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Palace
On Wheels
Udaipur
( Day 6 )
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 colors 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.
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