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City Palace Udaipur
Contents
- Overview
- [+] Visitor Quick Facts
- [+] Historical Quick Facts
- History
- Myths or Facts
- Architecture And Structural Description
- Things To See
- Nearby Attractions
- Other Information
[ Edit ] Overview
Situated on the east bank of Lake Pichola in Udaipur, City Palace is a fascinating combination of Rajput military architecture and Mughal style decorative techniques and is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan.
The City Palace was originally built by Maharana Udai Singh. However, over a 400+ year period, it was extended and modified to its present form by the subsequent Maharanas. In total 22 different Maharanas contributed their styles and architecture to the palace complex between the 16th and 20th centuries making it a combination of Rajput military architecture with Mughal style decoration.
The City Palace complex has 11 wonderful palaces that were each built by different rulers and is a standing testimony of the passion for art and architecture of the Rajputs. The older section of the City Palace complex dates back to 1568. Royal apartments, courtyards and halls are linked to each other by narrow passages and steep staircases which was a common architectural feature of the time. It was designed with the aim to confuse invaders if they entered the complex. Much of the City Palace has been converted into a museum while a coupe of palaces have been converted into luxury hotels.
The City Palace overlooks the Jag Niwas, better known as the famous Lake Palace Hotel, that is situated in the middle of Lake Pichola.
Visitor Quick Facts
[ Edit ] Famous For
The City Palace, Udaipur is famous for:
- Being the largest palace complex in Rajasthan.
- Its stunning lakeside location in Udaipur.
- The largest collection of miniature paintings in India.
[ Edit ] Location
[ Edit ] Best Time To Visit
Situated in the Thar Desert, Udaipur weather is tolerable even in the summers. While winter is the best season to vist Udaipur (December to February), monsoon and summer (March through June maximumum temperature is in the range of 38°C) seasons are also relatively pleasant time to visit this city.
[ Edit ] Days of Operation
[ Edit ] Hours of Operation
9:30 am to 4:30 pm
[ Edit ] Entry Charges & Fees
Fees for the City Palace:
- Indian: Rs. 50
- Foreigners:
- Camera: Rs. 200
- Video Cameras: Rs. 200
Historical Quick Facts
[ Edit ] Type
Heritage
[ Edit ] Architecture
Blend of Mughal and Rajput military architecture
[ Edit ] Construction Period
Started in 1599
[ Edit ] Built By
Maharana Udai Singh and later extended by the succeeding Maharanas.
[ Edit ] History
In the Raj Aangan, the oldest part of the palace, is where Maharana Udai Singh met a sage who told him to build a city here. Maharana Udai Singh, the founder of Udaipur, was of the Sisodia Rajput clan. He was the son of legendary Maharana Pratap Singh of Mewar. He started the construction of the City Palace complex in 1599.
Many other additions were made to the palace complex by the succeeding Maharanas to give it its present form. These late additions made to the palace were carefully planned and integrated with the original building so as to make it appear as if the entire palace complex was made in one continuous stretch.
In 1974 a major part of the City Palace complex with its several ‘Mahals’ was converted to a museum and opened to the public. Two of the newer portions of the palace - Shiv Niwas Palace and Fateh Prakash Palace built by Maharana Fateh Singh have been converted into luxury hotels.
[ Edit ] Myths or Facts
[ Edit ] Architecture And Structural Description
The Palace complex is a majestic white building made in granite and marble and stands on a crest of the hill surrounded by crenellated or fortress walls overlooking the Lake Pichola on one side and City of Udaipur on the other side.
The architecture is a delicate blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture and the palace complex contains a number of buildings of immense beauty, gardens and fountains all arranged in harmony which express uniformity in construction.
While the exterior looks rugged the interiors is a mesh of many paths leading to enclosures with luxurious apartments and balconies, hanging gardens, massive octagonal towers and cupolas with panoramic views of the Lake Pichola and City of Udaipur from the upper terraces.
The Palace complex is entered through the majestic ‘Hati Pol’ or Elephant Gate off the main road. Just inside the Hati Pol is the Jagdish Temple built in 1651 A.D. Built by Maharana Jagat Singh the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It has beautiful sculpted images and is one of the most beautiful temples of Udaipur.
The “Bara Pol” or Great Gate built in 1600 A.D on the northern end leads one to the first courtyard which then joins “Tripolia” or Triple Gate which was built in 1725 A.D.
Between the two gates are eight carved marble arches or ‘Toranas’. In the past the rulers were weighed under these Toranas against gold and silver. After weighing, its value was distributed among the poor.
Beyond the Tripolia is an arena where elephant fights were staged until the year 1951 when Mewar joined independent India. This arena has oblong depressions on the western side of its courtyard that were used to park pachyderms. The 20 elephant stables today stand untouched and unoccupied.
The City Palace museum is entered through ‘Ganesh Deori’ or Door of Lord Ganesh and displays a large number of artifacts, many a unique paintings of Mewar and detailed Rajasthani art.
From the entrance are steps leading one downwards to the Pratap Singh armory museum which exhibits a huge collection of protective gear, weapons including the lethal 2 –pronged sword and heavy war ornaments worn by Maharaja Pratap Singh. It also houses drums and bugles of Rana Singh.
The Museum also contains a number of Mahals - rooms which have an unusual assortment of beautiful wall paintings, inlay glass work, sculptures, portraits, antique furniture, silver work and colourful enamel. All the work in the rooms are examples of the marvelous craftsmanship of the past era.
[ Edit ] Things To See
The City Palace Museum has many huge rooms and chambers decorated with paintings and furnishings and further enhanced by manicured lawns that sprawl across a wide area.
One of the main display items here is the ‘Turban of Khurram’. King Khurram was popularly known as Shah Jahan. The turban is a symbol of the friendship that survived between Shah Jahan and Maharana Khazan Singh.
Krishna Niwas
Krishna Niwas was the room of a young princess by the name of Krishna Kumari who committed suicide when two rival suitors were willing to go to war with each other to get her hand in marriage.
The Krishna Niwas has a remarkable collection of miniature paintings depicting the royal processions, festivals and gaming events of the Maharanas called “Chogan”
Mor Chowk / The Peacock Courtyard
Mor Chowk was used as a dancing courtyard and has unique glass inlay mosaics of peacocks set in walls showing the three seasons: summer, winter and monsoons. This courtyard was recently refurbished to its former glory. There is a small section that has still been preserved to show how it was prior to the repairs.
Suraj Gokhada
Also called ‘Balcony of the Sun’, the Suraj Gokhada is the palace where the Maharana would grant public audiences mainly to boost the morale of the people in difficult times. The room has beautiful stained glasses and a stunning view of the entire city below.
Surya Chopar / Sun Square
This room depicts a huge ornamental sun symbolizing the Sun, to which the Mewar dynasty belongs. The Maharanas of Mewar are Surya Vanshi or descendants of Sun God.
Marble / Garden Palace
This is a lovely palace and courtyard with a pool at its center. The pool was the center of all play and celebrations for the royal family during the festival of Holi.
Amar Vilas
Amar Vilas is the highest point in the City palace complex where a royal residence is built. The palace has exquisite hanging gardens with fountains, towers and terraces offering a breath taking view of the city and lake below
Manak Mahal / Ruby Palace
The Ruby Palace has a lovely collection of glass and mirror work along with delicate crystal and porcelain figures.
Moti Mahal / Pearl Palace
Moti Mahal is a room is covered with beautiful mirror work and a lavish décor.
Sheesh Mahal / Palace of Mirrors
The room has complete inlaid mirror work.
Chini Chitrashala
This room is covered entirely with Chinese and Dutch ornamental tiles. The latter has depiction of Bibical scenes including the flight to Egypt.
Bhim Vilas
The room has Radha Krishna stories painted entirely on its walls and also has a glass mosaic gallery.
Zenana Mahal/ Ladies Chamber
The chamber is embellished with paintings and divided into alcoves for different princesses
Laxmi Vilas Chowk
Laxmi Vilas an art gallery with a beautiful white pavilion and a distinct collection of Mewar paintings.
Rang Bhawan
The palace used to contain the royal treasure. On the right side outside Rang Bhawan, there are examples of Lord Krishna, Meera Bai and Lord Shiva
Kanch Ki Buri
This is a tiny room where every inch of space including the ceiling is covered with brightly coloured manikin paintings of festivals, jungle scapes, dancing damsels etc.
Dilkusha Mahal / Palace of Joy
Constructed by Maharana Karan Singh the room has some beautiful frescoes and wall paintings fitted along its walls and roofs
Bari Mahal
This is an ancestral garden built on a 90 foot high natural rock formation and gives a stunning view of the city below.
The City Palace complex also has a shrine of Dhuni Mata where a sage passed his life meditating here.
Crystal Gallery at Fateh Prakash Palace
This palace built by Maharana Fateh Singh is now converted to a heritage luxury hotel. The Crystal gallery has some rare collection of Osler crystal items which Maharaja Sajjan Singh had ordered from England, He however never lived his dream of possessing these exquisite crystal pieces. After his death the crystal items were kept away in a store room until they were kept out on display.
Others
Two of the newer portions of the palace - Shiv Niwas Palace and Fateh Prakash Palace built by Maharana Fateh Singh have been converted into luxury hotels. Access to these hotels is generally restricted to paying guests.
[ Edit ] Nearby Attractions
Other attractions in and around Udaipur include:
- Lake Pichola
- Jagmandir
- Jag Niwas
- Jagdish Temple
- Saheliyon ki Bari
- Bagore ki Haveli.
- Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace) Eklingji
- Saas Bahu Temple
- Delwara
- Ranakpur Jain Temple
[ Edit ] Other Information
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