78 indi<strong>an</strong> destinationbeauties, the gr<strong>an</strong>dest even amidstall gr<strong>an</strong>deur of Rajput<strong>an</strong>a, its snowywhite palaces <strong>an</strong>d pavilions, itsflower gardens, shady groves, withits wooded isl<strong>an</strong>ds, <strong>an</strong>d exquisitelakes, it seems to the visitor a fittingframework for a dynasty ofimmemorial age," exclaimed LordCurzon, the Viceroy of India, onvisiting Udaipur in 1902.The city situated on a hillock hasa wall of solid masonry. It originallyhad 11 gates of which five nowremain. Lakes viz. Pichola, FatehSagar, Udai Sagar, Jiy<strong>an</strong> Sagar,Doodh Talai, <strong>an</strong>d Jaisam<strong>an</strong>d (52 kmsouth-east) are the distinctiveelements of Udaipur. "The beautifulPichola Lake" - said Prince of WalesGeorge V during his 1905 India visit- "hemmed in by forest coveredsepia-tinted hills, is <strong>an</strong> exquisiteoasis in the brownness of much ofsouthern Rajput<strong>an</strong>a". The two royalpalaces located on Jag Niwas <strong>an</strong>dJag M<strong>an</strong>dir isles of Pichola Lakehave been converted into heritagehotels by Taj Group.Udaipur is 'infinite riches in a littleroom' <strong>an</strong>d 36 hours is criticallyinsufficient to get 360° view ofUdaipur. Dev Nath Purohit, themaster of ceremonies of Udaipur,writing a visitors' guide in 1938 hadprovided a five day model. Picholalake circuit is enough to keep onewaking day occupied. Begin byvisiting City Palace, Udaipur's mostvisited architectural marvel, besideLake Pichola. It has 11 wonderfulpalaces built across centuries. TheM<strong>an</strong>ak Mahal (Ruby Palace) hascrystal <strong>an</strong>d porcelain figures. BhimVilas has a rich collection ofminiature paintings on lore ofRadha-Krishna. Sheesh Mahal isadorned with thous<strong>an</strong>ds of tinymirrors. 'Chini Chitrashala' isrenowned for its Chinese <strong>an</strong>d Dutchornamental tiles.Relax <strong>an</strong>d unwind for a while atSajj<strong>an</strong> Niwas Garden, or GulabBagh, Rajasth<strong>an</strong>'s largest gardensprawling 100 acres. Get up tobrowse through Victoria AlbertMuseum whose formidablecollection of <strong>an</strong>tiques, curios, royalhousehold items <strong>an</strong>d relics wouldcheer you. Catch up, if timepermits, with Saraswati Bhaw<strong>an</strong>library that has <strong>an</strong> impressivecollection on history, archaeology,Indology <strong>an</strong>d old m<strong>an</strong>uscripts.Evening is a long time in India'swest. It's the best time for amotorboat cruise throughbreathtaking vistas of hills, palaces,temples, bathing ghats <strong>an</strong>demb<strong>an</strong>kments. The marble LakePalace on Jag Niwas Isl<strong>an</strong>d rises likea f<strong>an</strong>tasy fiction edifice amidstPichola. Legend ascribes holds JagM<strong>an</strong>dir, three-storied palace built inyellow s<strong>an</strong>dstone <strong>an</strong>d marble, onsouthern isl<strong>an</strong>d, as the inspirationbehind Taj Mahal. It had been ahideout for Prince Khurram (laterEmperor Shah Jah<strong>an</strong>) in 1620swhen Maharaja Kar<strong>an</strong> Singh ruledover Mewar.The half-day on the morrow isbest kept for Fateh Sagar Lake.Excavated by Maharaja Jai Singh in1678, as a perennial water t<strong>an</strong>k, the
lake harbours three isl<strong>an</strong>ds. If youhave interest in astronomy, then visitUdaipur Solar Observatory (US0)located on <strong>an</strong> isl<strong>an</strong>d. If there istime, one c<strong>an</strong> visit the smallwestern isl<strong>an</strong>d with fountain jet.The nearest from the city is NehruPark, the large wooded isl<strong>an</strong>d. Ithas a boat shaped café, hotfavourite amongst visitors. Weretime in short supply, a boat ride bythe eastern b<strong>an</strong>k of the Lake wouldsuffice.sarees, painting, etc. Scour thestreet near City Palace for ethnicminiature paintings.AccommodationAccommodation is the least partof problem. With its array ofheritage hotels, luxury hotels,resorts, guest houses, <strong>an</strong>d budgethotels, Udaipur offers too m<strong>an</strong>ychoices.Shoppers' stopUdaipur is a dam burst of joy forh<strong>an</strong>dicraft lovers. Visit <strong>an</strong>y bazaar atHathi Pol, Bada Bazaar, ChetakCircle, <strong>an</strong>d Palace Road. You willfind a good pick of folk toys,puppets, traditional dresses,wooden <strong>an</strong>d metal craft, paintings,matchless b<strong>an</strong>dh<strong>an</strong>i (tie & dye)
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