
gardens, havelis, temples and ghats, Lake Pichola is the picturesque
highlight of Udaipur. The lake sports two islands palaces - Jagniwas
(popularly known as Lake Palace) and Jagmandir. Visitors can enjoy boat
rides, which can be extremely pleasurable in the backdrop of the setting
sun.
Lake Fateh Sagar
Lake Fateh sagar is a man-made lake built by Maharana Jai Singh in 1678
to the north of Lake Pichola. It is bordered by hills and woodland.
There is a canal connecting the two lakes via Swaroop Sagar and Rang
Sagar Lakes. Nehru Island on the lake is just as good-looking as well as
an islet bearing a solar observatory that seems to emerge from the lake.
Sahelion Ki Bari
On the shores of Fateh Sagar Lake, a lovely garden was built for the 48
maidens destined to be a part of the dowry of the princess. Extensive
lawns, gushing fountains and mottled walking lanes exemplify the garden.
The garden has four pools with supple kiosks and fountains that sport
elephant trunks for spouts. These gardens appear discrete and pristine
in taste.
Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal
The museum makes an exhibition of a wide array of folk arts, which has
well off collection of folk outfits, puppets, masks, curios, dolls, folk
musical instruments and beautiful paintings. Guests can also ask for
shows from world-renowned puppeteers.
Maharana Pratap Memorial
Raised atop Modi Magri (translated as 'Pearl Mount') near Fateh Sagar
Lake, is an extraordinary equestrian bronze statue of the valiant hero,
Maharana Pratap. The legendary and trustworthy horse 'Chetak' is as
illustrious as his rider for his nerve and heroism. The ruins of one of
the first Udaipur's forts and a tempting Japanese rock garden are nearby
attention-grabbing spots to visit.
Shilpgram
'Shilpgram' (translated as 'Craftsmen's Village') is just the precise
place to see India's varied crafts, arts and culture. The attractive
terracotta work done in dark red and dark brown sand materials along
with the wooden carvings is the area of expertise of this ethnic
euphoria. Shilpgram has 26 huts placed across 70 acres of natural
background at the foot of the Aravali Hills.
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