Holidays, India, Travel

Utopian Udaipur

Posted by Sid's Photologue on October 12, 2015March 1, 2026

Situated in the fertile Girwa Valley to the southwest of Nagda, on the Banas River, Udaipur was founded by Maharana Udai singh in 1559

Located on the the ridge, east of Pichola Lake & at the foothills of Aravalli ranges, the city was established as the new capital of the Mewar kingdom.

With an interconnected lake systems of 10 lakes supporting the agriculture, industries & tourism; today, Udaipur is the one of the 5 most populus cities of Rajasthan….

…..from the world renowned Taj Lake Palace Hotel (remember the Indian sections of the James Bond film, Octopussy?)….

…to the religious ‘ghats’ of Lake Pichola….

…..Udaipur is a perfect example of harmony in diversity, co-exisiting in close proximity.

“Sahelion ki Bari” is a major garden and a popular tourist space in the northern part of the city. This was built for the group of forty-eight ‘saheli’ or women attendants who accompanied the princess to Udaipur as part of her dowry.

Built in 18th century by Maharana Sangram Singh, the main pool of ‘Sahelion ki Bari’ is called the ‘Kamal Taal’ – the lotus pond. The fountains work on natural pressure of water from the adjoining lakes & create sound of natural rains.

The superb architecture of the garden is embellished with numerous fountains in its four water pools……

….&; also the chiseled kiosks, marble elephants…..

……lotus pool and the bird-fountains…..

….all these ambience kind of spins a romantic web around you !!!

The City Palace of Udaipur, is a complex of several palaces, that were built over a period of 300+ years….

The construction of this palace started concurrent to the establishment of Udaipur city by Maharana Udai Singh.

Located on the east bank of Lake Pichola, the flamboyant architecture of this palace blends the Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles.

The historical legend suggests that a hermit met Maharana Udai Singh when he was on a hunting trail in the surrounding Aravalli hills…..

….the Maharana sought the hermit’s blessings, who was meditating on top of a hill above the Pichola Lake. The hermit advised the Maharana to build his palace at that very spot and that is where the palace complex was established at Udaipur

When viewed from the lake side, the Palace structure appears more like a fort……

…… but it has a complex which is interlinked through a number of chowks or quadrangles with zigzag corridors – planned in this fashion to avoid surprise attacks by enemies.

The main Tripolia (triple) gate of the palace

The unique aspect of this palace conglomeration is that the architectural design is a rich blend of Rajasthani…..

……Mughalai…….

…..Medieval……

….. European & Chinese architecture, that is distinctly homogeneous and eye catching.

The palace complex has been built entirely in granite and marble.

The Suraj Gokhda (The public address facade) of the palace

One unique characteristics of this palace complex is that most of its palaces are facing East. Maharana Udai Singh belonged to the Suryavanshi Rajput clan (the worshipers of the Sun God)

The Mor- chowk (Peacock courtyard)

Each sub-palace of this palace chamber is uniquely & exquisitely designed…..

…….which were built by different rulers, but each stand harmonious with each other…

Adorned with unique paintings & valuable artifacts……

……….antique furniture…….

….ornamental tile work…….

…..and colourful glass mirror work !! The antiquity of the City Palace cannot be described in words. One must see it to believe it !!

Voted as the best city in the World in 2009 by the ‘Travel & Leisure’ magazine, Udaipur has a flourishing tourism industry. There are several Hotel options to choose from…..be it a modern lake view Hotel like this one (Hotel Lake Pichola)….

….or a more ‘palatial’ experience of Home Stay option like this one (Pahuna Haveli).

….or a more ‘palatial’ experience of Home Stay option like this one (Pahuna Haveli).

…where the guests are pampered like a Maharaja in the semi-palatial glory of the regal architecture…..

…..& royal services !

Imperial….isn’t it?

As the night falls over this City of lakes & palaces……

….the traditional Rajasthani music fills the air at the Hanuman Ghat of Lake Pichola…..

…..the lights of faith decors the waters of the lake….

…. & the royal legacy comes alive, basking in its glorious past !

The prosperous ‘present’ tries to compete for it’s share of splendour……

……..but the majestic beauty of the affluent Indian heritage, simply outshines it !!!!

Udaipur is an artist’s inspiration…..a poetic illustration……an archaeologist’s paradise………& for a passionate shutterbug like me…. it is truly a Photographer’s heaven !

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gurleen says:

October 13, 2015 at 9:45 am

Awesome pics! great capture

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