Udaipur Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Udaipur, Rajasthan, India)



Lake Pichola view (Jagniwas Island and Jagmandir Island)The majority of the most visited sights and tourist attractions within Udaipur tend to be centred around the spreading Lake Pichola, which is a large expanse of water is around 4 km / 2.5 miles in length, and around 3 km / 2 miles in width. Boat trips around lake Pichola are always extremely popular with tourists visiting Udaipur and pass many surrounding lakeside attractions during the cruise.

Also of note are the attractions at the Garden of the Maidens of Honour (Saheliyon-Ki-Bari), the Gulab Bagh, the Solar Observatory, the neighbouring village of Shilpgram, and the Fateh Sagar Lake, which lies directly to the north of Lake Pichola and is surrounded by a series of large hills. During times when the monsoon in Udaipur is especially poor, the lake actually can actually dry up completely.


Additional photo of Lake Pichola

Lake Pichola (Jagniwas Island and Jagmandir Island)

Lake Pichola has long been one of the most famous of all the tourist attractions set within Udaipur. The lake are enlarged when the Maharaja Udai Singh II originally founded the city and decided to flood the adjacent namesake village of Picholi. Lake Pichola is actually very shallow and in times of extreme drought, its shoreline is quick to recede. The easterly lakeshore is dominated by the City Palace, and many tourists choose to wander around this area, where a number of attractive ghats (steps leading to the waterfront) await. Lake Pichola contains two separate islands, both of which contain their very own palaces.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free, charge for boat trips

Horse Riding

While camel riding is an extremely popular pastime in Jaisalmer, horse riding has become one of the leading attractions in Udaipur. Tourists who choose to enjoy a time riding a Marwari horse will be taken along scenic trails, offering magnificent views across the Aravalli Mountains and lakeside landscapes. Short treks are available, as well as longer overnight horseback safaris, where riders are able to camp out and enjoy the stars.
Open hours: daily, seasonal variations
Admission: charge

Fateh Sagar Lake photograph (Lake Fatehsagar)

Fateh Sagar Lake (Lake Fatehsagar) / Nehru Park

Fateh Sagar Lake was originally built in the 1670s, although many years later it needed to be reconstructed, following flood damage to the damn. The main attraction here is to be found upon the central garden island, where the Nehru Park offers pretty flower gardens, a rather beautiful lily pond, and views of the Moti Mahal (Pearl Hull) and is bronze memorial to Maharaja Pratap, a local Rajput hero. In total, Nehru Park covers just over 40 acres / 16 hectares.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free, charge for boat trips

Picture of the Saheliyon-Ki-Bari (Garden of the Maidens of Honour)

Saheliyon-Ki-Bari (Garden of the Maidens of Honour)

The Saheliyon-Ki-Bari is located on the northern side of Udaipur and often also goes by the name of the Garden of the Maidens of Honour. This ornamental and historic garden was laid out in the middle of the 18th century, being built for the 48 women attendants who once served a Rajput princess. The Saheliyon-Ki-Bari may be one the small side, but they are very beautiful and traditionally Indian in style, with a lotus pool, further ornamental ponds, various kiosks and a number of carved marble elephants. Worth noting, all of the fountains within the Garden of the Maidens of Honour are run purely by water pressure, as they have been for more than 150 years, and do not use modern pumps. Therefore, in times of water shortage, the fountains may not be working.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge

Shilpgram image, showing a local celebration

Shilpgram

Shilpgram is an enticing crafts village, located on the very outskirts of Udaipur and a mere 3 km / 2 miles to the west of the Fateh Sagar Lake, being just a short auto rickshaw ride away. Tourists visiting Shilpgram will be greeted with displays of traditional Indian mud huts, from all around Rajasthan, as well as other states such as both Goa and Maharashtra. Step inside the mud huts and you will no doubt be very surprised to find the glittering, mirrored interiors, which seem rather out of keeping with the exterior appearance. Further attractions within the village of Shilpgram include regular entertainment, demonstration of local handicrafts, and a major crafts fair each December, which is amongst India's very biggest and best of its kind, drawing enormous crowds of thousands.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Gulab Bagh picture, showing the tropical gardens

Gulab Bagh and Zoo

Address: Lake Palace Road, Udaipur, India, IN
Located on the very banks of the famed Lake Pichola, the Gulab Bagh is often referred to by tourists as Udaipur's 'Rose Garden' and has become well known for its colourful flower beds, large expanses of lawns, and some impressive orchid specimens. Children will always enjoys the very family orientated attractions here, which include a toy train, and a small zoo, houses exotic creatures such as Indian tigers, leopards and also Jabeer gazelle (chinkara). The Gulab Bagh gardens are also home to the Saraswati Bhawan Library, where a number of archaeological artefacts are on display.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Udaipur Solar Observatory (USO)

Address: Bari Road, Udaipur, India, IN
The famous Udaipur Solar Observatory is actually the only solar observatory currently in existence in the whole of Asia. Standing on an island and within Fateh Sagar Lake, the observatory was built in 1976 and lies on the lake's north-western shore, off the Bari Road. The surrounding body of water decreases the overall turbulence and is said to improve the quality of the images and the solar observations, which are renowned around Rajasthan. Inside, attractions include a number of large telescopes and photographs. At times, the levels in the Fateh Sagar Lake are so low that it is possible to walk to the Solar Observatory, although it is more usual to reach this bright-white building by boat.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge