Destinations»Udaipur

❖ 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. Lake Pichola

Major Attractions
1. Lake Palace
2. Jagmandir
3. Boat-rides

Location: 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.

Time to Visit: The city is filled with tourists whole year round, but winter season, from October to March, is the best time to visit Udaipur.

❖ Lake Fateh Sagar

Lake Fateh Sagar This delightful lake, bordered by hills and woodland was constructed by Maharana jai Singh to the north of Lake Pichola. It is an artificial lake dug up in 1678, reconstructed by Maharana Fateh Singh A canal links the two, via Swaroop Sagar and Rang Sagar Lakes. The beautiful Nehru Island as well as an islet bearing a solar observatory rises from the lake

❖ City Palace

The majestic white City Palace located in the heart of Udaipur, was originally built by Maharana Udai Singh of the Sisodia Rajput clan and extended to its present form by subsequent Maharanas. Built in granite and marble and surrounded by crenellated fort walls, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan stands on a crest overlooking the Pichola Lake. City Palace

Major Attractions:
1. Hati Pol
2. Bari Pol
3. Suraj Gokhada
4. Mor Chawk
5. Manak Mahal
6. Moti Mahal
7. Surya Chopar
8.Lakshmi Chowk

Best Visiting Time: October to March Timings : Open 0930 - 1630 hrs.

❖ Lake Palace

Lake Palace The Lake Palace is located on the Jag Niwas Island and covers the whole of 1.5 hectare of the island in the middle of the Pichola Lake. Built by Maharana Jagat Singh in 1743 it was meant as a royal summer palace and now converted in to a five star palace hotel.

❖ Shilpgram

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.In this integrated pattern are 5 huts from Rajasthan, representing weaver's community from Marwar. Shilpgram

Major Attractions:
1. Craft Stalls, Camel & Horse Rides & Swings for Children.
2. The Terra Cotta Museum, Ethnographic Museum.
3. The Kothi Museum and Sculpture Park.
4. Daily Cultural Performances.

Visiting Hours: 11.00 hrs – 19.00 hrs (all days)

❖ Shaelion-Ki-Bari

Shaelion-Ki-Bari Saheliyon ki Bari lies just beneath the Fateh Sagar Lake. Maharana Sangram Singh II designed this garden in the early 18th century purely as a pleasure garden and a summer palace for the 48 young maids that formed a part of the prince’s dowry. It is also said that the garden was presented as a peace offering from the Emperor of Delhi. Inside the garden is a reservoir surrounded by four black marbled cenotaphs in its four corners and one white marbled one in the centre. The terraces of these cenotaphs have water fountains shaped like birds from whose beaks water gushes out in thin sprays like the singing rain – producing a wonderful sight. The Maharanas entertained themselves around the four ornamental pools and the five fountains. These fountains were imported from England in 1889. Maharana Bhopal Singh specially was very fond of this place and built a rain fountain, so that it looked like rain dancing on the dancing maids.

Major Attractions:
1. The Garden of Royal Ladies
2.The Palace of Maharana Fateh Singh

❖ Moti Magri

Moti Magri Atop the Moti Magri, or Pearl Hill, overlooking Fateh Sagar, is a statue of the Rajput hero Maharana Pratap, who, frequently defied the Mughals. The path to the top traverses elegant gardens, including a Japanese rock garden. The park is open daily 7.30 am to 7 pm.

❖ Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal

This folk-art museum displays a collection of puppets, dolls, masks, folk dresses, ornaments, musical instruments, and paintings. The museum is known for its cultural performances -- this is the reason to come here, because the museum itself is not well maintained. The nightly puppet shows, which run about 15 minutes, are cute. Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal

Major Attractions:
1. Research and documentation centre.
2. MUSEUM.
3. FOLK DANCE REPERTORY.
4. GOVIND PUPPET PERFORMANCE CENTRE.
5. INSTITUTE OF RURAL COMMUNICATION.
6. CRAFT TRAINING CENTRE.
7. DEVILAL SAMAR INSTITUTE OF FOLK STUDIES.

Visiting Hours: Daily 9-6, evening program 6-7.

❖ Jagdish Temple

Jagdish Temple Maharana Jagat Singh built this temple between 1628-1653 at a whopping cost of Rs 1.5 million. Udaipur temple tour will take your to Jagdish temple, the famous temple of Udaipur, dedicated to Lord Jagannath, is at a great height and can be approached by a long flight of stairs. 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.

❖ Sajjan Garh

Sajjan Garh High on a hilltop just outside Udaipur lies this dramatic 18th century palace, with a breathtaking view of the Mewar countryside Originally intended to be a towering five-story astronomical centre, it was later abandoned and used as a monsoon palace and hunting lodge.

❖ Shilpgram Fair

Shilpgram Fair 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

❖ Mewar Festival

Mewar Festival The Mewar festival is celebrated to welcome the advent of spring. It coincides with the festival of Gangaur in Udaipur, and has a unique charm about it. The festival of Gangaur is very significient for women of Rajasthan

How to Reach

By Air: Indian Airlines operates flights from Udaipur to Delhi, Jaipur, Aurangabad, Jodhpur and Mumbai.

By Bus: There are many deluxe buses operating from Udaipur to Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota, Bundi, Jodhpur and Chittaurgarh.

By Train: Udaipur is well connected by train to Delhi, Jaipur and Ahmedabad.