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Udaipur, the 'City of Lakes' was founded in 1599 by Maharana Udai Singh. The city hailed as the 'Venice of the East' set amidst the Aravalli hills of South Rajasthan, is one of the most romantic destinations in India. Udaipur has a profusion of marble palaces, lakes, temples, cenotaphs and rugged hills. It's also proud of its heritage as a centre for the performing arts, painting and crafts. Famous historical personalities like Maharana Pratap, Rani Padmini and Meera Bai, the poetess and devotee of Lord Krishna hail from here. The enchanting marble palaces and scenic beauty makes it a most fantastic place for leisure. 

How to Get There:

Air : Indian Airlines daily connects Udaipur with Jodhpur, Jaipur, Aurangabad, Mumbai and Delhi. Dabok Airport is 21 Km. from the city centre and transportation by taxi takes 35-45 minutes. Indian airlines office, Delhi gate- Ph 410999 

Train : Udaipur is on the Western Railway network. The Railway Station is about 4 Km. from the city centre. Udaipur is directly connected by rail with Delhi, Jaipur, Ajmer, Chittaur, Jodhpur and Ahmedabad. For Reservation and Enquiry at the Railway Station, Contact Tel.: 131, 527390, 483979 

Road : Udaipur is connected by National Highway No. 8, the major road link between Mumbai and Delhi. The Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh Road Transport Corporation operate buses to Udaipur from various regions. Private bus companies also operate in the region during night hours. The State Transport Bus Stand is on City Station Road, NH 8, Udaipur for reservation and enquiry contact Tel. 484191. Reservations are open from 7.00 A.M. to 9.00 P.M. . 

Art and Art Galleries

Gulab Bagh Gallery 

Located on the lake palace road, within a rose garden laid out by Maharana Sajjan Singh, it has a library with a rich collection of rare books and manuscripts.
Timings: 0930 am to 4.30 pm. 

Crystal Gallery

The Fateh Prakash Palace Hotel in the City Palace complex has a rare collection of Osler's crystals including crystal chairs, tables and beds. Maharana Sajjan Singh ordered them from England in 1877. The Durbar Hall here, has massive chandeliers.
Open from 10am to 8pm 

Raj Sahitya Academy

The Academy maintains the latest in local and folk literature.
Timings: 0930am to 14.30pm. 

Mohan Lal Sukhadia Memorial Foundation Gallery

The memorial has a mini-gallery displaying period exhibits and festive shows. 
Timings: 0930 am to 4.30pm. 

Local Attractions

LAKE PICHOLA 
Lake Pichola with exceptional scenic beauty is surrounded by hills, embankments, bathing ghats, shrines and palaces. The lake was enlarged by Maharana Udai Singh II after he founded the city. He built a masonry dam, known as the 'Badi Pal', and the vast lake is nearly 5km in length and three km wide. The magnificence of the lake is enhanced by beautiful Lake Palaces, Jag Niwas and the Jag Mandir. Motor launch cruises can be arranged as also entry to the Jag Niwas (lake) Palace. top

LAKE PALACES 
Jag Nivas This palace build in 1746 by Maharana Jagat Singh II, as a summer residence of the rulers is now converted to Lake Palace Hotel. The beautiful white-marble and granite building stand in the middle of the Pichola lake. The palace is 800 feet from the banks and stands on an area of 4acres. The palace one of the best examples of Mughal-Rajput architecture has ancient paintings, stain glass windows, antique furniture and an impressive array of fountains, bath reservoirs etc. Boats are available from the jetty and at the base of City palace museum. Visit : Daily from 1400 to 1800. 1/2 hour cruises on the lake are also available. Entrance is through the restaurant. 

The Jag Mandir Palace is situated on an island at the southern end of the lake. This is a three storied building, built of yellow sandstone and marble slabs. The dome of this palace looks like a crown. The interior is decorated with coloured stones. There is a spacious circular apartment built elegantly in white and black marble, murals and paintings. The palace was build by three Maharanas - Amar Singh, Karan Singh and Jagat Singh and named after Maharana Jagat Singh. There is a small mosque in memory of saint-Madar inside the palace. 

Fateh Sagar Lake
This artificial lake was originally built in 1678 by Maharana Jai Singh. After heavy rains destroyed the dam, it was reconstructed by Maharana Fateh Singh. There is a well lit drive way along the Lake side. An island Nehru Park is situated in the lake. There is a huge fountain there. 

Maharana Pratap Smarak (Memorial) 
Moti Magri or Pearl Hill, overlooking Fateh Sagar, has been developed as a memorial to the Rajput hero Mahrana Pratap who frequently defied the Mughals on an elevated platform there is a statue of Maharana in bronze alloy astride his favourite horse-'Chetak'. The path to the top traverses elegant gardens, including a Japanese rock garden. The park is open daily from 9am to 6pm.

Jagdish Temple 
Located near the City Palace, entered through the Hathi Pol (Elephant Gate), this fine Indo-Aryan Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, was built by Maharana Jagat Singh in 1651.The temple stands on a rectangular platform and has a porch supported by pillars and a sanctum crowned by a spire. The carved hands of figurines are a highlight of the shrine. The exterior wall contains friezes with bas reliefs of alligators, elephants, riders and musicians. A remarkable brass image of the Garuda is in a shrine in front of the temple. The largest and the most beautiful temple in Udaipur, it is approahed by a steep staircase flanked by stone elephants.

Shilpgram 
his is a rural arts-and-craft village, inaugrated by Rajiv Gandhi in 1989. It is at 3kms away from Udaipur. The complex is filled with recreation huts from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Goa. Every December from 1st-10th this village celebrate the Shilpgram Utsav. The artists and craftsmen from all over the country come down to this village to display and sell their products. Open daily, 9am to 7pm. There are daily demonstrations by folk musicians and dancers. 

Museums

Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum
This Mandal located near the Chetak Circle, for the preservation and promotion of Rajasthani folk arts includes dresses, ornaments, dolls, masks, folk deities, musical instruments and paintings. Puppet show and folk dancing are conducted every evening from 1800 to 1900 in an adjacent open air theatre..
Open daily from 9am to 6pm 

City Palace Museumpeacock mosaic at Mor Chowk
The museum is at the City palace complex built by Udai Singh and extended by subsequent Maharanas. A major portion of the palace, is a museum of archaeology and history. The museum has a fascinating collection of coins, portraits of former rulers of Mewar; narrative wall paintings, armoury and a the turban of Khurram (Emperor Shah Jahan). The Museum includes the Mor Chouk with its beautiful , 19th century peacock mosaics. All the rooms of the palace contains beautiful paintings, inlay glass work, antique furniture and colourful enamel. There is also a Government Museum in the palace complex.
Open from 0930 am to 4.30 pm 

Ahar Museum
The Museum is situated within the crumbling ruins of the ancient township of Ahar. Located 3km from Udaipur, the museum offers a rich fare in the form of cenotaphs of the maharanas of Mewar. It has some very old earthen pottery, terracotta toys, 10th century sculptures and other historic artifacts. There are temples of Mira Bai, Adinatha and Mahavira nearby.
Open daily from 9.30am to 4.30pm except Fridays 

Dhulkot Museum
The Department of Archaeology has set up a museum putting rare excavations on display in Tambawati Nagari. Located East of Ahar, this town is believed to have been founded by Ashadiya. It is said that ancestors of the legendary king, Vikramaditya resided here before the he conquered Ujjain. 

Parks and Gardens

Saheliyon ki Bari 

Saheliyon ki Bari or Garden for the Maids of Honour of the queen, is at Saheli Marg on the eastern banks of lake Fateh Sagar. Built by Maharana Sangram Singh, this garden has beautiful fountains, pools with delicately chiseled kiosks and elephants in marble. There is a delightful Lotus pool and a sitting room decorated with paintings and glass mosaics. There is a children's museum nearby. 
Open from 9am to 6pm 

Gulab Bagh or Rose garden 

Located on the lake palace road, the rose garden was laid out by Maharana Sajjan Singh, A mini train, mainly for children, offers a 2-kilometre circular ride around through the rose garden. It has a library with a rich collection of rare books and manuscripts.

Sajjan Niwas Garden

Adjacent to the Gulab Bagh, the 100 acre garden was built by Maharana Sajjan Singh in 1874 has metal led pathways and around 200 shrubs. The highlight is a flower show held annually in the monsoons.

Nehru Island Park

This four and a half acre park is on an island in the middle of Fateh Sagar Lake comprising pyramidical fountains and a boat shaped instrument. Approachable by a motor boat. 

Aravalli Vatika

The garden is at the foot of Anand Bhawan Hotel. Situated on the Fateh Sagar Banks, it offers a splendid city view. 

Sanjay Park

This garden too is on the banks of Fateh Sagar and is famous for flower-beds. 

Nehru's Children Park

The park is within the Udaipur Municipal Town Hall having spacious lawns around a pond. There are boat rides and slides incorporating elephants, camels, horses and goats. 

Places Around Udaipur

Monsoon Palace 

This unfinished palace on a hilltop also known as Sajjan Garh, was constructed by Maharana Sajjan Singh in the late 19th century. The palace is now owned by the government and closed to the public. The palace is illuminated at night and it is worth visiting for the fantastic views. 

Eklingji and Nagda Temples

The famous temple is located in the Eklingji village 22 km north of Udaipur. The temple in white marble houses the royal deity of the Maharanas of Mewar - Lord Shiva, four faced in Black marble and his mount, Bull Nandi.

To the west of Eklingji is Nagda, the ancient capital of Mewar founded by Nagaditya. The 'Sas-Bahu'(mother and daughter-in-law) temples here traced to 11th century, has exquisite carvings including some erotic figures. There is also a splendid Jain temple dedicated to Adbutji.

Jaisamand Lake 

The second largest artificial lake in Asia, covering an area of about 21sq.miles, was constructed by Maharana Jaisingh in1685. Located 52 km south east of Udaipur, the lake is surrounded by low hills and the summer palaces of the Ranis of Udaipur atop the hills. Graceful marble cenotaphs adorn the embankment. 

Nathdwara

Situated 45 Kms from Udaipur on the Udaipur-Ajmer highway, Nathdwara is a popular Hindu pilgrimage site. Black stone image of Vishnu more than 600 years old, in the 18th century Vishnu temple here was brought from Mathura in 1669 to protect it from the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Thousands of pilgrims throng to Nathdwara during Janmashtami and Diwali festivals. Nathdwara is also known for its 'Pichwai' paintings. There are hourly RSTC (Rajathan State Transport Corporation) buses from Udaipur.

Kumbhalgarh 

Located 64 km from Udaipur, the fort was built in 1458 by Maharana Kumbha, amidst the hills of Aravali. The second most important fort in Rajasthan situated at a height of 1100m. is self sufficient in its requirements to withstand a long siege. The walls of the fort stretch around 36 km. Within the bastions of the fort are many palaces and temples which are of great antiquity and interest. The important among them is Badal Mahal or Cloud Palace at the top. It offers scenic beauty of the countryside around the fort.

Kumbhalgarh sanctuary, situated in the lush green environs of Aravali is also well known for its archaeological value. Fauna in the sanctuary include wolves, Grey jungle fowl, four horned antelope, leopard, sloth bear and others. March- June is the best time to see the animals especially the wolves in large numbers. The famous Ranakpur Jain temples are also situated in its precincts. This temple complex is one of the largest and most important Jain temples in India. The main temple 'Chaumukha' build in 1439 in marble has 29 halls supported by 1444 pillars. This temple is dedicated to Adinath. There are two other Jain temples and a Sun temple nearby. Open - 1200 to 1700hrs.

Rajsamand Lake

This lake also known as Raj Sagar Lake is situated 64 Kms away from Udaipur. Founded by Maharan Raj Singh in late 17th century, it is spread over an area of 7.7 sq.km. The northern pavement is replete with marble. There are three pavilions with ornamental arches gradually lowering into the lake. Six pavilions are in water. For these nine pavilions, it is known as 'Nauchowki'.

Kankroli

Situated 65 Kms away from Udaipur, on the banks of the Rajsamand Lake. Kankroli is known for a Vaishnav temple as the temple of Dwarikadish (the lord of Dwarka-Krishna). It was raised by Maharana Raj Singh in 1671 and resembles the famous Nathdwara shrine. There are hourly RSTC (Rajathan State Transport Corporation) buses from Udaipur.