The climate of this city is typical of any city in Rajasthan. The maximum summer temperature is around 46°C and minimum 35.4°C. In winter, the highest temperature is 14°C and lowest around 2°C. The best season to visit Udaipur is between October and March, when the heat becomes comparatively low.
Places of Interest
A majestic architectural marvel towering over the lake on a hills surrounded by crenallated walls. City Palace is completely white and majestic and is approached through Tripoli gate, built in 1725 AD. The palace has several carved balconies, arches and decorated pillars. Located inside the palce are the Suraj Gokhanda, Bada Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Bhim Vilas, Chini Chitrashala and Mor Chowk. The Zenana Mahal, Fatehparkash, Durbar Hall and Shambu Niwas are other palaces of interest.
Jagdish Temple
Built in 1651 by Maharaja Jagajti Singh I, this Indo-Aryan temple is the larges and the most beautiful temple of Udaipur with noteworthy sculpted images.
Saheliyon - Ki Bari
This garden of the maids of honour with numerous fountains brings the unique life style of the royal ladies who once strolled here.
Pratap Memorial
A bronze statue of Maharana Pratap is placed at Magari overlooking the Fateh Sagar Lake.
Fateh Sagar
Built by Maharaja Fateh Singh, this elegant lake is surrounded on three sides by hills, palaces, temples, bathing ghats and embankments. Two island palaces, Jag Mandir and Jag Niwas on the lake are of breathtaking magnificence.
Ahar
The royal centotaphs of the royal Maharanas of Mewar lies here in remains.
Excursions in Udaipur
Eklingji (22 Km)
This sandstone and marble temple built in 734 AD is a complex of 108 temples enclosed by high walls and is devoted to the presiding deity of Maharans of Mewar. The walled complex encloses and elaborately pillared hall of mandap under a large pyramidal roof and has four-faced image of Lord Shiva in black marble.
Nagda (23 Km)
Dating back to 06th century AD this ancient sight is famous for Sas-Bahu temple (09th - 10th C). Splendid Jain temple of Adbudji is also located in this area.
Haldighati (40 Km)
Historic place where the battle between Maharan Pratap and Emperor Akbar was fought in 1576 AD. There is a Chhatri dedicated to the faithful horse of Maharana Pratap 'Chetak'
Nathdwara (48 Km)
Built in the early 18th century, it is a renowned centre of pilgrimage for the devotees of Krishna and Vishnu. It is believed that when the statue of Srinath was being moved to a safer place to escape the wrath of Emperor Aurangzeb, the wheel of the chariot carrying this statue got stuck in the mud. Seeing it as a divine sign that Lord Krishna wished to dwell here, a temple was erected at this spot and a holy township grew around the temple. The main Shrinathji temple attracts devotees throughout the year. Cloth painting or pichhawais are famous.
Jasmand Lake (48 Km)
Built by Maharana Jia Singh in the 17th century, this is the second largest artificial lake in Asia. Threare also some elegant marble cenotaphs on its banks and a small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. On either side of the lake were the summer palaces built for the Maharanis of that time which today houses government offices. The lake attracts several species of migratory birds while the Jaismand wildlife sanctuary is the home of different species of animals.
Dungarpur
It was founded in the early 13th century by Rana Dungar Singh. The Juna Palace and Udai Vilas Palace are the main attractions and the interior have some well-preserved wall paintings.
Kumbalgarh (84 Km) : This is the second most important citadel of Mewar after Chittorgarh. Range after range of the Aravallis protect this fortress built by Rana Kumbha in mid 15th century, covering an area of 12 sq km. This fort fell only once to the army of Akbar and that too because of the water supply of the fort was contaminated by the enemy forces. The fort lies 1,100 meter above sea level and enclosed within its fortified ramparts are palaces, temples, field, water sources and farms, - fully self contained to withstand a long siege.
Adhar Devi Temple : A beautiful temple chiseled out of a huge rock and flanked by natural cleft is reached by flight of 360 stairs.
Nakki Lake : This lake is studded with little inlets, as legend has, it was dug out by gods with their nails. Nowhere in India except in the Himalayas does a lake exist 1200 metes above sea leve.
Gaumukh Temple : Here a little stream flows from the mouth of a marble cow. It was her that the legend of the four Agnikula clans of Rajputs was born. Near by is the marble image of Nandi who was rescued by the mighty serpent Arbuda.
Sri Raghunathji Temple : It is believed that Shirt Ramanand, the famous Hindu preacher, placed the image of Shri Raghunathji on this spot in 14th century.
Ranakpur (80 Km From Udaipur On The Way To Mount Abu) : In a quite and picturesque valley which runs into the western slopes of the Aravalli hills is a remarkable complex of Jain temples at Ranakpur once of the five main holy places of the Jain sect. In the 15th century, Rana Kumbha of Mewar gave a large stretch of land in a quiet and picturesque valley, deep in the Aravellis, to the Jains. This area came to be known as Ranakpur. Thorugh over 500 years old the temples here are superbly preserved in a near perfect condition. In the center is the main temple dedicated to Tirthankara Rishabdeo with a Chamukha or four faced shrine dedicated to Adinath. The most distinctive features are the 29 halls of the temple, which contain 1444 pillars of which not even two are alike everyone being in a different style. Every conceivable surface of the wall pillars and ceilings is carved and every corner and angle is engraved with Jain images. The quadruple image stands in the main sanctuary, which is open on all four sides. Rising in three storeys, it has four subsidiary shrines with a total of 80 'spuies' supported by 420 columns. There are also 24 mandapas and spires.
There are two more Jain temples and temple dedicated to the Sun god.
Chittorgarh (112 Km) : Chittorgarh - pride and glory of Rajasthan - echoes with tales of romance and valour unique of Rajput tradition. It is more known for Rani Padmini, queen of Rana Bhim Singh whose beauty led the Sultan of Delhi, Allauddin Khilji to attach Chittor in 1303 AD. Legend has it, that Alauddin Khilji desired here and besieged Chitttor. Later he offered to return without fighting if the Rana let him see art the image of the queen in a mirror and not her directly. It was agreed and he was allowed to enter the fort and see the reflection of the queen's face in a mirrow. But when the Rana accompanied him up to the fort's gate to see him offc. Alauddin Khilji resorted to trecherry and arrested him and took him to his camp. He then offered to release the Rana provided the queen agreed to be his wife. History records that Rani Padmani attacked the Sultan's camp and freed the Rana., later Allauddin vengefully fought and killed every Rajput soldier. In the fierce battle 7,000 Rajput warriors lost their lives and the Maharani with her entire entourage committed 'Jauhar'. Countless tales of Chittor's legendary heroes are still sung by folk musicians all over Rajasthan. Strangely the historic mirror is till intact and can be seen in the fort. It is located on 180 meter high hill, covering 700 acres. Tablets and Chattries bearing testimony to the acts of sacrifice and gallantry lie between several monumental gates. The main gates are Padan Pol, Bhairon Pol, Hanuman Pol and Ram Pol.
Meerabai's Temple : Temple where Meerabai used to worship Lord Krishna.