There is no place in India which appeals more to the imagination of poets and painters, travellers and writers, than Udaipur, the lovely lake side capital of Mewar. The city's inherent romance and beauty, and its remarkable past, bristling with episodes of heroism and splendour, continue to enthrall the visitor. Udaipur, the City of Dawn, looms up like a vision in white. Surrounded by hills and mountains, and set on the edge of three lakes, which give on to a fertile plain, it is bewitching in all its details - narrow streets lined by vivid coloured stalls, gardens, temples and palaces - every feature mirrored in the placid blue waters of lake Pichhola.

Sightseeing

City Palace
Completely white and majestic, the City Palace stands on a hill surrounded by crenellated walls. Its main entrance is through the triple arched gate, the Tripolia, built in 1725. The Suraj Gokhada, the Balcony of the Sun, where the Suryavanshi Maharanas of Mewar, presented themselves in times of trouble to the people to restore their confidence, is another fascinating monument. The Chini Chitrashala is noteworthy for its blue and white ceramics.

Jagdish Temple
Built in 1651 A.D., by Maharaja Jagat Singh I, it is the largest and most splendid temple in Udaipur.

Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum
This Indian folk arts museum displays a rich collection of folk dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls musical instruments and paintings.

Saheliyon-ki-Bari
This garden of the maids of honour, brings to the fore, the unique lifestyle of the royal ladies, who once strolled through these gardens. This spectacular garden has numerous fountains in four pools, embellished with delicately chiselled kiosks and elephants.

Fateh Sagar
Built by Maharana Fateh Singh, this elegant lake is surrounded on three sides by hills, and the Pratap Memorial on the north. One can indulge in boat rides on the rippling waters, and row across to the Nehru Park - an island garden.

Pichhola Lake
The legendary lake that entranced Maharana Udai Singh, it is surrounded by hill palaces, temples, bathing ghats and embankments.

Ahar
In the crumbling remains of Ahar, stand the royal cenotaphs of the Maharanas of Mewar, remarkable pieces of architecture. A small government museum houses a rare collection of antiquities, including earthern pots and some iron objects.

Sajjan Garh
This Monsoon Palace dominates the skyline, and is visible from most parts of the city. It affords a spectacular view of the city - its lakes, palaces and the surrounding countryside.

Gulab Bagh
Few gardens in India offer such spectacular beauty, as this rose garden. It also houses a library with a rich collection of old handwritten scripts and books.

Access

Air: Indian Airlines connects Udaipur with Jodhpur, Jaipur, Aurangabad, Mumbai and Delhi.

Rail: Udaipur is directly linked by rail with Delhi, Jaipur, Ajmer, Chittaurgarh, Jodhpur and Ahmedabad.

Road: Udaipur is well connected by road with Agra (630 km), Ahmedabad (262 km), Ajmer (264 km), Jaipur (406 km).

Accomodation

Deluxe Hotels:
Lake Palace (Tel : 527961),
Shivnivas Palace (Tel : 528239),
Hotel Oriental Palace (Tel : 412373)

Standard Hotels:
Hotel Rajdarshan (Tel : 526601),
Chandralok Hotel (Tel : 29012),
Hotel Lake Pichhola (Tel : 29387)

Budget Hotels: Hotel Lake End (Tel : 415100),
RTDC Hotel Kajri (Tel : 410501)

Rajasthan