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.

Lake Palace Udaipur

The Lake Palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India popularly known as Taj Lake Palace. It is actually a Palace built by Maharaja of Udiapur. It is located on natural island in the Lake Pichola, Udiapur and is constructed with white marble stone. It is one of the most photographed historic monunment of India. The Palace is now converted to a hotel and operates under Indias most popular brand Taj Hotels. Like all other Rajasthani Palaces, it features many courtyards, terraces, fountains and gardens. The tourist reach the destination with help of the jetty which operates from the City Palace.
Being an expensive affair, we just managed to capture a glimpse of it from the top of the City Palace Udaipur.

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.

Rani Padmini Mahal, Chittorghar

Rani Padmini Mahal is the residence of Rani Padmini the Queen of Chittorghar. She was wife of King Rawal Ratan Singh. The Mahal which is mentioned in the famous historic epic, still exists in the Chittorghar Fort and is major attraction for tourist.

It is belived that Rani Padmini was epitome of beauty. One of the main intentions of Alauddin Khilji, Ruler from Turkey, to attack Chittorghar was pechant for Rani Padminis beauty.

His attempts to capture the Fort of Chittorghar were futile. Then he sent word to Rani Padminis husband Ratan Singh to meet her and he regards her as his sister. On being persuaded by her husband, Rani Padmini agreed Alauddin to see her in mirror. On seeing her, Allaudin decided to secure Rani Padmini for himself. He later kidnapped her husband and attacked the Fort.

When there was no way out, Rani Padmini committed divine sucide, called as Jauhar. A huge pyre was lit and the Queen followed in. Later all women jumped into same fire to save themselves from the lustful army waiting outside the fort.

Video Of Rani Padmini Mahal Chittorghar, Fort

Vijay Stambh

Vijay Stambh or the Tower of Victory at Chittorghar, Rajasthan, India is one of the major attractions in the Chittorghar Fort. It was built by Rana Kumbha to celebrate his victory. The tower is build with Red sand stone and White Marble. It has many images of Hindu God and Godesses, Musicians carved on the exterior and interior of the tower. You can gimick in a snap as holding the Vijay Stambh towers top in your hand by an easy Camera trick.


The Tower stands 9 stories tall. The visitors are allowed to reach the top of the tower by climbing the internal steps circumferencing the tower internally. Towards your way to the top of the Tower terrace, one can get magnificient view of the Fort Chittorghar and City of Chittor.


Vijay Stambh Tower:

Interior of Vijay Stambh Tower :

Gaumukh Reservior, Chittorghar Fort

Gaumukh Reservior is one of the water bodies available on the Chittorghar Fort, Rajasthan, India. As the name suggest the water source is a spring which oozes out of the face of Cow. There is a Shiva Temple next to the Gaumukh (Cows Mouth). One has to climb down the steps towards the reservior and walk inside the temple to view the Gaumukh.

The reservior water provides source of water for lots of pigeons around. You can site people throwing peanuts and rice flakes to the fish in the reservior. The Reservior offers magnificient view from top. This view is available from the backyard of Meera Temple. The fortess walls surround one side of the reservior. Walking along the fortress walls near the reservior is prohibitted to avoid accidents amongst the visitors.
Gaumukh Reservior Video 1:

Gaumukh Reservior Video 2:

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

Animal Encounter - 5

Any visit to rural parts of India is incomplete without spotting untamed Piglets and Pigs grazing food in open space. Ususally the pigs which are found in India are of black color and they feed on left over stuff available in open spaces. These pigs and their piglets are black in color and are usually shabby. Its fun watching the small piglets run around their mother in search of food. I managed to take a video of them at Chittorgarh Fort in Rajasthan.
Video of Piglets grazing in India

On the Way - 4

We boarded the train to Jaipur from Udaipur for our return journey. There were some Korean Tourist in our compartment travelling back to Jaipur. They entered the train and placed their luggage on their booked places. Within couple of minutes they took out cameras and started taking snaps in the Railway train compartment. It sounded funny to us, but i did remembered our visit to York, UK, where we had done something similar to this.

After a while, I also joined them in taking snaps of the Indian Rail compartment and enjoyed the whole experience of travelling in it after many years.

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

Animals spotted Ranthambore Park

Some of the animals spotted by us in Ranthambore National Park are as follows:

1. Black Bucks - While driving towards the Ranthambore National Park gate from the Santurary office, we spotted two Black Bucks.


2. Spotted Dear - There were lots of spotted dears near the water reserve in the National Park. Video of Spotted Dears Grazing at Ranthambore National Park
3. Sambhar Deer - We spotted couple of Sambhar Deers while driving through the Ranthambore National Park. These animals were however out of the Camera lense reach.
4. Aligator and Wild Boar: There was an Aligator and Wild Boar near the shores of the Water reserve. This one was too out of our camera lens reach.
5. Kingfisher Birds: There were few Kingfisher birds gazing on the top of trees.



6. Peacocks : There were few peacocks sighted at one of the check posts in the National reserve. I managed to take a picture of Peacocks fight


7. Monkeys : There were lots of wild monkeys jumping from one branch of the tree to another.
8. Tigers : Last but not the least, Ranthambore National Parks major attraction is endangered Indian Tiger. We missed the view of the Tiger because we lost our patiance. We left the National Park early as we were feeling too hungry and that was the biggest mistake we ever did. However couple of our friends who were based in another jeep managed to see the couple of tigers mating in the Tiger grass.
   

Ranathambore National Park

After returning back to India from UK for good, I was keen in visiting National Park in India. During my trip to Jaipur in Feb 2009, I persuaded my father to plan trip to Ranthambore National Park. My father was reluctant to plan visit to National Park in Desert Area in February. Atlast I won the argument and we visited the Ranthambore National Park.

Our left Jaipur in evening and had one night stay at one of the resort. You need to call the ranger and book a jeep in advance for the National Park Trip. The jeeps leave from the Sanctuarys office at around 6 o clock in the morning. You need to carry warm clothes or blankets to protect your self from the strong chilly wind. The National Parks gate is around 3 km drive from the Sanctuarys office. There are check posts at several palces inside the national park to check the number of visitors the jeep is carrying in and out of the park. This is just formality to ensure that to animal poachers are left inside the reserved area.

Elephant Fresco City Palace, Udaipur

As you walk through the City Palace, Udaipur, Rajasthan, one can experience a lot of rich Rajasthani Art and culture in form of frescos, paintings, carvings, mosica paintings, etc.

At entrance of the City Palace the tourist can site a huge elephant fresco on the wall.

This is followed by Museum in the City Palace. The museum hosts series of historically importants artifacts, war armour, paintings and statues.

Entrance of the Museum

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

On the Way - 2

I had planned trip to Udaipur, Rajasthan with my parents during my visit to Jaipur for the second time.
We had booked nigth journey Railway tickets from Jaipur to Udaipur.
The train leaves Jaipur at around 10 o clk at night and reaches Udaipur early morning.
Due to unavailability of tracks and signal the train halted at a small village before reaching Udaipur.

This place is around 30 minutes distance from Udaipur Rail station. Being ily ritual, the regular travellers jumped out of the train on the rail tracks.



Although its not advisable, people in India try to folk around the rail tracks when such an event occurs.
I could take picture of early morning sunrising above distant mountain and Rails electric wires.


We could sight a brand new palatial hotel in front of our train boogie. The hotel's building was made of white marble and tried to immitate the old Rajasthani architecture.