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Udaipur : The City Of Lakes, India

by: Indyan

The city of Udaipur is also known as the city of lakes and is one of the most exquisite in terms of palaces and princely lakes. Situated in the State of Rajasthan in India, the city offers a glimpse into the past through the various palaces and lakes that have been preserved through the centuries. Some of the most popular lakes in the city are Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake, Uday Sagar, and Swaroop Sagar. The city is also known for its well preserved palaces; many of them now converted into luxury hotels.

Getting there The city of Udaipur is well connected with many other major cities in India by road, rail and air. The city is connected to Delhi and Mumbai by the National Highway number 8 and is approximately 700 Kilometers from both the cities. The nearest airport, Dabok or Maharana Pratap Airport is 24 kilometers away and is connected to Delhi and Mumbai. Everyday flights are available to and from Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur. Railways are another option and the city is connected to Delhi and Mumbai however lacks direct connections from southern India.

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Places of interest Udaipur offers a plethora of attractions ranging from palaces to museums that are crammed with royal artifacts and historical monuments. The city is also famous for its luxurious hotels known for their pampering attitude among a fitting surrounding of royal architecture and elegance.

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City Palace Udaipur The city palace of Udaipur is one of the exquisite examples of the Mewar architecture and was built in 1559. The palace is located at the eastern end of Lake Pichola and is a labyrinth of alleyways and cool courtyards designed with beautiful carvings that are still preserved. The palace is a major attraction for tourists because of the well preserved artifacts and pieces of furniture that are preserved and are in very good condition. The guest houses of the palace and the Fateh Prakash Palace have been converted into heritage hotels.

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The Monsoon Palace The Monsoon Palace, also known as Sajjangarh is another palace that is unique since it is located near the Sajjangarh wildlife sanctuary. The palace offers a view of the Fateh Sagar Lake and is located three miles or five kilometers from the city. The palace offers breathtaking views of the nearby palaces since it is located at a considerable height.

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Lake Pichola Lake Pichola is an artificial lake that was created in the year 1345 A.D. and the lake has two islands called Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir. Jag Niwas is a luxury hotel which is also known as the Lake Palace. It has 84 suites and is made up of marble walls and the carvings are crafted by artists who built the famous Taj Mahal. It is ironical that the royal families of the palace could not maintain it and it had to be converted into a hotel for conservation purposes. Jag Mandir is also a palace that is one of the best palaces in the world and is mesmerizing in the night with its beautiful lightings and décor.

Image credit: http://www.indiatravels.net/images/lake_pichola.jpg

Sahelion Ki Bari Sahelion Ki Bari is a beautiful garden in Udaipur and is adorned with marble elephants and lotus pools. The garden also has a small museum; the garden is set below the Fateh Sagar Lake embankment and is dotted with marble fountains that gush with the water provided by the lake.

Image credit: http://www.myudaipurcity.com/images/Saheliyon-ki-Bari-Udaipur-India.JPG

Gulab Bagh Gulab Bagh or Rose garden is the largest garden in Udaipur and is a major tourist attraction. The garden is spread over more than a hundred acres and has myriad varieties of flowers including numerous types of roses. The garden also has a museum named Victoria Hall Museum that has many artifacts, royal items, and pieces of historical importance. A nearby zoo completes the visit to the garden; the zoo is small however provides a view of a tiger and some other animals.

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Sukhadia Circle This place is located on the road to Mount Abu; located near a suburb called Panchwati, the landmark is decorated with a 21 meter high three tier fountain that is surmounted by a wheat-ear design conveying prosperity. This place is thronged by tourists and families for shopping and for fulfilling their gastronomical urges. The circle has many eateries and a small pond and a toy train for the entertainment of children. It is a good place to visit if you want to taste the local flavor and absorb the atmosphere that is unique to this place.

Monument Of Maharana Pratap

Image credit: http://www.myudaipurcity.com/images/Mahara-Prtap-Momorial-Moti-Magri-Udaipur.jpg