Udaipur, popularly known as the Sun City, is a living instance of majesty and surprisal feelings. Like other parts of Rajasthan, Udaipur is also dotted with a number of magnificent palaces, grand forts and supercilious monuments. Amongst the wonders of Udaipur, the most outstanding is the majestic white City Palace.
Situated in the heart of the city, City Palace was constructed by Maharana Udai singh, who belonged to the Sisodia Rajput clan. Later, the Palace was modified by
subsequent rulers. Built of simple granite and exquisite marble, this palace is an amulgam of European style and Chinese architecture, and holds a Rajput flavour.At the entrance of the Palace Complex, you will be greeted warmly by the exquisitely adorned 'Hati Pol' or the 'Elephant Gate'. Inside the palace complex, you will just be amazed after observing the immense beauty of buildings, gardens and fountains. The Palace complex also houses the biggest temple of Udaipur, the Jagdish temple, that is consecrated to Lord Vishnu.
On the northern end of the palace, you will find the Bara Pol or Great Gate that leads you to the first courtyard. To your surprise, the Triple Gate or Tripolia will invite you here. Highly adorned eight carved marble arches or Toranas are situated here between the Triple gate and the Great gate. Beyond the Triple gate, the elephant flights are staged.
Most of the mahals (palaces) of the palace complex are utilised as the museum nowadays. You can enter inside the museum through the Ganesh Deori meaning the door of Lord Ganesh which leads to royal courtyard. All the apartments of the palace complex have exquisite embellishments of beautiful paintings, inlay glass work, rare imported furnitures and conspicous enamels.
The ‘Raj Aangan’ or the Royal courtyard is the oldest part of the palace, built by Maharana Udai Singh in the sixteenth century. In the ‘Krishna Vilas’, another socalled mahal of the palace complex, preserves a huge collection of exquisite paintings that includes the royal processions, festivals and games of the Maharanas. Unique glass mosaics of peacocks, encraved in the walls showing the three seasons namely summer, winter and monsoon, is really praiseworthy.
The 'Zenana Mahal' or the queen's quarters, located to the extreme south and the 'Dilkusha Mahal' or Palace of Joy has marvellous frescoes and wall paintings to observe. While the 'Laxmi Vilas Chowk', an art gallery, houses a distinctive collection of Mewar paintings. You will just become wondered after you visit the 'Manak Mahal' or the Ruby Palace that conserves crystal and porcelain figures. From the 'Suraj Gokhala', you will get a panoramic view of the city below. The Bari Mahal is a central garden with view of the city.What happened my friend? Got amazed after going through my story about City Palace? Wanna to go there? Don’t worry, just plan a trip to Uadiapur, pack up and start to see the City Palace from your own eyes.
