City Palace Udaipur
The majestic
white City Palace located in the heart of Udaipur, was originally built by Maharana
Udai Singh of the Sisodia Rajput clan and extended to its present form by subsequent
Maharanas. Built in granite and marble and surrounded by crenellated fort walls,
the largest palace complex in Rajasthan stands on a crest overlooking the Pichola
Lake.
City Palace towers over the Pichola Lake. Maharana Uday Singh initiated
in the construction of the palace but succeeding Maharanas added several palaces
and structures to the complex retained a surprising uniformity to the design.
The entry to the Palace is from the Hati Pol, the Elephant gate. The Bari Pol
or the Big gate brings you to the Tripolia, the Triple gate. It was once a custom
that the Maharana would weigh under this gate in gold and silver.
The rooms
of the palace are superbly decorated with mirror tiles and paintings. Manak Mahal
or the Ruby Palace has a lovely collection of glass and mirror work while Krishna
Vilas display a rich collection of miniature paintings. Moti Mahal or the pearl
palace has beautiful mirror work and the Chini Mahal has ornamental tiles all
over. The Surya Chopar or the sun square depicts a huge ornamental sun symbolising
the sun dynasty to which the Mewar dynasty belongs. The Bari Mahal is a central
garden with view of the city. Some more beautiful paintings can be seen in the
Zenana Mahal or the ladies chamber, which leads to Lakshmi Chowk a beautiful white
pavilion.
Approach to the city palace is through the 'Hati Pol' or the
'Elephant Gate'. The 'Bara Pol' or the 'great gate' leads to the first court,
which joins Tripolia or the 'triple gate'. Between the two gates are eight carved
'toranas' or arches, which mark the spot where the rulers were weighed against
gold or silver, the equivalent value of which was then distributed among the poor.
Beyond the Tripolia is the arena where the elephant fights were staged.
The
path then leads to a series of courtyards, overlapping pavilions, terraces, corridors
and hanging gardens- a harmonious profusion hard to describe.The soft cream coloured
central 'Chhatri' has facing of blue coloured tiles with massive octagonal towers
crowned with cupolas. The Sheesh Mahal has inlaid mirror work. The Krishna Vilas
has a series of miniature paintings, which are witness to the royal processions,
festivals and the game of 'Chogan'.
The Chini Chitrashala is famous for
its Chinese and Dutch tiles, the latter of which has depiction of Biblical scenes
including the flight to Egypt. Radha-Krishna stories are painted on the walls
of the Bhim Vilas. The glass mosaic gallery with its superb stained glasses and
portraits afford a panoramic view of the Udaipur city below. The Mor Chowk has
a brilliant mosaic of peacocks set in the walls showing the three seasons: summer,
winter and monsoon. There are exquisite terrace gardens with fountains in the
Amar Vilas.
There is also a museum in the fort which houses the armour
of the valiant Maharana Pratap and the drums & bugles of Rana Sanga, another
Mewar ruler.
How to Reach Air : Indian Airlines daily connects
Udaipur with Jodhpur, Jaipur, Aurangabad, Mumbai and Delhi. Dabok Airport is 21
Km. from the city centre and transportation by taxi takes 35-45 minutes. Indian
airlines office, Delhi gate- Ph 410999
Rail :The Railway Station is about
4 Km. from the city centre. Udaipur is directly connected by rail with Delhi,
Jaipur, Ajmer, Chittaur, Jodhpur and Ahmedabad. For Reservation and Enquiry at
the Railway Station, Contact Tel.: 131, 527390, 483979
Road : Udaipur
is connected by National Highway No. 8, the major road link between Mumbai and
Delhi. The Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh Road Transport
Corporation operate buses to Udaipur from various regions. Private bus companies
also operate in the region during night hours. The State Transport Bus Stand is
on City Station Road, NH 8, Udaipur, for reservation and enquiry contact Tel.
484191.
