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STATES AND UNION TERRITORIES OF INDIA

RAJASTHAN
Udaipur

Udaipur, a serene and beautiful city, set in the Aravalli ranges is surrounded by mountains and hills. It is described as the "City of Dawn", "The Lake City". It is a romantic city with its three lakes, a fresh and placid spot amidst the desert bound cities with their forts ruined by successive wars.

Udaipur was founded by Maharana Udai Singh in 1576, after Chittorgarh was destoryed by the Moghuls in the third attack on Chittor. The new city was founded in the banks of the lake Pichola, which is dotted with islands. The other two lakes are Fateh Sagar and Udai Sagar. Originally there were eleven gates, of which five remain.


Maharana's Palace & Museum

Overlooking the lake Pichola is the City Palace, completely white and majestic. It is one of the largest in Rajasthan and the main entrance is a triple arched gate called the Tripolia. Within the palace there are beautiful locations with courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, Chini Chitrasala, the Sheesh Mahal with inlaid mirror work, Krishna Vilas with miniature paintings, Bari Mahal Dilkush mahal, Moti mahal, Bhim Vilas palace with its wall paintings of Krishna and the Museum. Mosaics of peacocks and paintings adorn the walls. Princess Krishna Kumari drank poison in order to avert the battle between two rival suitors at the Krishna Vilas.


Island Palaces
 
The lake Pichola is dotted with islands. On two of the islands stand two palaces Jag Mandir and Jag Niwas, built by Jagat Singh II. The Jag Mandir is a yellow standstone palace with a marble dome, a mosaic of black and white marble tiles on the floor. Prince Khurram & Shah Jehan at a later period took refuge in this palace. In the evenings parakeets in huge numbers can be seen flying back to their nest. The Jag Nivas, which was the summer residence of the royalty now houses a luxury hotel.


Fateh Sagar Lake
This lake is located north of Lake Pichola and is linked to it by a canal. It was originally constructed by Maharana Jai Singh in 1678 and was later reconstructed after its destruction by floods by Maharajah Fateh Singh. Tourists can enjoy motor boat rides and also visit the island garden situated in the midst of lake called the Nehru Park.


Saheliyon-ki-Bari

Situated near the Fateh Sagar Lake, these gardens known as the Gardens of the Maidens of Honour was built by Maharana Sangram Singh. There are four pools with several fountains with elephant trunks for spouts surrounded by a lawn, flowers, shady trees and lotus pools.


Pratap Memorial

Pratap Memorial is a memorial of Maharana Pratap of Mewar overlooking the Fateh Sagar. It stands atop the Moti Magri (pearl hill). Homage is paid to Pratap Singh and his faithful charger Chetak.


Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal - Museum
This museum houses a rich collection folk art, dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls, musical instruments, paintings, etc.


Ahar
is the ancient capital of the Sisodias. It is located 3 kms east of Udaipur. There are numerous chhatris of white marble, memorials to the royalty. There is an archealogical museum which stores a collection of very old - atleast four thousand years old earthen pots and remains.


Gulab Bagh
This is the rose garden planned by Maharana Sajjan Singh. There is also a library where there is a great collection of old books. A toy train, Aravalli Express takes tourists round the garden.


The Sajjan Garh

The Sajjan Garh palace fort is in the summit of a peak and there is a spectacular view of the lakes and city from here.


Jagdish Temple
is constructed in the Indo-Aryan style and is located about 1 km from the City Palace. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and was built in 1651 AD by Maharana Jagat Singh I. There are relief carvings of animals like the alligator, elephants and of celestical musicians. There are stone elephants on either side of the sttep staircase.


Places Around Udaipur