UDAIPUR - MOUNT ABU - CHITTORGARH TOUR (FROM UDAIPUR)

At a distance of 3 km from Udaipur City Railway Station, Udaipur City Palace is a beautiful royal palace complex situated on the banks of Lake Pichola in Udaipur city of Rajasthan. This majestic palace is the largest palace complex in India, and among the must include places in Udaipur packages.

The City Palace was built initially by Maharana Udai Singh in 1559 AD when he shifted his capital from the erstwhile Chittorgarh to the newly found city of Udaipur. The Palace was built over nearly 400 years, with contributions from several rulers of the Mewar dynasty.

Among the top Udaipur tourist places, the City Palace boasts of a wonderful blend of Medieval European and Indian architectural styles. Set at an average elevation of 598 m, the Palace has several towers, domes, and arches, which add to the flavor of the heritage site. Courtyards, pavilions, .....

At a distance of 2.5 km from Udaipur City Railway Station, Pichola Lake is an artificial fresh water lake situated in the heart of Udaipur city in Rajasthan. Surrounded by hills, gardens, temples and havelis, Lake Pichola is one of the most beautiful lakes in India and a popular tourist attraction in Udaipur.

Pichola Lake was built in 1362 AD by Pichhu Banjara, a gypsy Banjara tribesman who transported grain, during the reign of Maharana Lakha. Later, Maharana Udai Singh, impressed by the charm of this lake with the backdrop of green hills, founded the city of Udaipur on the banks of the lake and also enlarged the lake by constructing a stone masonry dam in the Badi Pol region.

Lake Pichola is one of the several contiguous lakes, developed over the last few centuries in and around Udaipur city. Named after nearby Picholi village, Pichola Lake is nearly 4 km long and 3 km wide. The lake has a surface area of about 696 hectares .....

At a distance of 2 km from City Palace and 3 km from City Railway Station, Bagore Ki Haveli is an old royal building situated in front of the Lake Pichola at Gangori Ghat in Udaipur. This is one of the top places to visit in Udaipur.

Built by Amir Chand Badwa, the Chief Minister of Mewar Royal Court, it dates back to the 18th century. Maharana Shakti Singh of Bagore, who resided in the haveli, incorporated three storeys to the main structure, in 1878 AD. This ancient edifice has more than hundred rooms and displays delicate carvings and glass work. After being deserted for 50 years post-independence, the haveli was finally handed over to the West Zone Cultural Centre in 1986 for restoration. Today, the Haveli looks glorious and also houses a museum in its premises with paintings and costumes of the Royal Kings.

The interiors of the Haveli are embellished with intricate and fine mirror work. One can also see the private quarters of the royal ladies, their bath areas, dressing .....

At a distance of 3 km from Udaipur City Railway Station, Jagdish Temple is a Hindu temple located in the City Palace complex of Udaipur. This is one of the famous temples of Udaipur and among the top Udaipur attractions.

Sri Jagdish Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Laxmi Narayan), the preserver of the Universe. The temple was built by Maharana Jagat Singh with an estimated cost of 1.5 million rupees in 1651 AD. It is celebrated for being the largest temple in the city of Udaipur. The gateway of this temple can be sited at a distance of 150 meters from the Bara Pol of the City Palace. The temple was originally called the temple of Jagannath Rai but is now called Jagdish Temple.

This temple is built in the Indo-Aryan style of architecture. This three-storied temple is a wonder of architecture that comprises beautifully carved pillars, decorated ceilings, painted walls and lush halls. The first and the second storey of the .....

At a distance of 12 km from Udaipur City Railway Station and 10 km from City Palace, the Monsoon Palace, formerly known as the Sajjangarh Palace, is a hilltop royal palace overlooking the Fateh Sagar and Pichola Lakes in the city of Udaipur.

The Palace is named Sajjangarh after Maharana Sajjan Singh (1874-1884) of the Mewar Dynasty, who built it in 1884 AD. He was the 72nd ruler of the Mewar Dynasty. The Place reflects the rich cultural and history of Mewar Kingdom. It was built primarily to watch the monsoon clouds; hence, it is popularly known as Monsoon Palace.

The palace, built with white marble, is located on Bansdara peak of the Aravalli hill range at an altitude of 944 m (3100 feet). The intention of Maharana Sajjan Singh was to build a nine storey complex, basically as an astronomical center and to keep track of the movement of monsoon clouds in the area surrounding the palace, and also to provide employment to people. .....

At a distance of 8.5 km from Udaipur City Railway Station and 7 km from Sajjangarh, Shilpgram is a rural arts and crafts complex situated near Havala village in Udaipur city. Also known as The Craft Village or The Artisan's Village, Shilpgram is one of the best places to visit in Udaipur.

Inaugurated by Rajiv Gandhi in 1989, the rural arts and crafts complex is spread over an undulating terrain of 70-acres of land and is surrounded by Aravali mountain range. Shilpgram is an ethnographic museum that depicts the lifestyles of the folk and tribal people of the region. The main purpose of setting up Shilpgram is to increase the knowledge and awareness of the rural arts and crafts for the younger generation. The center witnesses several workshops specially conducted for children who are interested in learning arts, crafts, music and theatre.

The Complex has an open air Amphitheatre with a seating capacity .....

At a distance of 6 km from Udaipur City Railway Station and 6 km from City Palace, Sahelion Ki Bari or Garden of Maidens is a major garden located on the banks of Fateh Sagar Lake in Udaipur.

Sahelion Ki Bari was built by Maharana Sangram Singh in the 18th century. The garden was laid for a group of 48 young women attendants who accompanied a princess to Udaipur as part of her dowry. The king wanted a separate area for them, where they could spend their time leisurely. This patterned garden used to be the popular relaxing spot of the royal ladies. The garden is also known as the 'Garden of the Maids of Honour' for the same reason.

The garden set below the embankment of the Fateh Sagar Lake has beautiful lotus pools, marble pavilions and elephant shaped fountains. These fountains are fed by the water of the lake gushing through ducts made for the purpose. Each water channel has its different sound and the blend of these sounds complement the atmosphere of the place. There is .....

At a distance of 6 km from Udaipur City Railway Station and 5 km from Udaipur City Palace, Fateh Sagar Lake is an artificial lake situated besides the entrance to Moti Magri Hill and to the north of Lake Pichola in Udaipur city of Rajasthan.

Named after Maharana Fateh Singh, Fateh Sagar Lake was initially constructed by Maharana Jai Singh in 1678 AD. However, after a span of 200 years, the earthen bund, which formed the lake, was washed away during floods. Thereafter, Maharana Fateh Singh built the Connaught Dam on the Lake to mark the visit of Duke of Connaught, son of Queen Victoria in 1888 AD. The dam enlarged the lake and was later renamed as Fateh Sagar Lake.

It is one of the four beautiful lakes in the city, the other three being the Lake Pichola, Udai Sagar Lake, and Dhebar Lake or Jaisamand Lake. Fateh Sagar is 2.4 km length, 1.6 km width and 11.5 meter in depth. During the monsoons, the lake covers the total area of .....

At a distance of 3 km from Mount Abu Bus Station, Dilwara Temples are the group of five Jain temples situated at Dilwara in Rajasthan. These are among the best places of pilgrimage in Rajasthan, and among the top Mount Abu places to visit.

Dilwara Temples were built between the 11th and 13th centuries AD and are world-famous for their stunning use of marble. Archaeological evidence suggests that Mahavira himself visited the site, making it sacred to the Jains as a tirtha. These are among the must-visit places as part of Mount Abu packages.

These temples are known for their extraordinary architecture and marvelous marble stone carvings. These temples have an opulent entranceway, the simplicity in architecture reflecting Jain values like honesty and frugality. The temples are in the midst of .....

At a distance of 16 km from Mount Abu Bus Station, Guru Shikhar is a mountain peak in the Arbuda Mountains of Rajasthan. It is one of the top places for trekking in Rajasthan, and among the most popular tourist places in Mount Abu.

Guru Shikhar is the highest point of the Aravalli Range. It rises to an altitude of 1,722 m (5,650 feet). Guru Shikhar provides a breathtaking panoramic view of Mount Abu town and the green Aravalli range. According to history, King Prithviraj Chauhan is believed to have travelled along this peak to meet his bride and consummate his marriage with her. The bride was the princess of Prahladanpur, now known as Palanpur. Trekking to this peak is one of the top things to do here as part of Mount Abu tour.

The peak is named Guru Shikhar or 'the peak of the guru' .....

At a distance of 8 km from Mount Abu Bus Station and 7 km from Guru Shikhar, Peace Park is a part of the Brahma Kumaris spiritual establishment situated on Guru Shikhar Road in Mount Abu. Managed efficiently by the Brahma Kumaris and Kumars, Peace Park is a major tourist attraction in Mount Abu.

The Brahma Kumaris Peace Park is both lovely and serene. The park is a perfect escapade from a hectic city life to find serenity. The park is nestled between two peaks of the Aravalli hills - Guru Shikhar and Achalgarh. The park is an oasis of natural beauty about 8 km from the Brahma Kumaris headquarters in Mount Abu.

Visitors will experience serenity and peace at this beautiful park. On entering the park grounds, visitors are greeted by a rock garden that hosts a wide variety of succulents. Inside the park, there is a citrus and an orchid corner as well as floral displays that include ornamental shrubs, coleus, geraniums, hibiscus, climbers and creepers and an exquisite rose garden.

The .....

At a distance of 1 km from Mount Abu Bus Station, Nakki Lake is a lake situated at the heart of Mount Abu in Rajasthan. It is one of the must include places in Mount Abu holiday packages.

Nakki Lake is famous for its cool and calm atmosphere due to its ideal location in the backdrop of the Aravalli Mountains. It is the sole artificial lake in India, which is situated at a height of more than 1,200 m. This is the largest manmade lake, stretched over an area of around half a mile, and is around a quarter of a mile wide. The lake is beside a dam and is about 20-30 feet deep.

According to the legend, the lake has been carved out from nails by Gods for the protection against the demon Bashkali. Another legend states that the local King put up the challenge of digging up the lake in one night and he will marry his daughter to that one. It is said that a local resident Rasia Balaam had fulfilled that condition, but the King refused .....

At a distance of 2 km from Nakki Lake and 2 km from Mount Abu Bus Station, Sunset Point is a popular view point lies to the southwest of the Nakki Lake behind the dense forest of the Aravalli Range in Mount Abu. This is one of the top Mount Abu tourist places.

Sunset Point is known for offering a beautiful view of the entire mountain valley along with the Nakki Lake. Due to its location, the temperature at this point is very low, which provides retreat during the summer season. In the evening, this place turns into a carnival zone with hundreds of tourists, food stalls and souvenir shops. Staircases have been built for tourists to sit and breathe in the pure air. The hill side is bordered with railing for safety purpose. From Sunset Point, tourists can also go to Bailey's Walk.

Jeeps are available on sharing basis from the town center to Sunset Point at a cost of Rs. 10 per person. It is a 15 minutes' drive to an approachable road, from where one has to walk his way up. This .....

At a distance of 7 km from Chittorgarh Railway Station, Chittorgarh Fort is an ancient hill fort situated in the Chittorgarh town of Rajasthan. It one of the forts in India, and among the top heritage places in Rajasthan.

Chittorgarh Fort is a World Heritage Site included in hill forts of Rajasthan. The original Chittorgarh Fort was built by the Maurya dynasty in the 7th century AD. It was then known as Chitrakut after Chitrangada Mori, a Rajput chieftain as written on historical Mewari silver coins. According to history, the Mori dynasty was in possession of the fort when Bappa Rawal, the founder of the kingdom of Mewar, seized Chittorgarh and made it his capital in 734 AD. After that, his descendants ruled Mewar, which stretched from Gujarat to Ajmer, until the 16th century AD.

Chittorgarh was one of the most contested seats of power in India with probably some of the most .....