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Udaipur
Udaipur, the city imposes intense romance and passion through a splendid beauty of natural surroundings. A complete lover’s paradise. Udaipur is called the City of Dawn, Aravallis’ mountain ranges enclosing in the palaces, lakes, gardens and temples makes it a getaway land of dreams with a glorious, chivalrous past of Mewari Rulers.
Udaipur has won a number of complimentary epithets: a "cool oasis in the dry heart of Rajasthan", "Venice of the East", "City of Sunrise", "City of Dreams", and "the most romantic city in India." During the reign of Maharana Fateh Singh, one writer extolled its virtues as the picturesque modern capital of the Sisodias of Mewar, "the Supreme Head of the Aryan race, the first gentleman of Aryavarta (the Aryan world)". Modern Udaipur still exudes that air of romance with its urban ramble of roads, circles (roundabouts), meandering lane ways, lively bazaars, and a picturesque panorama of old whitewashed dwellings.
Maharana Udai Singh, was the founder of Udaipur ,where the descendents with their valor and intelligence are still respected for protecting their land from external invasions of Mughals.
Sahelion-ki-Bari
The "garden of the maids of honor", Sahelion-ki-Bari was designed and laid out early in the eighteenth century as a retreat for ladies of the royal household to spend their time in leisure. The lotus pool, fountains, lawns, flowerbeds, and marble pavilions all combine to make it a captivating place.
Moti Magri
An impressive Bronze statue of Maharana Pratap and his favorite and loyal horse "Chetak", who was fiercely protective about his master and stood by him till his last breathe, stands at the top of Moti Magri (Pearl Mount) over looking Fateh Sagar. Local people climb the hill to pay homage to Rana Pratap and his faith full charger "Chetak", who was killed in the battle of Haldighati. There are the ruins of one of the first Udaipur's forts and there is also a charming Japanese Rock Garden not far away.
Nehru Island Garden ( Fateh Sagar Lake )
This oval shaped island garden is situated amidst the Fateh Sagar Lake spread in about 2160 sq .ft. In order to reach this romantic garden, you have to take a boat ride in the lake. The lush green garden with its water fountains, flower gardens and a lilly pond offers truly an eye-soothing view for any observer. The garden also comprises a restaurant where you can enjoy the lip-smacking dishes along with the scenery of green Aravalli Hills.
Shilpgram - The Handicrafts Village
This is a cultural center and village just outside Udaipur. This crafts village has huts from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa faithfully replicated. Shilpgram provides a platform for the rural craftsmen representing these regions to exhibit their talents. It is a "living ethnographic museum" that gives you a peep into the rural lifestyle of Western India. You can see demonstrations by folk musicians, dancers and artisans from various states. The village is more alive during festival times. The puppet shows and folk dances are really entertaining.
Nagda
The ancient Capital of Mewar
Midway between Udaipur and Nathdwara and located next to the Bagela Lake, dotted with scenic spots and in the lap of the Aravallis, are a group of 108 temples. Situated at the foothills of Eklingji, is a place of great antiquity and was the first capital of Mewar rulers. Legend has it, that it was founded by Nagaditya, the Fourth Mewar king in the 6th. Century and soon became a stronghold of the Sisodia’s.
Ekling Ji
Associated with Lord Shiva and a few of the temples date’s back to the 10th Century Chiseled out of sandstone and marble, the main temple enshrines a four faced Shiva with an enormous double storied mandap, under a huge pyramidal roof.
A nine feet idol of Tirthankar Shantinathji’s, in a sitting posture had created a great deal of awe amongst the locals. Subsequently, the place was named as “ADBHUT JI “ (meaning literally amazing.)
Khimaj Mata
For trekkers, the historic temple Perched on a hilltop with beautiful carvings, this place offers a view of the Lake Bagela surrounding temples, and the fortified walls of Eklingji.
Sas Bahu Temple
An added attraction is the Sas Bahu temple. Records reveal that along with Jainism, Vaishnavism and Shaivism received royal Patronage under the then ruling Guhila dynasty of Mewar. The Vishnu Temple, built by Yasomati, wife of the commander in chief of the Mewar rulers, was destroyed, but what remains are two beautiful Temples - SAS BAHU - dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Made of Granite, the carvings and deep inlaid work are remarkable and even today have withstood the passage of time and the vagaries of weather.
Vindhyavasini Devi Temple
Harit Rishi worshipped this devi for strength.
