udaipur
Udaipur
Udaipur
Udaipur, THE City of Lakes and Palaces, Often referred to as the 'Venice of the East', the city of lakes Udaipur is located around azure water lakes and is hemmed in by lush green hills of Aravallis. The famous Lake Palace, located in the middle of Lake Pichola is one of the most beautiful sights of Udaipur. It is also home to Jaisamand Lake, claimed to be the second largest man-made sweet water lake in Asia. The beautiful City Palace and Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace) add to the architectural beauty and grandeur of the city. The city is also known for its profusion of zinc and marble. Solar observatory in Lake Fateh Sagar is the only observatory in India located on an island and has been made on the pattern of Big Bear Lake in Southern California. The ten-day Shilpgram Festival which starts from 21 Dec to 30 Dec pulls in a large number of people interested in arts and crafts.
Udaipur was founded in 1553 by Maharana Udai Singh II as the new capital of Mewar Kingdom. It is located in the fertile, circular Girwa Valley to the southwest of Nagda, which was the first capital of Mewar.
DISTANCE
- Airport (Udaipur) – 22 km
- Bus stands (Udaipur) - 1.2 km
- Train station (Udaipur) – 1.5 km
ACCESS
- Flights - there are direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad etc
- Train - nearest train station is Udaipur.
- Road - connected with highways from Jaipur, Ajmer, Pushkar, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Indore, Ahmedabad
Place ofInterest
Udaipur, formerly the capital of the Mewar Kingdom, is a city in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1559, it’s set around a series of artificial lakes and is known for its lavish royal residences. City Palace, overlooking Lake Pichola, is a monumental complex of 11 palaces, courtyards and gardens, famed for its intricate peacock mosaics.
PRATAP MEMORIAL (MOTI MAGRI)
An impressive bronze statue of Maharana Pratap on his favourite horse Chetak, stands atop the Moti Magri overlooking Fateh Sagar. Local people climb up the hill to pay homage to Rana Pratap and his faithful charger 'Chetak' who was fiercely protective about its master and stood by him till its last breath. This loyal steed sacrificed its life while carrying his master to safety from the battlefield of Haldighati.
CITY PALACE
A majestic architectural marvel towering over the lake on a hill surrounded by crenelated walls, it is a conglomeration of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. The main entrance is through the triple arched gate, the "Tripolia" with eight marble porticos, The Maharanas were weighed under the gate in gold, the equivalent amount of which was distributed among the populace. The surajgokhada, the balcony of the sun, is where the SuryanshiMaharanas of Mewar presented themselves to the people in the time of trouble to restore their confidence. The 'MorChowk' known for its exquisite peacock mosaics in glass and the 'ChiniChitrashala' noted for its blue and white ceramics are other attractions in the palace. A high tech sound and light show is conducted every evening at the magnificent ManakChowk which brings alive the rich history of Mewar.
LAKE PALACE
Now a hotel but was originally called Jagniwas and served as a summer palace. Built between 1743 and 1746 on the island near Jagmandir in Lake Pichola, the palace, which faces east, is a wondrous sight to behold. The walls made of black and white marbles are adorned with semi-precious stones and ornamented niches. Gardens, fountains, pillared terraces, and columns line its courtyards.
JAG MANDIR
Jagmandir is a palace built on an island on the Lake Pichola. Also called the ‘Lake Garden Palace’, the construction for this began in 1620 and was completed around 1652. The royal family used the palace as its summer resort and for hosting parties. Interestingly, Prince Khurram - later Emperor Shah Jahan - was given shelter here when he rebelled against his father Emperor Jahangir. The Palace had such an impact on Emperor Shah Jahan that it went on to become the inspiration for one of the most magnificent Wonders of the World, The Taj Mahal.
MONSOON PALACE
Situated just outside Udaipur, this 19th-century palace is built on top of Bansdara hills. Used as a monsoon palace and hunting lodge, its builder, Maharana Sajjan Singh, originally planned to make it an astronomical center. The plan was cancelled with Maharana Sajjan Singh's premature death. It is still an awe-inspiring sight on the Udaipur skyline and offers spectacular views of the city and the areas around.
AHAR MUSEUM
Ahar Museum is in close proximity to an impressive cluster of cenotaphs of the Maharanas of Mewar. The museum has a small, but rare collection of earthen pottery. You can also browse through sculptures and archaeological finds, a few dating back to 1700 BC. A 10th century metal figure of Buddha is a special attraction here.
JAGDISH TEMPLE
An example of the Indo-Aryan style of architecture, Jagdish Temple was built in 1651 and continues to be one of the most famous temples in and around Udaipur. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the structure is an architectural marvel with carved pillars, graceful ceilings and painted walls. This three-storied temple was built by Maharana Jagat Singh I.
FATEH SAGAR LAKE
This delightful lake, bordered by hills and woodlands, lies to the north of Lake Pichola. This artificial lake is connected to Lake Pichola by a canal. The lake houses the beautiful Nehru Island as well as an islet on which stands the Udaipur Solar Observatory. It was inaugurated by the Duke of Connaught and was initially called Connaught Bundh.
LAKE PICHOLA
Picholi was the name of a village that lent its name to the lake. The islands of Jagniwas and Jagmandir are housed in this lake. Along the eastern banks of the lake lies the City Palace. A boat ride in the lake around sunset offers a breathtaking view of the Lake and City Palace.
SAHELIYON KI BARI
Built by Maharana Sangram Singh II as a garden for women, Saheliyon-ki-Bari or the Garden of the Maidens is a popular tourist destination. Along with a small museum, it has several attractions such as marble elephants, fountains, kiosks and a lotus pool.
BIRD PARK GULAB BAGH
Bird Park at Gulab Bagh spreads over 5.11 hectare area. It has 12 enclosures. It has assorted Parrots house, Macaw and Cockatoo Courtyard, Lesser Passerine Section, Galliformes Runway,Flightless Birds Section, Aquatic Avifauna Section. It houses Green Munia, Great White Pelican, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo,Blue and Gold Macaw and a total of 28 species of Birds.
SUKHADIA CIRCLE
Sukhadia Circle lies to the north of Udaipur. It comprises a small pond that also houses a 21 foot tall, three-tiered marble fountain. Decorated with beautifully carved motifs, the fountain looks spectacular at night when it is lit up. The fountain is surrounded by gardens, creating a perfect oasis in a city bustling with tourists.
BHARATIYA LOK KALA MANDAL
Dedicated to the study of folk art, culture, songs and festivals of Rajasthan, Gujrat and Madhya Pradesh, Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal is a cultural institution in Udaipur. Besides propagating folk culture, it also houses a museum that exhibits various artefacts of Rajasthani culture.
BAGORE KI HAVELI
Bagore-ki-Haveli is located by Lake Pichola, at Gangaur Ghat. Amar Chand Badwa, the Prime Minister of Mewar, built it in the 18th century. The massive palace has over a hundred rooms that display costumes and modern art. The glass and mirrors in the interiors are structured in classical haveli style.
SHILPGRAM
Situated 7 kms west of Udaipur near Lake Fateh Sagar is the Centre's Shilpgram - the Rural Arts and Crafts Complex. Spread over 70 acres, and surrounded by the Aravallis, the Rural Arts and Crafts Complex has been conceived as a living museum to depict the lifestyles of the folk and tribal people of the west zone.
UDAI SAGAR LAKE
Udai Sagar Lake is one of the five striking lakes situated in Udaipur. Located about 13 kilometres to the east of Udaipur, the construction of this lake was started in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh. The lake is actually a result of a dam being built on the river Berach to supply adequate water to the Maharana’s kingdom. Udai Sagar Lake is 4 kms in length, 2.5 kilometres in width and about 9 meters at its deepest.
DOODH TALAI LAKE
The road that takes visitors to Pichola Lake has another popular destination – the Doodh Talai Lake. The lake is nestled between several small hillocks which themselves are tourist attractions. The Deen Dayal Upadhyay Park and the Manikya Lal Verma Garden are part of the Doodh Talai Lake Garden.
JAISAMAND LAKE
Jaisamand Lake is known for being the second largest man-made sweet water lake in Asia. It is popular among the locals as a weekend picnic destination. Locals say that the lake was constructed to halt the waters of Ruparel River. This lake boasts of a large island, which is home to various species of birds, at its centre.
NAVALAKHA MAHAL (GULAB BAGH)
Navalakha Mahal is situated in the heart of a Gulab Bag which was originally laid out in the nineteenth century in the historical city of Udaipur. Maharishi Dayanand who arrived in Udaipur on 10 August 1882 on the invitation of His Highness Maharana Sajjan Singh, the 72nd ruler of the Kingdom of Mewar, remained here for almost six and a half months and stayed in Navalakha Mahal. It was in Navalakha Mahal Maharishi Dayanand completed the writing of his best work, the immortal Satyarth Prakash.
WAX MUSEUM
The Hollywood Wax Museum is an exciting interactive visitor attraction located on Sajjangarh road. The Museum has been designed to deliver an interactive experience taking you on a journey through wax effigy. the exceptional life-like wax work characters you can expect at the celebrity wax museum .The Museum is the ultimate entertainment experience for all . The wax museum also offers 9 D Action cinema ,Gaming Zone, Mirror Image & Horror Show .
UDAIPUR FISH AQUARIUM
The Under the Sun Fish Aquarium at Fateh Sagar Pal in Udaipur has managed to mark its distinct position on the map as India’s first Hi-Tech virtual fish aquarium. In the first phase, the Under the Sun aquarium is playing host to 156 varieties of sea fish and fresh water fish, which have been procured from 16 countries around the world. In the long run, this number will go up to 1500 varieties! The 125 meter long gallery features specially built tanks that let the visitors feel as if they are deep within the ocean. The fish at this aquarium vary, with the smallest one being hardly a centimeter long, and the largest fish, Aropama, being 9 feet long.The aquarium features a touch pool to let the kids play with the fish,along with and LED screen for everyfish tank to know more about the fishes within the aquarium. This is one aquarium that you’d love to visit for true interactive fun!
VINTAGE CAR COLLECTION
The collection within the grounds of the Garden Hotel comprises a variety of vintage and classic vehicles like Cadillac, Chevrolet, Morris etc owned by the Maharanas of Udaipur. They used these automobiles as their luxurious modes of transport.
THE CRYSTAL GALLERY
The Udaipur Collection of crystal is one of the largest and most complete collections of Osler cut glass in existence. In both diversity of objects and in the quality and grandeur of the included pieces, it holds a unique place in the decorative art world. Most of this collection was commissioned by Maharana Sajjan Singh in 1878, with the larger commissions of the furniture pieces being given to Osler in 1881. The exquisite crystal items in the gallery range from dining table, table, sofa set, washing bowl, goblet, tray, decanter, to perfume bottles, candle stands, crockery and even beds. The highlight of the gallery is a jewel studded carpet, embodying peerless class. The gallery even exhibits a Royal punkah (manually operated fan) in crystal and soft red satin material with the Mewar emblem of the Sun embroidered on it. The Crystal Gallery exhibits artefacts primarily created by F. & C. Osler, the foremost manufacturers of monumental cut glass luxury objects in the Victorian era and thereafter. Established in Birmingham in 1807, Osler revolutionized the cut glass industry by exploring the material’s structural possibilities, conceiving for the first time a monumental form of crystal, of which the Udaipur Collection is a fine example. F. & C. Osler traded very successfully through much of the 19th century both in Britain and in India.
NAGDA
Nagda is 22kms from Udaipur, an ancient site located at the foothills of the Aravali range and has traces of 6th century A.D. Today it is renowned more for the intricately carved Sahastrabahu temple popularly known as Sas-Bahu temples that date back to the 9th - 10th century A.D. The interesting architecture and elaborate carving can also be seen in the magnificent toran or archway. Also of interest is the splendid Jain temple of Adhbudji located there.
BADI LAKE
Badi Lake is an artificial lake that was built by Maharana Raj Singh to help the city counterbalance the devastating effects of drought. He named the lake Jiyan Sagar after his mother Jana Devi. During the drought of 1973, the lake proved to be a blessing for the people of Udaipur. And today, the lake has become a popular attraction in the city, for both locals and tourists. Surrounded by three chhatris, the Badi Lake is one of the finest fresh water lakes in the country, and is counted among the major tourist attractions in Udaipur. Located about 12 km from the city, the ambiance of the lake is calm and tranquil, and offers a scenic respite from the hustle and bustle of city life.
SAJJANGARH BIOLOGICAL PARK
Located just outside the Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary, at the foot hills of Bans-Dahara hills is the Sajjangarh Biological Park spread over 36 hectares of land. In this park one can see the Carnivores and Herbivores animals moving around in their natural habitat. One can visit the Park on foot or by Golf car on payment basis.
SAHASTRA BAHU TEMPLE
Located about 22 km from Udaipur, in Nagda village on NH-8, stands the Sahastra Bahu Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and the name means ‘one with a million arms’, which is one of the forms of Vishnu. The site of the temple borders green marshlands, and is home to numerous date palms which give the temple a unique oasis-like ambiance. The temple is a 10 th century complex and is featured on the Archaeological Survey of India’s list of heritage monuments. The temple is adorned with numerous beautiful carvings, based on Ramayana. Open from sunrise till the sunsets, the temple is a magnificent structure that offers exquisite sculptures, making it a site that’s every bit worth the visit.
MENAR
Well-known as the City of Lakes, Udaipur is home to a number of beautiful lakes. Menar is a village known as house of number of species of Migratory Birds during winters. There are two ponds namely Brahm Talab and Dand Talab which hosts migratory birds. This village is a hidden tourist destination, can be one of the most favored spots amongst birders. Located at a distance of approx 48 kms from Udaipur on Udaipur Chittorgarh Road, the best time to visit Menar is during the winters when the ponds plays host to a number of migratory birds. Some of the species that you can catch a glimpse of when here include the Greater Flamingo, White Tailed Lapwing, Marsh Harrier, Black Kite, Jungle Quail, Crow Pheasant, etc. Free from tourists, the ponds offer a peaceful countryside atmosphere for you to relax in.
PRATAP GAURAV KENDRA
Spread vastly across the 25 Bigha land at Tiger Hills, the Pratap Gaurav Kendra is dedicated to the Legendary Maharana Pratap and the history of Mewar. Major attraction is the 57 feet tall sitting statue of Maharana Pratap atop a hill. Highlight of the Kendra is 3D presentation of Haldighti War, Live Mechanical Model exhibition of famous historical devets, Light and Sound Show etc.
GOGUNDA
Stiuated at a height of about 2751 feet above the sea level, amidst the Aravali ranges, Gogunda was made the capital of Mewar by Maharana Udai Singh after he left Chittaurgarh. After the demise of Maharana Udai Singh in 1572 AD, the coronation of his son and successor Maharana Prata was solemnized at this place.
RISHABHDEO JI
This is a 15th century Jain Temple of Rishabhdeoji, one of the twenty four “Tirthankars” of the Jains. It is also an important center of pilgrimage for both Jains and Hindus.
JAGAT
The splendid and well preserved 10th century temple of Amika Mata is known for its intricate carvings on the outer walls are popularly known as the Khajuraho of Rajasthan.
Le Café Restro
We have multi cuisine restaurant which offers wide range of domestic and international cuisine, mouth watering delicious food. Opening hours is between 7h30 to 22h00.
RoomCategory
Standard twin bed room
The twin bed rooms are elegant and well appointed, boasting a relaxed, comfortable and functional environment perfect for the guests.
DELUXE ROOMS
These contemporary and stylish rooms are bound to change the definition of luxury and comfort. An elegant bedroom in modern style and the spacious living area offers luscious comfort to our esteemed guests. Rooms have view of city.
Superior Room
TRoyal Chamber, extra huge room with special decoration & latest in conveniences and amenities - you are to be greeted with all of these as you enter these superior rooms. The rooms equipped with modern facilities along with balcony. Rooms have breathtaking view of city.
Dormitory
5 single beds, along with attached washrooms.