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UDAIPUR,
Rajasthan
Udaipur, with its three beautiful lakes and fairy tale palaces, is
perhaps the loveliest city in a state (Rajasthan)
that has some of the most exotic locations in
India. Located in the heart of the
Aravalli Hills,
Udaipur
still brings alive the legends of the romantic past.
Udaipur
remains a city untouched by modernity and is enchanting
with lakes in the midst of sandy terrain and green
forested hills. The city is centered around Lake
Pichola
with its Lake Palace in the middle.
Places of Interest
Pichola
Lake:
The beautiful
Pichola
Lake surrounded by hills has marble palaces on two of its
little islands. Crowning the ridge on the eastern shore of
the lake is the magnificent palace of the
maharanas of
Udaipur.
There are fine walks and parks along the shore of the
lake. Lake Pichola has two island - Jag Niwas and Jag
Mandir.
Jag
Nivas
The Lake Palace built in 1754 covers an entire 1.5 hectare
island. The palace with its unusual location, pretty
courtyards set with fountains, its gardens and beautifully
appointed rooms if now a hotel.
Jag
Mandir:
This is the other palace on the lake
City Palace and Museum:
Built during different periods, the imposing structure is
a collection of palaces built by different rulers. The
immense palace has octagonal towers, balconies and
cupolas. A part of the palace is now a museum with
splendid collections of miniatures, glass, porcelain, arms
and even old Rolls Royce cars. There is a spectacular view
of the city and lakes from its upper terraces.
Lake
Fateh
Sagar: Lying north of
Lake
Pichola,
it has a fine lake side road winding along its periphery.
Jagdish
Temple:
An impressive temple near the
City
Palace built in 1651, has a black stone image of the Lord
Vishnu in the sanctum.
Pratap
Smarak: On top of the
Moti
Magri hill overlooking the
Fateh
Sagar
Lake is a memorial to
Maharana
Pratap, set amid pretty gardens.
Bharatiya
Lok
Kala
Mandal
Museum:
A small museum with an interesting collection of folk art,
musical instruments, clothes, arms, paintings, masks, etc.
Ahar:
Close to
Udaipur
are the remains of the ancient city of
Ahar
with the cenotaphs of the
maharanas of
Mewar and a small museum.
Around
Udaipur
Eklingji (21 km)A
beautiful complex of 108 temples carved out of white
marble, here is where the
maharanas of
Udaipur
were once crowned.
Nathdwara
(48 km)
The
famous shrine to Lord Krishna attracts innumerable
pilgrims throughout the year.
Kumbhalgarh
Fort (84 km):
A splendid 15th
century fort with temples and palaces within. A game
reserve surrounds it.
Ranakpur
(90 km)
Exquisite Jain temples, of lacy marble, built in the 15th
century, are located in a peaceful and remote valley.
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