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Udaipur
- The House of Mewar, Chittorgarh - The Symbol
of Rajput Valour |
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Udaipur
- The House of Mewar |
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The
city was founded in 1559 AD by Maharana Udai Singh
- father of the legendary hero Maharana Pratap.
Udaipur, the erstwhile royal house of Mewar has
a profusion of palaces, lakes, temples and cenotaphs.
The places to visit in and around Udaipur are the
City Palace, Pichola Lake, Jag Niwas, Jagdish Temple,
Eklingji Temple, Nathdwara, Rajsamand and Jaisamand.
Chittor, Kumbalgarh and Mandalgarh also lie near
Udaipur, and are famous for their almost impregnable
forts. Yes, Udaipur is a beautiful and romantic
city complete with fantastic hilltop fortresses,
exotic fairy-tale palaces and gripping tales of
medieval chivalry and heroism, and not forgetting
the legendary Rajasthani hospitality.
The balmy climate and lakes make the city a welcome
respite from the harsh climate of Rajasthan. From
lakes in the midst of the sandy terrain to the green
forested hills, the city offers many surprises that
will leave you spellbound. |
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The
Mewar Festival is celebrated to welcome
the advent of spring. It coincides with
the festival of Gangaur (March - April).
The festival of Gangaur is very important
for the women of Rajasthan. This is the
time they get to dress up and really enjoy
themselves. Ceremonial processions (usually
all female) with the regular bride-n-groom
theme, complete with brass band, Images
of deities (Isar and Gangaur), horses
etc., throng through the different parts
of the city. |
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The
procession leisurely winds it's way to the Gangaur
Ghat at Lake Pichola. Here, the images are transferred
to special boats amidst much singing and festivity.
The day then culminates with cultural programs
and fireworks display.
City
Palace:
Located on a high hill, the royal City Palace
is surrounded by a fortified wall. Inside the
palace there is a series of balconies, overlapping
pavilions, terraces, corridors and hanging gardens
that add to its attraction.
Lake
Palace:
The palace dates back to the ancient time. Today
it is more reputed as one of the most luxurious
hotels in India.
Bharatiya
Lok Kala Mandal:
The museum offers a breathtaking collection of
folk dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls,
folk musical instruments and paintings. |
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Chittorgarh
- The Symbol of Rajput Valour |
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Chittorgarh
(Chittaur Fort) today a
ruined citadel that once was the epitome
of Rajput romance and valour. Within it's
battelments are imposing forts, graceful
palaces and spectacular 'chhatris'. Visit
Chittaur and get an insight into the life
and times of the great Rajput warriors who
dwelt inside these embattled fortifications.
Chittaur
was invaded for the first time in 1303 AD
by Alauddin Khilji. The Emperor was driven
by a passionate desire to have the beautiful
queen Padmini, whom he is said to have seen
in the reflection of a mirror and was totally
enamoured by her exquisite beauty. The queen
preferred death to dishonor and committed
'Jouhar' - wherein the women and children
immolated themselves on a huge funeral pyre
while the men donned saffron robes (a
symbol of martyrdom) and rode out of
the fort towards certain death. In 1533
AD the women of this citadel again committed
Jouhar when the fortress was attacked by
Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat. |
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The
valiant queen Rani Karnvati, a Bundi princess
led the women but managed to have her infant son
Udai Singh smuggled out of Chittaur to
Bundi. Udai Singh survived to inherit the throne,
but later in 1567 AD when the Mughal Emperor invaded
Chittaur; Udai Singh was forced to desert the
citidel. He later established a new capital, Udaipur
- the beautiful lake city, described above. Chittaur
was never inhabited again but will always stand
as a symbol of the heroic spirit of Rajput warriors.
Rajasthan has ever been a land of chivalry and
valor.
The
Fort:
The fort is a huge structure with many gateways
built by the rulers in 7th century AD. Spread
across 700 acres the fort has tablets and 'chhatris'.
Withen the fort are some fine examples of the
Rajput architecture.
Vijay
Stambh (Victory Tower)
A grand 37 meters high structure with nine storeys,
Vijay Stambh is covered with ethereal sculptures
of Hindu deities. Built in 1440 AD by Maharana
Kumbha, a powerful ruler of Mewar it commemorates
his victory over the Muslim rulers of Malwa and
Gujarat.
Padmini's
Palace:
Visit this magnificent palace that is built beside
a pool. A glimpse of queen Padmini was shown from
here to Alauddin Khilji. Rani Padmini stood in
'Zanana Mahal' and her reflection was visible
to Alauddin Khilji in a mirror placed in the main
hall. He was mesmerized seeing her immense beauty
and went to the extent of plundering Chittaur
in order to win her.
Kumbha
Shyam Temple:
This Temple was built during the reign of Rana
Kumbha in the Indo-Aryan style. The temple is
associated with the visionary poetess Meera bai
- a fervent devotee of Krishna. She was the wife
of Prince Bhojraj.
Meera
Bai Temple:
The temple where Meera Bai worshipped Lord Krishna
is built in north Indian style on a raised plinth
with a conical roof and beautiful inner sanctum.
An open colonnade around the sanctum has four
small pavilions in each corner. |
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Nikkis
Tours and Commercial Services Pvt. Ltd.
G4, Donna Rosa, Near Pousada Touma - Mapusa Road, Porba Vaddo, Calangute,
Bardez, Goa - India, 403516.
Phone(s):+91 832 227 5795/+91 832 228 1947 Fax:+91 832 227 5795 Mobile:+91
98230 12025
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