Udaipur is a charming city in Rajasthan. It is popularly known as City of lakes and was the capital of Mewar kingdom.
Maharana Udai Singh II founded Udaipur in 1559. When Chittor fort was captured by Emperor Akbar, he moved the capital to Udaipur in 1568.
Lord Krishna’s devotee Mira Bai was married into the royal family of Udaipur.
The palaces on land, water, and hills are majestic and beautiful. Old city of Udaipur reflects the glorious past with palaces, ancient temples, and museums. The narrow roads are lined with sweet shops selling mouth watering goodies. Colorful shops make you stop and shop. New city beckons you with malls, chic cafés, and wide roads.
Some of the most beautiful lakes in the country are in this city like Lake Pichola, Fatah Sagar Lake, Udai Sagar, Dudh Talai Lake, and Swaroop Sagar.
Udaipur was ruled by Sisodia Ranas and Maharanas. They were fiercely independent and this earned them the highest salute in Rajasthan – 19 against 17 for others. After India’s independence, Maharana Bhupal Singh, integrated India with the state of Rajasthan.
The best time to visit Udaipur is between October – March. Udaipur is featured in many Bollywood as well as Hollywood movies. The most popular movie shot here is Octopussy.
Udaipur is also mentioned in “The jungle book” written by Rudyard Kipling as the birthplace of panther Bagheera.
The best way to explore Udaipur is by walking or by autorikshaw. We stayed in the old city in a heritage hotel called Jagdish Mahal and it was wonderful discovering Udaipur by walk and by autorikshaw.
Places of interest in Udaipur:
- City Palace
- Lake Pichola
- Lake Fateh Sagar
- Lake Swaroop Sagar
- Jagdish Temple
- Sajjangarh Palace flood-lit during late evening
- Nehru Garden on an island in Fatah Sagar Lake
- Udaipur Bathing Ghat
- Jag Mandir
- Lake Palace
- Sukhadia Circle at Night
- Monsoon Palace
- Gulab Bagh and Zoo
- Maharana Pratap Memorial or Moti Magri
- Bohara Ganesh Ji
- Ahar Museum
- Shilpgram
- Neemach Mata Temple
- Udaipur Solar Observatory
- Bagore Ki Haveli
- Saheliyon Ki Bari
- Vintage Car Museum
Places of interest near Udaipur:
- Nathdwara – 48 km
- Ranakpur – 110 km north of Udaipur.
- Chittorgarh- About 140 km from Udaipur
- Haldighati
- Kumbhalgarh – 64 km from Udaipur.
- Mount Abu – A popular tourist hill station.
- Eklingji – 22 km in the north of Udaipur
- Jaisamand Lake
- Mayaro ki Gufa – Rana Pratap used to keep his arms and ammunitions here.
- Molela – A village near Haldi Ghati famous for its red pottery “terracota”
Place Statistics:
Type of place: City
Situated: Rajasthan
Distance: 403 Km from Jaipur, 250 Km from Ahmedabad
Transport: Well connected by road, rail and air
Facilities: Hotels to suit all budgets, restaurants, road side eateries
