Udaipur City Guide
Lake Palace, Udaipur is a marvelous example of the lavish lifestyle of the past rulers of Rajasthan. The palace is built in white marbles and stands in the middle of the lake.
About the Palace
The Lake Palace at Udaipur can be said to be the best example of the Rajasthani achitecture. The white marble Palace stand amidst the lake Pichola. A picture perfect spot for any photographer, the Lake Palace looks amazing. The complete scene looks as if the fairytale has come alive. The Lake Palace is said to be one of the most beautiful palaces in world. It arises out of the Turquoise waters of the Pichola lake, like an elegant fantasy in white marble. The Lake palace was built in the 17th century on a natural foundation of 4 acers of rock.
The Palace was built by Maharaja Jagat Singh and was earlier called as Jagniwas Palace, after his name. The lake was used by his successors as there summer resorts. In 1959, Maharana Bhagwat Singh, the then owner of palace renovated the palace and made it a tourist spot. Currently the Palace has been converted into a five-star hotel. It offers world class services to the visitors. There are more than 80 rooms in the Hotel Lake Palace.
Architecture of the Lake Palace
The magnificient palace is made up of marbles. The courtyards in the palace are lined with columns, pillared terraces, fountains and gardens to add to its impressive image. The 83 rooms have different themes. Each room has been designed exclusively and they are decorated with textiles and handicrafts of the region. The rooms have been converted into 17 suits and 53 luxury rooms. The large halls called Bada Mahal, Kush Mahal, Sajjan Niwas, Phool Mahal and Dhola Mahal have been changed to restaraunts, bars, coffee shops, banquet halls and conference rooms.
In the lake, there is a half submerged idol of a dancing women. An interesting story goes behind the statue. It is said that a lady dancer told the ruler of the palace that she can cross the lake Pichola on a rope, dancing all the way. The king bet half his kingdom if she could do it. The lady accepted the challenge and almost completed the ropeway when king, fearing the loss of half his kingdom, cut the rope and the dancer fell in the lake. The idol is a beautifully carved piece of architecture.
Getting There
By Air : Dabok Airport is the nearest airport 21km. from Udaipur. It is well connected with domestic flights to all the major cities of India- Delhi, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Aurangabad and Mumbai.
By Rail : Udaipur has good railway links connecting all the major cities in Rajasthan. Trains from Mumbai via Ahmedabad, Delhi Chittorgarh also connects Udaipur. Royal luxurious train, the Palace on Wheels, also covers this place.
By Road :Deluxe and semi deluxe buses are operated by Rajasthan Roadways from Jaipur, Delhi, Ahmedabad to Udaipur. The highways are very well constructed. Taxis can be hired from Jaipur and Ahmedabad. The important distances from Udaipur are: Ahmedabad- 262 km, Delhi is- 670 km from Udaipur, Mumbai- 739km, Ahmedabad- 262 km, Jaipur- 407 km.
