About Udaipur
Udaipur, often referred to as the "City of Lakes," is a historic and picturesque city located in the southern part of Rajasthan, India. Renowned for its natural beauty, architectural grandeur, and rich cultural heritage, Udaipur has long been one of the most popular tourist destinations in India and a symbol of royal elegance. The city was founded in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II, a ruler of the Mewar dynasty, who established it as the new capital after the decline of Chittorgarh. Surrounded by the lush Aravalli Hills and dotted with serene lakes such as Pichola, Fatehsagar, Udaisagar, and Swaroopsagar, Udaipur presents a unique blend of scenic charm and regal splendor.
One of Udaipur’s defining features is its stunning palaces, which exemplify Rajputana architecture and artistry. The most iconic among them is the City Palace, a sprawling complex that combines Rajasthani and Mughal design elements and offers panoramic views of Lake Pichola. Another architectural marvel is the Lake Palace, now a luxury hotel, which appears to float gracefully on the tranquil waters of Lake Pichola. These structures are not only architectural treasures but also serve as a testament to the city’s royal legacy.
Udaipur is also a vibrant cultural hub, home to traditional arts, crafts, music, and dance forms that reflect the deep-rooted traditions of Rajasthan. The city hosts numerous festivals and cultural events, such as the Mewar Festival and the Shilpgram Crafts Fair, which attract artists and visitors from across the globe. Local handicrafts, including miniature paintings, silver jewelry, and marble work, are integral to the city's cultural identity.
Beyond its historical and aesthetic appeal, Udaipur has evolved into a modern city with a thriving tourism industry, boutique hotels, and a strong emphasis on preserving heritage. It has also become a favored destination for destination weddings, film shoots, and luxury travel experiences, further enhancing its global profile.
In essence, Udaipur offers a unique convergence of natural beauty, royal history, and cultural richness. Whether wandering through ancient palaces, enjoying a boat ride on a placid lake, or exploring colorful markets, visitors to Udaipur are immersed in an atmosphere that is both regal and romantic. The city’s timeless charm continues to captivate the hearts of travelers, historians, artists, and dreamers alike.
Featured Hotels
Places of Interest
City Palace
The City Palace towers over Lake Pichola. The balconies, cupolas, and towers of the palace give a wonderful view of the lake and the surrounding city. This complex actually consists of four major and several minor palaces that collectively form the magnificent City Palace. The main part of the palace is now preserved as a museum displaying artifacts.
Maharana Pratap Memorial (Moti Magri)
An impressive bronze statue of Maharana Pratap on his favourite horse Chetak, stands atop the Moti Magri overlooking Fateh Sagar. Local people climb up the hill to pay homage to Rana Pratap and his faithful charger 'Chetak' who was fiercely protective about its master and stood by him till its last breath. This loyal steed sacrificed its life while carrying his master to safety from the battlefield of Haldighati.
Jag Mandir
Jagmandir is a palace built on an island on the Lake Pichola. Also called the ‘Lake Garden Palace’, the construction for this began in 1620 and was completed around 1652. The royal family used the palace as its summer resort and for hosting parties. Interestingly, Prince Khurram - later Emperor Shah Jahan - was given shelter here when he rebelled against his father Emperor Jahangir. The Palace had such an impact on Emperor Shah Jahan that it went on to become the inspiration for one of the most magnificent Wonders of the World, The Taj Mahal.
Monsoon Palace
Situated just outside Udaipur, this 19th-century palace is built on top of Bansdara hills. Used as a monsoon palace and hunting lodge, its builder, Maharana Sajjan Singh, originally planned to make it an astronomical center. The plan was cancelled with Maharana Sajjan Singh's premature death. It is still an awe-inspiring sight on the Udaipur skyline and offers spectacular views of the city and the areas around.
Ahar Museum & Cenotaphs
Ahar Museum is in close proximity to an impressive cluster of cenotaphs of the Maharanas of Mewar. The museum has a small, but rare collection of earthen pottery. You can also browse through sculptures and archaeological finds, a few dating back to 1700 BC. A 10th century metal figure of Buddha is a special attraction here.
Jagdish Temple
An example of the Indo-Aryan style of architecture, Jagdish Temple was built in 1651 and continues to be one of the most famous temples in and around Udaipur. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the structure is an architectural marvel with carved pillars, graceful ceilings and painted walls. This three-storied temple was built by Maharana Jagat Singh I.
Saheliyon Ki Bari
Built by Maharana Sangram Singh II as a garden for women, Saheliyon-ki-Bari or the Garden of the Maidens is a popular tourist destination. Along with a small museum, it has several attractions such as marble elephants, fountains, kiosks and a lotus pool.
The Crystal Gallery
The Udaipur Collection of crystal is one of the largest and most complete collections of Osler cut glass in existence. In both diversity of objects and in the quality and grandeur of the included pieces, it holds a unique place in the decorative art world. Most of this collection was commissioned by Maharana Sajjan Singh in 1878, with the larger commissions of the furniture pieces being given to Osler in 1881. The exquisite crystal items in the gallery range from dining table, table, sofa set, washing bowl, goblet, tray, decanter, to perfume bottles, candle stands, crockery and even beds. The highlight of the gallery is a jewel studded carpet, embodying peerless class. The gallery even exhibits a Royal punkah (manually operated fan) in crystal and soft red satin material with the Mewar emblem of the Sun embroidered on it.
Vintage Car Collection
The collection within the grounds of the Garden Hotel comprises a variety of vintage and classic vehicles like Cadillac, Chevrolet, Morris etc owned by the Maharanas of Udaipur. They used these automobiles as their luxurious modes of transport.
Bagore Ki Haveli
Bagore-ki-Haveli is located by Lake Pichola, at Gangaur Ghat. Amar Chand Badwa, the Prime Minister of Mewar, built it in the 18th century. The massive palace has over a hundred rooms that display costumes and modern art. The glass and mirrors in the interiors are structured in classical haveli style. Watch Bagore Dance Show (officially called Dharohar), at Neem Chowk, is a joyous melange of good ambience, music and performances. Comfortable seating, beautifully lit balconies and the star-lit sky ensure that a wonderful evening is spent here.
Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal
Dedicated to the study of folk art, culture, songs and festivals of Rajasthan, Gujrat and Madhya Pradesh, Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal is a cultural institution in Udaipur. Besides propagating folk culture, it also houses a museum that exhibits various artefacts of Rajasthani culture. Enjoy the traditional art form of puppetry (Kathputli) at Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal.
Fateh Sagar Lake
This delightful lake, bordered by hills and woodlands, lies to the north of Lake Pichola. This artificial lake is connected to Lake Pichola by a canal. The lake houses the beautiful Nehru Island as well as an islet on which stands the Udaipur Solar Observatory. It was inaugurated by the Duke of Connaught and was initially called Connaught Bundh.
Lake Pichola
Picholi was the name of a village that lent its name to the lake. The islands of Jagniwas and Jagmandir are housed in this lake. Along the eastern banks of the lake lies the City Palace. A boat ride in the lake around sunset offers a breathtaking view of the Lake and City Palace.
Bird Park Gulab Bagh
Bird Park at Gulab Bagh spreads over 5.11 hectare area. It has 12 enclosures. It has assorted Parrots house, Macaw and Cockatoo Courtyard, Lesser Passerine Section, Galliformes Runway,Flightless Birds Section, Aquatic Avifauna Section. It houses Green Munia, Great White Pelican, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo,Blue and Gold Macaw and a total of 28 species of Birds.
Shilpgram
Situated 7 kms west of Udaipur near Lake Fateh Sagar is the Centre's Shilpgram - the Rural Arts and Crafts Complex. Spread over 70 acres, and surrounded by the Aravallis, the Rural Arts and Crafts Complex has been conceived as a living museum to depict the lifestyles of the folk and tribal people of the west zone.
Wax Museum
The Hollywood Wax Museum is an exciting interactive visitor attraction located on Sajjangarh road. The Museum has been designed to deliver an interactive experience taking you on a journey through wax effigy. the exceptional life-like wax work characters you can expect at the celebrity wax museum .The Museum is the ultimate entertainment experience for all . The wax museum also offers 9 D Action cinema ,Gaming Zone, Mirror Image & Horror Show.
Under the Sun Fish Aquarium
The Under the Sun Fish Aquarium at Fateh Sagar Pal in Udaipur has managed to mark its distinct position on the map as India’s first Hi-Tech virtual fish aquarium. In the first phase, the Under the Sun aquarium is playing host to 156 varieties of sea fish and fresh water fish, which have been procured from 16 countries around the world. In the long run, this number will go up to 1500 varieties! The 125 meter long gallery features specially built tanks that let the visitors feel as if they are deep within the ocean. The fish at this aquarium vary, with the smallest one being hardly a centimeter long, and the largest fish, Aropama, being 9 feet long.The aquarium features a touch pool to let the kids play with the fish,along with and LED screen for everyfish tank to know more about the fishes within the aquarium. This is one aquarium that you’d love to visit for true interactive fun!
Is Udaipur perfect for your next stay? The answer is obviously an YES.
+91 85100 90700
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Ganesh Nagar, Phara, Udaipur, Rajasthan - 313001
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reservations@mewarhospitality.com
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GSTIN: 08CAGPM1608E1ZZ
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