Showing 1-11 of 11 results
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Ahar Museum
About 2km east of Udaipur are over 250 restored cenotaphs of the maharajas of Mewar; it's a spectacular city of snowy domes built over a period of 350 years. Nearby you can visit the patchy remains of the Sisodias' ancient capital, and the Ahar museum, housing accompanying artefacts, some over 5000 years old.
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Bagore-Ki-Haveli
The gracious 18th-century Bagore-Ki-Haveli, on the water's edge in the Gangaur Ghat area, was built by a former prime minister and has been carefully restored. There are 138 rooms set around courtyards. Some have been arranged to evoke when the house was inhabited, others have cultural displays, including the world's (rather saggy) biggest turban!
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Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum
The small, private Bhartiya Lok Kala museum shows dolls, masks, tribal jewellery, musical instruments, paintings and puppets.
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City Palace
The imposing City Palace, surmounted by balconies, towers and cupolas, and towering over the lake, is Rajasthan's largest palace, with a façade 244m long and 30.4m high. A conglomeration of buildings created by various maharajas, it still manages to retain a surprising uniformity of design. Construction was started by Maharaja Udai Singh II, the city's founder. There are fine views over the lake and the city from the upper terraces.
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City Palace Government Museum
The City Palace government museum is based in the City Palace complex. Exhibits include a freaky monkey holding a lamp, as well as more serious stuff, such as sculptures, and maharaja portraits with a spectacular array of moustaches.
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City Palace Museum
The City Palace museum includes the Mor Chowk, with its lavish mosaics of peacocks, the favourite Rajasthani bird. The Manak (Ruby) Mahal has glass and mirrorwork, while Krishna Vilas has a remarkable collection of miniatures (no photography allowed). In the Bari Mahal there is a pleasant central garden. The Moti Mahal has beautiful mirrorwork and the Chini Mahal is covered in ornamental tiles.
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Crystal Gallery
The stunning Crystal gallery at the Fateh Prakash Palace Hotel is a sight well worth seeing, although the admission charge is becoming rather exclusive. Maharaja Sajjan Singh ordered this rare crystal from F&C Osler & Co in England in 1877; he died before it arrived, and all the items stayed packed up in boxes for 110 years. The extravagant, unused collection includes crystal chairs, sofas, tables and even beds. Photography is prohibited.
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Jagdish Temple
Only 150m north of the City Palace entrance, the fantastically carved Indo-Aryan Jagdish Temple was built by Maharaja Jagat Singh in 1651. It enshrines a black stone image of Vishnu as Jagannath, Lord of the Universe. A brass image of Garuda is in a shrine in front of the temple.
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Saheliyon-ki-Bari
In the north of the city is the Saheliyon-ki-Bari. This small, quaint ornamental garden was laid out for 48 women attendants who came as part of a princess's dowry, and has fountains (water shortages permitting), kiosks, marble elephants and a delightful lotus pool.
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Shilpgram
Shilpgram is a crafts village 3km west of town that hosts the fantastic Shilpgram festival each December - check with the Tourist Reception Centre or at Bagore-ki-Haveli for details. The rest of the year sees excellent demonstrations by traditional performers and artisans from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra, but it can feel somewhat staged.
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Vintage & Classic Car Collection
The maharajas' Vintage & Classic Car Collection is fascinating, with 22 splendid vehicles including a 1938 Cadillac complete with a system for purdah (custom among some Muslims and Hindus of keeping women secluded) to the beautiful 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom used in Octopussy . The maharaja's 'sun-smart' car is also housed here.
Showing 1-11 of 11 results
