The second-largest palace of India that took nearly 3 centuries to complete, City Palace stands tall in the City of Lakes, Udaipur. This stunning piece of architectural creation is one of the most visited places in Rajasthan. It tells the history of the brave warriors of the Mewar kingdom and several generations that contributed to its construction, each adding a unique and breathtaking feature to it.
City Palace, Jaipur Information
| Location | Old City, Udaipur, Rajasthan |
| Timings | 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Entry Fee | Rs. 300 for Adults, Rs. 100 for Children and Rs. 100 for Students |
| Entrance | Badi Pol |
| Year of Establishment | 16th-18th Century |
| Commissioned by | Udai Singh II |
| Architectural Style | Rajput, European and Medieval Architecture |
| Material Used | Marble and Granite |
| Time Required | 2-3 Hours |
| Best Time to Visit | October to March |
History
Udaipur was the last capital of Mewar Kingdom, which had seen a few changes in capitals. Earlier, the capital was the famous Chittor where the Sisodias ruled for centuries before Udai Singh II decided to take a tactical move and shift deeper in the mountains of Aravalli and established Udaipur in the 16th century. The location for Udaipur was the most ideal. There were lakes around, and forests, mountains covered the entire region. It was almost impossible for any enemy to challenge the ruler and risk fighting a war in such a region.
Another interesting fact about the City Palace is that it was not built by one king. Instead, it took nearly 400 years to complete and witnessed several kings during its construction. After Maharana Pratap lost to Akbar, the city was under the Mughal rule but soon got back to the Rajputs. Later, Amar Singh, Bhim Singh, Sajjan Singh and other rulers kept the throne until the independence of India. Presently Arvind Singh Mewar is the successor and runs most of the things in City Palace.
City Palace, Udaipur: Today
Today, City Palace remains as it is in the Old City of Udaipur near the Jagdish Temple and on the banks of Lake Pichola. The royal family continues to reside here, in a part of the palace. The remaining area is open to the public, some parts became a museum, some rooms were put on display and the gardens are also accessible. You would find shops and restaurants inside the palace. Each evening, there is a light and sound show that tells the visitors about its rich history, struggle and the life of royal families.
Architecture
As can be observed from the structure and walls of the palace, it is made using marble and granite. It exemplifies the beauty of Rajput, European, and Medieval architecture together. It is built next to Lake Pichola, the most famous lake here. Constructed on a mountain, its unique interiors do not make one feel as if they are on uneven land. You would find meticulous artwork, marble design, paintings, murals, and mirror work all over the palace. Its balconies and towers are some of the most amazing sights in the entire city.
The pathways inside the palace are small and narrow, to ensure that any outsider or enemy cannot enter the premises in large numbers and rather have to come individually.
Krishna Vilas, Shambhu Niwas, Badi Mahal, Dilkhush Mahal, Mor-Chowk, Fateh Prakash Palace and Shiv Niwas Palace are the most famous places here. Outside the entrance, you would also find many antique shops and handmade items on display.
Suggested Read : Things to do in Udaipur.
Things to Do and See
- Boat ride: You can enjoy a boat ride in Lake Pichola while you are about to reach City Palace, Udaipur. The best time to enjoy the glistening sunlight on water and witness the sunset/sunrise while boating is from October to March. You can also enjoy your lunch/dinner at the Garden Hotel Restaurant nearby.
- Amar Vilas: You will see a garden in this region which is beautifully maintained and structured. This is a part of the highest point of the City Palace but is situated on the ground. This marvellous architecture is because of the fact that the palace was not built on terrain and rather a hilly plateau. From here, you can find the entrance to Badi Mahal.
- Badi Mahal: Adorned with paintings on walls, a swimming pool and exquisite interiors, this is the part of the main palace that you should surely not miss.
- Bhim Vilas: The entire Mewar dynasty appreciated art and its various forms. Here, you would find a special exhibition of hundreds of paintings.
- Choti Chitrashala: It is a part of a small gallery where you would find the exhibition of several miniature artworks that are rare in themselves.
- Laxmi Vilas Chowk: This region is dedicated to Mewar paintings and artists and can be easily spotted by tourists.
- Sheesh Mahal: Built in the 18th century, it is an integral part of the Queen’s Palace. Here, the entire section of the room is built using mirrors. This beautiful Mahal is only to view from outside, but you can look closely and appreciate the amazing architecture and design.
How to Reach
City Palace, Udaipur is almost 23 km from Maharana Pratap Airport, Udaipur and nearly 3 km from railway station. The airport is well connected to all the major cities like Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai, etc.If you are planning a road trip, you can easily visit Udaipur from Jaipur, Jodhpur, Delhi, Ahmedabad, etc.
Lesser-Known Facts
- Around 1818, Udaipur became a part of a treaty with the British Government, which helped them protect the kingdom from attackers as they undertook to safeguard its borders.
- City Palace, Udaipur is the second largest palace in India, next only to Mysore Palace and the largest palace in Rajasthan and entire North India.
- This palace was actually built on a plateau of about 600 m height.
- You would find a unique kerosene-run fan in one of the rooms here.
- Surprisingly, because this palace took 400 years to build, several generations have contributed to its construction.
- Deepika and Ranveer Singh starrer ‘Goliyo ki Rasleela – Ram Leela’ along with James Bond’s ‘Octopussy’ were shot here.
Nearby Attractions
- Jagdish Temple (100 m)
- Doodh Talai (200 m)
- Bagore ki Haveli (400 m)
- Gangaur Ghat (400 m)
- Jag Mandir Palace (700 m)
- Gulab Bagh (1 km)
- Vintage Car Museum (1 km)
- Ambrai Ghat (1 km)
- Hathi Pol Bazaar (1 km)
- Karni Mata Temple (2 km)
- Saheliyo ki Bari (3 km)
- Sajjan Garh Palace (8 km)
- Haldighati (40 km)
If you are planning to visit Rajasthan, do not forget to add Udaipur to your list. Apart from being one of the must-visit travel destinations in Rajasthan, it is also a royal city that will make you fall in love with its colours, old streets, monuments, forts, havelis and food. And while you might be here, don’t forget to check out City Palace, Udaipur, which is like a crown adorned on this beautiful city.
Suggested Read : places to visit n Udaipur.
This post was last modified on 26-Dec-2023