Udaipur, the city of lakes, is an enchanting city heaving royal charm from its every quarters. The city is a perfect showcase of Rajasthani royalty and splendid beauty, which attracts thousands of visitors from all over the globe. Read on, if you’re up for an enticing trip to the fascinating places in the city.
The ‘Venice of the East’ as they call it, Udaipur is a lavish affair with the Rajasthani royalty. Its majestic palaces and beautiful street side restaurants appears carries a global charm and exhales traditional culture from every sphere. You can take a Jaipur to Udaipur train to reach this beautiful city. Let’s take a look at some of the most fascinating places to explore in the city of Udaipur.
City Palace: The largest palace of its kind in the state, this marvelous monument consists of several palaces, terraces, courtyards, pavilions and gardens. The rooms and chambers within the palace are ornamented with shining stones, art works, ivory and precious wooden work. Getting awe-struck to the the wonderful Mughal architecture is no brainer. Currently the palace serves as a museum and showcases a beautiful collection of artifacts, royal attire and ammunition.
Udaipur lakes: Famous as the ‘city of lakes’, Udaipur city appears like a magical oasis at the fringes of the great thar desert. Out of others, the Lake Pichola is the most famous one, which is bordered with bathing ghats, havelis, temples, palaces and gardens. Some of the boutique havelis have been turned into small hotels with patio restaurants overlooking the lake. There are few cafes along the ghats as well, which feels like being at a foreign place. There are two small islands on Lake Pichola – Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir, both of which can be enjoyed on fascinating boat rides. Other lakes like Fateh Sagar and Udai Sagar are equally famous, which are regularly visited by tourists.
Jagdish Mandir: Lying in close proximity to the City Palace, lies the Jagdish Mandir. It’s the largest temple in the city of Udaipur dedicated to Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The walls of the temple is decorated with carvings from the ancient era and are often compares to those at Khajuraho.
Jag Mandir: Popular as the Lake Garden Palace, this fascinating temple is located on an island in Lake Pichola. The temple consists of a sprawling courtyard and gardens with pavement made out of black and white tiles. The temple premises also has a small haveli, known as Gul Mahal, and the legend has it that it’s the place where the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan took refuge along his family after starting a rebellion against his father, Jahangir.
Saheliyon ki Bari: Meaning the ‘Garden for the royal maids’, it is one of the most beautiful garden in Udaipur. The garden is ornamented with fountains and small ponds with ornate elephants. It’s a great place to seek some quiet time away from the tourist crowd.
If you’re planning for a trip to the enchanting Udaipur, make your travel arrangements well in advance. Several major trains of the Indian Railway run through the city, else you can also take roadways or flights.