Maharana Udai Singh II established Udaipur as the Mewar Kingdom's new capital in 1553. It's in the Girwa Valley, a rich, circular valley to the southwest of Nagda, Mewar's initial capital.
The city of lakes is often referred to as the "Venice of the East." Udaipur is surrounded by azure water lakes and enclosed in by the Aravallis' lush green hills. One of Udaipur's most magnificent attractions is the famed Lake Palace, which is situated in the midst of Lake Pichola. It also has Jaisamand Lake, which is said to be Asia's second largest man-made sweet water lake. The magnificent City Palace and Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace) add to the city's architectural splendour.The abundance of zinc and marble in the city is also well-known. The solar observatory in Lake Fateh Sagar is India's sole observatory on an island, and it was designed after Big Bear Lake in Southern California. The Shilpgram Festival, which runs from December 21 to December 30, attracts a huge number of people interested in arts and crafts.
IN UDAIPUR, THERE ARE MANY ATTRACTIONS AND PLACES TO VISIT AND EXPLORE.
PALACE OF THE CITY OF UDAIPUR
Overlooking Lake Pichola, the City Palace stands tall. The palace's balconies, cupolas, and towers provide a spectacular view of the lake and the surrounding city. The majestic City Palace is made up of four primary and several subsidiary palaces that make up the complex. The main part of the palace is now a museum with relics on display.
PALACE ON THE LAKE
The building, which is now a hotel, was previously known as Jagniwas and served as a summer palace. The palace, which faces east and was built between 1743 and 1746 on an island near Jagmandir in Lake Pichola, is a magnificent site to behold. Semi-precious stones and ornate niches embellish the walls composed of black and white marbles. The courtyards are lined with gardens, fountains, pillared terraces, and columns.
MANDIR JAG
The Jagmandir palace is located on an island in Lake Pichola. The construction of the 'Lake Garden Palace,' also known as the 'Lake Palace,' began in 1620 and was completed about 1652. The palace was used by the royal family as a summer retreat and for hosting events. When Prince Khurram - afterwards Emperor Shah Jahan - rebelled against his father Emperor Jahangir, he was offered refuge here. The Palace had such an influence on Emperor Shah Jahan that it was used as the model for one of the world's most stunning structures, the Taj Mahal.
THE PALACE OF THE MONSOON
This 19th-century palace is constructed on top of the Bansdara hills, just outside of Udaipur. It was built as a monsoon palace and hunting lodge by Maharana Sajjan Singh with the intention of turning it into an astrological centre. Maharana Sajjan Singh's premature death put an end to the idea. It remains an awe-inspiring presence on the Udaipur skyline, providing breathtaking views of the city and its environs.
MUSEUM OF AHAR
The Ahar Museum is located beside an amazing cluster of Maharanas of Mewar cenotaphs. The museum houses a small yet valuable collection of earthenware. You can also look at sculptures and archaeological artefacts, some of which date back to the year 1700 BC. A noteworthy attraction here is a Buddha metal statue from the 10th century.
TEMPLE OF THE JAGDISH
Jagdish Temple, which was established in 1651 and is still one of the most famous temples in and around Udaipur, is an example of Indo-Aryan architecture. The temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and features carved pillars, beautiful ceilings, and painted walls, is an architectural marvel. Maharana Jagat Singh I constructed this three-story temple.
LAKE FATEH SAGAR
To the north of Lake Pichola is this lovely lake, which is surrounded by hills and woods. A canal connects this manmade lake to Lake Pichola. The lake is home to the lovely Nehru Island as well as an islet where the Udaipur Solar Observatory is located. It was originally known as Connaught Bundh and was founded by the Duke of Connaught.
PICHOLA LAKE
Picholi was the name of a town that gave the lake its name. This lake is home to the islands of Jagniwas and Jagmandir. The City Palace is located on the lake's eastern shore. A sunset boat trip on the lake provides a spectacular view of the Lake and City Palace.
BARI SAHELIYON SAHELI
Saheliyon-ki-Bari, or the Garden of the Maidens, was built by Maharana Sangram Singh II as a garden for women. It is now a renowned tourist site. It includes various attractions, including marble elephants, fountains, shops, and a lotus pool, in addition to a small museum.
ZOO AND GULAB BAGH
Gulab Bagh (Sajjan Niwas Garden) is Udaipur's largest garden. The garden proudly shows many species of roses, from which it also receives its name. It is spread out over 100 acres.
CIRCLE OF SUKHADIA
To the north of Udaipur is Sukhadia Circle. It includes a tiny pond with a three-tiered marble fountain that stands 21 feet tall. The fountain, which is adorned with intricately carved designs, is particularly impressive when illuminated at night. The fountain is surrounded by gardens, making it a beautiful respite in the middle of a tourist-heavy city.
MANDAL OF BHARATIYA LOK KALA
Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal is a cultural organisation in Udaipur dedicated to the study of folk art, culture, songs, and festivals from Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. It also has a museum that exhibits diverse Rajasthani artefacts in addition to promoting folk culture.
BAGORE KI HAVELI
Bagore-ki-Haveli is located in Gangaur Ghat, near Lake Pichola. It was created in the 18th century by Mewar's Prime Minister, Amar Chand Badwa. Over a hundred rooms house costumes and modern art in the colossal palace. In the interiors, the glass and mirrors are structured in a traditional haveli manner.
SHILPGRAM
The Centre's Shilpgram - the Rural Arts and Crafts Complex is located 7 kilometres west of Udaipur, near Lake Fateh Sagar. The Rural Arts and Crafts Complex, which spans 70 acres and is bordered by the Aravallis, was designed as a living museum to exhibit the lifestyles of the west zone's folk and tribal people.
UDAI SAGAR LAKE
The Udai Sagar Lake is one of Udaipur's five stunning lakes. The creation of this lake began in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh, around 13 kilometres east of Udaipur. The lake is the consequence of a dam that was built on the river Berach to ensure that the Maharana's domain had enough water. Udai Sagar Lake has a length of 4 kilometres, a width of 2.5 kilometres, and a depth of roughly 9 metres.
HALDIGHATI
In the slopes of the Aravalli Range, Haldighati is a famous mountain pass. The pass joins the districts of Rajsamand and Pali, around 40 kilometres from Udaipur. The region's yellow-colored dirt is responsible for the pass's name.
LAKE DOODH TALAI
The Doodh Talai Lake is another popular site along the road that leads to Pichola Lake. The lake is tucked between numerous small hillocks, which are tourist attractions in and of themselves. The Doodh Talai Lake Garden includes the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Park and the Manikya Lal Verma Garden.
LAKE JAISAMAND
The second largest man-made sweet water lake in Asia, Jaisamand Lake is located in India. It is well-known among the locals as a weekend picnic spot. According to locals, the lake was built to divert the waters of the Ruparel River. At the centre of the lake lies a big island that is home to a variety of bird species.
MAHAL NAVALAKHA (GULAB BAGH)
Navalakha Mahal is located in the heart of a Gulab Bag in the old city of Udaipur, which was initially set out in the eighteenth century. Maharishi Dayanand, who arrived in Udaipur on the invitation of His Highness Maharana Sajjan Singh, the 72nd monarch of the Kingdom of Mewar, lived in Navalakha Mahal for over six and a half months. Maharishi Dayanand finished penning his best masterpiece, the immortal Satyarth Prakash, in Navalakha Mahal.
MUSEUM OF WAX
The Hollywood Wax Museum, located on Sajjangarh Road, is an engaging interactive visitor attraction. The Museum was created to provide an interactive experience that would take you on a journey through wax effigy. At the celebrity wax museum, you can expect exceptional life-like wax work characters. For all ages, the Museum offers the ultimate entertainment experience. The wax museum also features a 9-D action movie theatre, a gaming zone, a mirror image, and a horror show.