"The city of Lakes" Udaipur
Udaipur, also known as the City of Lakes, is a popular tourist destination state of Rajasthan.
It is surrounded by the beautiful Aravalli Hills in all directions, this 'Venice of the East has mesmerising temples and breathtaking Mewar architecture in the backdrop of lakes which makes it a must-visit destination in India.
A boat ride through the serene waters of Lake Pichola will be enough to prove to you why Udaipur is the pride of Rajasthan.
Located in a valley and surrounded by four lakes, Udaipur justifies all names ever offered to its charm from 'Jewel of Mewar' to 'Venice of the East'.
The Lake Palace hotel is something that offers the city a visual definition.
The revered Nathdwara temple is about 60 km from Udaipur.
####Places To Visit In Udaipur
(1). #City Palace, Udaipur
City Palace, Udaipur
Built on the banks of Lake Pichola, the City Palace in Udaipur is considered to be the largest royal complex in Rajasthan.
The magnificent palace was built in the year 1559 by Maharana Uday Singh and served as the main seat of power, where the Maharanas lived and administered the kingdom from.
Subsequently, the palace was made even more splendid by his successors, who added a number of structures to it.
The Palace now has an assortment of Mahals, courtyards, pavilions, corridors, terraces, rooms and hanging gardens.
There is a museum here as well that showcases some of the finest elements of Rajput arts and culture - from colourful paintings to the typical architecture found in Rajasthani palaces.
Nestled in the bosom of the Aravallis, the granite and marble edifice of the City Palace stands in contrast to its quaint natural surroundings.
The intricate architecture of the regal palace is a subtle mix of medieval, European as well as Chinese influences and is embellished with numerous domes, arches and towers.
The City Palace itself lies on a bed of lush green garden and is quite an imposing sight to behold.
The regal beauty of this attraction has quite a few fans in the film industry as well, and several movies such as 'Guide' and 'Octopussy' have been shot here.
A gentle amalgam of architectural genius and rich heritage, the City Palace of Udaipur is a wonderful trip down the pages of history.
####Tips For Visiting City Palace####
1. Photography is allowed in permitted areas. The fee for photography is INR 200 and for Videography is INR 500.
2. Carrying water, sunblock and sunglasses is advisable here
3. Be careful around the relics in the museum
4. It can get very crowded during peak season and long weekends
###How To Reach City Palace, Udaipur###
The City Palace is a popular tourist spot and is well connected by a network of by unmetered taxis, auto rickshaws, tongas and city bus service.
Ferry rides from City Palace to Jagmandir are available as well and cost INR 400 per person.
###Best Time To Visit City Palace###
Morning and evening hours are cooler and less crowded. Winter months from October to March are preferable to visit City Palace.
(2). #Jagdish Temple
Jagdish Temple, Udaipur Overview
Dedicated to the preserver of the universe, Lord Vishnu; the Jagdish Temple is a grand and majestic structure that stands in the City Palace Complex of the breathtaking city of Udaipur in Rajasthan.
Jagdish Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, also known as Lord Laxmi Narayan and is reputed for being the most significant temple in the entire city of Udaipur.
In fact, the gateway to this grand temple can be seen from the Bara Pol of the City Palace. Beautiful carvings, numerous appealing statues and an atmosphere of serenity make this place of worship an ideal choice for seekers of solace and faith.
The main shrine houses the striking four-armed statue of Lord Vishnu, which is carved out of a single piece of black stone.
The main shrine of Lord Jagdish is centrally located, encircled by four smaller shrines. These shrines are dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the Sun God, Goddess Shakti and Lord Shiva respectively.
The atmosphere inside the shrine is enveloped with utter calmness and serenity and is an experience that you definitely should not miss.
###Tips For Visiting Jagdish Temple###
1. Due to the heavy crowd at the temple, it is easy to lose valuable things here. Hence, it is best to avoid carrying expensive objects to the temple.
2. If you intend to visit the temple while on a tour of the City Palace, ensure that you are wearing comfortable footwear.
3. Removing shoes is compulsory while at the shrine.
####How To Reach Jagdish Temple####
The Jagdish Temple is located in inside the City Palace Complex of Udaipur.
The temple is located centrally in the city of Udaipur, and hence several roads radiate to and fro the street square, which is known as the Jagdish Chowk, where the Jagdish Temple is located.
Therefore, it can be reached via buses, autos or other road transports from all parts of the city including the Airport and the Railway station.
####Architecture of Jagdish Temple####
The three-storied Jagdish Temple is an architectural marvel that boasts of beautifully adorned ceilings, intricately carved pillars and large airy halls.
The structure is an excellent example of the Maha Meru or the Meru-Gurjara style of architecture.
The Shri Jagdish Temple is one of the most beautiful examples of Hindu iconography that you can find in India.
The structure consists of three stories of hand-carved stone.
The spire of the main temple is about 79 feet in height and is ornamented with sculptures of dancers, horsemen, elephants and musicians.
The spire dominates the skyline of Udaipur and is indeed a sight to behold.
The main shrine of the temple has a marvellous four-armed image of Lord Vishnu which is carved out of a single piece of black stone.
This main shrine is located in the centre, with four smaller shrines encircling it.
These smaller shrines are Lord Ganesha, Sun God, Goddess Shakti and Lord Shiva respectively.
The structure of the Jagdish Temple is complete with a pyramidal spire, a prayer hall known as the mandap and a porch.
Both the first and second floors of the temple possess fifty intricately carved pillars each.
####History of Jagdish Temple ####
The construction of the Shri Jagdish Temple was undertaken by the ruler of Udaipur, Maharaja Jagat Singh, who had ruled over the city from 1628 to 1653.
The temple was built on a small terrace, and the construction was over by the year 1651.
The beautiful temple is constructed by the Hindu architectural science of Vastushastra.
Even in those times, the ruler spent INR 1.5 million on the construction of this colossal structure.
