DAY 8 : INDIA : Udaipur

Weather : hot, hazy, 37o

 

Our hotel room

 

Early morning activity on the lake outside our window -

fishing for catfish, washing and bathing at the ghat

 

 

 

Hotel breakfast

 

 

Visit to the City Palace home of the present Maharana of Udaipur.

This is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. It now composes

of 2 5 star hotels, a museum and the Maharana's residence.

Built in 16th century on the site recommended to the Maharana Udai Singh by

a hermit who lived on the edge of the lake. He promised the Maharana  that if he built

his palace on this particular spot it would never be overtaken - words that proved to be true.

There is also the story of Udai Singh's maid, who when confronted by a Moghul invader, who threatened to kill Udai Singh's baby son, substituted her own son to save the prince and watched as he was cut in half - an annual award, dedicated to her memory, is now presented to remarkable women by the Maharana.

 

 

 

Fascinating stories of Maharanas. This maharana was invited to meet with George V in 1911 but because he was to be seated below the king he refused to sit with the rest of the maharanas as he insisted he should be equal with the king. This follows the tradition of other maharanas of Udaipur  - the only state not to sign the treaty with the British or to fall to Moghul invaders.

 

 

Udaipur is one of the sun dynasties.

 

 

 

The Rajputs were a warrior class and prided themselves in success in battle. One of their

battle strategies was to fit their horses with elephant tusks so that elephants would be distracted and not attack them.

 

 

Palace rooftop garden with pool for the Maharana and a ladies' spa in an alcove.

 

 

Swing for the maharana in his private quarters.

 

 

Beautiful Belgium glass and mosaics used in

the Peacock Courtyard. Here the Maharana would sit

to enjoy performances.

 

 

Just outside the palace and through a gate into the throng of the Udaipur markets

and the Jagdish temple built by Maharana Jagat Singh in 1651. It is the largest and most splendoured temple in Udaipur.

 

 

 

Unfortunately being an active temple we were unable to take any photos inside. There were

many worshippers inside sitting around 2 musicians singing religious songs. The main idol of this temple, Vishnu, was being meticulously decorated by one of the priests and another priest dressed in white, waited for his opportunity to read Sanskrit texts to the worshippers.

Here is some of the detail on the outside of the temple, representing musicians and everyday activities.

 

 

Near the temple Humesh, our guide, took us to his family's

textile business.

 

 

 

We visited the Garden of Maids of Honour in another part of the city - an ornamental

pleasure garden with pools, fountains and water channels.

 

 

Lush vegetation has been gravity- fed from nearby artificial lakes since the 17th century.

 

 

There are several islands on Lake Pichola. This small island is used for wedding and large parties by the Maharana's family and the rich and famous.

 

 

 

View of Taj Lake Palace Hotel from the Maharana's Palace.

 

 

Our room - three windows at top.

 

 

Every evening different dances of the region are displayed.

 

 

Tonight we ate at a lakeside restaurant on Fateh Sagar Lake

before returning to our hotel on Lake Pichola.

 



 

 





M&M

mm_smith@bigpond.net.au