Udaipur
Udaipur is a city in Rajasthan, India.
History
Udaipur was the ancient capital of the kingdom on Mewar, ruled by Ranas of the Sisodia Rajput clan. Under British rule, this was a prominent Rajput state. It is famous for producing Rana Sangha, Rana Pratap, and Maharana Udai Singh.
The legend goes that Maharana Udai Singh came upon a hermit, while hunting. He blessed the King and asked him to build a palace right there and it would be well protected. This is how Udaipur was established.
Location
Udaipur is located in the mountains of Aravalli Range. It is located in the southern part of Rajasthan near the Gujarat border.
Hindu holy town of Nathdwara and popular tourist hill station Mount Abu are near Udaipur.
About the city
Udaipur is famous around the World as City Of Lakes or Venice of East. The Picholia Lake, Udai Sagar, and Fateh Sagar in this city are considered some of the most beautiful lakes in the state.
It is known for its Rajput-era palaces. Particularly famous is the Lake Palace, which entirely covers a small island in the Picholia lake. Many of the palaces like, Lake Palace, Fateh Prakash Palace are converted into some of the best hotels.
Udaipur is also home to the Udaipur Solar Observatory which is one of the six stations participating in the international Global Oscillations Network Group (GONG) which is aimed at the determination of the physical properties of the solar interior.
Places of Interest
- Jag Niwas - Also known as the Lake Palace, took 3 years to build and was inaugurated in 1746. Nothing but Marble is used in the composition of this palace.
- Jag Mandir - Another island in the Lake Picholia, which is known for it's beautiful Garden courtyard. Shah Jahen took refuge here while revolting against his father.
- City Palace and Museum - Next to Fateh Prakash Palace, houses beautiful glass and mirror works.
- Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandir - An excellent museum of folk arts. Also hosts great puppet shows it's auditorium.
- Pratap Memorial - Rana Pratap's bronze statue seated on his loyal horse Chetak.
Places nearby
- Nathdwara - The principal temple of Lord Shrinathji is just 48kms from Udaipur and is one of the most important pilgrimage site of India.
- Haldighati – hosted the battle between Rana Pratap and Akbar.
- Kumbhalgarh – The fort has a massive perimeter of 36 kms. Over 360 temples are within the fort. It also has a wild life sanctuary.
Mention in literature and popular culture
- Udaipur is mentioned under the spelling Oodeypore in Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book as the birthplace of Bagheera the fictional panther in the king's menagerie.
- Indian sections of the James Bond film "Octopussy" were filmed in the city and the Lake Palace.