Heritage

It is the jewel of Mewar, a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1,200 years, making it the oldest dynasty in India, perhaps in the world! Claiming descent from Surya, the sun God, they were the only Rajput princes who steadfastly refused to marry with the powerful Mughals. The capital of Sisodias was Chittor, until the 6th century, when it was moved to Udaipur, named after Maharana Udai Singh. According to legend, the Maharana was out hunting one day when he met a holy man meditating on a hill overlooking the Lake Pichola. The hermit blessed the Maharana and told him to built a palace at that very spot, as it would be well protected. The Maharana followed his advice and Udaipur came into being! Over-looking the aquamarine waters of the Lake Pichola stands the shimmering granite and marble Lake Palace, a harmonious blend of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. Eight marble porticos mark the spot where the Mewar sovereigns were weighed in gold, the equivalent value of which was then distributed to the poor.