Udaipur - Palace on Wheels

Day 4 - Arrival at Udaipur, breakfast at Hotel Sikarbari, sight-seeing, lunch at Fateh Prakash, boat ride (tea at Jetty).

Udaipur is a beautiful city housing enchanting lakes and surrounded by the lush hills of the Aravalis. Udaipur was a jewel of Mewar kingdom which was ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 years.

There is an interesting legend associated with the foundation of the city which says that Maharana Udai Singh, the founder of the city, went on hunting one day when he came across a holy man meditating on a hill facing the Lake Pichola. The hermit showered his blessings on the Maharana and advised him to build a palace at this suitably located spot with a fertile valley watered by the stream, a lake, an favourable altitude and an amphitheatre of low mountains. Thus, Maharana founded the city in 1559 AD and today, the splendid city of Udaipur stands gracefully reflecting the enchanting architectural glory of the gone era.

Breakfast at Hotel Sikarbari

Artifacts in the City Palace Udaipur

One of many courtyards

Lunch at Fateh Prakash The focal point of the Fateh Prakash Palace hotel is the imposing Durbar Hall, which was used for royal audiences. The foundation stone was laid by the Viceroy of India, Lord Minto, in 1909. The hall was originally called Minto Hall in his honor. These days, Durbar Hall is used as a banquet hall and hired out for special functions. Passengers from both the Palace on Wheels and Royal Rajasthan on Wheels luxury trains dine here when visiting Udaipur. As soon as you enter Durbar Hall, it's impossible for your attention not to be captured by the seven crystal chandeliers suspended from its ceiling. The centerpiece is a mammoth chandelier weighing one tonne. Its brilliance dominates the whole room. Two slightly smaller chandeliers, weighing 800 kilograms each, flank its sides. There are another four smaller chandeliers, weighing 200 kilograms each, in the corners of the hall. The dramatic ambiance of the Durbar Hall, which easily transports you back in royal history, is enhanced by the grand portraits of the Maharanas of Mewar that grace its walls. There are plenty of historic artifacts on display, including royal weapons, as well. Look upwards and you'll see the viewing gallery that borders the hall. This is where the women of Rajputana stood, out of sight, to watch the proceedings in the hall.

Taj Lake Palace evokes a sense of magic and mysticism. The floating palace is a dream of white marble and mosaic glistening in the moonlight. Built in 1746 it took three years to complete. It covers the entire area of the small island in the Pichola Lake.