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A Trip4India > Destinations India > Udaipur Tourism

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Udaipur Tourism

State : Rajasthan
Area : 40 sq kms
Altitude : 577 mts
Temperature : 38.3 C-28.8 C (Summer)28.3 C-11.6 C (Winter)
Rainfall : 61 cms
Language : Mewari, Hindi, English
Best Season : September to March

The City of Dawn, Udaipur is a land around the azure water lakes, hemmed in by the lush hills of the Aravalis. A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur is an interesting blend of sights, sounds and experiences - an inspiration for the imagination of the poets, painters and writers. Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavour of heroic past, symbolising bravery and chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters of the Lake Pichhola is an attractive sight.

Udaipur is the jewel of Mewar - a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 years. The foundation of the city has an interesting legend associated with it. According to it, Maharana Udai Singh, the founder, was hunting one day when he met a holy man meditating on a hill overlooking the Lake Pichhola. The hermit blessed the Maharana and advised him to build a palace at this favorably located spot with a fertile valley watered by the stream, a lake, a satisfying altitude and a ring of low mountains. Maharana followed the advise of the hermit and founded the city in 1559 A.D.

The exquisite Lake Palace of Udaipur, shimmering like a jewel on Lake Pichhola is overwhelming in splendour. Several places of interest around Udaipur, including the magnificent Chittaurgarh, the mountain fortress of Kumbhalgarh, beautiful Jain temples of Ranakpur, Eklingji and Nathdwara and the cool retreat of Mount Abu, make the visit to Udaipur a memorable one.

History
Maharana Udai Singh founded the city of Udaipur in 1567 AD on the advice of a sage. The last of Mewar capitals, it was here that the legendary Maharana Pratap was born.

Udaipur is in the central part of the fascinating region of Mewar. The kingdom of Mewar, with which many legends of bravery are associated, was considered the most respectable of all Rajput princely states in Rajasthan. Claiming descent from the sun (Suryavansha), the Sisodia dynasty that ruled Mewar for 1200 years is one of the oldest dynasties in the world. With a lineage of 67 generations behind, this clan fought for its respect and freedom. Like other Rajput kingdoms of the time, it never married off its daughters to the Mughals. A part of this lineage were Rana Sanga and Rana Pratap, great warriors who fought to defend their kingdom from invaders.

The capital of the Sisodia dynasty was Chittor till the 6th century, when it was moved to Udaipur, named after Maharana Udai Singh. According to legend, the Maharana was out hunting one day when he met a holy man meditating on a hill overlooking the Lake Pichola. The hermit blessed the Maharana and told him to build a palace at that very spot, as it would be well protected. The Maharana followed his advice and Udaipur came into being .