Udaipur - The Destination
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City of Dawn, Udaipur is a land around the azure
water lakes, hemmed in by the lush hills of the Aravalis.
A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur
is an interesting blend of sights, sounds and experiences
- an inspiration for the imagination of the poets, painters
and writers. Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes,
temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry
the flavour of heroic past, symbolising bravery and chivalry.
Their reflection in the placid waters of the Lake Pichhola
is an attractive sight.
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Udaipur is the jewel of Mewar - a 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 meditating
on a hill overlooking the Lake Pichhola. The hermit
blessed the Maharana and advised him to build a palace
at this favorably located spot with a fertile valley
watered by the stream, a lake, a satisfying altitude
and a ring of low mountains. Maharana followed the
advise of the hermit and founded the city in 1559
A.D. |
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Overlooking the aquamarine expanses of the Lake Pichhola
stands the splendid City Palace - a wonder
in granite and marble. Of the original eleven gates
of the Udaipur City, only five remain. The Surajpol
or Sun Gate on the eastern side is the main entrance
to the city.
The exquisite Lake Palace of Udaipur,
shimmering like a jewel on Lake Pichhola is overwhelming
in splendour. Several places of interest around Udaipur,
including the magnificent Chittaurgarh, the mountain
fortress of Kumbhalgarh, beautiful Jain temples of
Ranakpur, Eklingji and Nathdwara and the cool retreat
of Mount Abu, make the visit to Udaipur a memorable
one. |
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Udaipur - Facts
at a Glance
| State : |
Rajasthan |
| Area
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40 sq kms |
| Altitude : |
577 mts |
| Temperature
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38.3 C-28.8 C (Summer)
28.3 C-11.6 C (Winter) |
| Rainfall
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61 cms |
| Language
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Mewari,
Hindi, English |
| Best
Season : |
September to March |
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History of Udaipur
Maharana Udai Singh founded the city of Udaipur in
1567 AD on the advice of a sage. The last of Mewar
capitals, it was here that the legendary Maharana
Pratap was born.
Udaipur is in the central part of the fascinating
region of Mewar. The kingdom of Mewar, with which
many legends of bravery are associated, was considered
the most respectable of all Rajput princely states
in Rajasthan. Claiming descent from the sun ( Suryavansha),
the Sisodia dynasty that ruled Mewar for 1200 years
is one of the oldest dynasties in the world. With
a lineage of 67 generations behind, this clan fought
for its respect and freedom. Like other Rajput kingdoms
of the time, it never married off its daughters to
the Mughals. A part of this lineage were Rana Sanga
and Rana Pratap, great warriors who fought to defend
their kingdom from invaders.
The capital of the Sisodia dynasty was Chittor till
the 6th century, when it was moved to Udaipur, named
after Maharana Udai Singh. According to legend, the
Maharana was out hunting one day when he met a holy
man meditating on a hill overlooking the Lake Pichola.
The hermit blessed the Maharana and told him to build
a palace at that very spot, as it would be well protected.
The Maharana followed his advice and Udaipur came
into being.
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