Udaipur
Places to visit
What
make Udaipur truly memorable are the exquisite lake palaces,
shimmering like jewels on Lake Pichola. Jag Niwas, the summer
residence of the princes of Mewar, is today a luxury hotel
of breathtaking magnificence. Jag Mandir, the other island
palace, is a marvel of red sandstone, with a marble dome.
The mosaic pools and fountains of Sahelion-ki-Bari near Fateh
Sagar Lake are open to the public.
City Palace
The
whitewashed City Palace seems to float out of the blue Pichola
water. Here one finds a maze of inter-connected courtyards,
corridors, and rooms. Some have lovely inlaid pietra durra
mirror work walls, scalloped arched windows with colored glass
panes, glazed mosaic tiles, and sculptured bas relief decorations
like the famous dancing peacocks in Mor Chowk. Parts of this
old palace complex house a museum endowed by the Maharana
Mewar Foundation.
Lake Palace
Lake
Palace or Jagat Niwas is a white marble summer residence of
the princes of Mewar, which was built in 1746 by Jagat Singh.
Set on an island, the whole Palace appears to float on the
blue water of Lake Pichola. The airy stucco complex with dainty
balconies, terrace gardens, water fountains and arched windows,
reflects the brightness of the sun, sky and lake. The interiors
are profusely decorated with paintings, stained glass and
crystal.
Jag Mandir
In
the midst of the lake stands another piece de resistance,
Jag Mandir. It a lake retreat built by the Maharana as a refuge
for Prince Shahjahan. The Palace, made in red sandstone of
translucent thinness, was once laid with jasper, jade and
rubies. It has spacious courtyards, a beautifully proportioned
white marble dome, high ceiling rooms, majestic cupolas, arched
pavilions and a garden planted with trees and flowering creepers.
A beautiful structure here is the temple of universe. With
stone colonnades, it is dedicated to the lord of the universe.
The temple of Jagdish is built in classical style and is dedicated
to Vishnu. It was built by Jagat Singh I in the midst of the
city, on the street that leads to the palace. Its walls are
covered with bas-relief, friezes of makar (crocodiles), elephants,
carved dancers statue of Garuda.
Saheliyoin-ki-Bari
Saheliyojn-Ki-Bari was designed by Maharana Fateh Singh on the embankment of Fateh Singh Lake, towards the north of Lake Pichola. A Lotus pool, flowerbeds, lawns, fountains and marble pavilions in Rajputana style, all combine to make it an enchanting place. The hill top Sajjangarh Palace fort in the west of Udaipur is a vantage point, from where a magnificent view of the city, its lakes and palaces can be enjoyed.