Udaipur

It is one of the most romantic cities in Rajasthan, Udaipur is better known as city of lakes. The marble palaces, the beautiful gardens and the placid blue lakes enhance the beauty of this city. Maharana Udai Singh II founded it in 1568. The Lake Palace is certainly the best late example of this unique cultural explosion, but Udaipur is full of palaces, temples and havelis ranging from the modest to the extravagant. It’s also proud of its heritage as a centre for the performing arts, painting and crafts.

Places of Tourist Interest

City Palace: Udai Singh II started the huge city palace. The palace is surrounded by balconies, towers and cupolas and there are wonderful views over the lake and the city from the upper terraces. The main part of the palace is now preserved as the City Palace Museum.

Pratap Memorial: A top the Moti Magri or prarl hill, overlooking the Fateh Sagar Lake is the memorial of the Rajput hero Maharana Pratap with a bronze statue of the Maharana.

Jagdish Temple: Built in 1651A.D. by Maharana Jagat Singh, the Indo army temple is the largest and the most beautiful temple.

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.

Saheliyon Ki Bari (Garden of the maids of Honor): This small ornamental garden was a popular relaxing sport where royal women came for a stroll. The garden has many fountains in its four delightful pools chiseled kiosks and marble elephants.

Shopping at Udaipur

Udaipur has small shops selling a jumble of items like funky western clothing to exquisite antique jewellery. There are many sorts of local crafts, especially miniature paintings in the Rajput-Mughal style. Udaipur is the best place to buy miniatures. The miniatures are painted on marbles, cloths, wood paper and even leaves. In Udaipur, you can also buy jewellery, carpets, and block-painted fabrics. There is a good cluster shop on Lake Palace Road and around the Jagdish Temple.

Popular Eating Joints

Ambrai is worthvisiting purely for the superb location – unlike other restaurants, it sits at water level. It serves Indian Chinese and continental cuisine.

Mayur Café, by the Jagadish Temple, has long been popular, although travelers give mixed reports about the food and service. There are south Indian as well as western alternatives; spaghetti with cheese.

Samor Bagh, at the Lake Palace Rd entrance to the City Palace, has Indian, Chinese and continental food.