Moving on from the India's most valorous fort of Chittaurgarh Palace-On-Wheels next halt happens to be the other capital of the Sisodia Maharanas, udaipur. On the sixth day of the Palace-On-Wheels tour you arrive at Udaipur at 07.30 hrs. Udaipur is also known as the "City of Palaces", a "Fairyland" and a "Vision in Dream". It is surrounded by hills, mountains, and its beautiful palaces are mirrored in the calm blue water of Lake Pichola. Maharana Udai Singh created Udaipur, as the capital of Mewar, in 1568. The lakeside city was built on a small wooded plain encircled by mountains, which was in direct contrast to the masculinity of Chittor and Kumbhalgarh. The houses and temples of the old city stretch out around the Lake Pichola in a pale honeycomb that makes Udaipur an oasis of colours in a stark and arid region like Rajasthan. Amongst the many worth visiting places in Udaipur are the City Palace and the Lake Palace.

The whitewashed City Palace seems to float out of the blue Pichola water. Here one finds a maze of inter-connected courtyards, corridors, and rooms. Some have lovely inlaid pietra durra mirror work walls, scalloped arched windows with colored glass panes, glazed mosaic tiles, and sculptured bas relief decorations like the famous dancing peacocks in Mor Chowk. Parts of this old palace complex house a museum endowed by the Maharana Mewar Foundation.
  
PLACES AROUND UDAIPUR

► Lake Palace
Lake Palace or Jagat Niwas is a white marble summer residence of the princes of Mewar, which was built in 1746 by Jagat Singh. Set on an island, the whole Palace appears to float on the blue water of Lake Pichola. The airy stucco complex with dainty balconies, terrace gardens, water fountains and arched windows, reflects the brightness of the sun, sky and lake. The interiors are profusely decorated with paintings, stained glass and crystal.   
Venice of the eas
The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely 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 a fascinating blend of sights, sounds and experiences an inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writers.
Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavour of a heroic past, epitomising valour and chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters of the Lake Pichhola is an enticing 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 Pichchola.

The hermit blessed the Maharana and advised him to build a palace at this favourably located spot with a fertile valley watered by the stream, a lake, an agreeable altitude and an ampitheatre of low mountains. Maharana followed the advise of the hermit and founded the city in 1559 A.D.
Overlooking the aquamarine expanses of the Lake Pichchola stands the splendid City Palace a marvel in granite and marble.

Of the original eleven gates of the Udaipur City, only five remain. The Suraj Pol or Sun Gate on the eastern side is the main entrance to the city.
Exquisite lake palaces of Udaipur, shimmering like jewels on Lake Pichchola are overwhelming in splendour.
Several places of interest around Udaipur, including the majestic Chittaurgarh, the mountain fortress of Kumbhalgarh, beautiful Jain temples of Ranakpur, Eklingji and Nathdwara and the cool retreat of Mt. Abu, make the visit to Udaipur a memorable one.
Udaipur City Palace
A majestic architectural marvel towering over the lake on a hill surrounded by crenallated walls, it is a conglomeration of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. The main entrance is through the triple arched gate, the Tripolia with eight marble porticos. The maharanas were weighed under the gate in gold, the equivalent amount of which was distributed among the populace. The Suraj Gokhada, the balcony of the sun, is where the Suryavanshi Maharanas of Mewar presented themselves to the people in time of trouble to restore their confidence. The Mor Chowk known for its exquisite peacock mosaics in glass and the Chini Chitrashala noted for its blue and white ceramics are other attractions in the Palace.
Jagdish Temple
Built in 1651 A.D. by Maharana Jagat Singh, this Indo-Aryan temple is the largest and the most beautiful temple of Udaipur with noteworthy sculpted images.
Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum
The interesting collection exhibited by this Indian folk arts museum includes folk dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls, folk musical instruments, folk deities and paintings.Saheliyon-ki-Bari (Garden of the maids of Honour): This small ornamental garden was a popular relaxing spot where royal ladies came for a stroll and hence the name. The garden has many fountains in its four delightful pools, chiselled kiosks and marble elephants.
Pratap Memorial
Atop the Moti Magri or pearl hill, overlooking the Fateh Sagar Lake is the memorial of the Rajput hero Maharana Pratap with a bronze statue of the Maharana.
Fateh Lake
A beautiful lake, overlooked by a number of hills on the three sides and the Pratap Memorial on the north was built by Maharana Fateh Singh. In the middle of the lake is Nehru Park a lovely garden island with a boat shaped caf accessible by an enjoyable boat ride
Pichchola Lake
The picturesque lake that entranced Maharaja Udai Singh. It was later enlarged by the founder. The lake is surrounded by hills, palaces, temples bathing ghats and embankments. Two island palaces, Jag Mandir and Jag Niwas (Lake Palace) on the lake are of breathtaking magnificence.
Ahar
The ancient capital of Sisodias, 3 km from Udaipur, Ahar boasts of a profusion of royal cenotaphs of the rulers of Mewar. A rare collection of antiquities including earthen pots, iron objects and other art items excavated in the region are displayed in a small Govt. museum.

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