If the chhatri is an icon of funeral ceremonies in India, the havelis are the counterpoint, being huge mansions popularized during the Mughal empire in countries like Pakistan, Nepal or India , especially in the state of Rajasthan. Embraced by Lake Pichola, Bagore Ki is the most important haveli in Udaipur , with up to one hundred rooms dotted with colored glass lights and around a ritual courtyard (or chowk ) where kings and queens once worshiped the tulsi, a sacred plant.
The former maharajas of Rajasthan used to be cremated and then honored through a structure placed over their grave called a chhatri. A typical custom of the northwest of this state that in Udaipur finds one of its best representatives: the Ahar cenotaphs , a set of 19 chhatris located 2 kilometers from Udaipur where the whispers of old times contrast with the monumental charm of one of the most characteristic structures of India.
Conceived in the 14th century as an artificial lake near the town of Picholi, Lake Pichola is the greatest icon of Udaipur . Made up of four different islands, Jag Niwas was chosen to build the summer palace of the Mewar dynasty between 1743 and 1746. A lavish complex that, over time, would be transformed into a hotel, specifically the Taj Lake Palace, a five stars where you can recreate a fantasy worthy of the Thousand and One Nights.
Exotic lakes, fairytale palaces or epic forts. When we think of the most romantic India, there are many places that come to mind. However, few can compare to the magic of what is known as “Venice of the East”. Come with us and discover everything there is to see in Udaipur.
” The most romantic place in the entire Indian subcontinent .” With these words, the British administrator James Tod defined a certain city located in the south of the state of Rajasthan where the presence of different lakes merges with the majesty of the most monumental India.
Historical and magical, Udaipur is undoubtedly one of the must-see stops during any tour of India thanks to its many contrasts and secrets.
A romantic paradise whose legacy breathes through each of its windows, inviting you to discover hotels in floating palaces that are just the icing on the cake of all the places to see in Udaipur .
There is a vast number of cities that have held the title of capital of India at various points in history. While we are unable to cover them all because doing so would need writing a whole book, we will take a brief tour “flying over” the various capital changes.
As we move forward we will focus on much more exclusive destinations but, if in your case you have never visited the Indian giant, the Golden Triangle is the best starting point to discover India . Pure traveling geometry around three angles such as the city of Delhi , the capital of India; Agra , the city of the iconic Taj Mahal; and Jaipur , known as the Pink City of India. A unique journey that will not only allow you to discover the main heritages of India , but also enjoy exclusive hotels and experiences that range from preparing food with Sikh priests in a sacred temple, to living with a family from the rural areas of Agra. Golden Triangle tour can be done easily by hiring a taxi service in Jaipur
Hampi temples, the great attraction of Karnataka © Bet Travel
Karnataka is the ideal destination to enter South India. Starting from the technological city of Bangalore , this state offers an irresistible array of vast sites and fairytale palaces: nothing better than entering the more than 300 temples of Hampi , to connect with Mysore, the city of incense, and start the winding journey to what is known as “God’s Land”. The north of Kerala offers unique alternatives in the form of less crowded backwaters and resorts where you can succumb to a well-deserved wellness day with the best Ayurveda treatments .
The holiest city in the world is called Varanasi. © Pixabay
Varanasi is the city of India, even of the world, to which all traveling paths lead. The largest spiritual city on the planet overlooks a Ganges river from which to take perspective, among women in colorful saris submerged in the water and that aroma of fire and sandalwood that awakens more than one reflection. In addition, you can approach the Aarti Ganga, or offering rituals to the gods at sunset; take a boat ride on the holiest river in India, or explore a local culture so authentic that it will seem like you are on another planet.
South India is brimming with tropicalism: the coconut palms overlooking the backwaters of Kerala , the spice villages of Periyar, the tea plantations of Munnar or beaches where you can perform the Sun Salutation during a yoga retreat. However, states like Tamil Nadu offer another vision of the history of India through different monumental complexes that are ideal for exploring the remains of this civilization. The temples of Madurai evoke colors that you didn’t even know existed; in Mahaballipuram you will find monolithic complexes such as The Descent of the Ganges; and in Pondicherry you can tour the colonial streets of this old French city by bicycle.
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Build in the lake was first constructed by Maharana Jai Singh. However, the lake got its name from the king Maharana Fateh Singh who made considerable additions to the lake. Chronologically this was the second artificial lake constructed in Udaipur with the first being Lake Jaisalmand. 200 years after its construction the earthen dam built in the times of Maharana Jai Singh got washed away during torrential floods, so in 1887 Maharana Fateh Singh built the Connaught dam to mark the visit of the Duke of Connaught i.e. son of Queen Victoria.Thus, this restoration of the lake led to its renaming as Maharana Fateh Sagar Lake.
Fatehsagar Lake, Udaipur Boat ride fee
30 per person for Regular Boat Ride
100 - 200 per person for Motor Boat Ride
200 - 400 per person for Speed Boat Ride
The real threat, which almost decimated the Mewar kingdom for many years, came from the marauding Marathas. The hope of survival revived when in 1817, the British came to their rescue with the “Treaty of Paramountcy” promising restoration of all the hereditary territories and protecting the state from any future invasions. Thereafter, peace and prosperity ensued in the Mewar Kingdom. The pride and glory of Sisodia Rajputs were fully restored. During the revolt in 1857, Maharana Swaroop Singh (1842–1861) saved a number of European families, mostly women and children from Neemuch, which were given refuge in the Jag Mandir Palace. The revolt was popularly known as the Sepoy Mutiny and was also called the Indian Mutiny, (or the first War of Independence) against the British Raj. After the Independence of India from the British rule, on 15 August 1947, at the initiative of Maharana Bhupal Singh, the Mewar kingdom merged with the Indian union in 1949 along with other princely states of Rajasthan.
Jag Mandir is a palace built on an island in Lake Pichola. It is also called the “Lake Garden Palace”. The palace is located in Udaipur city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Its construction is credited to three Maharanas of the Sisodia Rajputs of Mewar kingdom. The construction of the palace was started in 1551 by Maharana Amar Singh, continued by Maharana Karan Singh (1620–1628) and finally completed by Maharana Jagat Singh I (1628–1652). It is named as “Jagat Mandir” in honor of the last-named Maharana Jagat Singh. The royal family used the palace as a summer resort and pleasure palace for holding parties. The palace served as a refuge for asylum seekers for one occasion.
Jagmandir, Udaipur Boat ride fee
450 for per person
after 03:00 PM
700 for per person
The temple was built in 1651 under the reign of Maharana Jagat Singh who ruled Udaipur from 1628 to 1653. Jagdish Temple is the home of Lord Vishnu and an iconic example of the Maru-Gujaru architecture of the era. The Maharana Jagat Singh spent 1.5 million rupees to enhance the structure of the Jagdish temple. The temple was renovated due to the Mughal invasion. The Mughal invaders destroyed many figurines and carvings in the temple as a part of revenge upon Rajput rulers. The Mughals took to vandalism to take out their anger and frustrations on their defeat at the hands of Mewar rulers. According to the old legends, it is believed that the marble slab in the Jagdish temple has magical powers. If you rub your shoulder, knees, or back on the marble, you can get quick relief from the pain. For some people, it might be hard to believe, but the beliefs associated with religion cannot be questioned.
You can find several temples of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The Eklingji temple is one of the most prestigious temples of Lord Shiva. Similarly, Jagdish temple is one of the largest temples of Lord Vishnu. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Udaipur. Jagdish temple was earlier known as the temple of Jagannath Rai, one of 1000 names of God Vishnu. The temple has become a significant monument in the past few decades due to its unique location, beauty, and history associated with it.
Saheliyon ki Bari was developed in the 18th century in the middle of 1710 and 1734, especially for the princess and her 48 guards who went with her after marrying Maharana Sangram Singh so that they could take some pleasant minutes while supporting the queen. The thought was to make the green retreat in the hot and generally dry state of Rajasthan. The king himself planned for Saheliyon Ki-Bari and taught this distinctive teacher of his beautiful kingdom. The ruler realized that the queen was proud of the sound of rain. From now on, the structure and the cover area were a passionate decision. It was built on the shores of Lake Fateh Sagar, which was filled as a consistent source of water from where it was drawn to wells and Lake Lotus. The Queen and her Imperial Guards often spent vital minutes here in Saheliyon ki Bari.
Perched on a high summit of Banasdara mountain of Aravalli hill range, just like a bejeweled tiara stands the glorious Sajjangarh fort. It is a white marble palace. The fort is situated 5km (2 miles) to the west of Udaipur city at an altitude of 944m (3100 ft) above sea level. It was built in 1884, by the seventy-second ruler of the Mewar dynasty, Maharana Sajjan Singh. He was considered a renowned ruler and a “Man of Vision” and was also honored with the title of “Grand Commander of the Star of India” in 1881. Having a deep passion for astronomy, Maharana Sajjan Singh intended to construct a nine-story astronomical center that could facilitate the tracking of monsoon clouds and diagnose the weather conditions. Hence popularly known as the monsoon palace. The other reason that added to the building up of the fort was to serve as a holiday home and hunting lodge for the royal family and also to give Maharana a view of his ancestral home in Chittaurgarh. Due to his untimely demise at the age of 26, his dream remained unfulfilled with the shelving of his plans by the construction of the partial three-story building. But during his reign (1874-1884) Udaipur was recognized as the second Municipality in India after Bombay. The construction of Sajjangarh is considered the most ambitious project which Maharana undertook during the span of his rule.
Sajjan Garh Monsoon Palace entry fee
10 for Indians
80 for foreigners
The history of Eklingji Temple is recorded in the Ekalinga Mahatmya, a historical text written in the 15th century. According to the text, the original temple was built in 734 A.D. by ruler Bappa Rawal. The temple has been a victim of loot and plunders during the rule of the Delhi Sultanate. The original temple and its idols were physically damaged. In the late years, the temple was renovated and modified by many kings to preserve the glory and faith of the people in Shri Eklingji. The temple originally belonged to the Pashupata sect, then the Nath sect and in the post 16th century it is managed and controlled by Ramanandis.
Even though the name is changed, the faith and devotion attached to Lord Shiva remain the same. The purpose of these temples, mosques, churches, and monasteries is to help human beings forget their worries and attain spirituality. They are the treasure of the vast history, culture, traditions, and beliefs of ancient people and a reflection of their glorious lives.
Lake Pichola was constructed in the year 1362 by Banjara under the patronage of Maharana Lakha. Maharana Udai Singh was truly mesmerized by its charm and founded Udaipur City on its bank. He also enlarged the lake by constructing a dam on the lakeshore. All the other islands, temples, ghats and palaces developed over a period of time. The four main islands include the Jag Mandir, Jag Niwas, Mohan Mandir and Arsi Vilas. In the year 1623, Prince Khurram who rebelled against the Mughal King Jahangir took refuge under Karan Singh II and was housed in the grand palace of Jag Mandir.
According to legends, Maharana Jawan Singh promised a tightrope walker (Natani) that half of Mewar City would be gifted to her if she could cross Lake Pichola over a tightrope. Before she could reach the other end, the rope was cut resulting in her death. While dying, the girl cursed the king‘s family that he would never have a direct heir to the throne. The curse came to be true because the seven rulers who succeeded Jawan Singh were not his own descendants but adopted sons.
Lake pichola entry fee
400 for Adults
200 for Children
Sunset boat ride fee
700 for Adults
400 for Children
Shri Amarchand Badwa, who served as the Prime minister of Mewar kingdom during the reign of Maharanas Pratap Singh II, Raj Singh II, Ari Singh, and Hamir Singh from the period of 1751 to 1778, built Bagore Ki Haveli. Following the death of Amarchand Badwa, the haveli came under the possession of the Mewar royal family and became the abode of Nath Singh, a relative of the then Maharana. In 1878, Maharaj Shakti Singh of Bagore further extended the haveli by building the triple-arched gateway and since then it is known as Bagore ki Haveli. Till 1947, the haveli remained in the possession of Mewar State. Post India’s Independence, the Haveli was used by the Rajasthan government for housing government employees. The haveli was neglected for almost forty years and later in 1986, the Government eventually decided to hand over the restoration work to the West Zone Cultural Centre.
The Winter months from September to March are considered as the Best months to visit Bagore ki Haveli as the weather is quite pleasant during this time with the maximum temperature reaching just around 28.3°C. It is advisable not to visit the Haveli during summers to avoid the extreme heat of the city. The first structure to be built here was the ‘Rai Angan’, from where on the construction of the complex was taken up with full vigour and finally completed in the year 1559. However, many changes were made to the then existing structure, which were spread over a period of 400 years. Rulers such as Udai Singh II added a few structures here, including 11 small separate palaces. Upon the Maharaja’s death, his son Maharana Pratap succeeded him but was unfortunately defeated by Akbar at the Battle of Haldighati. Udaipur was overtaken by the Mughals but was returned to Maharana Pratap’s son after Akbar’s death.
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