About Udaipur

The city of udaipur owes its name to its founder Maharana Udai Singh. Udaipur can rightly be called as The Romantic City Of Lakes. The marble palaces, beautifully laid out gardens and the lakes make udaipur seem almost like a mirage in the desert. Udaipur is also known as the Venice Of The East. Pichloa lake, Fateh sagar lake, Jaisamand lake, Rajsamand lake, Udai sagar lake and Doodh talai in udaipur are some of the most beautiful lakes in rajasthan. The city of udaipur also boasts of several gardens that are truly a green retreat in the dry lands of rajasthan. Gulab bagh or Sajjan niwas garden in udaipur is the largest garden of rajasthan, Saheliyon ki bari is one of the most beautiful garden and a major tourist destination in the city and the Nehru garden set amidst the fateh sagar lake offers truly an eye-soothing view for any observer.
The city is also known for its Rajput-era palaces. Particularly famous is the Lake palace which entirely covers a small island in the pichola lake. Fateh prakash palace and City palace are also the beautiful palaces worth watching. Jagdish temple made in the Indo-Aryan style of architecture is one of the famous temples of udaipur located in the city palace complex. Its architecture comprises beautifully carved pillars, decorated ceilings, painted walls and lush halls and it is one of the major tourist attraction.
The city of udaipur also presents artifacts of the bygone age by the means of museums. City palace museum, Bhartiyalok kala museum, Shilpgram museum, Ahar museum and Vintage collection of classic car museum offers a glimpse of the items that used to be the part of the regal lifestyle. Other major attraction of the city are Maharana Pratap Memorial or Moti Magri, Bagore-ki-haveli, Udaipur solar observatory - Asia's only solar observatory, Kumbhalgarh wildlife sanctuary, Sukhadia circle which is a landmark built on a traffic roundabout in udaipur. It is a three tiered fountain that is lit at night and is a popular place for the locals in evenings.
Udaipur houses some of the most luring hotels ranging from heritage and luxury hotels to economy and budget hotels with world class facilities, romantic escapades, traditional rajasthani hospitality and deft professional service. It is the personalized attention and royal treatment that makes one's stay in udaipur really worthwhile. Since there are so many lakes that has earned the city the title of "City Of Lakes", almost all the rooms in the hotels offer delightful views of serene and placid lake waters or spring green gardens that are always in full bloom.
This blog is a complete tourist guide as it covers all the major attractions of the city one would like to know about and has all the other necessary information with some of the best pictures one would like to view before visiting the place.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Kumbhalgarh Fort

Second Most Important Fort Of Rajasthan










Kumbhalgarh Fort is the second most important fort of Rajasthan after Chittorgarh. Located at a distance of 64 kms from Udaipur in Rajasmand district, Kumbhalgarh Fort is easily accessible from the city of Udaipur. This unconquerable fortress is secured under the kind protection of the Aravali ranges. Kumbhalgarh Fort was built by Maharana Rana Kumbha in the 15th century. The fort derived its name from the same factor.
Encircled by thirteen elevated mountain peaks, the fort is constructed on the top most ridges around 1,914 meters above sea level. The fortifications of the fort extend to the length of 36 kilometers and this fact has made this fort to be in the international records. It is stated to be the second longest wall in the world, the first being ''the Great Wall of China''. The huge complex of the Fort has numerous palaces, temples and gardens making it more magnificent.
On your way to Kumbhalgarh fort, a few kilometers before, you will find yourself on a zigzag road going through deep ravines and thick forests. This way would take you to the Arait Pol, where you can trace the watch-tower and then Hulla Pol, Hanuman Pol, Ram Pol, Bhairava Pol, Paghra Pol, Top-khana Pol and Nimboo Pol will come across your track.
The impregnable Fort boasts of seven massive gates, seven ramparts folded with one another with designed walls toughened by curved bastions and huge watch towers. The strong structure and solid foundation of the Fort made it unbeatable till date. The hefty walls of the fort are broad enough to stand eight horses side by side. There are not less than 360 temples inside the complex of the Fort. Amongst all of them, Shiva Temple is worth visiting that comprises a huge Shivalinga (Phallic form).
The Fort is also known for its famous palace that resides on the top of structure. This beautiful palace is known as 'Badal Mahal' or the Palace of Cloud. It is also accredited to be the birth place of great warrior Maharana Pratap. This palace has beautiful rooms with lovely color combination of green, turquoise and white presenting a bright contrast to the earthy colors of the Fort. This place gives the appearance of being wandering in the world of clouds. Cloud Palace also offers a fantastic panoramic vista of the down town.
In the late 19th century, Rana Fateh Singh once again took the initiative to rebuild this remarkable palace. In the times of dissension, the fort also offered refuge to the rulers of Mewar. Even, the baby king Udai Singh was kept here safe during the time of battles. The large complex of the Fort offers ancient remnants to explore and one can spend a pleasurable evening while strolling through the ravines of Kumbhalgarh Fort.

1 comment:

  1. Cool snaps and quite informative, thanks! Would love to visit it some day!

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