Udaipur

In the heart of the desert of Raja- sthan is this lake city of Udaipur the capital of the erstwhile state of Mewar.Variously described as the "City of Sunrise", the "City of Dreams" and the "City of Enchantment", Udaipur is beautifully set amidst wooded hills and slopes encircling a scenic lake. Unique and charming palaces of yore entice the traveller. This beautiful city was founded by Maharana Udai Singh and its fame rests on his brave son Maharana Pratap. Exquisite carvings and mosaic ornament, the numerous courts, saloons, corridors, pavilions, balconies and terraces all mark Udaipur's two important palaces the Lake Palace, in the centre of the Pichola Lake, which has now been converted into a luxury hotel and the City Palace which now houses a museum. The Lake Palace was built by Maharana Jagat Singh II in 1754, and covers the whole island on which it sits, while the City Palace the largest complex in Rajasthan stands proudly on the shore.

ACCESS

The city is well connected by air and rail to major towns and cities around.

State Transport buses link Udaipur with all major cities like Agra (630 km), Ahmedabad (262 km), Ajmer (264 km), Mumbai (730 km), Delhi (670 km), Jaipur (406 km), Jodhpur (275 km).

PLACES OF INTEREST

The Udaipur Lake Palace, the City Palace and Museum, Jagdish Temple, Lake Fateh Sagar, Pratap Smarak, Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum, Saheliyon ki Bari.

EXCURSIONS

Ekling (22 km), Haldighati (40 km), Nathdwara (48 km) and Jaisamand Lake (48 km) which is believed to be the second largest artificial lake in Asia and was built by Maharana Jai Singh in the 17th century. Another major spot is Ranakpur (98 km) with the most important and biggest Jain temples in India. Kumbalgarh Fort - A two-hour drive, Kumbalgarh is famous for its 15th century fort and a wildlife sanctuary. Deogarh - An ideal holiday spot, Deogarh is a three-hour drive from Udaipur. The main attraction is the 16th century palace which has been recently converted into a heritage hotel.

ACCOMODATION

Lake Palace (5-star deluxe) Pichola Lake, Udaipur 313001. Phone: 91-294-528800. Fax: 91-294-528700.

Shiv niwas Palace City Palace, Udaipur-313 001. Phone: 528016-19. Fax: 0294-528006.

Laxmi Vilas Palace, Udaipur 313 001. Phone: 529711-15. Fax: 525536.

Shikarbadi, Goverdhan Vilas, Udaipur 313 001. Phone: 583200-4. Fax: 0294-584841.

Fateh Prakash Palace, City Palace, Udaipur 313 001. Phone: 528008, 528016-19. Fax: 528012, 528006.

Rajdarshan (3-star), 18, Panna Dhai Marg, Udaipur -313 001. Phones: 526601-05. Fax: 0294-524588

Hilltop Palace, 5 Ambavgarh, Fatehsagar, Udaipur - 313 001. Phone: 561664/765/566. Fax: 525106

Lake Pichola, Outside Chandpole, Udaipur-313 001. Phones: 29197, 29387, 421965. Fax: 0294-410575.

Oriental Palace Resorts, Subhash Nagar Main Road, Udaipur 313 001. Phone: 412360/373. Fax: 411238.

Anand Bhawan (2-star), Fatehsagar Road, Uaipur. Phone: 523256, 523018. Fax: 0294-523247.

Rangniwas Palace, Palace Road. Phones: 523891, 523890.

Lakend (2-star), Fatehsagar Lake, Udaipur - 313001. Phones: 23841, 415100/101/ 102. Fax: 0294-523898.

Gulab Niwas, Khudala House, Udaipur. Phones: 523644.

Heritage Resorts, Lake Bagela, Opp. SAS Babu Temple, Nagda, Eklingji, Dist. Udaipur- 313202. Phone: 528628, 414076, 77202. Fax: 527549.

Jaisamand Island Resort, Jaisamand Lake, Udaipur. Phones: 0296-2222, 2200; Fax: 523898.

Kajri (RTDC), Shastri Circle, Udaipur. Phones: 410501/502/503.

Chandralok (2-star), Saheli Marg, Udaipur - 313 001. Phones: 560011, 560032.

Jagat Niwas, Lall Ghat, Lake Pichola, Udaipur. Phone: 29728.

Kankarwa Haveli, 26 Lall Ghat, Udaipur. Fax: 411457.

Caravanserai, Jawana House, 14 Lalghat, Udaipur. Phone: 521252.

Ram Pratap Palace, Fateh Sagar Lake. Phone: 528700; Fax: 520168