Moving on from the India's most
valorous fort of Chittaurgarh Palace-On-Wheels next halt happens to be the
other capital of the Sisodia Maharanas, Udaipur. On the sixth day of the
Palace-On-Wheels tour you arrive at Udaipur at 07.30 hrs. Udaipur is also
known as the "City of Palaces", a "Fairyland" and a "Vision
in Dream". It is surrounded by hills, mountains, and its beautiful
palaces are mirrored in the calm blue water of Lake Pichola. Maharana Udai
Singh created Udaipur, as the capital of Mewar, in 1568.
The lakeside city was built on a small
wooded plain encircled by mountains, which was in direct contrast to the
masculinity of Chittor and Kumbhalgarh. The houses and temples of the old
city stretch out around the Lake Pichola in a pale honeycomb that makes
Udaipur an oasis of colours in a stark and arid region like Rajasthan.
Amongst the many worth visiting places in Udaipur are the City Palace and
the Lake Palace.
Attractions
Jag Niwas (City Palace )
As
the hub of Udaipur the City Palace stands majestically on the hill guarded
by crenellated fort walls. A riot of arches, domes, turrets, crenellations
and chattris crown the steep fortress. In contrast to its rugged exterior,
the inside presents a delicate and feminine world of beauty with lavish use
of marble, mirror work, frescoes, wall paintings, a profusion of colored
glass, fluted columns, inlay work, silver doors, fountains and gardens. A
series of courtyards, jharokhas, chattris, terraces, corridors, stairways,
over planning pavilions and hanging gardens form an astonishing and
harmonious whole.
The City Palace consists of four main and several minor palaces. Part of
the complex is a Hawa Mahal. The Palace of Joy, Dilkhusha Mahal, is
decorated with frescoes and wall paintings. Moti Mahal, or Palace of Pearls,
Sheesh Mahal, or the palace of mirrors and glass, and Krishna Mahal are
lavishly decorated with colors and paintings. Mor Chowk is known for its
unique peacock motif in mosaic. Bada Mahal, the garden palace, is built on a
90 feet high natural rock formation. The Chini chitrashala houses a rich
collection of Chinese porcelain and Laxmi Vilas Chowk is an art gallery,
which houses a distinctive collection of Mewar paintings.
Jag Mandir
In the midst of the lake stands another piece de resistance, Jag Mandir. It
a lake retreat built by the Maharana as a refuge for Prince Shahjahan. The
Palace, made in red sandstone of translucent thinness, was once laid with
jasper, jade and rubies. It has spacious courtyards, a beautifully
proportioned white marble dome, high ceiling rooms, majestic cupolas, arched
pavilions and a garden planted with trees and flowering creepers. A
beautiful structure here is the temple of universe. With stone colonnades,
it is dedicated to the lord of the universe. The temple of Jagdish is built
in classical style and is dedicated to Vishnu. It was built by Jagat Singh I
in the midst of the city, on the street that leads to the palace. Its walls
are covered with bas-relief, friezes of makar (crocodiles), elephants,
carved dancers statue of Garuda.
Lunch
After visiting, the most popular attractions of
Udaipur - The City Palace and Jag Mandir, we shall proceed for Lunch at Lake
palace Hotel.
INDIAN
RAILWAYS
