Information Udaipur
Location
Udaipur is located at 24.58° N 73.68°.It has an average elevation of 571 metres. Located at the foothills of the Aravalli Range, Udaipur lies in southern Rajasthan near the Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh borders.
About The City
Udaipur is famous around the world as the City Of Lakes or Venice of The East. The Pichola Lake, Fateh Sagar, Udai Sagar and Swaroop Sagar in this city are considered some of the most beautiful lakes in the state. Fateh Sagar contains two small islands, one of which contains USO, or Udaipur solar observatory, and the other one has a beautiful garden called Nehru Garden.
It is known for its Rajput-era palaces. Particularly famous is the Lake Palace, which entirely covers a small island in the Pichola Lake. Many of the palaces have been converted into luxury hotels. The City Palace, or the Palace of the then King of Mewar, is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the city. The city is also known for its European style roof-top cafes.
Udaipur is one of India's most celebrated tourist destinations with a peculiarity and culture of its own.
- 1.2 million tourists a year
- Rs 1800 crore annual spend
- 3 hours away from Ahmedabad
- Total district population of 2.5 million
- City population of 0.55 million
- One of the highest per capita car population in India
- Some of the world's most luxurious hotels like The Oberoi Udaivilas, Taj Lake Palace, Radisson, Leela Palace etc.
How to reach Udaipur
By Road -Udaipur is connected by major road link between Mumbai and Delhi. The Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh road transport corporation operate buses to Udaipur from various region.
By Rail -Udaipur is on the western railway network. The railway station is about 2 km from the city center. Udaipur is directly connected by rail with Delhi, Jaipur, Ajmer and Jodhpur.
By Air - Indian Airlines Daily connects Udaipur from Jodhpur, Jaipur, Mumbai and Delhi. Dabok airport is 21km away from the city.
Places to visit in the city
City Palace Complex and Museums The gigantic City Palace, towering over the Pichola Lake, is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan.The original structure was built in the sixteenth century.The palace has numerous balconies, towers and cupolas and there are stunning views over the lake and the city from the upper terraces. The main part of the palace has now been preserved as a museum. It has a large and varied collection of artifacts. The museum includes the Bari Mahal, which has a lovely central garden. The Mor Chowk with it's beautiful mosaics of peacocks; the Manak Mahal with it's collection of glass and porcelain figures and the Krishna Vilas with it's fine collection of miniatures are a treat not to be missed. The Zenana Mahal (The women's private living quarters in a palace) also has a collection of paintings. If one wants to see examples of beautiful mirror-work then a visit to the Moti Mahal is a must. The Chini Mahal is covered in beautiful oriental tiles.
Crystal Gallery The staggering collection of crystal which is housed in what was earlier the ladies viewing gallery, was ordered by Maharana Sajjan Singh in 1877. At that time the Birmingham based company F & C Osler had a showroom in Calcutta and it was from here that Maharana Sajjan Singh got his inspiration. He however died before the shipment could arrive from England. Much of the crystal remained packed in cases and it was only in 1991 that it was arranged and opened for public display in its entirety. The variety of crystal objet d'art includes fountains, vases, crockery and furniture. What is amazing about this collection is the ethnicity of the designs. There are objects in crystal that are distinctly Indian in conception like the lotas or drinking water vessels and chuskies or small decanters. Alongside this fascinating range of crystal are exhibited silver beds, chairs and brocade and velvet seating.
Fateh Sagar North of Pichola Lake, this water body is overlooked by a number of hills and parks. It was originally built in 1678 by Maharana Jai Singh, but reconstructed by Maharana Fateh Singh after heavy rains destroyed the dam. A pleasant drive winds along the east bank and in the middle is Nehru Park, a popular garden island with a cafe shaped like a boat. You can get there by boat from near the bottom of Moti Magri. Paddle boats are available.
Jagdish Temple This exquisite Indo-Aryan temple is located north of the entrance to the City Palace. Maharani Jag Singh built it in 1651. A black stone image of Vishnu as Jagannath, Lord of the Universe is installed there. A shrine in the front of the temple has a brass image of the Garuda, a mythological bird .The steps upto the temple are flanked by elephants.
Saheliyon ki Bari The Gardens of the Maids of Honour bring to mind the unique lifestyle of the ladies of court. Boreding the embankment of the Fateh Sagar Lake, these gardens appear discrte and in impeccable taste. there are five fountains with elephant trunks for spouts.
Jagmandir Palace An island palace, its construction was begun by Maharana Karan Singh, but it takes it's name from Maharana Jagat Singh (1628-1652) who added to it a zenana (women's quarters) and named the island Jag Mandir in honour of himself. Made of the finest yellow sandstone inlaid with marble, it has been dedicated to Lord Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe. The place is available for holding various social functions such as parties and receptions and even marriages! In fact a lot of westerners come to get married at this place.
Mansoon Palace Visible in the distance from the city is the silhouette of this palace fort which stands on the summit of a pick, it used to be the mansoon residence of the royal family, from here you can have whole city view.
Shilpgram Created a 1989, the colourful Shilpgram-a rural arts and crafts villages is set amidst natural surroundings of Aravalli Hills. Barely 3 km from Udaipur, Shilpgram comprises 26 huts built by craftpersons drawn from all parts of the west Zone-Goa,Gujrat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Daman & Diu and Nagar Haveli.
Eklingji Temple 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.
Nagda 23km. On the shores of Lake Baghela, 2km west of Eklingji can be seen sevral ancient temples on a hill side, some of them from 12th century.
Temperature Max 40°C, Min 11°C
Languages English, Hindi, and Mewari
Ideal Time Septmber to March .