Udaipur was founded in 1553 by Maharana Udai Singh II as the new capital of the Mewar Kingdom. It is located in the fertile, circular Girwa Valley to the southwest of Nagda, which was the first capital of Mewar.
PRATAP MEMORIAL (MOTI MAGRI)
An impressive bronze statue of Maharana Pratap on his favorite horse Chetak stands atop the Moti Magri overlooking Fateh Sagar. Local people climb up the hill to pay homage to Rana Pratap and his faithful charger ‘Chetak’ who was fiercely protective of his master and stood by him till his last breath. This loyal steed sacrificed its life while carrying its master to safety from the battlefield of Haldighati.
CITY PALACE
A majestic architectural marvel towering over the lake on a hill surrounded by crenelated walls, it is a conglomeration of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms, and hanging gardens. The main entrance is through the triple-arched triple-arched gate, the “Tripolia” with eight marble porticos, The Maharanas were weighed under the gate in gold, the equivalent amount of which was distributed among the populace. The surajgokhada, the balcony of the sun, is where the SuryanshiMaharanas of Mewar presented themselves to the people in times of trouble to restore their confidence. The ‘MorChowk’ known for its exquisite peacock mosaics in glass and the ‘ChiniChitrashala’ noted for its blue and white ceramics are other attractions in the palace. A high-tech sound and light show are conducted every evening at the magnificent ManakChowk, bringing alive Mewar’s rich history.
LAKE PALACE
Now a hotel but was originally called Jagniwas and served as a summer palace. Built between 1743 and 1746 on the island near Jagmandir in Lake Pichola, the palace, which faces east, is a wondrous sight to behold. The black and white marble walls are adorned with semi-precious stones and ornamented niches. Gardens, fountains, pillared terraces, and columns line its courtyards.
JAG MANDIR
Jagmandir is a palace built on an island on Lake Pichola. Also called the ‘Lake Garden Palace’, the construction for this began in 1620 and was completed around 1652. The royal family used the palace as its summer resort and for hosting parties. Interestingly, Prince Khurram – later Emperor Shah Jahan – was given shelter here when he rebelled against his father Emperor Jahangir. The Palace had such an impact on Emperor Shah Jahan that it went on to become the inspiration for one of the most magnificent Wonders of the World, The Taj Mahal.
AHAR MUSEUM
Ahar Museum is near an impressive cluster of cenotaphs of the Maharanas of Mewar. The museum has a small, but rare collection of earthen pottery. You can also browse through sculptures and archaeological finds, a few dating back to 1700 BC. A 10th-century metal figure of Buddha is a special attraction here.
JAGDISH TEMPLE
An example of the Indo-Aryan style of architecture, Jagdish Temple was built in 1651 and continues to be one of the most famous temples in and around Udaipur. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the structure is an architectural marvel with carved pillars, graceful ceilings, and painted walls. This three-storied temple was built by Maharana Jagat Singh I.
FATEH SAGAR LAKE
This delightful lake, bordered by hills and woodlands, lies to the north of Lake Pichola. This artificial lake is connected to Lake Pichola by a canal. The lake houses the beautiful Nehru Island as well as an islet on which stands the Udaipur Solar Observatory. It was inaugurated by the Duke of Connaught and was initially called Connaught Bundh.
SAHELIYON KI BARI
Built by Maharana Sangram Singh II as a garden for women, Saheliyon-ki-Bari or the Garden of the Maidens is a popular tourist destination. Along with a small museum, it has several attractions such as marble elephants, fountains, kiosks, and a lotus pool.
BHARATIYA LOK KALA MANDAL
Dedicated to the study of folk art, culture, songs and festivals of Rajasthan, Gujrat, and Madhya Pradesh, Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal is a cultural institution in Udaipur. Besides propagating folk culture, it also houses a museum that exhibits various artifacts of Rajasthani culture.
BAGORE KI HAVELI
Bagore-ki-Haveli is located by Lake Pichola, at Gangaur Ghat. Amar Chand Badwa, the Prime Minister of Mewar, built it in the 18th century. The massive palace has over a hundred rooms that display costumes and modern art. The glass and mirrors in the interiors are structured in the classical haveli style.
JAISAMAND LAKE
Jaisamand Lake is known for being the second largest man-made sweet water lake in Asia. It is popular among the locals as a weekend picnic destination. Locals say that the lake was constructed to halt the waters of the Ruparel River. This lake boasts a large island, which is home to various species of birds, at its center.
NAVALAKHA MAHAL (GULAB BAGH)
Navalakha Mahal is situated in the heart of a Gulab Bag which was originally laid out in the nineteenth century in the historical city of Udaipur. Maharishi Dayanand who arrived in Udaipur on 10 August 1882 on the invitation of His Highness Maharana Sajjan Singh, the 72nd ruler of the Kingdom of Mewar, remained here for almost six and a half months and stayed in Navalakha Mahal. It was in Navalakha Mahal Maharishi Dayan and completed the writing of his best work, the immortal Satyarth Prakash.
VINTAGE CAR COLLECTION
The collection within the grounds of the Garden Hotel comprises a variety of vintage and classic vehicles like Cadillac, Chevrolet, Morris, etc owned by the Maharanas of Udaipur. They used these automobiles as their luxurious modes of transport.
BADI LAKE
Badi Lake is an artificial lake that was built by Maharana Raj Singh to help the city counterbalance the devastating effects of drought. He named the lake Jiyan Sagar after his mother Jana Devi. During the drought of 1973, the lake proved to be a blessing for the people of Udaipur. And today, the lake has become a popular attraction in the city, for both locals and tourists. Surrounded by three chhatris, the Badi Lake is one of the finest freshwater lakes in the country and is counted among the major tourist attractions in Udaipur. Located about 12 km from the city, the ambiance of the lake is calm and tranquil and offers a scenic respite from the hustle and bustle of city life.
PRATAP GAURAV KENDRA
Spread vastly across the 25 Bigha land at Tiger Hills, the Pratap Gaurav Kendra is dedicated to the Legendary Maharana Pratap and the history of Mewar. The major attraction is the 57 feet tall sitting statue of Maharana Pratap atop a hill. The highlight of Kendra is the 3D presentation of the Haldighti War, the Live Mechanical Model exhibition of famous historical events, the Light and Sound Show, etc.
