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FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

Mewar Festival coincides with Gangaur Festival in Chaitra (according to the Hindu calendar), which usually falls in March or April. It is mainly held to welcome ‘Spring’, the season of blossoms. As it coincides with the Gangaur festival, people dressed in colorful attires take out a procession of the images of Isar and Gangaur and the Gangaur Ghat at Lake Pichhola. The idols are then sent for boating for an hour in special boats and there is much rejoicing and songs are sung. Then comes the time for cultural events where one can see the culture of Rajasthan through songs, dances and other programmes that are organized. At the end of the festival, there is a beautiful display of fireworks.

Baneshwar Fair is held from Magh Shukla Ekadashi (11th day of the lunar month) to Magh Shukla Purnima (Full moon day) according to the Hindu calendar, that is, for five days in February or March at a small delta formed by the rivers Som and Mahi in Dungarpur, which is just 13 km from Udaipur. Predominantly a tribal fair of Bhils, Baneshwar fair features Ras-lila (local plays) that takes place at night in the Lakshmi-Narain Temple and the traditional folk songs of Bhils that are high-pitched and sung while they sit around a bonfire in the night.

SHOPPING ATTRACTIONS
Shopping Attractions - UdaipurBeautiful local arts and crafts and countless shops flood the markets of Udaipur. The tourists love to buy hand painted fabrics, silver jewellery, folk toys, colorful tie-dye and batik saris and clothes, turbans, miniature paintings done in Rajput style and ‘Pichwais’, the brightly colored and themed wall hangings. One may shop for splendid metal images of gods and goddesses that are made in the nearby village of Molalla. The popular shopping spots are a cluster of stalls on the Lake Palace road, near Rang Niwas Palace Hotel and Jagdish Temple. Hathipole, Clock Tower, Chetak Circle and Bapu Bazaar are other favorite places to shop from.

WHAT TO WEAR
The most appropriate outfits to wear in Jodhpur include loose cotton clothes in summer and heavy woolen clothes to keep you warm in winter. Use a hat or a scarf as a head covering and drink lots of water to avoid heat strokes. It will be advisable to wear comfortable footwear, as you will have to walk a lot here while sightseeing. Sunscreens are not to be forgotten to save yourself from sunburns you may get from the scorching hot desert sun in summers.

PRIME ATTRACTIONS

Forts & Palaces

City Palace
Built by Maharaja Udai Singh, the gorgeous City Palace is a marvel in marble, situated on the banls of Lake Pichola. Majestically set on a hill, it is flooded with balconies, towers and cupolas alonf with the superb views of the lake and the city that can be cherished from the upper terraces. Surrounded by fortification walls, it has a triple arched gate at the entrance called Tripolia, which was built in 1725. A perfect amalgamation of Medieval European and Chinese architecture, the palatial complex has a number of astonishing buildings, well-planned gardens and fountains.

Lake Palace
The Lake Palace is situated on the Jag Niwas Island in the middle of the Lake Pichola. It used to be a pleasure palace for the royal family in summers and has now been turned into a heritage hotel. Dreamy location, romantic ambience, fairy tale delicate craftsmanship and the interiors based on ethnic themes using textiles and handicrafts all over are simply outstanding.

Jag Mandir
The first island palace of Lake Pichola, Jagmandir was built by Maharana Karan Singhji in 1622 AD and was intented to be a pleasure palace for regal parties and functions. It has served as a refuge for Moghul Emperor Shahjahan when he was a prince against the wrath of his father in a family dispute in the seventeenth century. The legend says that Jagmandir was the inspiration behind the world-famous Taj Mahal, which Shah Jahan built in the memory of his deceased wife, Mumtaj.

Lakes

Lake Pichola
Maharana Udai Singh II significantly distended the gorgeous Lake Pichola as a defense measure, when he founded Udaipur. Cradled amongst hills, gardens, havelis, temples and ghats, Lake Pichola is the picturesque spotlight of Udaipur. The lake sports two islands palaces - Jagniwas (popularly known as Lake Palace) and Jagmandir. Visitors can enjoy boat rides which can be extremely enjoyable in the backdrop of the setting sun.

Lake Fateh Sagar
Lake Fateh sagar is an artificial lake constructed by Maharana Jai Singh in 1678 to the north of Lake Pichola. It is fringed by hills and woodland. There is a canal linking the two lakes via Swaroop Sagar and Rang Sagar Lakes. Nehru Island on the lake is just as beautiful as well as an islet bearing a solar observatory that seems to rise from the lake.

Gardens

Sahelion Ki Bari
On the banks of Fateh Sagar Lake, a beautiful garden was built for the 48 maidens meant to be a part of the dowry of the princess. Widespread lawns, gushing fountains and dappled walking lanes characterize the garden. The garden has four pools with graceful kiosks and fountains that sport elephant trunks for spouts. These gardens appear distinct and immaculate in taste.

Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal - UdaipurMuseums

Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal
The museum has on its display a wide array of folk arts, which has affluent collection of folk outfits, curios, puppets, masks, dolls, folk musical instruments and beautiful paintings. Visitors can also request for shows from world renowned puppeteers.

Maharana Pratap Memorial
Erected atop Modi Magri (Pearl Mount) near Fateh Sagar Lake, is an impressive equestrian bronze statue of the gallant hero, Maharana Pratap. The legendary and loyal horse ‘Chetak’ is as famous as his rider for his courage and fearlessness. The ruins of one of the first Udaipur’s forts and an appealing Japanese rock garden are nearby interesting spots to visit.


 EXCURSIONS

CIties

ranakpur-udaipurRanakpur
Known for its sculptured Jain temples, built during the reign of Rana Kumbha, with 29 halls and 1,444 pillars (no two being alike), Ranakpur gets the spotlight because of its location and exquisite architecture, which can only be compared to Dilwara Temples in Mt. Abu.

Haldighati
40 km from Udaipur, Haldighati has secured its place in history forever. It was at Haldighati in 1576 that Maharana Pratap had a fierce battle with Mughal Emperor Akbar. The enormous territory was said to be covered with blood and it was here that Chetak, the legendary horse of Maharana Pratap gave a marvelous display loyalty towards his chivalrous master. A 'Chhatri' done in delicate white marble is dedicated both to the resolute hero and his devoted charger.

Temples

Eklingji
22 km from Udaipur, high walls surround a temple complex of 108 temples, known as Eklingji. Built in 1734, the temples are devoted to the regal deity Ekling ji. Made of sandstone and marble, the complex has an ornate 'mandap' or pillared hall, the awning of a huge pyramidical roof made of hundreds of knots.

Nathdwara
This temple is one the most distinguished Vaishnava shrines of Lord Krishna (popularly called as Nathji here). Thousands of pilgrims visit the shrine during the festivals. 48 kn from Udaipur, foreigners are not permitted in the temple premises and photography is prohibited there.

Forts

Kumbhal Garh Fort
84 km from Udaipur, Maharana Kumbha built Kumbhalgarh Fort in the 15th century. It is the second most important fort in Rajasthan after the Chittaurgarh Fort. Crowning the Aravalli Hills, the fort is not so easily accessible with seven great gates that stand guarding its entrance. Just 6 kms, from the Kumbalgarh Sanctuary, this mighty fort boasts of some great temples and the Badal Mahal or the Cloud Palace, which gives scenic view of the city.

Lakes

Jaisamand lake
48 km from Udaipur, it is an artificial lake built in 17th century by Maharana Jai Singh. The marble ‘Chhatris’ along the shores adds elegance to this second largest lake in Asia. There are palaces on either sides of the lake that were built for the beloved queens of the King. The islands on the lake still house the ‘Bhils’ (tribal people).

Rajsamand lake
66 km from Udaipur, there is a magnificent dam built by Maharana Rai Singh in 1660. This royal lake offers a stunning view of the sunset festooned by beautiful ‘Torans’ (arches) and ‘Chhatris’ along with various striking pavilions. Eye-catching sculpture and inscriptions of Sanskrit verses characterize the place.

OTHERS

Shilpgram
‘Shilpgram’ (means ‘Craftsmen's Village’) is just the right place to see India’s diverse crafts, arts and culture. The lovely terracotta work done in dark red and dark brown sand materials along with the wooden carvings are the specialty of this ethnic euphoria. Shilpgram has 26 huts set in 70 acres of natural backdrop at the foot of the Aravali Hills.

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