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På stranden av den skimrande sjön Pichola, är Udaipur en av de mest romantiska städerna i Rajasthan. Inbäddat bland de lummiga kullarna i Aravalis har det oundvikligen fått namnet "Österns Venedig". Det är ett kalejdoskop av sagolika palats, sjöar, tempel, trädgårdar och smala gränder fyllda med stånd, en smak av det heroiska förflutnas tapperhet och ridderlighet.

Grundlagd 1568 e.Kr. av Maharana Udai Singh, är staden en harmonisk indisk blandning av vitkalkade byggnader, palats i marmor, trädgårdar, tempel och Havelis. Enligt legenden var grundaren, Maharana Udai Singh, på jakt en dag när han träffade en helig man mediterande på en kulle med utsikt över sjön Pichola. Maharana följde råden han fick av eremiten och grundade staden. Den fantastiska arkitekturen i palatsen är förtrollande.

Udaipur är en stad i delstaten Rajasthan i nordvästra Indien. Den är administrativ huvudort för distriktet Udaipur och hade nästan 400 000 invånare vid folkräkningen 2001. Staden Udaipur omges av sju sjöar. Vid Picholasjön finns ett palats kallat ”Stadspalatset”, med templet Jagdish i närheten. Ute i sjön Pichola finns ytterligare ett palats, ”Sjöpalatset”. Den indiska delen av James Bond-filmen Octopussy är inspelad i staden och Lake Palace.
Udaipur, http://sv.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Udaipur&oldid=11105138 (senast besökt februari 27, 2010).

On the banks of the shimmering lake Pichola, is one of the most romantic cities of Rajasthan. Nestled among the lush hills of the Aravalis, it has inevitably been dubbed the 'Venice of the East'. It is a kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carries the flavour of the heroic past, epitomizing valor and chivalry.

Founded in 1568 A.D by Maharana Udai Singh, the city is a harmonious Indian blend of whitewashed buildings, marble palaces, lakeside gardens, temples and Havelis. According to the legend, Maharana Udai Singh, the founder was hunting one day when he met a holy man meditating on a hill overlooking the Lake Pichola. Maharana followed the advise of the hermit and founded the city. The marvellous architecture of the palaces is spell bounding.

Place of Interest

City Palace - City Palace towers over the Pichola Lake. Maharana Uday Singh initiated in the construction of the palace but succeeding Maharanas added several palaces and structures to the complex retained a surprising uniformity to the design. The entry to the Palace is from the Hati Pol, the Elephant gate. The Bari Pol or the Big gate brings you to the Tripolia, the Triple gate.

Fateh Prakash Palace - It's like being cocooned in authentic royal luxury at the Fateh Prakash Palace, the grand heritage palace of the HRH group. The warmth of royal hospitality greets you as you walk along the corridors lined with large paintings of the Mewar school that flourished in the seventeenth through nineteenth century.

Crystal Gallery - It is situated in the Fateh Prakash Palace is a breath taking collection of crystals. Maharana Sajjan Singh mainly ordered these crystals from F & C Osler England. But he could not see the crystals because of his untimely death.

Durbar Hall - In India the Durbar Hall is generally a place where state banquets are held and is also used for formal and informal meetings. The Durbar Hall at the Fateh Prakash Palace is undoubtedly the most lavish Durbar Hall in India. It is one of the grandest chambers in Udaipur and its sheer size makes one gasp in awe.

The Lake Palace - The Lake Palace is located on the Jag Niwas Island and covers the whole of 1.5 hectare of the island in the middle of the Pichola Lake. Built by Maharana Jagat Singh in 1743 it was meant as a royal summer palace and now converted in to a five star palace hotel. It is a magical palace and its image in the middle of the lake is like a leaf straight out of a fairy tale book with an excellent taste of intricate craftsmanship.

Bagore-Ki Haveli - This is a very congenial old building built right on the waterfront of Lake Pichola at Gangori Ghat. Amir Chand Badwa, the Prime Minister of Mewar built it in the eighteenth century. The palace has over hundred rooms and some very interesting display of costumes and modern art. The glass and mirror in the interiors of the Haveli delicate work and well preserved too.

Maharana Pratap Memorial (MOTI MAGARI) - An impressive bronze statue of Maharana Pratap and his favorite and loyal horse, who was fiercely protective about his master and stood by him till his last breath, stands at the top of Moti Magri (Pearl Mount) overlooking Fateh Sagar.

Museums

City museum - The main part of the palace is now preserved as a museum displaying a large and diverse array of artefacts. Down steps from the entrance is the armoury museum exhibiting a huge collection of protective gear, weapons including the lethal two-pronged sword. The City Palace museum is then entered through the Ganesh Deori meaning the door of Lord Ganesh. This leads to the Rajya Angan, the royal courtyard that is the very spot where Maharana Udai Singh met the sage who told him to find a city here.

Shilpgram - Literally meaning a "Craftsmen's Village" is a living ethnographic museum depicting the enormous diversities in craft, art & culture between various Indian states, but the exquisite terracotta work mainly in dark red and dark brown sand material along with the wooden carvings are the forte of this ethnic village.

Ahar - Located about 2 km east of Udaipur is an impressive cluster of cenotaphs of the Maharanas of Mewar. There are about nineteen cenotaphs of Maharanas cremated there. The most striking cenotaph is that Maharana Amar Singh, who reigned from 1597 to 1620. Nearby is also Ahar Museum, where on display is limited but very rare earthen pottery.

Vintage Collection of Classic Car - The collection within the grounds of the Garden Hotel comprises a variety of classic and interestingly rare transportation vehicles; some stately and vintage like Cadalec, Chevalate, Morais etc., while the others are sleek and fast .The Maharanas of Udaipur once possessed and used these regal splendours of automobiles as their luxuries but most of the other models are gradually being added to the collection ,since it provides a unique aristocratic safari for the exclusive guests. Entry: Rs.80

Temples

Jag mandir - This is the other island palace in Lake Pichola, which was constructed by Maharana Karan Singh as a hideout for Prince Khurram the estranged son of Emperor Jehangir the implacable foe of the Maharana. The reason for the aid was that the prince was the son of a Rajput mother.


Jagdish Mandir - Built by Maharana Jagat Singh I in 1651 the temple enshrines a black stone image of Lard Vishnu. There is a brass image of Garuda the Lord bird carrier. The exterior and the plinth are covered with base relief of alligators; elephants, horsemen and celestial musicians rise in tiers.

Parks & Gardens

Sahelion Ki Bari -- Maharana Sangram singh builds this in the mid 18th century. The 'garden of the maidens' brings to mind the lifestyle of the ladies of the court. The delightful gardens appear discreet and in impeccable taste. There are four pools with dainty kiosks, and all around are flowerbeds, lawns, pools and fountains protected by a series of walls and shady trees. The foundation of the Sahelion ki bari functions solely by water pressure and no pumps are used.

Lakes

Lake Pichola - Pichola Lake derives its name from Pichola Village was submerged and Maharana Udai Singh enlarged the lake after he founded the city. He built a masonry dam known as Badipol and lake is now 4 km long and 3 km wide. This picturesque lake encloses the Jag Niwas Island and the Jag Mandir. And, the City Palace extends along its eastern banks.
Boat trips 10.00 am to 17.00 pm from Bansi Ghat Tariffs:
(3/4 hour trip) Adult: Rs. 150/-, child: Rs: 75/-
(1 hour solar boat) Rs: 1200 up to 8 persons.

Fateh Sagar Lake - This delightful lake, bordered by hills and woodland was constructed by Maharana jai Singh to the north of Lake Pichola. It is an artificial lake dug up in 1678, reconstructed by Maharana Fateh Singh A canal links the two, via Swaroop Sagar and Rang Sagar Lakes. The beautiful Nehru Island as well as an islet bearing a solar observatory rises from the lake.

Rajsamand Lake - On the way to Kumbhalgarh lies their royal lake with a magnificent dam created in the 17th century offers a spectacular views of the sunset adorned by beautiful Torans [arches] and Chhatris And number of attractive pavilions. Stunning sculpture and Sanskrit verses are vividly inscribed in store a small counterpart of Nathdwara

Excursions

Kankroli 64- km - famous for the temple of Dwarkadheeshji.

Eklingji 21 km - A RELIGIOUS COMPLEX Northern region of Mewar (22 Km). It houses 108 temples chiselled out of sandstone and marble, this temple of Eklingji was built in 734 AD. Enclosed by high walls, it is devoted to Eklingji (A form of Shiv Deity adored under the epithet of EKLINGA). Built by Maharana Jagat Singh I in 1651 the temple enshrines a black stone image of Lard Vishnu. There is a brass image of Garuda the Lord bird carrier. The exterior and the plinth are covered with base relief of alligators; elephants, horsemen and celestial musicians rise in tiers.

Haldi Ghati - 42 km - The extensive terra firma, towards the south west of Nathdwara, this historical site witnessed the great legendry battle fought between Maharana Pratap and the Mughal Emperor -Akbar in 1576 AD.

Jaisamand Lake - 50 km - Maharana Jai Sigh had built this picturesque artificial lake. It the second largest lake in Asia. The lake has elegant step leading to the water and marble Chhatri (cenotaphs) on its bank and a small Shiv temple marks the grace of the lake. On either side are the palaces built for the king favourite queens.

Nathdwara - 42 km - Nathdwara lies 48 km from Udaipur and literally means the gateway to the Lord. This great Vaishnavite shrine was built in the 17th century on spot exactly defined by the Lord himself. The legends have it that the image of the Lord Krishna was being transferred to safer place from Vrindaban to protect it from the destructive wrath of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The image when it reached the spot it vehicle the bullock carts wheel sank axel deep in mud and refused to move further. The accompanying priest realised that this was lord's chose spot and the image did not want to travel any further. Accordingly a Temple was built here.

Ranakpur - 90 km - Beautiful sculptured Jain temples mark the glory of this renowned place. Marked as one of the five holy places for the Jain community, these were created in the 15 the century. During the reign of Rana Kumbha and are enclosed within a wall. The central Chaumukha [four faced temple] is dedicated to Adinathji the temple is an astounding creation with 29 halls and 1,444 pillars all distinctly carved and no two being alike is an amazing evidence of the genius sense of architecture that enhances the charm of the place.

Kumbhalgarh Fort 64 km - Located north of Udaipur in the wilderness, Kumbhalgarh is the second most important citadel after Chittorgarh in the Mewar region. Cradled in the Aravali Ranges the fort was built in the 15th century by Rana Kumbha. Because of its inaccessibility and hostile topography the fort had remained un-conquered.

Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary - Is located in the most rugged of the Aravali in Pali, Rajsamand and Udaipur districts of Rajasthan. It takes name after the impressive historic fort of Kumbhalgarh, which come into view over the Park. It is 578 sq Km in area and at an altitude of 500 to 1,300m. It is home to a very large variety of wild life, some of which are highly endangered species. The wild life includes wolf, leopards, sloth bear, hyena, jackal, jungle cat, smabhar, nilgai, chaisingh (the four horned antelope), chinkara and hare.

Sajjangarh - High on a hilltop just outside Udaipur lies this dramatic 18th century palace, with a breathtaking view of the Mewar countryside Originally intended to be a towering five-story astronomical centre, it was later abandoned and used as a monsoon palace and hunting lodge. It was built by Maharana Sajjan Singh to house and observatory and was planned as a nineteen-storied structure.

Ghanerao - Is a small town famous for its castle now converted into a hotel. The castle's highlight in the pavilion in the central court, where the musicians would perform. Also near the castle are the cenotaphs of former rulers. Mahavir Temple, a Jain Temple is also one of the highlights of the town.
(Pinkcity Holidays, http://www.pinkcityholidays.net/udaipur.html, 2011-02-28)

Boende

The Anjani Hotel is located in a splendid panoramic position on the majestic hill of east Udaipur beside the Pichola Lake in the Indian State of Rajasthan.
"a place where you can see the Sun-rise, the Sun-set and full Moon along with the beauty of Aravali Hills and If you wake up early then you may be first to welcome the Sun in the city of Lakes."

Haveli Anjani Ji Ki is about 250 years old Haveli of Shah Naga Ji Kapur Chand decorated with beautiful paintings, fountains, Jarokhas, Ghumar Chowk, Aram Vilas, Ganesh Deodi and Gentle music in whole hotel gives you relaxation. Haveli restored to its originality is divided into four parts i.e. Male portion known as Madhoo vilas, Female portion known as Ji Ji Bai Sa Vilas and Ridhi Sidhi vilas for newly married Couple and Madhoo Kund.

The Anjani Hotel offers a place of quietness and relax and a warm atmosphere where the cultural message of peace and harmony can be felt in the whole hotel, a perfect blend of traditional Indian hospitality and modern conveniences.
The Anjani Hotel offers 22 comfortable guest rooms and suites, all spacious and featuring a warm oriental atmosphere with Jarokhas facing the lake, the fort, the hills and swimming pool. Enjoy the utmost relax and quietness during your stay in Udaipur, India.

Address: 77, Gangaur Ghat Marg, Udaipur 313001 (Rajasthan) India.
Tel: +91 294 2421770
Mobile: +91 982 814 1770.
E-mail: mail@anjanihotel.com
Web: www.anjanihotel.com
(Hostelbookers, http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/india/udaipur/10940/, 2011-02-28)