Udaipur

Udaipur

Udaipur is located in state of Rajasthan. Udaipur is also called the City of Lakes.  It was founded in 1558 by Udai Singh II who was the Sisodia clan of the Rajput.  He shifted his capital from Chittorgarh to Udaipur when Chittorgarh was besieged by Akbar. It continued as the capital city till 1818. There after it became a British princely state and after independence of India it became the Mewar province a part of Rajasthan.

The city is surrounded by the Aravali Range which divides it from the Thar Desert. Udaipur is a tourist destination and is famous for its culture, scenic locations and the palaces. It is known as the City of Lakes and has seven lakes surrounding the city. The main lakes are in Udaipur such as Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake, Swaroop Sagar Lake and Doodh Talai Lake. Not only lakes but also Udaipur is popular for its historic forts and palaces, museums, natural locations as well as fairs and festivals.

Tourist Places in Udaipur

Udaipur has a lots of tourist destinations such as lakes, historic palaces and architecture that attract both domestic and foreign tourists. More than 1.4 million visitors visited Udaipur in 2016. Udaipur has some of the country's most popular hotels and resorts. In 2015, The Oberoi Udaivilas has been the world's number 1 hotel ranked. The Taj Lake Palace and the Leela Palace Udaipur are also amongst the most luxurious hotels in the India. The tourism sector gives a big contributor to the economic growth and fame of Udaipur.

City Palace

City Palace is situated on the east bank of Lake Pichola in the city of Udaipur in Rajasthan. City Palace Udaipur is a palace complex. City Palace was started by Maharana Udai Singh II of the Sisodia Rajput family in 1553. He shifted his capital from the Chittor to the new city of Udaipur. Several palaces were built within its complex.

The City Palace in Udaipur is built atop a hill and considered the largest of its kind in Rajasthan. It provides a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. These all are in the palace complex such as Lake Pichola, the Lake Palace, Jag Mandir, Jagdish Temple, Monsoon Palace, and Neemach Mata temple.

Lake Palace

Lake Palace is located over an island of Jag Niwas in Lake Pichola. It is also known as Jag Niwas which was a former summer palace of the dynasty of Mewar.  It was built of white marble now the palace is a luxury 5 Star hotel.

Jag Mandir

Jag Mandir is a palace which is located on an island in the Lake Pichola. It is also called Lake Garden Palace. There are three Maharanas of the Sisodia Rajputs of Mewar kingdom who give their contribution for making it. The palace was started to build in 1551 by Maharana Amar Singh and continued by Maharana Karan Singh (1620–1628). It was completed by Maharana Jagat Singh I (1628–1652). Palace is named Jagat Mandir in honour of the last named Maharana Jagat Singh. The palace was used as a summer resort for parties and pleasure palace by the royal family.

Rishabhdeo

Rishabhadeo or Rishabhadeo is located on Udaipur-Ahmedabad Road. It is far 65 kilometres from Udaipur. Rishabhadeo is also known as Dhulev. It is a popular pilgrim place for the temple Kesariyaji Tirth. God Rishabhadeo is Kesariaji due to a large offering of saffron is made. This temple was known to be one of the four main religious shrines of Mewar by the Sisodia Maharanas of Udaipur.

Monsoon Palace

The Monsoon Palace is called Sajjan Garh Palace. Maharana sajjan Singh built it in 1884. It is named Sajjangarh after Maharana Sajjan Singh of Mewar king. The palace gives a beautiful view of the city's lakes, palaces and surrounding countryside. It was built mainly to view the monsoon clouds thus it is popularly known as Monsoon Palace. It is said that the Maharana constructed this Palace at the top of the hill to get a view of his family home, Chittaurgarh. The Place is now under the control of the Forest Department of the Government of Rajasthan. It has recently been opened to the public. Beautiful view of the sunset can be seen from the palace. The Palace is illuminated in the evening which gives a golden orange glow.

Jagdish Temple

Jagdish Temple is situated outside the royal palace. It is a large Hindu temple in the middle of Udaipur continuous worship since 1651.The temple was called the Jagannath Rai Temple but is now called Jagdish-ji temple. The temple is a big tourist attraction.

The Jagdish Temple is built on a tall terrace. It joints a double-storey Mandapa (hall) to a double-storey saandhara sanctum., There are 32 marble steps to reach the main shrine  a Brass image of Garuda and (vahana) of God Vishnu. Shri Jagdish Temple is the most beautiful example of Hindu Iconography and is the largest temple of Udaipur.

It was made by Maharana Jagat Singh in 1651. Jagdish Temple is a splendid example of architecture, decorated by beautiful and ornate carvings. Temple is on walking distance from the city palace. The temple sanctum has idol of the God Jagannath, God Vishnu that are with four arms, flowers and finery. Four more temples are Lord Ganesha, Surya, Goddess Shakti and Lord Shiv around the main shrine. It is said that around RS 1.5 million was spent to make the building in 1651.

Fateh Sagar Lake

Fateh Sagar Lake is situated to the north of Lake Pichola in the city of Udaipur. It is an artificial lake named after Maharana Fateh Singh of Udaipur and Mewar in the 1680. This is one of the four lakes of the Udaipur city. These lakes are The Lake Pichola (within the Udaipur town), Udai Sagar Lake is away 13 kilometres to the east of Udaipur and Dhebar Lake or Jaisamand Lake is away 52 km south east of Udaipur.

There are three small islands within the confines of the Fateh Sager Lake. The largest island is the Nehru Park (1.5 sq mi area) which is a popular tourist attraction. The second island is houses a public park (15 acres area) with water-jet fountain and the third island (1.2 km2 area) is for the Udaipur Solar Observatory (USO). The Nehru Park can reach by inboard motor boats. The blue water of the lake and the green mountains has given the name of ‘the second Kashmir’ to Udaipur.

Lake Pichola

Lake Pichola is an artificial fresh water lake which is created in 1362. It is named after the nearby Picholi village. The lakes around Udaipur were mainly made by making dams for getting drinking water and irrigation needs of the city. Two islands named Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir are situated within Pichola Lake.

There are four islands on the lake:

Jag Niwas where the Lake Palace is made. Jag Mandir has a palace of the same name. Mohan Mandir is used by the king to watch the annual Gangaur festival celebration. Arsi Vilas is a  small island on which also a small palace. It is built to enjoy the sunset on the lake.

Festivals in Udaipur

Gangaur Festival

Gangaur is one of the most popular and important local festivals in Rajasthan. Gan is a Lord Shiva and Gauri or Gaur is Goddess Parvati. Gangaur celebrates the union of Gan and Gauri and is a symbol of marital happiness.

It is celebrated in Chaitra (March–April) which is the first month of the Hindu calendar. This festival is celebrated particularly by women. The clay idols of "Gan" & "Gauri" idols are worshiped by the girls who want the blessings of Gan and Gauri for a good partner, while the married women worship for long life of their husbands. Women decorate their palms with Mehdi. In Udaipur, Gangaur Ghat or Gangori Ghat is located on the bank of Lake Pichola.  Idol Gan and Gauri are immersed in Lake Pichola. A procession of Gangaur begins from the City Palace which passes through several areas of the city. The procession has chariots, bullock carts and folk artists who performed.

Hariyali Amavasya

Hariyali Amavasya (new moon day of the Sawan) is the symbol of beginning monsoons and greenery. It is celebrated before three days of Hartalika Teej (Shravan Shukla Tritiya). People worship God Shiva for good rains and good agricultural season. Fairs and fests are organized in numerous places in the city.

Jagannath Rath Yatra

According to Indian Vikram Samvat the third biggest Ratha-Yatra is organized on the day of Ashadh Shukla Paksha Dwitiya in Udaipur. Every year, the journey of the Lord Jagannath to their aunt's house is started on 21 june. The main deities of the temple God Jagannath, Balabhadra (Balarama) and their sister Subhadra are taken in decorated wooden chariots through street. The Chariot of Lord Jagannath is called Nandighosham which is made every year for this purpose.

Jal-Jhulni Ekadashi

According to the Hindu calendar the Gyaras or Ekadashi is the 11th day of each Shukla paksha and declining moon (Krishna paksha). This Ekadashi is known as Jal-Jhulni Gyaras or Jal-Jhulni Ekadashi. This festivals is celebrated with great zest in Udaipur like others festivals.

How to Reach

By Air : Nearest Airpot is Maharana Pratap Airport. It is away from 22kms from the center of the city. Buses and Cabs are simply available from Airport to Udaipur city.

By Train : The nearest Railway station is Udaipur Railway Station. Udaipur is well connected by railway networks with major railway stations of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Jaipur. 

By Road : Udaipur is well connected by roads and highways with northern states of India. Ac and normal Buses and private cars to Udaipur are easily available from Delhi and other parts of North India.

Best time to visit

May June is quite hot at Udaipur. The best time is winter season. The best and enjoyable time is to visit Udaipur from September to March.