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The city of
Udaipur is a lovely land around the Azure water lakes hemmed
in by the lush hills of the Aravails.
A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur is
a fascinating blend of sights sounds and experience-an
inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and
writen.
Its kaleidoscope of fairy tale palace lakes temples gardens
and narrow lanes strew with stalls, carry the flavour of a
heroic past. Epitomising for 1200 years.
The foundation of the city has an interesting legand
associated with it. According to it, Maharana Udai Singh the
founder was hunting one day when he met a holy man meditaing
on a hill overlooking the lake pichhola. The hermit blessed
the Maharana and advised him to build a palace at this
favourable located spot with a fertile valley watered by the
stream, a lake, an agreeable altitude and an the advise of
the hermit and founded the city in 1959 A.D.
Overlooking the aquamarine xpanses of the lake Pichhola
stands the splendid city palace-a marvel in granite and
marbel. Of the original eleven gates of the Udaipur City,
only five remain. The suraj pol 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 splendour.
Several palaces of interest around Udaipur, including the
majestic Chittaurgarh the mountain fortress of Kumbhalgarh,
beautiful jain temples of Ranakpur, Eklingli and Nathdwara
and the cool retreat of Mr.Abu make the visit to udaipur a
memorable one.
Udaipur is known as the Venice of the east. It is also
called the city of lakes. The Lake Palace on ag Niwas Island
in the middle of Pichola Lakes is the finest example of its
architectural and cultural explosion.
The grand City Palace on the banks of the lake compliments
the palace along with the Monsoon Palace (Sajjan Garh) on
the hill above. Udaipur is also the centre for performing
arts, craft and its famed miniature paintings.The Shilp Gram
festival is a center of attraction during the season.
Maharana Udai Singh II founded Udaipur in 1568 after his
citadel Chittorgarh was sacked by Mughal Emperor Akbar. The
legends says that Udai Singh was guided by a holy man
meditating on the hill near Pichola Lake to establish his
capital on this very spot. Surrounded by Aravali Ranges,
forests and lakes this place was less vulnerable than
Chittorgarh.
Maharana Udai Singh died in 1572 and was succeeded by
Maharana Pratap who valiantly defended Udaipur from
subsequent Mughal attacks. Maharana Pratap is the most
revered Rajput icon and gallantly fought the Mughal at the
Haldighati in 1576.
Mewar continuously defied foreign invaders and has a history
of bloody battles until the British intervention in the
nineteenth when a treaty was signed to protect Udaipur. Upon
independence Udaipur merged in the union of India.
Area: 37 sq. km.
Geographic Location: Udaipur is located at 24.58
degrees N and 73.68 degrees E
Altitude: 598 m above sea level
Climate: Three main seasons - summer, monsoon and
winter.
Summers (March to June)
Monsoon (July to September)
Winters (October to February)
Maximum Temperature: 38.3 degree centigrade
Minimum Temperature: 11.6 degree centigrade
Rainfall: 637 mm
Languages: Mewari, Hindi and English.
Religion: Jainism is the major Religion observed
here. Other religions include Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism and
Christianity.
Best Time to Visit: Winters
STD Code: 0294 |
