1. Overview of the City Palace Complex. Centre of pic is City Palace Complex, left is Lake Palace. Behind that is Leela Palace Hotel. Lake behind is Fateh Sagar Lake. Pic provided by a friend who works in Udaipur. Copyright is his.
2. Right is Chand Pol Bridge and behind that is Jag Mandir. Centre is City Palace Complex. Pics 2 n 4 are from City Palace Museum. Hill behind has a temple on top-Karni Mataji Mandir. Note fort type wall on lake banks.
3. Sunset time when setting sun’s rays fall on City Palace. Lights had just come on. Pic taken from boat in Pichola Lake. Album is a combination of my 2008 and 2017 visits.
4. Panoramic view of City Palace Complex. Maharana Udai Singh laid the foundation of this complex in the 16th century. Set on a hill overlooking the Pichola Lake is a white marble sprawling structure topped by domed pavilions N cupolas at different levels.
5. One end of the lake, lights had just come on. These are Fateh Prakash and Shiv Niwas Palace. The palace construction was in 2 main phases. One was from the late 16th to the early 18th centuries. Two was from the late 19th to the early 20th centuries. There were some minor extensions in the 20th century.
6. When lit there is a different aura about these palaces and the lake areas close to them, loved it.
7. Clicked this picture from Durbar Hall ka lounge. This is the sun set restaurant which is located above the boat ka jetty. Great place to enjoy an evening cup of chai (tea) & bhajiya or have a glass of Beer with tikkas.
8. The approach from the Jagdish mandir side is through Hathi Pole (gate), Main Street of the old city leading to Bari Pole leading to Tripolia gate which is what you see. It is called Tripolia gate as it consists of three adjacent gates. Maharana Sangram Singhji II constructed it in 1713. The oldest part of the Palace has a temple of Dhuni Mata where the Maharana was blessed.
9. As you cross Tripolia Gate you enter the Manek Chowk, City Palace. In front of the structure that you see is a huge garden where tourists sit and see the Light & Sound Show i.e. held about 7pm. The show is a journey through the glorious history of Mewar. The two dimensional narrative articulates Mewar’s intense & extraordinary history through 15 centuries. In the center is a symbol of the Ranas of Mewar, at the far end of the structure is the Sun God.
10. Manek Chowk evening. Lit up on Kartik Purnima 2017. Other palaces are Dilkush Mahal (palace of joy), Krishna Vilas (both have mirror work), Chini Chitrashala (proclaimed painted gallery with tiles & mirror work), Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace with inlaid mirror work), Bhim Vilas (prayer room), Mor Chowk (Peacock Courtyard), Suraj Gokhanda (Sun balcony ), Manak Chowk (Ruby Palace).
11. Since the Rana’s are Suryavanshis you see the Sun God in brass on one of the Mahal balconies. City Palace Museum that is part of the complex was founded by Maharana Bhagwat Singhji, ruler from 1955-1984.
12. You see a Durbar Hall (built by Maharana Fateh Prakash). It is decorated with portraits of Maharana dynasty. Arms are displayed on the walls. You see an overview of the hall. Note chandeliers and red carpet on the ceiling. Next picture has its close up.
13. A close up of the red carpet that adorns the ceiling of the Durbar Hall. There is a tea lounge to the right of the Durbar Hall from where you get a great view of Pichola Lake.
14. A close up of the paintings that adorn the walls of the Durbar Hall. To your right you see painting of Rana Pratap. Also see the Crystal Gallery with rare collection of items made of crystal.
15. You see another palace entry. Very impressive. What I liked about City Palace is that it is well maintained.
16. Sunset view from City Palace is awesome. Here setting sun behind a tree. In front is Jag Mandir Palace.
17. Close by is Shilpgram where artists perform song and dance from morning to evening, must visit. Check exact timings before you reach. Loved it.
18. We now enter the City Palace Museum. Pranams to Ganesha. What you see is entrance to the Main Mahal called Ganesh Deodi built by Maharana Karan Singhji in 1620 a.d. Note the intricate mirror work.
19. Rajputs are known to have big moustaches. The man with the big moustache is R C Tanwar. Clicked him in 2008, standing with wifey.
20. Clicked him in 2017, looking older with moustache now salt and pepper look. Pray for his good health. Jovial person.
21. Maharana Sardar Singh 1838-1842 established the Bhil Corps. Bhils fought for Maharana Pratap.
22. Shri Ram. “Govils are descendants of Shri Ram’s son Lov. This dynasty is the oldest dynasty in the world and they are representatives of Lord Ram.”
23. Read about River Linking in Mewar. Started in 1669 they were ahead of their times.
24. Overview of BAADI Mahal. The space was used by the Royal Family for religious functions, get-togethers etc It is open to the sky. Quite breezy.
25. Inside the Mahal, notice the foundation and coloured glasses.
26. This is Kanch ki Burj. Built by Maharaj Karan Singhji 1620-1628 A.D. Ues colours associated with Mewar – red, yellow and white. Floor also has mirror.
27. About Chitram-ki-Burj. Built by Rana Karan Singhhi 1620-1628 A.D. Wall paintings are of time 1778-1828. Maharaja shown attending various festivals like Teej, Navaratri, Gangaur and Diwali. The Maharana is shown playing polo with nobles.
28. Lower painting is celebration of festivals as referred to in earlier caption.
29. Figure seen is of the Ma Durga on her mount (tiger). Accompanying on either end are two winged figures bearing fly whisks.
30. In 1875 Maharaj Sajjan Singh ji established the first library in Mewar. Kavi or poet Shyamal Das sat here and wrote ‘Veer Vinod’ The History of Mewar.
31. Sajjangarh Summer Palace is about an hour’s drive from Udaipur, top of a hill. Get great view of Udaipur from there. Very windy, good drive. It is 5 storeys structure on top of hill against planned 13. Made about 1893. Must visit.
32. Corridor Art Gallery, very nice. To see album https://www.esamskriti.com/a/Rajasthan/Art-Gallery-City-Palace-Udaipur.aspx
33. Exterior to Shiv Vilas Chini ki Chatar Sali. Built by Maharana Sangram Singh II, 1712 A.D. Top most floor.
34. Coloured tiles, this is interior of front wall, earlier pic was exterior.
35. Ceiling of Chini ki Chatar Sali-all tiles. Loved it.
36. Multi-coloured glass window.
37. Side view.
38. From one of the windows as I walked by City Palace Museum, view of Lake Palace.
39. Zenana Mahal. Evening click during Kartik Purnima 2017. It is part of the City Palace Complex.
40. Moti Mahal was built by Maharana Karan Singh 1620 A.D.
41. Jhula – swing inside Moti Mahal. Behind that is the painted door – Bhim Vilas.
42. View of Manek Chowk with Udaipur city in background. Chairs etc for Kartik Purnima celebrations in evening 2017.
43. Mor Chowk is very impressive. Next pic – on top of palaces and temples you will see golden spires (kalash). These signify independence from foreign rule.
44. Front view Mor Chowk. Loved it.
45. Close up view of Glass Inlay work. This chowk attracts lots of visitors.
46. Close up of Glass Inlay work – Peacock or Mor.
47. Maharana Jagat Singh Ji 1735-1751. Built Lake Palace.
48. Wall murals with a floral pattern. Room is situated, when descending down to the Surya Chopad.
49. Balcony (Surya Gokhda) built by Maharana Karan Singhji 1620-1628.
50. Manek Mahal. Glass Inlay work by Maharana Swarup Singhji 1842-1861.
51. Inside Manek Mahal.
52. Fan in some room inside the City Palace. Whole place is very well maintained and visitor friendly. Sunset view from here is super. Do go for a boat ride in Lake Pichola. Museum has a very good site https://citypalacemuseum.org/