Saturday, November 22, 2008

Udaipur Tourist Attractions

Udaipur offers numerous tourist attractions to gratify the thirst of tourists. Places of interest could be different for different persons and keeping this fact in mind, we have tried to provide you information regarding the best tourist attractions of Udaipur. The imperial city of Udaipur boasts of picturesque lakes, massive forts, beautiful palaces, art museums, well-laid gardens, architectural temples, colorful fairs and festivals. Anything from these places could be your place of interest. You will definitely be mesmerized by the scenic beauty of the large lakes that form a picture-perfect background of Udaipur city.

The beautiful palaces of the city depict the lavish lifestyle of the ancient rulers. The temples of Udaipur are known for their striking architecture and impressive structures. If you are tired, then the gardens of Udaipur would definitely help you to lighten up with their refreshing appeal. The massive forts reveal the stories of the glorious part and their solid foundation is worth mentioning. Apart from these, the city has one of the best solar observatories of the World. This could be another destination that might be a travel attraction for you. Catch more on the tourist attractions of Udaipur through the following links:

City Palace : The largest palace of the Udaipur is the City Palace , which was the winter palace of Maharana . On the eastern shore of the Pichhola lake, the granite palace is a magical one. The legend is that in 1559 Maharana Udai Singh after receiving assurance from sage Harit that he would never be defeated by enemies built this palace. From that time onwards, for 300yrs, different Maharanas built different mahals in the City Palace , thus the total number of mahals are 11. ln 1818, British captured power but returned it to Maharana. Except this attack, there was no assault. In the 17 th century, Jagat Singh built many unique mahals. It is said that England 's famed Castle of Windsor 's resemblance is found in this palace. Via the Bodi Pole to the north (1600) through Tripolia Gate (1725) one can enter the palace. Eight beautifully chiselled arches were constructed in between.

Jagadish Temple : In 1651AD, Maharana Jagat Singh built Jagadish Temple in Indo-Aryan Nagri style spending 15 lakh rupees. This temple is to the north of the palace and is three-storeyed. Here, the idol is Lord of the Universe, Vishnu, as Jagannath. He is worshipped every day. In front of it, there is an idol of Gadud, made of brass. In miniature paintings, the depiction of Raj Kumari or Royal Princess Krishna Kumari's drinking poison, to avoid marriage with the Jodhpur or Jaipur princess, and Krishna Villa enthralls with its glittering architecture. Climbing 32 steps there is a courtyard at a height of 25 m. Around the main temple, there are also four temples in four corners. The enshrined Gods are Ganesha, Surya, Durga and Gauriswara.

Pichhola Lake : At the end of the 14th century, covering 10sq km area the artificial Pichhola Lake was created. During the rule of Udai Singh Pichhola's area was increased while Bode Pole was made. The rain enriched Pichhola Lake is surrounded on four sides with some low hills. The water comes from 160km away. There are some islands scattered in the lake and in some islands there are many castle sand temples. To the east of the lake there is the City Palace . To the south there is a beautiful garden, there are many types of ghats in the lake like Dhobi Ghat, etc. On a moonlit night the beauty of this place amazes the tourists.

Chavand: NH-8 from Udaipur has taken its route into the Aravalli hills and crossing the border it advances to the state of Gujarat . In this route, 48 km to the south from Udaipur and in the east 12 km from Udaipur is Chavand, a temple famous in history. Rana Pratap after being driven out from Chittor took shelter in this palace of Chavand . He united his army and attacked Mewar from here. 15 km to the south of Parshad on NH-3 at Rishavdev, there is a beautiful decorated temple made of marble, which you may visit. There is a very ordinary guest house for the tourists at Rishavdev.

Dungarpur: On the border of Rajasthan and Gujarat, on the S-Eastern side, 24 km away from Udaipur is the city of Dungarpur . Dungar means hill and pur means town, this is where Bhil tribals live. The whole hilly area is shaded by green forest surrounded by the Gaiba Sagar Lake on three sides. At a height of 1500ft, Dungarpur is famous for its beautiful fort and Rajrajeshwar Shiva Temple . Its fort, built in 1282 AD, is one of the most beautiful forts of Rajasthan. In 13th century a group of Mewar Rajputs after a quarrel with their family left Chittor and came here and built Dungarpur as a kingdom. There is a museum here in the palace with unique murals, frescos and ancient mosaic tiles, etc. Here one can see the cultural life and legacy of Dungarpur.

Jaisamand Lake/Sanctuary: If you have enough time, you may visit Jaisamand or Dhevar Lake , which is 48 km to the S-East of Udaipur . To build Rubi Rani Ki Mahal or Hawa Mahal (a summer resort for his beloved queen) Rana Jai Singh built (in 1691) Lake Dhevar (second largest in Asia ) on a 100 ft high dam. There is a island in the lake, where Bhil tribes live.

Nathdwara: Nathdwara is the second richest temple in India , it is on the NH-8 and a holy place of Vaishnav community. ln the temple, full of beautiful painting sand simple architectural decorations. There is a black granite idol of Sree Krishna who is popular as Srinathji. It is said that the idol was brought from Mathura to Mewar in order to save it form the hatred of Aurangzeb. Legend is that, on the way, the wheel of the chariot by which the idol was being carried, broke down at Sihar. Then there was an oracle that the deity would have to be placed where the chariot had stopped. Though the idol was setup in 1669, it was as old as 12th century and originally installed by Sree Vallabhacharya, a Telegu Brahmin. In course of time a temple was built. Non-Hindus are not allowed and photography is prohibited. Janmastami and Deepawali are big festivals.

Haldighati or Pass: From the soil's yellow colour the place acquired the name Haldighati. It is 6km to the west from Nathdwara and from Udaipur it is 56 km to the S- West in the Aravalli hills with dark yellow soil. In this place with the tribal Bhils, Rana Pratap checked the army of Akbar. The battle was fought on 21 June 1576. Rana was defeated. While crossing a deep ditch with the wounded Rana on its back, Chetak fell in the ditch and died. In memory of this great horse, there is a monument. In the battlefield there is the grave of Hakim Khan Suri and Kshetri Gulab Bagh.

Eklingaji: 25 km to the north of Udaipur , by conducted tour or by taxi or bus and from Nathdwara, 25 km journey by bus on Delhi- Udaipur-Mumbai Rd at Kailash Puri is Eklingaji, a white marble temple complex. It was built in the 8th century, consisting of 108 temples. In the pyramid shaped decorated temple the enshrined god of the Ranas of Mewar is Eklingaji with four heads made of black stone. The western face is of Lord Brahma, northern one is of Sree Vishnu, eastern one of Sun God and the southern one is of Rudra or Lord Shiva. In 734 AD Bappa Raoel built this temple. The height of the temple is 50ft and it is very beautiful. The door is made of silver and the Nandi is also made of silver, besides, there are 10-faced Kali, Parvati, Ganesha and many other idols of Hindu gods and goddesses in these temples. The temple complex was renovated by Maharana Raimall (1473-1509).

Kankroli: Due to severe draught, Maharana Raj Singh built a dam in Rajsamand lake in 1660. The garden and Chhattis have made this place wonderful. On the south bank of the lake, in a style similar to that of Eklingaji, there is a temple built by Maharana Raj Singh. Lord Sree Krishna as Dwarkadhish or Lord of Dwarka is the enshrined God here. The pilgrims give food to thousands of homing pigeons.

Rajsamand Lake : Near Kankroli on Udaipur-Ajmer is Rajsamand Lake . From Udaipur the distance is 70 km. Spending one and half crore rupees, Maharana Raj Singh built this lake in 1660. The area of the lake is 7.7 sq km. In the dam there are 2S rocks upon which inscription in Sanskrit is found, wrote by Ranchod Bhatta. This stone inscription is the largest. There are also nine temples full of sculptures and a small fort on the bank of the lake. Repeated battles between Jai Singh and Aurangzeb took place here.

KumbhaIgadh : On the border of Mewar and Marwar, 84 km to the north of Udaipur , on the rough hilly terrains of Aravalli range, at a height of 1087 m there is the Kumbhalgadh fort. It was built by Rana Kumbha in 1458. It is the second oldest fort in Rajasthan after Chittor fort. Only once it was attacked by Mughal (Akbar), Jodhpur and Ambar's combined force. The renowned historical figure Dhatri Panna had made this place unique with her courage and supreme sacrifice. To save her master's son, Panna gave her own son to the killers. The Badal Mahal of the fort was renovated by Rana Fateh Singh. It is surrounded by a 12 km long wall with seven gates. But all the mahals are now locked.

Ghanerao: Enthusiastic tourists can visit Ghanerao to see the old temples, baori and Chhattis made of stone built by Gopal Das Rathore in 1606. It is 50 km by jeep or an 18 km trek from Kumbhalgadh. This spot was of great importance with regard to security on the connecting route of Udaipur , Jodhpur and Jaipur. Receiving 50 villages as dowry from Jaipur, Gopal Das formed an independent state in 1606. Till joining with India in 1947, this was an autonomous state.

Udaipur Solar Observatory : Udaipur Solar Observatory is considered as the best solar observing site in Asia. Situated on an island in the Fateh Sagar Lake, Solar Observatory of Udaipur is among the few in the world that are sited on an island. This observatory was designed as per the model of Solar Observatory at Big Bear Lake in Southern California.

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