Udaipur

Quick Facts
Area: 17,279 square km.
Languages: Rajasthani, Hindi, Urdu, English, Sindhi
Best Time To Visit : July-March

Udaipur is known as the Venice of the east. It is also called the city of lakes. The Lake Palace on Jag Niwas Island in the middle of Pichola Lakes is the finest example of its architectural and cultural explosion.

The grand City Palace on the banks of the lake compliments the palace along with the Monsoon Palace (Sajjan Garh) on the hill above. Udaipur is also the centre for performing arts, craft and its famed miniature paintings. The Shilp Gram festival is a center of attraction during the season.

Maharana Udai Singh II founded Udaipur in 1568 after his citadel Chittorgarh was sacked by Mughal Emperor Akbar. The legends says that Udai Singh was guided by a holy man meditating on the hill near Pichola Lake to establish his capital on this very spot.

Surrounded by Aravali Ranges, forests and lakes this place was less vulnerable than Chittorgarh. Maharana Udai Singh died in 1572 and was succeeded by Maharana Pratap who valiantly defended Udaipur from subsequent Mughal attacks.

Maharana Pratap is the most revered Rajput icon and gallantly fought the Mughal at the Haldighati in 1576. Mewar continuously defied foreign invaders and has a history of bloody battles until the British intervention in the nineteenth when a treaty was signed to protect Udaipur. Upon independence Udaipur merged in the union of India.

What to See:

» Samode Palace » Sar Bagh

» Samode Bagh

» Taragarh fort

Where to Stay:

» Mansingh Palace » Hotel Regency » Hotel Embassy

» Hotel Sahil » Phool Mahal Palace » Hotel Ambassador

» Roopangarh Fort » Hotel Chitvan

Shopping:
Just like any other city in Rajasthan, Ajmer is also a shopper's paradise. There are numerous items in Ajmer that you will find worth buying. The most famous shopping items of Ajmer includes Antiques, Ornaments, Gold and silver jewelry in contemporary designs, Bandhini (colorful tie-and-dye Saris), Embroidered Jodhpuri Jutis (footwear), Ittar (a special form of local perfume).

Accessibility:
By Air - Jaipur (132 km from Ajmer) is the nearest airport.
By Rail - There is a well-connected network of buses that ply to and fro from Ajmer connecting it to major towns and cities in north India.

Suggested Itineraries : Rajasthan Cultural Trip Packages | Rajasthan Budget Tours