Udaipur

City Palace

City Palace was constructed in the year 1559 by Maharana Udai Mirza Singh. The palace is situated on the banks of Pichola Lake. The palace is a blend of European, Medieval and Chinese styles of architecture. City Palace houses 11 magnificent palaces and they were all constructed during various periods and by various rulers. The size of the palace is awe inspiring with the courtyards, terraces, pavilions, hanging gardens and a lot more. Everything about the palace is magnificent be it the architecture, the antiques inside and the exclusive paintings hanging on the walls.

Lake Pichola

the beautiful artificial fresh water lake that is Lake Pichola in Udaipur is one of the many great man-made beauties of the city. The lake is named after the village of Picholi nearby, and was created in AD 1362. Pretty as lake Pichola is, it is also home to four islands which consist of palaces and monuments constructed by the Mewar dynasty in Udaipur. The picturesque lake has the backdrop of the Aravalli Hills, which make it so much more beautiful spot. Here’s a quick look at some of the most interesting things about Lake Pichola.

Lake Garden Palace

Jagmandir or Lake Garden Palace is said to have served as an inspiration for the Taj Mahal when Shah Jahan took refuge here in his younger days. This palace has a long history and is considered one of the symbols of friendship between the Mughals and Rajputs. A series of impressive structures give this palace a regal feel and would delight any visitor.

Bagore Ki Haveli, Udaipur

18^th century Rajput masterpiece situated at the heart of City of Palaces, Udaipur – Bagore Ki Haveli beside Lake Pichola is a gem. The palace is accessed from the Gangori Ghat in Lake Pichola. A must visit location for every cultural explorer and history buff. This palace of mirrors was constructed by the then prime minister of the Mewar province Amarchand Badwa. The place is majestically designed by craftsmen of that era and hence it depicts the art of that time. The walls tell a colourful tale from a vibrant past. Beautiful glasswork and mural paintings from Mewar adorns the walls of the palace.

It is an illustrious palace decorated by mirrors specially the Queen’s chamber is the one to look out for. It has glassworks of peacocks adorning the walls. This opulent structure consisting of hundreds of rooms was built during the reins of 4 successive Maharajas of Mewar from 1751-1778 and was the private property of the Mewar Royal Family till independence. Presently the government uses it as a cultural centre for western India with a fully functional museum and various musical activities occurring throughout the year. The Dharohar dance festival showcasing Rajasthan’s rich cultural festival is a regular affair occurring every evening here. So, this is one of place that mirrors the feel of Rajasthan.

Saheliyon Ki Bari

Built by Sangram Singh II as a gift to queen and her maids, Saheliyon Ki Bari (Garden of Companions) is a beautiful sight to behold. The king designed the garden himself and strived to make it a relaxed place where the queen could relax with her 48 maids. The garden still serves its purpose in many ways and people come to this place to escape the chaos of the city.

Jagdish Temple

Built in the year 1651, Jagdish Temple is Udaipur’s largest temple. An estimated 1.5 million INR were spent on this stunning Indo-Aryan architectural marvel. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and also houses other shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Ganesh, the Sun God, and Goddess Shakti. This temple should be visited not only to offer your devotion but also to witness beautiful wall carvings, elephant sculptures and for the stunning architecture.

Shilpgram

Set up in about 70 acres of land and situated in the lap of Aravali ranges, Shilpgram is a rural arts and crafts complex set up to promote the traditional arts and crafts of Rajasthan. It provides employment to many rural craftsmen and is a centre of many cultural festivals which are organised here on a regular basis. Another attraction here is an open air Amphitheatre which provides the centre stage for many art festivals. Visit Shilpgram to experience the simplicity of village life, attend art or dance showcases and shop to your heart’s content.

Moti Magri

A fitting tribute to the memory of Maharana Pratap and his beloved horse Chetak, Moti Magri hosts a stunning bronze statue of Maharana on his horse Chetak.It is situated on a hilltop overlooking Fateh Sagar lake and also offers some really beautiful lookout points to not only the nearby lakes but also of Udaipur. Visit Moti Magri to know the stunning legacy of events associated with Maharana Pratap and get some really stunning views.