Rajasthan(PART-IV)
Udaipur
Unforgettable Udaipur, the charming ‘City of Lakes’ was
founded by Maharana Udai Singh in1559 and was named after him. The beautiful
city sprawls picturesquely on the slop of a low ridge along the banks of
Pichola and Fatehsagar lakes. It is surrounded by an amphitheatre of low hills
and studded with placid blue lakes, white marble palaces, graceful gardens and
sacred shrines. The numerous water bodies give Venetian look to the city, which
stands out in stark contrast with its desert neighborhood. Undoubtedly Udaipur
is one of the most romantic and enchanting city of the country. It
is often called the "Venice of the East", and is also nicknamed the
"Lake City".
City Palace
The City Palace in Udaipur was built in a flamboyant style and is considered the largest of its type in Rajasthan, a fusion of the Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles, and was built on a hill top that gives a panoramic view of the city.
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| Sheesh Mahal |
The palace complex is a conglomeration of eleven palaces, numerous courtyard, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens, built ovar a span of over three hundred years. The complex is approached through the ‘Hathi Pol’ or the ‘Elephant gate’. The ‘Bara Pole’ or the ‘Great Gate’ brings you to the first courtyard which leads to the ‘Tripolia Gate’, with eight carved marble arches or torans.
The way now leads to a series of courtyards overlapping pavilion terraces, corridors and hanging gardens. There is a ‘Suraj Gokhara’ or the ‘Balcony of Sun’. The walls of seventh century ‘Mor Chowk’ or ‘Peacock Courtyard’ are adorned with three large peacocks (mor), a vivid mosaic in the glass. The ‘Zenana Mahal’ or ‘women’s quarters’ facing the Mor Chowk has some of the most splendid room in the Palace.Other important chambers includes, the ‘Sheesh Mahal’ with inlaid mirror (Sheesh) work and the ‘Chandra Chowk’ or the ‘Moon Square’, at the top of the palace. The ‘Krishna Vilas’ is full of fine miniatures depicting splendid scince of royal processions, festivals, the games of Chogan etc. The ‘Chini Ghitrasala’ is noteworthy for its blue and white Chinese and Dutch ceramics. The ‘Bhim Bilas Palace’ exhibits a series of wall paintings on Lord Krishna. The ‘Amar Bilas’ has a well laid out terrace garden.
Lake Palace
Lake Palace was built in 1743- 1746 under the
direction of the Maharana Jagat Singh II (62nd successor to the royal dynasty
of Mewar) of Udaipur, Rajasthanas a royal summer palace and was initially
called Jagniwas or Jan Niwas after its founder. The Maharana, ruler of Udaipur
from 1628 to 1654, was very friendly with Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and
encouraged his craftsmen to copy some of the glories of his incomparable
buildings at Agra. The palace was constructed facing east, allowing its
inhabitants to pray to the Sun god at the crack of dawn. The successive rulers
used this cool haven as their summer resort, holding their regal durbars in its
courtyards lined with columns, pillared terraces, fountains and gardens.
Lake Palace (formerly known as Jag Niwas) is now a luxury hotel, of
83 rooms and suites featuring white marble walls, located on a natural
foundation of 4 acres (16,000 m2) rock on the Jag Niwas Island
in Lake Pichola, Udaipur, India. The hotel operates a boat which transports
guests to the hotel from a jetty at the City Palace. It has been voted as the
most romantic hotel in India.
Lake Pichola
Picturesque Pichola
surrounded by hills palaces, temples, bathing ghat and embankments, is about
4km. in length and 3km. wide. It is named after the village of Picholi. The
main attractions are two island palaces Jag Nivas and Jag Mandir set splendidly
in the turquoise waters of lake. The majestic City Palace sprawls along the
eastern bank of the lake.
Jag Mandir
Jag Mandir tis the
second island palace of Pichola. The construction of the palace was started by
Maharaja Karan Singh. Later on, several additions were made by Maharana Jagat
Singh and was named after him.
Fateh Sagar
Fateh Sagar was built
in 1678 by Maharana Jai Singh to the north of lake Pichola and two lakes are
linked by a canal. The lake is enclosed on the three sides by hills and the
Pratap Memorial lies to the north of the reservoir. It is named after Fateh
Singh who undertook renovations of the lake and rebuilt the dam. A drive around
the lake during the sunset is a truly enchanting experience.
Jagdish Temple
Jagdish Temple is a large Hindu temple in the middle
of Udaipur in Rajasthan. A big tourist attraction, the temple was originally
called the temple of Jagannath Rai but is now called Jagdish-ji. It is a major
monument in Udaipur. The Jagdish Temple is raised on a tall terrace and was
completed in 1651. It attaches a double-storey Mandapa (hall) to a double-story
saandhara (with a covered ambulatory) sanctum. The mandapa has another storey
tucked within its pyramidal samavarna (bell-roof) while the hollow clustered
spire over the sanctum contains two more, nonfunctional stories.
Saheliyon ki Bari
Splendid Saheliyon ki
Bari or the ‘Gardens of the maids’ reflect the luxurious and unique life style
of the ladies of the royal court.The well laid out garden flanking the
embankment of the Fateh Sagar Lake was built for the forty eight young
ladies-in-waiting who accompanied a princes to Udaipur as part of her dowry.
The gardens noted for their discreet and impeccable taste are studded with four
lotus pools with dainty kiosks, marble pavilions and elephant shape fountains.
The colorful flower beds, lawns are protected by a series of walls and shady
trees.
* There are many places in Udaipur besides these. I am just trying to share the most beautiful places.
