Introduction
UDAIPUR is also known as the "City of Palaces", a "Fairyland" and a "Vision in Dream". It is surrounded by hills, mountains, and its beautiful palaces are mirrored in the calm blue water of Lake Pichola. Udaipur, as the capital of Mewar, was created by Maharana Udai Singh in 1568. The lakeside city was built on a small wooded plain encircled by mountains, which was in direct contrast to the masculinity of Chittor and Kumbhalgarh. The houses and temples of the old city stretch out around the Lake Pichola in a pale honeycomb that makes Udaipur an oasis of colors in a stark and arid region like Rajasthan.

UDAIPUR - IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Altitude 577 meters above sea level Area 37 sq. km Language Rajasthani, Hindi, English Population 3,66,000 Best time to visit September-March STD Code 0294

UDAIPUR - CLIMATE AND LOCATION
Climate
Udaipur has a tropical climate, but more pleasing than other places in Rajasthan. In the summers, mercury rises up to a maximum of 38.3°C. Not much respite is there in the summers, as the minimum temperature does not fall below 28ºC. Winters are a little cold with the maximum temperature rising to 28.8°C and the minimum dipping to 11.6°C. The annual total rainfall is 61 cm. Winters (September-March) are the best period for visiting Udaipur.

Location
Udaipur is located in the North Western corner of India and part of Rajasthan. The city is a part of Aravalli Hills that gives it a sense of vegetation and a welcome respite from the arid land that Rajasthan is. Udaipur is well connected through air, rail, and road to other important cities of India like Jaipur, Delhi, and Mumbai.

UDAIPUR - HISTORY AND LEGENDS
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.

UDAIPUR - SIGHTSEEING
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.

UDAIPUR - EXCURSIONS
Ahar
Ahar, the ancient capital of Sisodia Ahariyas, dates back to 2nd Century A.D. It lies three kilometers east of the town. An interesting complex of marble cenotaphs stands on a raised platform open and surmounted by the cupolas. The edifice is decorated with a four-faced statue. There are two finely carved temples here, which date back to the 10th Century A.D.

Eklingji
Eklingji is located at a distance of around 22 km from Udaipur. This small pilgrimage town is set in a deep ravine that contains Eklingji Lake. The white - marble temple of Eklinga has a two-storey mandapa to Lord Shiva. This was the royal temple of Mewars, as Lord Shiva is their family deity. The temple was first built in 734 AD and was rebuilt again in the 15th century. The temple is known for its silver door and screen and there is a Nandi built of silver that faces the black marble statue of Lord Shiva.

Nathdwara
Nathdwara, 48 kilometers from Udaipur, is an important Hindu pilgrim center, also famous for nurturing the glorious tradition of Pichwal paintings.

Ranakpur
The famous Ranakpur Temples are located 96 km from Udaipur. Begun in 1438 by Rana Kumbha, Ranakpur became a strangely tranquil meditation center in frequently war-ravaged land. It also becomes a magnificent sculpture museum to which wealthy Jain merchants and ministers kept adding shrines and statues. The central Chaumukha Temple is dedicated to the venerated Tirthankar Adinath. With its 29 halls and 1,444 distinctly carved pillars, this is an astounding monument. The superb marble friezes and carvings should be enjoyed at leisure, and the legends treated with suspended disbelief.

Two temples dedicated to the Jain saints Parasnath and Neminath have beautiful erotic carvings very similar to those, which have made Khajuraho famous. And truly worth visiting is the much earlier probably 6th century Sun Temple close by, which has polygonal walls richly embellished with warriors, horses, and booted solar deities driving splendid chariots.

UDAIIPUR - TRANSPORTATION
By Air
Udaipur is connected to Jaipur, Delhi, Jodhpur, Aurangabad, and Mumbai by regular Indian Airlines flights. You can reach the city center in 35 to 40 minutes from the airport by City Buses or Taxis.

By Rail
Udaipur is connected to Delhi, Chittor, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Ajmer, and Jodhpur by rail. Railway station is located around 4 km east of Udai Pol in the city center.

By Road
Udaipur is on National Highway No. 8. Transport corporations of several states such as Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh operate buses to Udaipur. The main bus stand is on the City Station Road from where one can take buses to most of the other important tourist destinations of Rajasthan as well as western India and northern India.

Local Transport
Main tourist area around Jagdish Temple and City Palace can be explored on foot. For others, you may need to take auto-rickshaws or taxis. Most of the taxis and auto-rickshaws are unmetered and it is better to settle on a fare before embarking.