Embarking on a journey through history, our comprehensive guide invites you to immerse yourself in the grandeur of Udaipur City Palace. Nestled on the shores of Lake Pichola, this iconic Rajasthan gem beckons with its architectural marvels and rich heritage. Join us for a seamless exploration of the regal past that defines Udaipur.
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About Udaipur City Palace
Udaipur City Palace, a regal complex in Rajasthan, India, traces its roots back to 1553 when Maharana Udai Singh II decided to make Udaipur the new capital. Gracefully positioned on the eastern shores of Lake Pichola, this extravagant palace, the largest of its kind in Rajasthan, showcases an intricate fusion of medieval, European, and Chinese influences.
Adorned with numerous domes, arches, and turrets, it stands as a masterpiece of architecture. Noteworthy for its consistent design, the palace comprises approximately 11 modest yet independent palaces interconnected by a network of chowks or quadrangles with zigzag paths, strategically designed to deter surprise attacks. While the exterior of the City Palace may seem modest, the interiors are magnificent.
The complex houses mahals, courtyards, pavilions, corridors, terraces, chambers, and gardens, each reflecting the opulence of Rajput culture and arts. Palaces like Mardana Mahal (Palace of Kings) and Zenana Mahal (Palace of Queens) have been transformed into museums, offering a captivating glimpse into the best facets of Rajput heritage. Moreover, the palace affords breathtaking views of local attractions, including Pichola Lake, Jag Mandir, Jagdish Temple, Monsoon Palace, Neemach, and Karni Mata Temple.
History of Udaipur City Palace
Due to the Mughal threat, Maharana Udai Singh strategically shifted his capital from Chittor to the idyllic locations of Udaipur. Surrounded by woods, lakes, and the majestic Aravalli Hills, Udaipur proved to be a secure haven. Consequently, he initiated the construction of the palace in Udaipur. The inception of the palace’s construction dates back to Udai Singh’s reign with the establishment of Raj Angan, symbolizing the “royal courtyard”. Over nearly 400 years, predecessors from various eras made significant contributions to the development of Udaipur City Palace.
Structure of Udaipur City Palace
The grand facade of Udaipur City Palace is imposing, soaring to a height of 244 meters and spanning 30 meters in width. Crafted from exquisite granite and marble, the palace interiors are opulently adorned with intricate mirror work, tinted glass, murals, silver embellishments, and wall paintings.
Hathi Pol, meaning elephant gate, situated beside the Jagdish Temple, flanked by two colossal elephant structures serves as the primary entrance. Adjacent to this is the Badi Pol, or the Big Gate, which leads to the Mughal garden courtyard. This courtyard is graced with eight decorative arches, locally known as ‘torans,’ on the east side. These arches, erected by Rana Jagat Singh between 1628 and 1652, add a majestic touch to the entrance. Continuing along this path leads to the Tripolia Gate, also acknowledged as the Triple Gate.
Manek Chowk
The Tripolia Gate guides you to Manek Chowk, an expansive grassy courtyard facing the main entrance of the Palace. Manek Chowk hosted parades, public meetings, and even elephant processions in its historical heyday. Today, this courtyard’s forefront boasts a restaurant and souvenir shops. Moreover, every evening from October to March, the courtyard comes alive with light and sound performances narrating the history of the palace.
Ascending a set of steps from the Manek Chowk courtyard takes you to the first exhibit room, Salehkhana. This hall proudly showcases weaponry from the Mewar rulers, featuring an array of swords, armor, spears, firearms, and pistols. Notably, the gallery houses artifacts used by Maharana Pratap in the legendary battle of Haldighati against the Mughals. Additionally, a poignant tribute exhibit in this hall commemorates the courage of Maharana Pratap and his loyal steed, Chetak.
Ganesh Chowk
Moving forward, we arrive at Ganesh Chowk, which serves as the primary entrance to the palace museum. The beautifully painted walls add to the allure of this courtyard. A striking marble statue of Lord Ganesha near the front door captivates with its stunning craftsmanship. The exquisite tiny mirrorwork decorations surrounding the idols are truly breathtaking. The Ganesh Deodhi is also the name for this location.
Badi Mahal
The Badi Mahal, also popular as the Garden Palace, stands as a vast rectangular structure with a central garden and passageways on one side. Modest murals and lovely pillars grace either side of these halls. Here, you’ll find a large marble tub or pool, traditionally used during the Holi festival. Constructed in 1699 by Rana Amar Singh II, the Amar Vilas section of Badi Mahal is the highest point in the Udaipur City Palace Museum.
A noteworthy aspect of the Badi Mahal is that, despite Amar Vilas being the tallest side of the Udaipur city palace, it is located at ground level, surrounded by flourishing plants and trees. Aside from that, this location offers a wonderful view of Pichola Lake and the city of Udaipur. Badi Mahal features a square marble tub, fountains, ornamented towers, terraces, and windows where the royals enjoyed their leisure time.
Badi and Choti Chitrashala Chowk
Constructed during the reign of Rana Sangram Singh, Badi Chitrashala Chowk lies between Badi Mahal and Mor Chowk. The interior is vibrant, adorned with Chinese tiles, colored glass, and murals, historically serving as a venue for royal entertainment, hosting music and dance performances. Nearby, Choti Chitrashala is a modest art gallery.
Surya Chowk, Kanch Ki Burj And Manak Mahal
Surya Chowk pays tribute to the Sun God, Surya, with a big ornamental sun crowning one-half of the wall. Kanch Ki Burj, another beautiful structure within the Udaipur City Palace Museum, showcases exquisite glass and mirror dome ceilings. Manak Mahal, also known as Ruby Palace, is a stunning section of the palace adorned with mirrors and rubies.
Mor Chowk
Mor Chowk, also known as the peacock garden, stands as the most magnificent courtyard within the Udaipur City Palace Museum. Adorning this Chowk are three peacocks, skillfully encased in glass inlay artwork, portraying the essence of three distinct seasons. The mosaic mirrors, adorned in hues of green, blue, and gold further enhances its beauty. This regal space historically hosted special audiences and feasts for the Kings. Mor Chowk marks the concluding segment of the Mardana Mahal (Palace of Kings). As you proceed, the path will guide you to Zenana Mahal, also recognized as the Queen’s Palace.
Zenana Mahal Chowmukha
Chowmukha stands as the spectacular creation within Zenana Mahal, constructed by Rana Sangram Singh II. During festivals and special occasions, the Queen would graciously host audiences here, joined by other royal women. As you step inside Zenana Mahal, you can wander through the queen’s chambers, where rooms adorn beautiful frescoes, artworks, and paintings. The chambers also house a collection of palanquins once utilized by the queens. You can explore the regal history encapsulated in each detail, offering a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the queens.
Udaipur City Palace Museum Silver Gallery
The Silver Gallery houses a large collection of silver goods and mementos from the Mewar period. It includes chariots for transporting religious idols, mandap pavilions for wedding rituals, cribs for newborn babies, horse carts, plates, cutlery, and various other objects.
Fateh Prakash Palace
At Fateh Prakash Palace, Maharana Sajjan Singh curated a collection of crystal furniture, tables, and sofas. During Maharana Fateh Singh’s reign, the palace’s Durbar Hall served as a venue for festivities and meetings. Presently, Fateh Prakash Palace has been reimagined into a luxury hotel. Additionally, admission to the crystal gallery at Fateh Prakash Palace requires a separate ticket.
Travel Tips To Visit Udaipur City Palace
Udaipur City Palace Tickets
- The Udaipur City Palace welcomes visitors from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm and from 6 pm to 9 pm, offering ample time for exploration.
- Various ticket combinations are available for your visit to the Udaipur City Palace. Take a moment to review the options at the counter and select the ticket that best aligns with your preferences. A popular choice is the City Palace Museum ticket bundled with a Pichola Lake boat trip for a visit to Jag Mandir.
- Further, for added insights into the Udaipur City Palace, consider obtaining an audio tour guide at the ticket counter or from designated guides within the complex.
- The entrance fee to access the exterior grounds of the palace is 30 rupees for adults and 15 rupees for children.
- To explore the Udaipur City Palace Museum, the entrance fee is 300 rupees per person, with a reduced rate of 200 rupees for students and senior citizens with valid ID. Note that the museum features narrow stairwells, which may pose accessibility challenges for some visitors.
- If your itinerary includes a visit to Jag Mandir Island, you can purchase the boat tickets at the same ticket kiosk. Prices are 500 rupees per person in the morning and 800 rupees per person in the evening for sunset rides.
- You can also consider getting a Rajasthani Thali Lunch or Dinner at the Palace complex.
- Exploring both the Udaipur City Palace Museum and the Pichola Lake boat ride typically takes around 4 to 5 hours so plan your visit accordingly.
General Tips
- The optimal time to explore Udaipur City Palace is during the winter months, from October to February when the weather is mild, and you can also partake in the captivating Light Show hosted within the palace premises. If you choose to visit in the evening during this season, make sure to include the Udaipur City Palace’s mesmerizing light and sound show in your itinerary. Unfortunately, we missed the show as we went during the off-season. Nonetheless, it is renowned as one of the most delightful programs to experience when the season is right.
- For daytime visits, remember to wear hats and sunglasses, especially since certain sections of the palace complex are without shade, exposing you to intense sunlight.
- Also, if you’re planning a trip to Udaipur, check our post on the Udaipur itinerary for a suggested plan.
Lastly, Udaipur City Palace isn’t just a monument; it’s a living testament to Rajasthan’s grandeur. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or a casual traveler, Udaipur City Palace promises an enchanting journey through the regal tapestry of Rajasthan with its centuries of history, artistry, and cultural richness.
