City Palace Udaipur Things to do

The Things to do or look out for in City Palace Udaipur are as follows:

1. Entrance of the City Palace Udaipur
2. Outskirts of The City Palace
3. Courtyard in the City Palace
4. Elephant Fresco
5. Manak Mahal
6. Mor Chowk
7. Moti Mahal
8. Hotel Lake Palace Udaipur View
9. Terrace of City Palace Udaipur

Terrace of City Palace, Udaipur

One of the top most parts of the City Palace, Udaipur, India open for the tourist. This terrace is build of Marble and blue carvings. Till date one of the walls still holds some exotic paintings. From the balcony of this terrace, one can enjoy magnificient view of Lake Pichola and the Lake Palace Hotel. On the other side of the terrace is a balcony made of colorful glass and blue and white tiles. Since this spot comes at towards the end of the City Palace tour, usually tourist take 5 to 10 minutes break. During this break, one enjoys the top view of the Udaipur city from the terrace balcony.

Kumbha Mahal, Chittorghar

Kumbha Mahal ruins stand still welcoming you near the entrance of the Chittorghar Fort, Rajasthan. Palace is named after Maharana Kumbha who made serveral alterations and additions to the existing Palace. The Palace is approached by two Gateways to the East - Badi Pol and Triploia. These gates leads into open space to the south of the palace and to darikhana. A small doorway to the back of the darikhana gives access to main appartments, the Surya Gokhra, Zanana Mahal, Kanwar Pade ka Mahal, other residential structures and open courts. Build of dressed stone, the exterior walls have decoration. It includes sculptured bands serving as string course and large flower head bosses.
From the windows and doors of the Kumbha Mahal, one can get glimpse of the Chittorghar Fortress Walls.

Chittorgarh Fort

Chittorgarh Fort is main attraction in the city of Chittor, Rajasthan, India. The major attractions are:

1. Vijay Stambh
2. Kirti Stambh
3. Gaumukh Reservior
4. Rani Padmini Mahal
5. Rana Kumbh Palace
6. Fateh Prakash Palace Museum
7. Several Gates or Pols
8. Temples(Kalikamata temple, Jain Temple, Meera Temple, etc)

The fort is pride of Rajasthan and attracts maximum number of tourists after the City Palace Fort in Udaipur. The Fort hosts loads of Rajput history and is classic example of Rajasthani architechture.

How to reach Chittorghar Fort:

Chittor city is about 2 hrs drive from Udaipur City. We were based in Udaipur and planned day trip to Chittorghar Fort. We booked Cab from Udaipur city which would take us around Chittorghar fort. The Chittorgarh fort lies at the top of Hill. If one reaches Chittor City by local mode of transport like bus or train, then they have to take local vehicle(cab, rickshaw, motor cycle ride) to the top of the hill.

It will take you about day to visit the fort and the major attractions in the fort.

Chittorghar Fort Video

Chatswoth House

Chatsworth House is a huge countryside house at Chatsworth, Derbyshire. It is must see tourist attraction for all the Jane Austin Fans while visiting Peak District in UK. This is the place where Mr Darcy and Elizabeth send their summer vacation together in the Film 'Pride and Prejudice'. Same house was used in the movie 'The Dutchess'.

The house is surrounded by huge garden famously known as Chatsworth Garden and the famous Cascade fountain. One should plan a full day trip to visit the Chattsworth house and the garden. The garden closes one hour for the visitors and later does the Chatsworth House. So ideally one should first visit the Garden and then enter the House. Like all other famous houses, there are few rooms of the Chatsworth House which are available for visitors.

Near the Exit of the Chatsworth House, there is an exibition which hosts some charaters of the movie Pride and Prejudice.

Surya Chopar, City Palace, Udaipur

Surya Chopar at City Palace, Udaipur is a special room dedicated to the God of the Mewars(Warriors). The room is square shaped hence the name Chopar. It hosts a statue of Lord Surya (Sun) who is worshiped by the dynasty of Mewars. The ornamental statue is made of metal and is mounted on a wall. Currently the statue is covered with glass. The Surya Chopar located near the Mor Chowk, towards the exit of the City Palace Tour.

Moti Mahal, City Palace, Udaipur

Moti Mahal is one of the various star attactions of City Palace, Udaipur, Rajasthan. Moti means Pearl and Mahal means Palace - Palace of Pearls.

The room is decorated with beautiful mirror and glass work.

It was residence of Maharana Karan Singh. Maharana Karan Singh built this palatial room for his daily residence. The room windows provide magnificient view of the Udaipur City.


Besides glass work, walls and cieling of the room are decorated by various paintings. The doors of the Palace room were made of pure carved Ivory. The adjacent rooms have set up of old Rajasthani bedding and swing.

Video of Moti Mahal, City Palace, Udaipur

Mor Chowk - Peacock Courtyard

Mor Chowk or Peacock Courtyard is one of the most elegant part of the City Palace, Udaipur, Rajasthan. It is at the last of the City palace tour but not the least. This Courtyard consists of five peacocks mosiacs in glass decorated on the walls of the courtyard. The courtyard is open to sky and was used to host dinner banquets for the guests of the Royal family. The rooms surrounded by the Mor Chowk were residence of the Royal family men.

Video of Mor Chowk - Peacock Courtyard at City Palace, Udaipur

Video of Top view of Mor Chowk - Peacock Courtyard at City Palace, Udaipur

Manak Mahal, City Palace

Manak Mahal is one of the elegant parts of the City Palace, Udaipur,Rajasthan. The adjacent picture shows entrance towards the Manak Mahal from the Mor Chowk. The word Manak means - Ruby and Mahal means Palace or Residence. i.e. Ruby Palace. As the name suggests, the Manak Mahal is made of several red coloured glass or mosiac. The whole room is studded with costly glass work and paintings. The doors of the room are carved in Ivory. One should bear in mind that elephants hunting and use of Ivory was not illegal in olden days. Its restricted area and tourist are not allowed to enter the room. However they are allowed to view the room from outside.
Video of Manak Mahal, City Palace, Udaipur Rajasthan

Courtyard of Lake Palace Udaipur

As we walked throught the gallaries of the City Palace, Udaipur, Rajasthan, we reached a Courtyard made of marble stone. The structure of this courtyard is similar to others, with a swimming pool or bath pool in center. The swimming pool is usually surrounded by walls from all the sides to provide enough privacy for queens and other ladies in the Palace while they are having bath. Usually the courtyard will have a balcony or two on one of the surrounding walls. This balcony was used by the King to enjoy the company of Queens from distance. As per the stories narated by the guides in the City Palace.
The walk way in this courtyard is decorated by carved marble pillars.
In the evening time, the courtyard was used to host musical shows. The Royal Family members would occupy their seats in the balconies. While the other courtseans used to enjoy the musical show in the courtyard.
Click here to watch Youtube Video of Courtyard of Lake Palace Udaipur.

Outskirts of City Palace Udaipur

The palatial walls of the City Palace, Udaipur, Rajasthan embrace you with warm welcome, As you enter the Palace via the Tripolia (Three Arches Gates). One can site many balconies along the walls of the Palace.


The carvings and architecture used in these balconies are a small indicator of the rich Rajasthani culture to be explored inside the City Palace.

There is big well maintianed garden in front of palace. In olden days this garden would have been a waiting place for all Palace visitors carts, elephants and horses. In mordern times, The garden also offers parking place for the visitors vehicles. This garden also hosts some of the Rajasthani Handicraft artifacts showrooms and a grand Cafe.

Cafe Outside City Palace

Handicarft Showroom outside City Palace

City Palace Udaipur

The City Palace, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India is built by Maharana Udai Singh and is one of the major tourist attractions of the City. It is one of the largest palace complexes in Rajasthan. It lies on the banks of Lake Pichola. The palace has several gates known as Pols. The main entrance of the palace is triple arch gate - Tripolia.

Two grand Canons stand below the two of these arches. The palace comprises of several palaces, courtyards, balconies, hanging gardens, etc. The balconies and terraces provide breath taking view of the surrounding city and Lake Pichola.

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle in Surrey, UK is located in south west of London. It is a thousand year old fortress which is converted into Royal Palace. Some parts of the castle are accessible for the tourist visitors. The remaining part is Residence of the British Monarch. The Queen spends many of her summer weekends at this Palace.
How to reach Windsor Castle : One can drive to Windsor or take Southwest train to Windsor and Eaton RiverSide from Waterloo. For those who are located near Heathrow, can come to Feltham and catch the same train to the destination. On reaching the final destination of the train, one has to walk outside the station following the signs to the castle.
Entrance Fee : The Castle visitors are bound to pay an entry fee at the entrance. There is concession for senior citizens and kids. All visitors are provided with audio guide which provides them with historic details of each landmark in the castle.
Galleries and State Appartments : Some of the galleries and state appartments are made open for tourist visitors. These display expensive valuables of the British Monarch and hence photography is not allowed inside them.
However the tourist can take snaps in the outskirts of the Castle.
At 11 o clock, the soldiers march in the courtyard of the castle. So if one has missed the Change of Gaurds at the Buckingham palace then this is one good opportunity.

Jal Mahal

Jal Mahal is a lake palace in outskirts of Jaipur, Rajasthan. The palace is built in midst of Lake Mansagar and has picturesque backdrop of Nahargarh hills. Presence of all the necessary tourist attraction elements makes it a Five Star hotel. For those who cannot afford visit or stay at the hotel can just make halt while driving towards the Amer Fort and take some beautiful pictures.