Udaipur

Traveler’s Facts

About Udaipur: Also know as “Venice of the East”, the “Most Romantic City of India”.
Famous for: Huge Palaces, Picturesque Lakes, Beautiful Gardens, Massive Forts and artistic Temples.
Should I Visit: Yes, Udaipur should be a “Must visit” city on your tour to Rajasthan.
Location: 403 kilometers southwest of the state capital, Jaipur.
Founded by: Maharana Udai Singh II
Founded in: 1559

About Udaipur

Built by Maharana Udai singh, Udaipur is popularly known as the City of lakes. Pichola Lake, Udai Sagar, Fateh Sagar and Badi Sagar in this city are considered some of the most beautiful lakes in the state. Udaipur was the capital of the Rajput kingdom of Mewar, ruled by Ranas of the Sisodia clan. It is one of the most romantic cities of Rajasthan. The city is famous for its arts, crafts and miniature paintings. Udaipur has countless small shops and many interesting local craft, particularly paintings in the Rajput – Mughal style. Udaipur has a unique charm that distinguishes it from any other destination in Rajasthan. There are several other places to visit around Udaipur – Jaisamand Lake, the fort of Kumbhalgarh and the temples at Ranakpur, Eklingji, Nagda, Kankroli and Nathdwara.

View of the City Palace, Udaipur

History

Udaipur is the jewel of Mewar kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years. The foundation of the city has an interesting legend associated with it. According to it, Maharana Udai Singh, the founder, was hunting one day when he met a holy man meditations on a hill overlooking the Lake Pichhola. The hermit blessed the Maharana and advised him to build a palace at this favorable located spot with a fertile valley watered by the stream, a lake, an agreeable altitude and an amphitheater of low mountains. Maharana followed the advise of the hermit and founded the city in 1559 A.D.

Tourist Places

City Palace
Lake Palace
Saheliyon ki Bari
Shilpgram Museum

Fairs and Festivals

Mewar Festival

Getting Around

Udaipur has a reasonably good city bus service. Taxi and auto – rickshaws are un metered. Udaipur is small enough and vehicle traffic slow enough to make getting around on a bicycle quite enjoyable. You can hire bicycles all over town. RTDC and several private companies offer daily tours of all the main sites.

How to Reach

By Air
Dabok airport, also known as Maharana Pratap Airport, is 24km from the city center.Udaipur is well connected to all the major cities which includes Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Jodhpur, Jaipur.

By Road
Rajasthan Roadways run very comfortable deluxe air conditioned buses from Jaipur, Delhi, Ahmedabad to Udaipur. The roads are very good, and it takes around 8-9 hr. from Jaipur. You can also come by taxi from Jaipur and Ahmedabad.

By Train
Udaipur is connected to many major cities of India. There are daily trains from Delhi, Jaipur.The best train between Delhi and Udaipur, the daily Chetak Express. Trains take around 12 Hrs from Jaipur to Udaipur.