Udaipur - Definition and Overview

Udaipur (उदयपुर) is a city in Rajasthan, India.

History

Udaipur was the ancient capital of the kingdom on Mewar, ruled by Ranas of the Sisodia Rajput clan. Under British rule, this was a prominent Rajput state. It is famous for producing Rana Sangha, Rana Pratap, and Maharana Udai Singh.

The legend goes that Maharana Udai Singh came upon a hermit, while hunting. He blessed the King and asked him to build a palace right there and it would be well protected. This is how Udaipur was established.

Location

Udaipur is located in the mountains of Aravalli Range. It is located in the southern part of Rajasthan near the Gujarat border.

Hindu holy town of Nathdwara and popular tourist hill station Mount Abu are near Udaipur.

About the city

Udaipur is famous around the World as City Of Lakes or Venice of East. The Pichola Lake, Udai Sagar, Fateh Sagar and Badi Sagar in this city are considered some of the most beautiful lakes in the state.

It is known for its Rajput-era palaces. Particularly famous is the Lake Palace, which entirely covers a small island in the Pichola lake. Many of the palaces like, Lake Palace, Fateh Prakash Palace are converted into some of the best hotels.

Udaipur is also home to the Udaipur Solar Observatory which is one of the six stations participating in the international Global Oscillations Network Group (GONG) which is aimed at the determination of the physical properties of the solar interior.

Places of interest

• Lake Palace - Originally known as the Jag Niwas, took 3 years to build and was inaugurated in 1746. Nothing but Marble is used in the composition of this palace.
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  Lake Palace
  
  
• Jag Mandir - Another island in the Lake Picholia, which is known for it's beautiful Garden courtyard. Shah Jahen took refuge here while revolting against his father.
• City Palace and Museum - Next to Fateh Prakash Palace, houses beautiful glass and mirror works.
• Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandir - An excellent museum of folk arts. Also hosts great puppet shows it's auditorium.
• Pratap Memorial - Rana Pratap's bronze statue seated on his loyal horse Chetak.
• Sajjangarh Palace - The summer resort of the Maharajas. Atop the hill overlooking all the lakes. This palace had an ingenious way to collect rain water for consumption all year around.
  
  Sajjangarh1.jpg
  Sajjangarh Palace
  
  
  The photo shows the palace flood-lit during late evening.

Places nearby

• Nathdwara - The principal temple of Lord Shrinathji is just 48 km from Udaipur and is one of the most important pilgrimage site of India.
• Ranakpur – One of the most important Jain temples. This is one of the very few temples which escaped Aurangzeb's efforts to destroy Hinduism. Mainly because it is hidden in a geographically difficult terrain. Awesome 1400+ pillars of marble hold the temple. These marble pillars are carved in exquiste detail. Opposite to this Jain temple is the Sun Temple, a much older relic. Most people do not even notice this little beauty, simply because of the confusion of its being a outpost of the Jain Temple! One of the best places around Udaipur, approx 110 km away, and perfect for a day trip. Not chaotic like Nathdwara. If you are lucky you might hear a tiger early morning.
• Haldighati – hosted the battle between Rana Pratap and Akbar. Now a memorial site.
• Kumbhalgarh – The fort has a massive perimeter of 36 km. Over 360 temples are within the fort. It also has a wild life sanctuary. A day trip from Udaipur. Quite a treat to be there and enjoy the scenic vista from its palace-top
  
  Kumbhalgarh1_copy.jpg
  kumbhalgarh palace
  
  
  . The visibility typically extends tens of kilometers into the Aravali hills.

Mention in literature and popular culture

• Udaipur is mentioned under the spelling Oodeypore in Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book as the birthplace of Bagheera the fictional panther in the king's menagerie.
• Indian sections of the James Bond film "Octopussy" were filmed in the city and the Lake Palace.
• Film Guide was based on Udaipur.
• Actress Raveena Tandon got married in Udaipur recently (2004).