Udaipur is situated 1900 feet about the sea level in the Aravali Hills. This beautiful city was founded by Maharaja Udai Singh in 1559 AD and is named after him. One of the most romantic cities in Rajasthan, Udaipur is also known as the city of lakes. The marble palaces, beautifully laid out gardens and the lakes make Udaipur seem almost like a mirage in the desert.


Foundation of Udaipur
Once the capital of Mewar, Udaipur was founded by Rana Udai Singh after the fall of Chittor to Akbar in 1568. Although the Rajputs were thrown out of their capital they never gave up their sense of freedom, choosing to give up their lives lives for dignity and honour instead.


Legend says that Maharana Udai Singh was out hunting one day and he came upon a sage seated beside the Pichola Lake. The sage said that the king would build his palace at the same site, and then the fortunes of his family would change.


The Maharana built a small shrine, Dhuni Mata, to mark the spot which is now the oldest part of the City Palace. Udai Singh chose the site of Udaipur for his new capital and built an artificial lake named Udai Sagar after himself. Later he hit upon a pond said to have been made in the 15th century by a banjara (gypsy).


Attractions

• Lake Palace (Jag Nivas)
  This famous palace was built by Maharaja Jagat Singh in 1746. At present there is a hotel, known as Hotel lake palace
• Pichhola Lake
  Pichhu Banjara built it during the reign of Maharaja Lakha in 1362. It is the oldest lake of Udaipur. It is 3 miles long 2 miles wide and 30 feet deep. Two palaces are situated in the middle of lake on two islands, which are known as Jag Nivas and Jag Mandir.
• Pratap Museum
  This museum situated near the Palace contains dresses of different part of Rajasthan, old coins, armaments, pictures and statues. It also contains the turban of Shahjahan which he exchanged with Maharana Karan Singh as a token of friendship in 1622.
• Saheliyon ki Bari
  Maharaja Sangram Singh built it first but it way destroyed by heavy rains then Maharaja Fateh Singh rebuilt this place. This place has five beautiful fountains, which are called Swagat Fountain, Savan Bhadon, Kamal Talai, Raslila and Bin Badal Barsat. In the old times this place was meant for queens and their friends so it is called Saheliyon ki Bari.

Fairs & Festivals
The Shilp Gram (Craft Bazaar) is situated just 3 km off Udaipur and is a great place to see the art and craft of all the states of western India. The Directorate of Tourism organizes a 10-day festival from December 15 every year, which is a treat for the visitors interested in village crafts. The onset of spring brings the Mewar festival on April 7-8.


A traditional welcome to spring, this festival is a visual feast with Rajasthani songs, dances, processions, devotional music and firework displays. It is celebrated in the romantic city of Udaipur during the Gangaur Festival. A procession of colorfully attired women carrying images of the goddess Gauri makes its way to Lake Pichola. A procession of boats on the lake offers a fitting finale to this splendid celebration.


Climate
The climate of Udaipur is tropical with the mercury staying between a maximum of 38.3°C and a minimum of 28.8°C during summers. Winters are a little cold with the maximum temperature rising to 28.8°C and the minimum dipping to 11.6°C. The annual total rainfall is 61 cm. Winters (September-March) are the best period for visiting Udaipur.


How to reach

• By Road
  Udaipur is connected by major road link between Mumbai and Delhi. The Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh road transport corporation operate buses to Udaipur from various region.
• By Rail
  Udaipur is on the western railway network. The railway station is about 4 km from the city center. Udaipur is directly connected by rail with Delhi, Jaipur, Ajmer and Jodhpur.
• By Air
  Indian Airlines Daily connects Udaipur from Jodhpur, Jaipur, Mumbai and Delhi. Dabok airport is 21km away from the city.