Once the capital city of the glorious Mewar Dynasty of Rajasthan, Udaipur, with its rich past, feels like it hasnβt aged a day. The City Palace still stand tall and unwithered of its beauty, the Kumbhalgarh Fort stretching long and wide intimidating the nearby Aravalli range, and the man-made Pichola Lake reflecting the cityβs grandeur. Udaipur Tourism has a solid sense of heritage and history that it effortlessly preserves and showcases in the present. But, once you walk out of its overwhelming palaces and forts into the common life of the streets, the sepia city slowly bursts into a palette of vibrant colors. The markets of Udaipur offer all kinds of antiques, staying true to its sense of past, along with handicrafts, pottery, beads, jewelry, colorful mojris, chunris and eye-catching traditional pagdis and bangles.
City Palace Udaipur
City Palace is a name that rings a bell of amazing culture and great architecture. It is one of the must things to do in Udaipur. The palace is located in the center of the city and is a combination of amazing courtyards, buildings and gardens. Jai Singh was the Maharaja to build the outer most wall of City Palace. However, there has been various restorations and adaptations in the following centuries till date.
There are various buildings within the palace, many of which were built in the 20th century. Where architecture is concerned, it is a beautiful mix of Rajasthani and Mughal cultures. The entry gate, Virendra Pol leads to the Mubarak Mahal which has a colonial look and a mix of Islamic, European and Rajput style of architecture. Today, this place is a museum that shows various exhibits starting from royal shawls to costumes. Some other places to explore here are diwan-e-khas, diwan-i-am, the armory and Chandra Mahal.
Architecture
The entire palace is made of marble and granite. This only shows the richness of Rajput, Medieval and European architecture summed together. This beautiful palace is located right by the Lake Pichola, the most famous lake in Udaipur. The palace is constructed over a mountain. Each balcony has a different view that shows Udaipur in new light. The meticulous artwork, the intricate detailing, the lifelike paintings and the intense mirror work all queue up to to form the history of Udaipur and its people.
In The City Palace one side, you can see the lake view of the city and on another the city view. This is also India's second largest palace and took over three centuries to build.
Quick Information about the City Palace Udaipur
Opening timings: 9.30 AM to 5 PM
Entrance: Badi Pol
Entry Fee: Rs. 100/200 for Indians and Rs. 400 for International tourists
Best time to visit: September to March
How to Reach: The City Palace Udaipur is over 23 km from Maharana Pratap Airport and 3km from the railway station.
Architectural Style: Rajput, European and Medieval Architecture
Time required to complete the tour: 2 - 3 hours
If you're planning to visit Rajasthan anytime soon, Udaipur must be on your list. The old-world charm and the unique architecture of the city of Lakes will take your breath away and even before you know it, you'd have fallen in love with the colors of this royal Indian city.
Have you visited the City Palace, Udaipur before? Did this gorgeous city manage to take your breath away? Share your story in the comments below.
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