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| CITY ATTRACTIONS |
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| UDAIPUR EXCURSIONS |
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| RELIGIOUS PLACES |
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| Lake Pichola |
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This lake is the centre-piece around which Udaipur revolves. It started off as a small pond built by a banjara, who dammed up the waters of a mountain stream by building a dyke. Mahara na Udai Singh extended this pond, creating the exquisite Lake Pichola. The lake lies to the immediate west of the ridge on which the City Palace of Udaipur stands. Maharana Udai Singh built a masonry dam, known as Badi Pol, and the lake is now 4 km long and 3 km wide. The lake is fairly shallow and can actually dry up in severe droughts. One day's heavy rain is sufficient to fill the lake for a year. Amusingly, the water of the lake belongs to the Government of India whilst the land under water belongs to the royal family. A few crocodiles are believed to live in the more remote parts of the lake near uninhabited sections of the shore. Late in the eighteenth century the traveller Louis Rousselet wrote this about the crocodiles after a sojourn in a punt on the lake: The crocodiles found here as in other inland lakes of India, is a formidable animal. It attains a great size, and the people who inhabit the shores of the lake occasionally fall victim to its savage attacks........Since the English Residency has been established at Oudeypoor, and the Rana, overcoming the ridiculous religious prejudices which protect these reptiles, has allowed Europeans to hunt them down, these formidable animals have abandoned the neighbourhood of the town, and have taken refuge on the opposite banks. Pitilessly pursued into their retreats, they have become very wary. As soon as a boat appears upon the lake, they dive to the bottom, and, on rising again, only show the tips of their muzzles above the surface. |
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| Pratap Smarak |
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A statue of the legendary Rajput warrior Maharana Pratap, who frequently defied the Mughals, is situated atop Moti Magri overlooking Fateh Sagar. The way to the top passes through elegant gardens, including a rock garden in the distinctive Japanese style. The park is open to the public from 9 am to 6 pm. |
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| City Palace |
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The City Palace, one of the largest palaces in the world, can be approached through the Bari Pol or the Great Gate (1600) with the royal drums and then onto the Tripolia Gate (1725). The Tripolia is a triple gate made of marble arches. Between these two gates are eight carved toranas or archways under which the maharanas were weighed against gold and silver which was later distributed to the poor subjects. Popular entertainment like elephant fights took place in the court beyond the Tripolia Gate.
In size and outline the City Palace and its subsidiary palaces bear a resemblanceto theWindsor castle in England. The palace lies in front of the Rai Angan, a rectangular courtyard. The Rai Angan (1571) or the royal courtyard is arrived at through the Ganesh Deori Gate and encloses the shrine to Dhuni Mata. The Ganesh Deori was built in an enclosure around the stairway of Rai Angan. In its construction went in tiles imported from Japan, and they form a spectacular pattern depicting images of Lord Krishna and Ganesh. |
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| Lake Palace or Jag Niwas |
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For over a hundred years Jag Mandir has served as the main pleasure palace of the Sisodia rulers. During the rule of Maharana Sangram Singh II (1716-34) his son Jagat Singh II had asked permission for a sojourn at Jag Mandir but for reasons best known to the father the young prince was refused. On the other hand the adjacent island was given up for the prince’s personal use. Pavilions of the palace were constructed before 1734 and after his coronation Gadi Rana Jagat Singh II (1734-1751) further expanded the marble water palace. Jagat Singh II named the palace, Jag Niwas, also known as the Lake Palace, after himself. The palace faces east, allowing its inhabitants to pray to the Sun god at the crack of dawn.
The upper room of the palace is a perfect circle and is about 21 feet in diameter. Ferguson, the noted antiquarian, is of the opinion, that it was the prettiest room that he had ever seen or known in India. "Its floor is inlaid with black and white marbles, the walls are ornamented with nichés and decorated with arabesques of different coloured stones in the same style as the Taj at Agra, though the patterns are Hindu and dome is exquisitely beautiful in form. A room built of 12 enormous slabs of marble, Shah Jahan’s throne sculptured from a single block of serpentine and the little mosque dedicated to Kapuria Baba, a Muhammedan Saint, are other objects of interest on the island."
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| Shilpgram |
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Shilpgram is a rural arts and crafts complex, which is situated 3 km west of the regal city of Udaipur and close to the Havala village. Sprawling over an area of over 70 acres, and surrounded by the Aravalli hills, this complex is a living ethnographic museum depicting the lifestyles and cultures of the tribal people of the West Zone. The complex has huts of the member states put up within it. There are 26 huts in all. These huts are constructed according to the different traditional styles followed by the people of differing geographical regions and ethnic groups living in the west zone, which comprises of five federal states.
In the traditional huts, articles of everyday use are featured with appropriate signages and explanatory details to give a realistic insight into these tribal people's lives. There are five huts from Rajasthan, which represent the weaver's community from Marwar. Two huts were christened after the two sand bound villages of Rama and Sam from western Rajasthan. From the hilly region of Mewar, is a potter's hut. Seven representative huts from the state of Gujarat have also been put up. A group of six huts from Banni area and one from Bhujodi have been selected from Kutch wastelands.
These people are famous for their weaving, embroidery, bead & mirrorwork, wood work and rogar work. From the lush green area of Canacona in Goa is a representative hut of the Kulumbi tribal agriculturalists, who are well known for their grass and cane weaving work. So there are member huts from each of the representative states who work along with each other in harmony. Shilpgram thus creates an increasing sphere of awareness among the youth about the knowledge of rural life and crafts. Workshops are held especially for children with themes of art, theatre, music and crafts. |
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| Ghanerao Castle |
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Ghanerao Castle is a beautiful castle that cherishes the dream of fairyland on the Earth. The Royal Castle is located in Ghanerao, a small town located at a distance of 140 kms from the city of Udaipur. Ghanerao Castle offers a magical insight to the lavish lifestyle of the erstwhile Royalty. Built in 1606, Ghanerao Castle was raised by Gopal Das Rathore, a gallant Rajput soldier of Mewar. The Castle is built in a typical Rajput style of architecture. The royal Castle of Ghanerao still boasts of numerous sandstone havelis and marble citadels. The walls of this dreamlike castle are embellished with several miniature paintings. The picturesque beauty of this castle is enhanced by carved lattice work and huge chandeliers. The boundary walls of this castle have marks of Cannon ball strikes, which depicts the unfavorable times of the former era.
In the present date, Ghanerao Castle has been converted into a heritage hotel. The hotel offers a perfect blend of Rajasthani tradition and touch of contemporary times. The hotel provides world-class amenities and serves immaculate hospitality to its guests. Various musical performances, in the beautiful pavilion of the central court, make the highlight of this castle. Bring located in a remote area, the place is perfect destination to spend some moments in solitude. In the close vicinity of Castle, there are engraved cenotaphs of past rulers and warriors. If you are touring Udaipur, don't forget to visit this beautiful castle of bygone era that is truly worth visiting. |
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| Nathdwara |
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The most reverred 17th century shrine, dedicated Shrinathji or Lord Krishna,attracts thousands of Pilgrims from all over the country,especially during Diwali, Holi and Janmashtami when their number exceeds a lak. Foreign tourists are not permitted inside and photographs is prohibited. This place is 48 kms from Udaipur. |
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| Kumbhalgarh Fort |
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The second principal fortress in Rajasthan after Chittaurgarh, it is perched atop the Aravallis.Built in the 15th century by Maharana Kumbha, it extends over 12 km and enclose many temples,palaces and gardens.The fort renovated in the 19th century. The Badal Mahal or Cloud Palace offers a spectacular bird’s eye view of the surrounding countryside. Closeby is the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary with a rich variety of wildlife. The Fort is accessible only by jeep from Kelwara through the seven gates. |
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| Ranakpur |
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Ranakpur Temples are acclaimed world-wide for their intricate and superb architectural style. These temples form one of the five major pilgrimages of the Jains. Located in village of Ranakpur near Sadri town in the Pali district of Rajasthan, Ranakpur temple lies at a distance of 95 kms in the north of Udaipur city. The temple is easily accessible from the city of Udaipur as regular buses are easily available. Built in the 15th century, Ranakpur temples are known for being the largest and most important temples of the Jain cult.
The temple is said to have been built by Seth Dharna Sah (a Jain businessman) with the aid of Rana Kumbha, who ruled Mewar in the 15th century. Ranakpur got its name after the name of the Rajput Monarch and likewise the temples. The temple complex is positioned in an isolated valley on the western side of the Aravalli Range. The Jain Temples of Ranakpur are certainly creditable for their splendid architecture. This temple is wholly constructed in light colored marble and comprises a basement covering an area of 48000 sq feet. There are more than 1400 exquisitely carved pillars that support the temple.
In the complex, there are several temples including Chaumukha temple, Parsavanath temple, Amba Mata Temple and Surya Temple. Amongst all of them, Chaumukha Temple is the most important and as the term Chaumukha suggests, this temple is four-faced. Chaumukha temple is dedicated to Lord Adinath, who is the first 'Tirthankara' of the Jains. The Temple structure is highly compound having four different doorways to get into the chambers. These chambers ultimately take you to the main hall where the image of Adinath is positioned. |
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| Jaisamand Lake |
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A stunningly situated artificial lake, built in the 17th century A.D. by Maharana Jai Singh is the second largest in Asia. Graceful marble chhatris flank the embankment and beautiful summer palaces of the Udaipur queens are built on either side of the lake. Jaisamand Island Resort is also worth visiting. A trip to Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary allows a close encounter with the rich wildlife in their natural habitat. The fauna includes panther,wild boar,deer,four honed antelope, mongoose and various species of migratory birds. |
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RELIGIOUS PLACES IN UDAIPUR |
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| Jagdish Temple |
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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.
The temple is a three storeyed structure and has 50 pillars each in the first and second storeys and is one of the largest and popular Vishnu temples in Northern India.
The interior of the temple has exquisite carvings and is supplemented with prominent friezes. The temple has several smaller shrines in four corners of it that are dedicated to Lord Ganesh, Shiva, the Sun God and Goddess Shakti. A Sanskrit inscription in the porch written by Krishna Bhatt in the year 1651gives a detailed history of the reign of Maharana Jagat Singh. A huge brass image of Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu stands guard in front of the main shrine.
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| Kankroli Temple |
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Kankroli is a small town, located at a distance of 65 kms from the city of Udaipur. Kankroli is mainly known for its temple, which is sited on the banks of renowned Rajsamand Lake. Kankroli Temple is popularly called as temple of Dwarikadhish. Dwarikadhish is one of the names of Lord Krishna. This Temple is the most significant temple of the Vaishnavas and Vallabhacharya sect. The chief deity of Kankroli temple is believed to have imported from Mathura, the hometown of Lord Krishna.
The idol of Lord Dwarikadhish was brought in 1671 A.D., during the rule of Maharana Raj Singh. The idol was placed in the present temple, which was constructed at the time of the inaugural ceremony of the Rajsamand Lake in 1676 A.D. Shri Bal Krishna ji, the grand son of Vallabhacharya, took the initiative to care for the deity. Since then, Kankroli Temple is the third peeth (religious temple) of Vaishnav religion as Pushtimarg (way to completion).
Kankroli Temple would definitely remind you of the famous Nathdwara temple, which we have discussed in the other article of this section. Dwarikadhish Temple has a very quiet and soothing ambience. It really carries away all the tensions at once and bestows a heavenly bliss. In the complex of the Temple, there is a small garden where you can sit and enjoy the beauty of nature. You will also come across a library that possesses a huge compilation of old books. Kankroli Temple has also maintained a band group. |
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| Jagat Temple |
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Ambika Mata Temple is a small shrine made in crevice of a rock. The temple dedicated to Goddess Ambika (a form of Goddess Durga). Being located at the village called Jagat in Rajasthan, the temple is also known as Jagat Temple. The shrine is comfortably positioned at a distance of 58kms in the south-east of Udaipur. Built in 961 A.D, the Jagat Temple is renowned for its intricate carvings in the exteriors.
The village Jagat is popular with the term of 'Khajuraho of Rajasthan' and the place is particularly famous for its well-preserved temple of the 10th century. Though Ambika Mata Temple is not very big, but its splendid architecture makes it different from others. The main shrine has an image of Ambika, a form of the Hindi Goddess Durga. The goddess is worshipped as Shakti (Power) that is a primitive source of energy. Goddess Ambika is linked with Maa Durga due to the presence of Lion as her mount.
Dating back to the Pratihara period, the temple comprises an elevated altar. The principal image of the Goddess is placed here. The temple contains a mandapa (columned prayer hall) that has projections on two of its sides and a small loggia in obverse. The hall has windows that are ornamented with beautifully carved panels. The ceiling rises in the shape of a pyramid with the additional alcoves. |
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| Eklingji Temple |
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Dedicated to the patron deity of the Marwar clan, the Eklingji Temple still holds a significant place in the hearts of the Rajasthanis. The original structure of the temple was built in the 8th century though the present structure was built much later. Standing at the banks of the Indersagar Lake, the Eklingji Temple exude a purity that cleanses heart and soul. It is 22kms from Udaipur. |
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Rishabhdeo Temple is an important pilgrimage site for followers of Jain religion. The temple is located on Udaipur-Ahmedabad road, at a distance of 65 kms from the city of Udaipur in Dhulev. Dhulev is a small town that is also known as Rikhabdeo, famous for its Rishabhdeo Temple. The temple traces its origin in the 15th century and is dedicated to Lord Rishabh Dev. Rikhabdeo ji is supposed to be one from the 'Trithankar' of Jain religion. The lord is also referred as Keshariyaji, since pilgrims offer immense quantity of saffron to the lord.
The Jainism sect is believed to be founded by Lord Mahavira. Rishabhdeo is regarded as one of the descendants of Lord Mahavira. Rikhabdeo temple is a centre of devotion not only for Jains, but for Meena tribals, Bhils and Vaishnavites too. People of Jain and Bhil community, make it a point, to visit this holy shrine of Lord Rishabhdeo, every time they visit to Udaipur. The Bhils catch acquaintance with the image of Rishabhdeo linking it with their dark complexion of skin.
Both Jains and Bhils have immense respect for this temple, since the lord fulfills all their wishes and desires. Rishabhdeo Temple has been one of the four main religious sites of Mewar that is ruled by the Sisodia Maharanas of Udaipur. Sometimes, Rishabhdeoji is considered as one of incarnations of Lord Vishnu and due to this reason; many of the Hindus come to this place of worship every month from all over Rajasthan. |
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