Travellers are always looking for some enriching experiences for their itineraries. Visiting India and exploring its idiosyncrasies is always a sought after experience by many. One such place is the City Palace in Udaipur, a symbol of Rajasthan's royal past, which represents a unique blend of history, royalty and heritage. Located on the banks of Lake Pichola, the palace attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year owing to its largest complex in Rajasthan. The magnificent palace was built by king Uday Singh in 1559, while subsequent additions to the palace were made by his successors.
Architecture
The City Palace presents a blend of European, Medieval, and Chinese architecture. Built entirely of marble and granite, the palace and its various towers, domes, and arches add a unique charm to the rich historical structure. Additionally, the courtyards, pavilions, terraces, rooms, and hanging gardens, all enhance the beauty of the structure. The uniformity of design is reflected throughout various parts of the palace, all of which were added at different periods of time.
The interiors of the palace are equally stunning. They are studded with glasswork, stained-glass work, marble-work, murals, wall-paintings, silver-work and fine inlay-work, all aimed to entice the five senses of the people who resided inside the palace. Such was the thought process that went behind creating the gorgeous City Palace. From the top of the palace's terrace, it is possible to enjoy the whole view of the Udaipur city. Do not forget to spend some time on the terrace, enjoying the cityscape and its richness. Inside the palace, there is a huge network of long corridors, which were designed to evade surprise attacks by enemies. So, while designing the structure, a lot of attention was paid to the right aesthetics as well as the security of the kingdom.
Palaces within
The City Palace comprises 11 beautiful palaces, all of which have been turned into galleries now. Even though they were built by different rulers, yet their similarity to each other is uncanny. These palaces exhibit antique furniture and finely crafted tiles spread across, which will leave you amazed with the fine craftsmanship. The Ruby Palace or the Manak Mahal showcases figures in crystal and porcelain. Sun-faced motifs can also be seen here.
Bhim Vilas is another gallery here, depicting miniature paintings around the Indian holy figures such as Radha-Krishna. At the same time, 'Krishna Vilas' presents miniature paintings around processions, festivals, and games of the royal family. Moti Mahal or Pearl Palace is known for its rich decors, while 'Chini Chitrashala' has a beautiful collection of Dutch and Chinese tiles. Dilkusha Mahal or the Palace of Joy, is known for its murals and wall paintings, whereas Sheesh Mahal or the Palace of Mirrors is known for its mirrors.
History and photography lovers will surely enjoy their visit to Udaipur. Also, if you are a big fan of design, architecture and royal interiors, the city is a perfect place for you. So, whenever you visit Udaipur, the symbol of Rajasthan's royal past, keep in mind that some splendid views, serene environment, marvellous structures along with several history lessons are expecting you.
City Palace, Udaipur
Old City, Udaipur, Rajastán 313001, IndiaThe author
Kirti Arora
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