Udaipur, the magnificent capital of the erstwhile Mewar was known as the City of Sunrise. It was established around the year 1567 AD. It is situated at the foothills of Aravalli near the banks of Lake Pichola. The fascinating ‘Saheliyon ki Bari’ or the ‘Garden of Royal Maids’ was built by Maharana Sangram Singh II. It is said that he built the beautiful garden for the 48 maids who accompanied his wife’s as a dowry. While another story behind the laying of the garden speaks of the kingly affections of a father for his ailing daughter who missed the fun with her friends in the spring season. The Maharana is said to have recreated the season with fountains and pools run by the hydraulic system devised in the 16th century.
The garden has marble pathways and is flanked by life size marble recreations of elephants and lions spouting out water into the water pools. The Maharana constructed a separate tent for the rain fountains to create an illusion of the rains.
The reservoir of the Saheliyon ki Bari is flanked on its four corners cenotaphs made of black marble with sculpted birds perched on the roofs jetting out water through their beaks.
It is a garden abundant with watercourses. The spectacular water pools with exotic lotus
flowers floating in its center exudes a romantic atmosphere.The fountains that the Maharana installed in the garden were imported from England. Around the fountains the Maharana and other rulers relaxed. It is a pleasure to walk through the marble laid pathway of the garden with clusters of bougainvillea bending down to greet you.
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