The magnificent
City Palace has an unrivalled position, overlooking Lake Pichola, and
boasts not just exquisite paintings but some stunning mosaics of
peacocks and brilliantly mirrored bed chambers. Wall tiles from as far
afield as China and Delft tell of a proud dynasty with a culture that
was sophisticated without being insular.
The lake is ringed by plump little hills, wreathed in mist. As the sun sets, the hills turn pink, then orange, then purple, before being swallowed up by night. The narrow streets of the old city have a lazy, somnolent quality. Shopkeepers lurk in the shadows, watching the world go by. A painted elephant plods past, eyes half shut.
Udaipur: An eternal melding of the ages, The Telegraph, 2 February 2008
The lake is ringed by plump little hills, wreathed in mist. As the sun sets, the hills turn pink, then orange, then purple, before being swallowed up by night. The narrow streets of the old city have a lazy, somnolent quality. Shopkeepers lurk in the shadows, watching the world go by. A painted elephant plods past, eyes half shut.
Udaipur: An eternal melding of the ages, The Telegraph, 2 February 2008
Udaipur is often
called the most romantic city in India because of its marble lakeside
palaces reflected in the still waters of the Lake Pichola Constructed
over four centuries from 1559 the City Palace allows
you to immerse yourself in the history of the local rulers. The museum
comprises both the Mardana Mahal (King's Palace) and Zenana Mahal
(Queen's Palace). Allow at least half a day to explore the maze of
rooms, courtyards, terraces and museums including the most recent
addition, the stunning Silver Museum. Two hotels are located within the
City Palace: the Shiv Niwas hotel was built in the early 20th century
and found fame in the James Bond movie Octopussy. The Fateh Prakash
hotel was also built in the early 20th century and served as a venue for
royal functions. Today, it houses the famous Durbar Hall and Crystal
Gallery Lake Pichola is the most popular of Udaipur's
man-made lakes. A boat ride on the lake, built in the 14th century,
gives a whole new perspective to Udaipur, especially the City Palace and
Jag Mandir where the boat stops. Jag Mandir was the
first palace to be constructed in it offers a restaurant with great
views towards the City Palace. Udaipur's most famous sight, the Lake Palace, was built in 1746 as a royal summer palace. Today, it is a luxury hotel and only accessible to hotel guests.The Bagore Ki Haveli was built in the 18th century and is located on the edge of Lake Pichola. Inside the haveli are more than 100 rooms, courtyards
and terraces, many with beautiful frescoes and fine mirror work. Royal
paintings, costumes of the royal kings, and traditional Rajasthani arts and crafts are on display as well as the world's largest turban. Jagdish Temple is
a large Hindu temple on a raised terrace a few hundred metres uphill
from the haveli. Completed in 1651 the temple is intricately carved and
should not be missed.
Nishant Singh is a professional writer for write the
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