UDAIPUR

GENERAL INFORMATION

Area		36.27 Sq km.
Altitude		577 Meters
Best season		September – March
Languages		English, Hindi, Rajasthani
Climate	Max	Min
Summer	38.3°c	28.8°c
Winter	28.3°c	10.6°c
Clothing	Summer	Winter
	Light tropical	Woollen

The City of Dawn, Udaipur is a stunning area around the sky blue water lakes, fixed in by the rich slopes of the Aravallis. A dream in white splashed in sentiment and excellence, Udaipur is a perfect blend of sights, sounds and encounters – motivation for the creative energy of artists, painters and scholars. Its kaleidoscope of children’s story royal residences, lakes, sanctuaries, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the essence of heroic past, epitomising courage and chivalry. Their appearance in the tranquil waters of the Lake Pichhola is a luring sight.

Udaipur is the Jewel of Mewar – a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia tradition for a long time. The establishment of the city has an interesting legend associated with it. As indicated by it, Maharana Udai Singh, the organizer, was chasing one day when he met a heavenly man pondering a slope sitting above the Lake Pichhola. The recluse favored the Maharana and prompted him to construct a royal residence at this positively found spot with a ripe valley watered by the stream, a lake, a pleasing height and an amphitheater of low mountains. Maharana took after the exhortation of the hermit and established the city in 1559 A.D.

TOURIST PLACES

City Palace

A majestic compositional wonder towering over the lake on a slope encompassed by crenellated dividers, it is a combination of courtyards, structures, patios, passages, rooms and hanging gardens. The principle passage is through the triple angled door, the "Tripolia" with eight marble colonnades. The Maharaja was weighed under the door in gold, the equal measure of which was appropriated among the masses.

The Suraj Gokhada, the gallery of the sun, is the place the Suryavanshi Maharanas of Mewar introduced themselves to the general population in a bad position to restore their certainty. Known for its one of a kind mosaic peacock design ‘Mor Chowk’ is a must visit place along with the popular ‘Chini Chitrshala’, in demand for its unique white and blue pottery makes this palace popular among visitors.

Jagdish Temple

There are several temples located in Udaipur city however, Jagdish temple is the biggest one and is devoted to the Lord Vishnu also known as Lakshmi Narayan who is believed to be the preserver of the universe. It is situated in the City Palace complex of the city and is one of the most popular temples in Udaipur. Its creation goes back in 1651 when Maharana Jagat Singh was the ruler of Udaipur and ruled for around 55 years. The temple’s designed is inspired from Indo-Aryans and is grand enough that it can be spotted from 150 meters away from City Palace’s ‘Bara Pol’.

This three-storied sanctuary is a miracle of design that involves perfectly cut columns, enriched roofs, painted dividers and lavish corridors. The tower stands high with a height of 79 feet and is incredible. According to reports, the construction of this tower cost approximately 1.5 million rupees which is a huge amount today and and was even more huge at that time. The tower is filled with eye-catching figures of horsemen, elephants, perfomers and artists making it the ruler of Udaipur’s horizon with no other competition.

As and when you approach the sanctuary, you will be invited by two gigantic stone elephants at the passageway. On the extremely front of the sanctuary, you would locate a stone piece that is engraved with the engravings with reference to Maharaja Jagat Singh. To achieve the primary altar, you need to take a marble flight of 32 stages. Here, you will discover a metal picture of Garuda, a figure of half-man and half-bird. This immense symbol remains as though; it is guarding the entryway of Lord Vishnu.

Saheliyon-Ki-Bari(Garden of the maids of Honour)

This little elaborate patio nursery was a prevalent unwinding spot where royal women desired a walk and henceforth the name. The patio nursery has various wellsprings in its four amusing pools, etched booths and marble elephants.

Pichhola Lake

The pleasant lake that fascinated Maharaja Udai Singh was later expanded by the organizer. The lake is encircled by slopes, royal residences, shrines showering Ghats and dikes. Two islands castles, Jag Mandir and Jag Niwas (Lake Place) on the lake are of stunning heavenliness. The serene Lake Pichhola has a brickwork dam, known as the Badipol, and the lake is presently four km long and three km in width. It remains genuinely shallow and really becomes scarce in serious dry seasons, and one can stroll up to the island castles from the shore. The City Palace expands an extensive separation along the east bank of the lake. South of the castle keeps running down a lovely garden, to the lake. North of the royal residence, one can roam along the lake shore, where one goes over some delightful Ghats. The nightfall over this lake is downright merry. Pichhola is surrounded on all sides by various castles, marble sanctuaries, family houses, dim slopes and columns of washing Ghats, which is thronged by bathers at day break.

EXCURSIONS

Eklingji (22km): Founded in 734 A.D. is the wonderfully etched sanctuary complex with 108 temples inside of its high dividers. The temples are devoted to Lord Shiva, the directing divinity of Mewar rulers. The walled complex encases an extravagantly pillared lobby or "mandap" under a vast pyramidal rooftop and has a four-faced picture of Lord Shiva in dark marble.

Nagda (23 km) : The ancient site that traces its roots back to the sixth century A.D., is prestigious for the Sas-Bahu temples (ninth-tenth century A.D.) with fascinating design and carvings. The magnificent Jain temples of Adbudji are additionally justified regardless of a visit.

Nathdwara (48 km) : The most revered seventeenth-century sanctum, committed to Shri Nath Ji or Lord Krishna, pulls in a huge number of explorers from everywhere throughout the nation, particularly amid Diwali, Holi and Janmashtami when their number surpasses a lakh. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside, and photography is denied.

HOW TO GET THERE

By Air – Dabok Airport is 24 km from the city centre. Daily Indian Airlines flights connect Udaipur with Jodhpur, Jaipur, Aurangabad, Mumbai and Delhi.

By Rail – Udaipur is directly linked by rail with major cities. Some important train connections are : 9643 Express (Udaipur-Himatnagar); 9616 Express (Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Jaipur-Ajmer-Chittaurgarh-Udaipur).

By Road – Udaipur is connected by road with the major cities of India. Some important distances are