Udaipur Sightseeing

Lake Pichola

A man made lake, Lake Pichola is one of the prime attractions of Udaipur. The lake is known for the palace build amidst the lake. The lake was built by Maharana Udai Singh II. It was made basically for defence purpose. Cradled amongst hills, gardens, havelis, temples and ghats, Lake Pichola is the picturesque spotlight of Udaipur. The lake sports two islands palaces- Jagniwas (Lake Palace) and Jagmandir. The lake is about 4 km long and 3 km wide, and not much deep- it often dries up in times of severe summers. The beauty of the lake and its surroundings can only be felt by seeing it, which increases many folds during sunrise and sunset.

Built in 1651 by Maharana Jagat Singh, it is located at about 150 metres north of the entrance to the city palace. The temple is designed in Indo-Aryan style and is the largest and most beautiful temple of Udaipur. A brass image of Garuda lies in front of the temple. The entrance to the temple is flanked by two massive stone elephants. The temple has a pyramidal spire (shikar), a vestible (mandap) and a porch. The spire is about 79ft high and is decorated with friezes of dancers, musicians, elephants and horsemen.
The temple is a three storeyed structure and has 50 pillars each in the first and second storeys and is one of the largest and popular Vishnu temples in Northern India.

This is a very congenial old building built right on the waterfront of Lake Pichola at Gangori Ghat. Amir Chand Badwa, the Prime Minister of Mewar built it in the eighteenth century. The palace has over hundred rooms and some very interesting display of costumes and modern art. The glass and mirror in the interiors of the Haveli delicate work and well preserved too. It also preserves a fine example of Mewar Painting on the walls of Queen's Chamber. The two peacocks made from small pieces of colored glasses are fine examples of glasswork.

Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandir, the Indian folk arts museum, has interesting exhibits that include folk dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls, folk musical instruments, folk deities and paintings. You can also watch puppet shows that are held here daily.

Located about 2 kms east of Udaipur is an impressive cluster of cenotaphs of the Maharanas of Mewar. 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 'garden of the maidens' brings to mind the lifestyle of the ladies of the court. It is an ornamental garden on the north of the city built  in the mid 18th century. There are four pools with dainty kiosks, and all around are flowerbeds, lawns, pools and fountains protected by a series of walls and shady trees.

The City Palace has many courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. The main part of the palace is now been converted in to an museum,in which very beautiful mosaics of peacocks at the Mor chowk, the Glass and Mirror work in the Manak and Moti Mahal and a beautiful collection of miniatures in Krishna Vilas. Completely white and majestic, the royal palace stands on a hill, surrounded by crenellated walls. The sparkling white filigreed balconies and windows, ornate arches and cupolas atop magnificent octagonal towers breath a harmonious splendour with grandeur and intricacy stroked all over.

This delightful lake boarded by hills and woodland was constructed by Maharana Jai Singh to the north of lake Pichola. It is an artificial lake dug up in the 1678, reconstructed by Maharana Fateh Singh. The beautiful Nehru islands as well as an islet bearing a solar observatory rises from the lake.

Shilpgram is located near Fateh Sagar Lake, 6 kms from the City Palace, Udaipur. A village has been created with 26 replica huts. This museum has a wide collection of folk art and it also gives a glimpse of the tribal life of Rajasthan.

Jag Mandir, the other island palace near the southern end of the lake, is associated with Prince Khurram (afterwards Emperor Shahjahan) who sought asylum in it while in revolt against his father, Jahangir. The principal building consists of a three-storeyed round tower of yellow sandstone, lined with marble slabs and crowned by a handsome dome. The circular apartment above has a floor of black and white marble and its walls are decorated with niches and arabesques of coloured stones.