Sightseeing in Udaipur

The Lake Palace
Lake Palace or Jag Niwas is regarded as one of the most beautiful palace of the world, the mere sight is mesmerizing as this white wonder arises out of the turquoise waters of lake Pichola. Built in 1746, by Maharana Jagat Singh II on the island of Jag Niwas, as a summer resort. The Lake Palace at Udaipur can be said to be the best example of the Rajasthani achitecture. The white marble Palace stand amidst thb e lake Pichola. A picture perfect spot for any photographer, the Lake Palace looks amazing. The complete scene looks as if the fairytale has come alive. The Lake Palace is said to be one of the most beautiful palaces in world. It arises out of the Turquoise waters of the Pichola lake, like an elegant fantasy in white marble. The Lake palace was built in the 17th century on a natural foundation of 4 acers of rock.
City Palace
City Palace is one of the architectural marvels of Rajasthan, located peacefully on the banks of Lake Pichola. This majestic City Palace is the most-visited tourist attraction of Udaipur and often distinguished as the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. Initially, Maharana Udai Singh built this superb wonder, but the present form of the Palace is the result of subsequent additions by his successors. City Palace boasts of the wonderful blend of Medieval, European and Chinese Architecture. The Palace has various towers, domes and arches, which add to the flavor of heritage site. Towering on the banks of Pichola Lake, City Palace is truly a feast to the eyes. City Palace is a marvelous assortment of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. Encircled by fortifications, this imposing Palace is wholly built in granite and marble.
Lake Pichola
Lake Pichola, situated in Udaipur city in the Indian state of Rajasthan, is an artificial fresh water lake, created in the year 1362 AD, named after the nearby Picholi village. It is one of the several contiguous lakes, and developed over the last few centuries in and around the famous Udaipur city. The lakes around Udaipur were primarily created by building dams to meet the drinking water and irrigation needs of the city and its neighborhood. Two islands, Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir are located within Pichola Lake, and have been developed with several palaces to provide views of the lake.
Fateh Prakash Palace
It's like being cocooned in authentic royal luxury at the Fateh Prakash Palace, the grand heritage palace of the HRH group. The warmth of royal hospitality greets you as you walk along the corridors lined with large paintings of the Mewar school that flourished in the seventeenth through nineteenth century. The lake facing suites in the turrets are suitably appointed with four poster beds and period furniture, festooned with maroon velvet curtains and delicate silk tassels. It's a legacy kept alive since the early decades of the twentieth century when Maharana Fateh Singh (period of reign : 1884 - 1935) used to be the royal occupant of this palace. Till date the formality of royal occasions are maintained.
City Palace Museum
The City Palace Museum is the jewel in the crown of the Udaipur City Palace Complex. It is here that you can immerse yourself in the history of the Maharanas of Mewar, and really get a feel for their culture and how royalty lived. Construction on the City Palace started in 1559, making it the oldest part of the City Palace Complex. The various Maharanas continued the work over four and a half centuries, in a number of phases, giving rise to the Mughal and British influences in the palace architecture. In 1969, the City Palace was opened to the public as the City Palace Museum. This was done out of necessity, in order to generate income and maintain the building after India became a democracy, and royal rulers had to give up their states and fend for themselves. The Museum is now overseen by the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation.
Fateh Sagar Lake
Fateh Sagar Lake, an artificial lake built by Maharana Jai Singh in 1678. The lake, however, got its name from Maharana Fateh Singh who made additions to it after a lot of destruction was caused by torrential rainfall. Fateh Sagar is about 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles) long and 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) wide, with three intake channels and an overflow channel that is brought to use in the rainy season. Three verdant islands dot the lake, the largest being Nehru Park, a favorite picnic destination of the locals. All the islands can be reached by taking a boat ride on the lake. Within the confines of the Fateh Sagar Lake, there are three small islands.; the largest of these islands has been developed as a park called Nehru Park, which is a popular garden with a restaurant. The second island houses a public park with an impressive water-jet fountain and the third island is the address for the Udaipur Solar Observatory (USO). The Nehru park is accessed by inboard motor boats from the bottom of Moti Magri. Blue waters of the lake and the backdrop of green has given the sobriquet of ‘the second Kashmir’ to Udaipur town.
Jaisamand Lake
Jaisamand Lake is also known as Dhebar.The lake, built by Maharana Jai Singh in 1685, is the second biggest artificial lake of the world covering an area of 36sq km. The lake remained the largest artificial lake in the world till the building of the Aswan dam in Egypt. The statistics of the lake is really amazing – 9 miles in breadth, 102 feet deep at its deepest end, a circumference of 30 miles with marble staircases leading into the water. The summer palaces of the Queens of Udaipur surround Jaisamand Lake on all sides. There are seven islands on this lake and the tribe of Bhil Minas inhabits all. Two bigger islands are known as Babaka Bhagra and a smaller is called Piari. There is a bund on the lake, which has to be mentioned due to its sheer size – 1202 feet long, 116 feet high and 70 feet broad at the base.
Rajsamand Lake
Rajsamand Lake is one of the five popular lakes of Udaipur. Located 66kms in the north of Udaipur, Rajsamand Lake lies between Rajnagar and Kankroli. The lake is also known by the name of Rajsamudra Lake in Rajasthan. Rajsamand Lake was built by Maharana Raj Singh in 1660. Noticing the statistics, the lake stretches to the length of 4 miles and 1.75 miles in width. The lake has the approximate depth of 60 feet. River Gomti is the main supplier of water to Rajsamand Lake. This lake also boasts of a glorious dam that was built in the 17th century. On the southern end of the lake, the huge embankment is all made in white marble. It has marble terraces and stone steps that touch the waters of the lake. Here, one can also see the five toranas (weighing arches), where Maharana Raj Singh and his descendants organized the event of Tuladan (Kings used to weigh themselves in gold and then distributed it amongst the Brahmans).
Shilpgram Museum
Literally meaning a "Craftsmen's Village" is a living ethnographic museum depicting the enormous diversities in craft, art & culture between various Indian states, but the exquisite terracotta work mainly in dark red and dark brown sand material along with the wooden carvings are the forte of this ethnic village . Shilpgram comprises 26 huts set in 70 acres of natural surroundings at the foot of the Aravali Hills.A colourful craft festival during winter seasons to the whole set up induces viatanity and zeal. Situated 3 kms west of Udaipur near the Havala village is the Centre's Shilpgram - the Rural Arts and Crafts Complex. Spread over an undulating terrain of 130 bighas (70 Acres) of land and surrounded by the Aravallies, the Rural Arts and Crafts Complex is conceived as a living enthnographic museum to depict the lifestyles of the folk and tribal people of the West Zone. Within this complex, huts of the member states are constructed incorporating traditional architectural features of different geographical and ethnic groups residing within the West Zone of India comprising of five Federal States.
Ahar Museum
Located about 2 kms east of Udaipur is an impressive cluster of cenotaphs of the Maharanas of Mewar. There are about nineteen cenotaphs of Maharanas cremated there. The most striking cenotaph is that Maharana Amar Singh, who reigned from 1597 to 1620. Nearby is also Ahar Museum, where on display is limited but very rare earthen pottery. Some sculptures and other archaeological finds. Some pieces date back to 1700 BC and a tenth century metal figure of Buddha is a special attraction. The Ahar Museum puts on view the regal commemorative plaques and monuments of the Maharajas of Mewar. They are indeed noteworthy and you can’t afford to miss them. Out of the nineteen conspicuous cenotaphs stored in the Ahar Museum, the most attention- grabbling one is that of Maharana Amar Singh, who ruled over the land of Udaipur between the periods of 1597 to 1620.
Vintage Collection of Classic Car Museum
The collection within the grounds of the Garden Hotel comprises a variety of classic and interestingly rare transportation vehicles; some stately and vintage like Cadalec, Chevalate, Morais etc., while the others are sleek and fast . The Maharanas of Udaipur once possessed and used these regal splendours of automobiles as their luxuries but most of the other models are gradually being added to the collection ,since it provides a unique aristocratic safari for the exclusive guests.
Eklingji Temples
25 km to the north of Udaipur , by conducted tour or by taxi or bus and from Nathdwara, 25 km journey by bus on Delhi- Udaipur-Mumbai Rd at Kailash Puri is Eklingaji, a white marble temple complex. It was built in the 8th century, consisting of 108 temples. In the pyramid shaped decorated temple the enshrined god of the Ranas of Mewar is Eklingaji with four heads made of black stone. The western face is of Lord Brahma, northern one is of Sree Vishnu, eastern one of Sun God and the southern one is of Rudra or Lord Shiva. In 734 AD Bappa Raoel built this temple. The height of the temple is 50ft and it is very beautiful. The door is made of silver and the Nandi is also made of silver, besides, there are 10-faced Kali, Parvati, Ganesha and many other idols of Hindu gods and goddesses in these temples. The temple complex was renovated by Maharana Raimall (1473-1509).
Nathdwara
Nathdwara is the second richest temple in India , it is on the NH-8 and a holy place of Vaishnav community. ln the temple, full of beautiful painting sand simple architectural decorations. There is a black granite idol of Sree Krishna who is popular as Srinathji. It is said that the idol was brought from Mathura to Mewar in order to save it form the hatred of Aurangzeb. Legend is that, on the way, the wheel of the chariot by which the idol was being carried, broke down at Sihar. Then there was an oracle that the deity would have to be placed where the chariot had stopped. Though the idol was setup in 1669, it was as old as 12th century and originally installed by Sree Vallabhacharya, a Telegu Brahmin. In course of time a temple was built. Non-Hindus are not allowed and photography is prohibited. Janmastami and Deepawali are big festivals.
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.
Jagat Temples
Ambika Mata Temple is a small shrine made in crevice of a rock. The temple dedicated to Goddess Ambika (a form of Goddess Durga). Being located at the village called Jagat in Rajasthan, the temple is also known as Jagat Temple. The shrine is comfortably positioned at a distance of 58kms in the south-east of Udaipur. Built in 961 A.D, the Jagat Temple is renowned for its intricate carvings in the exteriors. The village Jagat is popular with the term of 'Khajuraho of Rajasthan' and the place is particularly famous for its well-preserved temple of the 10th century. Though Ambika Mata Temple is not very big, but its splendid architecture makes it different from others. The main shrine has an image of Ambika, a form of the Hindi Goddess Durga. The goddess is worshipped as Shakti (Power) that is a primitive source of energy. Goddess Ambika is linked with Maa Durga due to the presence of Lion as her mount.
Nagda
Nagda is located besides Bagela Lake at a distance of 23 kms in the north-west of Udaipur on the way to Nathdwara. Nagda comprises many small and big temples, but the main attraction is gained by its ‘Sas-Bahu’ temple. Nagda is actually famous for this unusual temple that dates back to the 10th century. The term ‘Sas-Bahu’ suggests ‘Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law’ respectively. The temple of Sas is comparatively larger than that of the Bahu. The ‘Bahu’ temple has an octagonal ceiling, which is adorned with beautifully carved eight intricate female figures. The ‘Sas’ temple has a torana (archway) in its front and it is believed that the image of the Lord Vishnu was swung from the torana along with hymns in the praise of lord on ceremonial occasions. Both the temples are constructed on a common platform facing towards the east direction.
Ranakpur
The famous temple complex of Ranakpur, 90km north of Udaipur, is considered to be one of the five holiest places of the Jainas. The shrines boast wonderful marble works, which put them at a par with those of the more famous Dilwara group at Mount Abu and Shatrunjaya near Palitana in Gujarat. The main shrine known as Chaumukha temple (four faced temple) is dedicated to Adinath, the first Jaina Tirthankar (the ford maker), whose four-faced image is enshrined in the sanctum sanctorum. It was built in 1439 on land donated to the Jainas by Rana Kumbha of Mewar. Other temples are dedicated to Parshvanath and Neminath. Also in the compound is a contemporary Hindu temple dedicated to Surya, the Sun god.
Udaipur Fort
The most common Udaipur fort, which is a favorite among the tourists to spend their vacation, is the City Palace. The breathtaking view of Lake Pichola from the top of the city palace is the most favorite attraction for any outsider. The construction of the city palace had begun during the reign of Maharana Udai Singh, which was later completed by his predecessors. While visiting the palace you will enter it through 'elephant gate' or 'Hathi Pol'. After crossing the 'Bari Pol' or Big gate you come near the triple gate or 'Tripolia'. In this triple gate there was a custom that the Maharanas weighed them against gold and silver. And the weighed amount of gold and silver was given to the poor. In this palace there is a balcony known as Suraj Gokhada or 'the balcony of the sun' where the Maharana used to stand and sympathize to the citizens during the difficult times. The 'Mor Chowk' is otherwise known as peacock square because of it cool blue glass peacock, which has been carved and studded in the walls of the fort. There are innumerable rooms in this palace each with a distinct art type.