Udaipur, placed amid lakes and dotted with ornate buildings, is renowned as one of the most romantic cities in the world.Udaipur is located southwest of Jaipur near the border with Gujarat state at the southern end of the Aravalli Range. Built around the crystal clear waters of the lake Pichola,Udaipur has many sobriquets to its credit - the City of Lakes and the Venice of the East being some of them. Several fascinating places around Udaipur include the impressive Chittorgarh fort, the marvellous Jain Temples of Ranakpur and Nathdwara. Udaipur attracts a multitude of tourists during the famous Mewar festival, which marks the advent of spring.


Location
Udaipur is situated in the valley of Aravallis in the southern Rajasthan. It lies at a distance of 405 km from Jaipur and 663 km from Delhi.

Climate
The best time to visit Udaipur is in between October to March. Maximum temperature reaches a high of above 38°C, while winters see a downfall to a low of below 11°C.


Tourists Attractions
Udaipur City Palace - The majestically huge white City Palace located in the heart of Udaipur and towering over the lake Pichola, was originally built by Maharana Udai Singh of the Sisodia Rajput clan. It was later extended to its present form by the subsequent Maharanas. Although a conglomerate of buildings were added later by different Maharanas, the Palace managed to retain its uniformity of design.

Built in granite and marble, and encircled by balconies, towers and crenellated fort walls, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan stands on a crest over looking the Pichola Lake. It is a heritage building, which showcases the finest elements of Rajput culture and their arts.The City palace of Udaipur offers stupendous views from the terrace over the water to the hills. It was built in seven phases around the mid-16th century.

Lake Palace - Built by Maharana Jagat Singh II around 1628 to52 as a summer palace to escape the extreme heat of Rajasthan, the palace is indeed a reverie in pure white marble. Formerly called the Jag Mandir, the palace is an amazing confection of delicate columns, filigreed screens, cupolas and fountains. Now converted as a luxury hotel, it reflects the photogenic face of Udaipur.

Saheliyon ki Bari - The "garden of the maids of honour", 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 comfort. The lotus pool, fountains, lawns, flowerbeds, and marble pavilions all combine to make it a captivating place.

Sajjangarh - Commanding the skyline of Udaipur is the "Monsoon Palace" of Sajjangarh. Abandoned by the royal family soon after its construction in 1880 due to the impossibility of pumping water to the palace, it offers an unrivalled view of the city's lakes, palaces and the surrounding countryside.


Nearby Attractions
Jagdish Temple - About 150 meters north of the City Palace, lies the Indo-Aryan Jagdish Temple built by Maharaja Jagat Singh in 1651. It enshrines a black stone image of Lord Vishnu as Jagannath or Lord of the Universe. Also, there is a brass image of the Garuda in front of the temple steps.

Kumbhalgarh Badal Mahal - Located atop the remote Aravali hills is the Fort of Kumbhalgarh. It is 84 kms from Udaipur and is known as the second principal fortress in Rajasthan after Chittaurgarh .The most formidable of the 32 forts constructed by Maharana Kumbha in the fifteenth century, it contains many fine temples, beautiful palaces and well laid-out gardens. The fort has a great historical significance. It has the distinction of never being successfully captured. The Badal Mahal or the Cloud Palace inside it offers a wonderful bird's eye view of the surrounding countryside. Attached to it is the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary.