| Udaipur Travel |
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Out of many sobriquets of Udaipur, the 'City of Lakes' and the 'City of Dawn' are the most famous appellations given to Udaipur. The city of Udaipur is ideally set amidst the lush green Aravalli hills and the three lakes. The mesmerizing lakes, palaces, temples and gardens make Udaipur one of the most frequently visited tourist destinations in India. The glittering waters of Lake Pichola make the city of Udaipur most romantic city of India.
Udaipur is also called - Jewel of Mewar - as it was ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for a consecutive duration of 1200 years. There are many tourist attractions in Udaipur that make your journey quite memorable in every sense.
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The central ‘Chaumukh’ or four faced temple is dedicated to the venerated the Tirthankara Rishabhji. Open on all four sides, it enshrines the four faces image of Adinath. Sprawling over 48,000 sq. feet, the temple is an astounding creation with 29 halls and 1,444 pillars-all distinctly carved.
Images of 24 tirthankaras are carved on the ‘mandaps’ or porticoes in a corridor around the shrine with each mandap having a ‘shikhar’ or spire adorned with little bells on the top. The gentle breeze wafting through the corridors move the bells creating celestial music all around the complex. Rising in three storeys, the temple has four small shrines with 80 spires supported by 420 columns. |
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| Fairs & Festivals in Udaipur |
Mewar Festival (11th-12th April, 2005)
A festival to welcome the spring season. There is song, dance, processions, devotional music and fireworks where almost everybody participates |
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Udai pur History
Udaipur is the jewel of Mewar kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200
Years. The foundation of the city has an interesting legend associated with it.
According to it, Maharana Udai Singh, the founder, was hunting one day when he
met a holy man meditations on a hill overlooking the Lake Pichhola. The hermit
blessed the Maharana and advised him to build a palace at this favorable located
spot with a fertile valley watered by the stream, a lake, an agreeable altitude
and an amphitheater of low mountains. Maharana followed the advise of the hermit
and founded the city in 1559 A.D.
Udaipur Culture
A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sound and experiences and inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writers. Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavor of a heroic past, epitomizing valour and chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters of the Lake Pichhola is an enticing sight. Overlooking the aquamarine expanses of the Lake Pichhola stands the splendid City Palace-a marvel in granite and marble.
Of the original eleven gates of the Udaipur City, only five remain. The Suraj Pol the original or Sun Gate on the eastern side is the main entrance to the city. Exquisite lake palaces of Udaipur shimmering like jewels on Lake Pichhola are overwhelming in splendor.
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| General Information of Ranakpur |
By Air
Udaipur is well connected to all the major cities which includes Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Jodhpur, Jaipur.
By Bus
Rajasthan Roadways run very comfortable deluxe & air conditioned buses from Jaipur, Delhi, Ahmedabad to Udaipur. The roads are very good, and it takes around 8-9 hr. from Jaipur. You can also come by taxi from Jaipur and Ahmedabad.
By Train
Udaipur is connected to many major cities of India. There are daily trains from Delhi, Jaipur.The best train between Delhi and Udaipur, the daily Chetak Express. Trains take around 12 Hrs from Jaipur to Udaipur.
Shopping in Udaipur
Udaipur has countless small shops and many interesting local craft, particularly paintings in the Rajput - Moghul style. There's a good cluster of these shops on Lake Palace Road, next to the Rang Niwas Palace Hotel, and others around the Jagdish Temple. |
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| Places to See in Ranakpur |
City Palace
A majestic architectural marvel towering over the lake on a hill surrounded by crenelated walls, it is a conglomeration of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. The main entrance is through the triple arched gate, the ‘Tripolia’ with eight marble porticos. The Maharana were weighed under the gate in the gold, the equivalent amount of which was distributed among the populace.
Saheliyon-ki-Bari
This small ornamental garden was a popular relaxing spot where royal ladies came for a stroll and hence the name. The garden has many fountains in its four delightful pools, chiseled kiosks and marble elephants.
The Suraj Gokhada
The balcony of the sun, is where the Suryavanshi Maharanas of Mewar presented themselves to the people in time of trouble to restore their confidence. The ‘Mor Chowk’ known for its exquisite peacock mosaics in glass and the ‘Chini Chitrashala’noted for its blue and white ceramics are other attractions in the palace.
Pratap Memorial
Atop the Moti Magri or pearl hill, overlooking the Fateh Sagar Lake is the memorial of the Rajput hero Maharana Pratap with a bronze statue of the Maharana.
Gulab Bagh
A spectacular rose garden laid out by Maharana Sajjan Singh. A library in the garden has a rare collection of ancient handwritten manuscripts and books.
Ahar
The ancient capital of Sisodias, 3 km from Udaipur,Ahar boasts of a profusion of royal cenotaphs of the rulers of Mewar. A rare collection of antiquities including earthen pots, iron objects and other art items excavated in the region are displayed in a small Govt. museum.
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Sajjan Garh
Dominating the city’s skyline is the monsoon palace of Sajjangarh.It offers a panoramic overview of the city’s lakes, palaces and the surrounding countryside.
Fateh Sagar
A beautiful lake, overlooked by a number of hills on the three sides and the Pratap Memorial on the north was built by Maharana Fateh Singh. In the middle of the lake is Nehru Park-a lovely garden island with a boat shaped café accessible by an enjoyable boat ride.
Pichhola Lake
The picturesque lake that entranced Maharaja Udai Singh. It was later enlarged by the founder. The lake is surrounded by hills, palaces, temples, bathing ghats and embankments. Two island palaces, Jag Mandir and Jag Niwas(Lake Palace) on the lake are of breathtaking
Jagdish Temple
Built in 1651 A.D. By Maharana Jagat Singh, this Indo-Aryan temple is the largest and the most beautiful temple of Udaipur with noteworthy sculpted images.
Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum
The interesting collection exhibited by this Indian folk arts museum includes folk dresses,ornaments,puppets,masks,dolls,folk musical instruments, folk deities and paintings.
Nagda (23 km)
The ancient site dating back to the 6th century A.D. is renowned for the Sas-Bahu temples (9t - 10th century A.D.) with interesting architecture and carvings. The splendid Jain temples of Adbudji are also worth a visit.
Haldighati (40 km)
A historical site, witness to the great battle fought between Maharana Pratap and Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1576 A.D. The Chhatri of Maharana’s horse-Chetak is noteworthy.
Kumbhalgarh Fort ( 84 km)
The second principal fortress in Rajasthan after Chittaurgarh, it is perched atop the Aravallis.Built in the 15th century by Maharana Kumbha, it extends over 12 km and enclose many temples, palaces and gardens. The fort renovated in the 19th century. The Badal Mahal or Cloud Palace offers a spectacular bird’s eye view of the surrounding countryside. Close by is the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary with a rich variety of wildlife. The Fort is accessible only by jeep from Kelwara through the seven gates.
Jagat (58 km)
The splendid and well preserved 10th century temple of Ambika Mata is known for its intricate carvings in the outer walls. Popularly known as the Khajuraho of Rajasthan.
Jaisamand Lake (48 km)
A stunningly situated artificial lake, built in the 17th century A.D. by Maharana Jai Singh is the second largest in Asia. Graceful marble chhatris flank the embankment and beautiful summer palaces of the Udaipur queens are built on either side of the lake. Jaisamand Island Resort is also worth visiting.
Ranakpur (90 km)
The beautifully sculptured Jain temples lie in a tranquil valley of the Aravali. The main ‘Chaumukha Temple’ is dedicated to the tirthankara Adinath and has 29 halls supported by 1444 pillars, all distinctly carved. Two jain temples dedicated to Neminath and Parsvanath and a Sun Temple a little distance away ,are also noteworthy.
Nathdwara (48 km)
The most revered 17th century shrine, dedicated Shrinathji or Lord Krishna, attracts thousands of Pilgrims from all over the country, especially during Diwali, Holi and Janmashtami when their number exceeds a lak. Foreign tourists are not permitted inside and photographs is prohibited.
Kankroli (65 km)
An important vaishnava temple popularly called Dwarikadish. It is the most important temple of the Vallabhacharya sect, built to resemble the famous Nathdwara shrine.
Rajsamand Lake (66 km)
Close to Kankroli is the dam built by Maharana Raj Singh in 1660 A.D. Many ornamental arches and chhatris adorn the embankment. |
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