Udaipur

Udaipur – The most beautiful city of Rajasthan

Udaipur means city of lakes. This city of Rajasthan is also known as the “Venice of the East”. Udaipur is surrounded by the beautiful Aravalli hills, which makes it a beautiful and enchanting tourist destination. Udaipur is an idyllic destination for romance at heart and the best place for a holiday in Rajasthan. Adorned with beautiful palaces and magnificent lakes, this popular tourist destination has a lot to offer to honeymoon couples and history buffs. The city is home to the second largest man-made freshwater lake and one of the most exotic boutique hotels in India. If you want to honeymoon, go on a family vacation or go for a walk with friends, then the priceless tour of Udaipur must be done.

Because charming Udaipur attracts the attention of tourists with its vast lakes, awe-inspiring palaces and quite aromatic food. Apart from lakes, palaces and heritage hotels, Udaipur is home to many popular Hindu temples, so one can also consider a pilgrimage to this Rajasthan tourist destination. Shilpgram Mahotsav and Mewar Mahotsav are one of the cultural festivals of Udaipur. Not only this, there are many such places to see in Udaipur, about which we will tell you in our article today.

History of Udaipur

The history of Udaipur dates back to the 15th century. Udaipur was discovered in 1553 by Maharana Udai Singh of Mewar dynasty. It was named ‘Udaipur’ after the king. When Udaipur was found by the Mewar dynasty, it was a fertile land so it was declared the new capital by the king. Before Udaipur, Chittorgarh was the capital of the Mewar kingdom. Maharana Udai Singh II decided to shift the capital from Chittorgarh to Udaipur due to the war, as he wanted to move his capital to a safer place. Maharana Udai Singh II did not select the Ayed area for the construction of the main palace of the new-capital city as Ayad was a flood-prone area at that time. Hence the area east of Lake Pichola was chosen to house the main palace which is now known as the City Palace.

Major Tourist Places of Udaipur

Lake Pichola – Good place to visit in Udaipur

Lake Pichola is an artificial lake located in the center of Udaipur, Rajasthan. The oldest and one of the largest lakes in the city, Lake Pichola attracts lakhs of tourists due to its beauty. A trip to Lake Pichola is incomplete without a boat ride. During the evening, it seems that the whole place is immersed in golden color as you can see the heritage buildings and pristine water golden with the reflection of the sun. Built by Picchu Banjara during the reign of Maharana Lakha in 1362 AD, Lake Pichola is 3 miles in length, 2 miles in width and 30 feet in depth. Maharana Udai Singh, enchanted by the charm of the lake, enlarged it and also built a dam on the banks of this lake. The beautiful City Palace of Udaipur extends on the eastern side, while the Mohan Temple is located in the north-eastern corner. The famous Lake Palace is perfectly nestled in the middle and there is Jag Mandir on Jag Dweep. It is a good place to spend a weekend with family or alone. This lake is open for tourists from 9 am to 6 pm.

City Palace of Udaipur

Situated on the banks of Lake Pichola in Udaipur, the City Palace is considered to be the largest royal complex in Rajasthan. The magnificent palace was built by Maharana Udai Singh in the year 1559. Subsequently, the palace was made even more magnificent by his successors, who added several structures to it. The Palace now consists of the palace, courtyard, pavilion, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. There is also a museum that showcases some of the best elements of Rajput art and culture – from colorful paintings to the distinctive architecture found in Rajasthani palaces. Many movies like ‘Guide’ and ‘Octopussy’ have been shot here. A gentle amalgamation of architectural brilliance and rich heritage, the City Palace of Udaipur is a wonderful journey under the pages of history. The City Palace is open to the public from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. The entry fee per person has been kept at Rs 300 and for children Rs 100.

Fateh Sagar Lake-The most important tourist destination of Udaipur city.

Located in the north-west of Udaipur, Fateh Sagar Lake is a magnificent lake that is one of the major tourist places in the city. Surrounded by the Aravalli hills, it is the second largest artificial lake in the city which is known for its beauty. By driving on the Moti Magri Road, one can easily walk around the periphery of the Fateh Sagar Lake and have a splendid view of the entire lake.

Fateh Sagar Lake is spread over an area of ​​one square kilometer and is divided into three separate islands. The largest of these is called Nehru Park and has a boat-shaped restaurant and a small zoo for children. The second island has a public park with a water-jet fountain. The third island contains the best solar observation site in the whole of Asia at the Udaipur Solar Observatory. Being one of the four lakes of the city, people often come here to enjoy boating in the surreal blue waters and witness the scenic beauty. Its surreal beauty and quaint charm have made it one of the most popular weekend destinations and a must visit for anyone traveling to the city.

Sajjangarh Palace-Major attractions of Udaipur

Sajjangarh Palace is situated on a famous Bansdara mountain, situated at an altitude of about 944 meters above sea level overlooking the famous Pichola Lake. This palace is also called the Monsoon Palace as it was used as a summer retreat for the Mewar kings.

Vintage Car Museum-Major Attractions of Udaipur

For those who are fond of collecting cars, then the Vintage Car Museum is a good place to visit. Located just a few kilometers away from the splendid City Palace Vintage Car Museum, it is a great place for automobile and car lovers. The museum is open from 9 am to 5 pm.

Eklingji Temple

Eklingji Temple is one of the most popular temples of Rajasthan and is situated at a distance of 22 km north of Udaipur. Eklingnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva of Hinduism and its magnificent architecture draws many tourists here every year. This two storied temple looks splendid with its pyramidal style of roof and distinctive carved tower. The temple is filled with an alluring fragrance and is known for a four-faced idol of Eklingji (Lord Shiva) made of black marble. Its height is about 50 feet and its four faces represent the four forms of Lord Shiva. The Shivling carved by a silver snake is a major tourist attraction. The temple opens from 4:30 am to 7:30 pm.

Bada Mahal-The most prominent tourist destination of Udaipur city

The big palace, built in the 17th century, is an incredible structural marvel. Built in the Rajput-Mughal architectural style, the palace is regarded as the male section of the City Palace. The huge palace has beautiful gardens, lush green lawns, spacious courtyards, huge pillars, royal balconies, attractive fountains and royal apartments.

Saheliyon Ki Bari-Places to see in Udaipur

Saheliyon Ki Bari is a majestic garden in Udaipur. It is also known as the Garden or the Courtyard of the Maidens. As the name suggests, it was built for the young women accompanying the princess after her marriage to Maharaja Sangram Singh. Saheliyon ki Basti is situated on the banks of Fateh Sagar Lake in Udaipur. It has lush green lawns, walking lanes and spectacular fountains. Saheliyon Ki Bari is an 18th century monument which has historical importance in India. This beauty is surrounded by tall trees, lush green bushes and flowers. Initially this garden was open only to the royal ladies, but now it has been opened for tourists as well. If seen in the true sense, here in Saheliyon Ki Bari one gets a glimpse into the lifestyle of the royal maidens. This garden is open to the public from 9 am to 7 pm.

Hathi Pol Bazar – Major Attractions of Udaipur

The biggest and famous market of Udaipur is Hathi Pol is the best place for shopping people. Here you can find everything from branded clothing to local items, including intricately embroidered and colorful block-printed apparel, ethnic silver jewellery, accessories, traditional home decor, textiles. Hathi Pol Bazaar is famous for miniature paintings, Ichhawar paintings and hand made paintings.

Bada Bazar- A good place to visit in Udaipur

Bada Bazaar is famous for traditional arts and crafts works. Apart from pure leather items, beautiful traditional jewellery, colorful tie and dye clothes are also available here. It is a perfect place for tourists to shop in Udaipur.

Haldighati – The main attraction of Udaipur

It is a historical site located 40 km from Udaipur city and famous for the battle between the Mughals and Rajputs under the leadership of Maharana Pratap. There is an inscription with slender, delicate marble pillars dedicated to Rana Pratap’s horse. Apart from this, the place is very famous for the Mulela art wall made of clay and the local cottage industry is also great for shopping.

Indian Folk Art Museum-Udaipur city’s most prominent tourist destination

If you are interested in artefacts and are curious to know how these objects are made, then the Indian Folk Art Museum is definitely a good place for you. Located north of the Chetak circle in Udaipur, the museum houses a fine collection of paintings, folk musical instruments, folk costumes and jewellery, dolls, masks, puppets and sculptures of deities. Puppet show is a major attraction here which is performed for the tourists throughout the day. The museum also offers a number of short-term courses, including puppet making and theatre.

Gulab Bagh and Zoo- Places to see in Udaipur

Gulab Bagh and Zoo is the largest garden of Udaipur, which is called Gulab Bagh. The mini zoo within the garden is a short walk from the rose gardens. The zoo is home to a small number of animal species, including the wide-eyed owl, and has ample space to explore the surrounding areas such as the toy train which is open to children and adults. There is a huge artificial water body, called Kamal Talai, which enhances the view of the garden.

Udaipur’s Famous Food and Local Food

The traces of Udaipur’s grandeur can be seen in the rich cuisine available here. A trip to Udaipur would not be complete without delicious and flavourful delicacies. One cannot miss talking about the authentic deliciousness of Dal Baat Churma and Gatte ki Sabzi at Hotel Natraj. They have only mastered the art of making Rajasthani food. Shiv Shakti Chaat is famous for the variety of Kachori Chaat that they offer, which is one of the specialties of this city. Neelam Restaurant offers a Rajasthani thali, which is sweet, tangy and full of spicy, home-made flavours. Udaipur is also known for its traditional, orange jalebis, which are made in desi ghee.

What is the best time to visit Udaipur

October to March is the best time to visit Udaipur. The winter season is pleasant, and it is an ideal time to make the city look its best. With mesmerizing forts and grand palaces, the amazing beauty of Udaipur is worth visiting in winters. The Mewar festival of Udaipur is organized every year in March. Monsoons from July to September are another ideal time to visit Udaipur as it gives relief from the pleasant and dry climate of Rajasthan. The windy season is perfect for enjoying several activities like camel riding and boating to make your trip even more fun.

The Winter season is a great time to enjoy various thrilling activities and satiate your soul. You can do camel riding, trekking, boating, bird watching, and much more during this time. During this time many beautiful migratory birds fly to Udaipur. Numerous festivals take place in winter. Some of them include Udaipur World Music Festival, Kumbhalgarh Festival, and World Living Heritage Festival.

How to reach Udaipur

Maharana Pratap Airport is about 24 km away from the major city. The city is well connected by air with all the major cities of India (3–4 daily flights from Delhi and Mumbai). There are many trains which also stop at Udaipur Railway Station. You can reach Udaipur by road (by bus, taxi or car).

• How to reach Udaipur by flight

Maharana Pratap Airport, also known as Dabok Airport, is located at a distance of 24 km from Udaipur. There are flights scheduled from here every day to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur, which makes travel quite convenient.

• How to reach Udaipur by road

The city is between Delhi and Mumbai, at the intersection of NH 8, Golden Quadrilateral, East-West Corridor, and NH 76. Road travelers can either go to the city from Ahmedabad via NH8, which takes around 5 hours. It takes 6 hours to reach Udaipur via the Golden Triangle and 4 hours from Kota via the EW Corridor.

• How to reach Udaipur by Train

Udaipur has two railway stations- Udaipur City railway station and Rana Pratap Nagar Railway Station, both of which are well connected to most of the cities of India like Kolkata, Bangalore, New Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota, Agra, etc. The stations are located at a distance of 3 km from the city center.

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