Udaipur Travel Guide

Udaipur is one of the most romantic cities in Rajasthan, Udaipur is also known as the city of lakes. The marble palaces, beautifully laid out gardens and the lakes make Udaipur seem almost like a mirage. The City of Dawn, surrounded by the ancient Aravali Mountains and set on the edge of three lakes, is a brilliant kaleidoscope of narrow lanes flanked by bright stalls, gardens, lakes, palaces and temples.

The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around the azure water lake, hemmed in by the lush hills of the Aravallis. 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.

Fairs and Festivals of Udaipur

Mewar Festival
The onset of spring brings the Mewar festival. During the festival, the tradition and culture of Rajasthan dominates every other thing in one's mind. The Mewar Festival is celebrated to welcome the advent of spring. It coincides with the festival of Gangaur in Udaipur and has a unique charm about it. The festival of Gangaur is very significant for women of Rajasthan. It is a time for them to dress up in their best clothes and participate in the festival.

Gangaur Festival
Gangaur festival which comes in March - April is popular among women who pray to the goddess Parvati. A procession of caparisoned horses and elephants accompanying the image of Lord Shiva is the major attraction. During these festival women carry the idols of goddess Parvati also called Gauri in form of a procession to Gangaur Ghat which is one side of Pichola Lake.

Teej
Teej is also an important festival celebrated in all parts of Rajasthan .It comes in the month of July - August. It is the festival celebrating the advent of monsoon. Held during the monsoons, July-August Teej is also dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati and this time it is married women who pray for a happy and long married life. It is the festival of swings which are decorated with flowers and hung from trees. Young girls and women dressed in green clothes sing songs in celebration of the advent of the monsoon. Teej is celebrated mainly by the women folk of Rajasthan. Married women who idolize Parvati for her devotion to her husband Shiva celebrate Teej.

Places to See in Udaipur

City Palace
A majestic architectural marvel towering over the lake on a hill surrounded by crenallated walls, it is a conglomeration of courtards, pavilions, terraces corridors rooms and hanging gardens. The main entrance is through the triple arched gate. The Tripolia with eight marble porticos. The maharanas were weighed under the gate in gold, the equivalent amount of which was distributed among the populace. The suraj Gokhada, the balcony of the sun, is where the suryavansi maharanas of mewar presented themselves to the people in time of trouble to restore their confidence. The “Mor Chow” known for its exquisite peacock mosaics in glass and the Chini Chitrashala noted for its blue and white ceramics is another attraction in the palace.

Jagdish Temple
Built in 1651A.D. by Maharana Jagat Singh, this Indoarmy temple is the largest and the most beautiful temple if Udaipur with noteworthy scupted 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.

Fateh Sagar
A beautiful lake, overlooked by a number of jills 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 boar shaped café accessile by an enjoyable boat ride.