Lake Palace Udaipur
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 Udaipur
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.
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.
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.
