 Udaipur is known as the Venice of the east or the city of lakes. The marble palaces, beautifully laid out gardens and the lakes make Udaipur seem almost like a mirage in the desert. The most famous lakes are the Lake Pichola and the Fateh Sagar Lake that make the city of Udaipur ideal for the lake tours in India. Both the lakes contain the popular tourist places of the city on their surfaces. The Lake Palace on Jag Niwas Island in the middle of Pichola Lake is the finest example of architecture and culture of Rajputs. The grand City Palace faces the Lake Palace on the banks of the lake along with the Monsoon Palace (Sajjan Garh) atop the hill. Apart from the centre for performing arts, craft and its famed miniature paintings; the Shilp Gram festival and Mewar festival; the white city is also known for the lake tours in the Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar Lake.
The founder of Udaipur, Maharana Udai Singh, who was having his capital in Chittaurgarh had to face difficulties due to repeated attacks by the Mughal armies. On the advice of a pious person, Udai Singh shifted his capital to the banks of Lake Pichola, which was less vulnerable, and a fortified city. The city was named Udaipur after him.
The tourists who want to enjoy a lake tour in Udaipur can view the marvellous architectural palaces and mansions located amidst the lake. The Lake Palace on Lake Pichola is constructed in a way that the palace seems to be floating on the surface. Overlooking the lake Pichola is the City Palace, a marvel of marble and granite. The largest palace in Rajasthan with exquisite artistry makes it a must visit for every tourist. The three mahals - Baari, Dilkush and Moti, the Suraj Gokhada of the Sun Balcony, the Mor Chowk known for its beautiful peacock Mosaics; the shrine of Dhuni Mata and the Museum of Rana Pratap are the highlights of this City Palace complex.
Close to the City Palace are the Jagdish Temple, which houses some imposing sculpted figures and heavily ornamented interiors. Nearby is the Sahelion-ki-Bari or the Garden of Maidens, which has four pools and delicately carved kiosks and elephants in marble.
Lake Pichola
Lake Pichola derives its name from Pichola Village. Maharana Udai Singh enlarged the lake after he founded the city of Udaipur. This picturesque 4 km long and 3 km wide lake encloses the Jag Niwas Island and the Jag Mandir. The City Palace extends along its eastern banks. In the Lake Pichola, the lake cruises or boat trips are organised from the Bansi Ghat for different time periods. The special moment to be catchesd up at Lake Pichola by the tourists is the Mewar Festival celebrated on the advent of spring. It coincides with the festival of Gangaur in Udaipur, and has a unique charm associated with it. The women folk gather to dress the images of Isar and Gangaur and then carry them in a ceremonial procession through different parts of the city. The procession acquires a different hue at the Gangaur Ghat at Lake Pichhola where the images are transferred to special boats amidst much singing and festivity.
Fateh Sagar Lake
This delightful lake, bordered by hills and woodland was constructed by Maharana Jai Singh to the north of Lake Pichola. Maharana Fateh Singh reconstructed this artificial lake dug up in 1678. A canal links the two - Fateh Sagar lake and the Lake Pichola via Swaroop Sagar and Rang Sagar Lakes. The beautiful Nehru Island as well as an islet bearing a solar observatory rises from the lake. |
