Nestled amidst the Aravalli hills in the colorful state of Rajasthan lies the enchanting city of Udaipur – known for its breathtaking palaces, serene lakes, rich heritage and colorful culture. But there are many intriguing facts and tidbits that you may not know about this magical destination. Let’s explore some fascinating trivia about Udaipur’s glorious past, royal legacies, tourist attractions and local customs!
| Year Founded | 1559 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Maharana Udai Singh II of Mewar |
| Historic Name | Udaipur |
| Modern Name | Udaipur |
| Nicknames | City of Lakes, Venice of the East |
| Area | 64 sq km |
| Average Annual Rainfall | 660 mm |
| Monsoon Months | July – September |
| Popular Tourist Season | September – March |
| Maximum Temperature | 45°C / 113°F |
| Minimum Temperature | 5°C / 41°F |
| Lakes in Udaipur | 7 including Fateh Sagar and Pichola |
| Palaces and Forts | 12 key ones like City Palace and Monsoon Palace |
| UNESCO World Heritage Sites | 0 |
| Airport | Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR), 21 km from city center |
| Languages Spoken | Mewari, Hindi, English |
| Best Souvenirs | Miniature paintings, hand block textiles, silver jewellery, leather accessories |
Table of Contents
5 Key Things to Know About Udaipur:
- The city was founded in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II as the new capital of the Mewar kingdom.
- Udaipur is referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’ and the ‘City of Lakes’ for its interconnected lakes and grand palaces.
- Udaipur served as a shooting location for many Hollywood and Bollywood blockbusters like Octopussy, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani.
- It is lovingly called one of the most romantic cities of India where destination weddings are popular.
- In 2023, Udaipur made it to the Forbes list of 50 most spectacular destinations in the world for a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.
The Genesis of Udaipur ⚔️
Udaipur, originally named after its brave ruler Maharana Udai Singh II as Udaipur, has a glorious founding story behind it. When the Mewar kingdom was under attack in 1567, the valiant Maharana retreated to protect his people and established a new kingdom free from enemy attack. He chose a protected valley surrounded by lush Aravalli hills near Pichola Lake for his capital city.
Some key dates in Udaipur’s history:
- 1559 – Maharana Udai Singh II lays the foundation stone for the city of Udaipur.
- 1567 – Historic transfer of the capital from Chittorgarh to the newly established city ruled by the house of Sisodias.
- 1572 – Consecration of Jag Niwas, now called the magnificent City Palace as the seat of the Maharanas of Mewar.
- 1884 – Udaipur was connected to the rest of India by rail, boosting tourism and trade.
? Legacy of the Maharanas
Udaipur blossomed under the rule of 76 generation of brave Sisodia Rajputs – the Maharanas of Mewar, as a center of art, trade and culture through the medieval era. The Maharanas had a progressive outlook, establishing political alliances and trade relations with the Mughals. But they fiercely protected their independence in times of conflict.
- Maharana Pratap gallantly stood up to Emperor Akbar during a historic battle at Haldighati in 1576. His bravery made him an icon of Rajput valor. There are many monuments dedicated to Maharana Pratap across Udaipur including an equestrian statue and Bagore ki Haveli, his former residence.
- The prosperity under the stable rule of Maharana Sajjan Singh (1874-1884) earned Udaipur the name ‘the most beautiful city in Rajasthan‘. He also modernized civic governance with schools, hostels and municipalities.
- The trend of lavish destination weddings began when Maharana Bhagwat Singh (1955-1984) married off his royal daughters in grand style at Udaipur’s palaces. Ever since, its fame for fairy tale royal weddings has only grown globally!
Three regal residences define Udaipur’s majestic skyline:
- City Palace – Marbled splendor by Lake Pichola with a riot of courtyards, gardens, palatial rooms, halls, towers and balconies on display.
- Lake Palace – An ethereal white wonder floating like a magical vision in Lake Pichola where James Bond romance unfolded!
- Monsoon Palace – A romantic hilltop palace overlooking Udaipur city and where the sunset views just take your breath away!
? Behind the Lens of Udaipur
Udaipur casts an instantly captivating spell and it’s no wonder many movies have chosen its exotic locales and opulent properties as narratively powerful shooting locations.
- The romantic comedy Octopussy famously shot the stunning white Lake Palace in Pichola Lake as the lair of the mysterious Octopussy! Roger Moore dazzled as James Bond in this 1983 hit.
- The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and its sequel brought attention to Udaipur as a global retirement destination with unforgettable panoramas.
- Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani made a whole generation fantasize about travel goals to this ‘city of dreams’ with its scenes against the breath-taking backdrop of Fateh Sagar Lake and the iconic Taj Lake Palace.
- Historical dramas like Bajirao Mastani and epic fantasies like Immortals have also captured Udaipur’s grand beauty.
The majestic ambience of Udaipur has launched it in recent years as a celebrity wedding venue too! Foreigners are flocking for royal weddings at the Jag Mandir and Udaipur palaces.
? Festivals and Celebrations Galore
Udaipur comes alive in the most vibrant hues during its spirited festival calendar that reflects its rich local art forms and culture:
- Holi – Called the Festival of Colours, Udaipur outdoes itself with its unique style of playing with organic colours, low-toxicity watercolours and flower extracts during Holi. The iconic 150-year old Holika Dahan also takes place in front of the City Palace. Foreign tourists love this high-energy spring festival!
- Shilpgram Festival is Udaipur’s annual art and craft gala event held every winter. Hundreds of artists and craftsmen from all over India gather to display and sell exotic artwork, handicrafts, traditional performances and cultural celebrations.
- ** Gangaur Festival** honours the goddess of prosperity, Gauri with a colorful procession of local women carrying her idol to immerse in Lake Pichola, wishing for marital bliss. The mini-version celebration called Navratri also brings out traditional dancers to the Jagadish Chowk square.
- Mewar Festival marks the arrival of spring and the solar new year by invoking Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The women of Udaipur dress up in their finest colorful Rajasthani skirts called ghagra choli and participate in cultural events. The majestic City Palace also hosts a mega celebration!
So come immerse yourself in Udaipur’s storied past and vibrant living heritage! Each nook and corner of this city has captivating tales to tell from the bravery of its rulers to the romance of its majestic palaces and adrenaline-charged action scenes filmed here! Let the majestic beauty of the City of Lakes bedazzle you every step of the way!
✅ Key Takeaways on Facts About Udaipur
- The brave Maharana Udai Singh II established Udaipur in 1559 as the capital of the Mewar kingdom when under enemy attack. Its location amidst lush hills by Lake Pichola provided natural protection.
- 76 generations of Sisodia clan Rajputs ruled as the glorious Maharanas of Mewar making Udaipur prosper as a center of art, culture and trade through the Medieval and British colonial eras.
- Iconic palaces like the marbled City Palace complex, the floating Lake Palace and hilltop Monsoon Palace dominate Udaipur’s skyline.
- Udaipur’s exotic locales have appeared in many Hollywood and Bollywood movies like Octopussy, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani.
- Vibrant festivals, traditional arts and crafts and royal weddings unfold against the romantic landscape of this magical city of lakes.
So are you tempted already to visit the glorious land once ruled by brave warriors and create a fairytale chapter in incredible India’s magnificent history? The Venice of the East welcomes you with open arms for an adventure through bygone eras filled with living culture, heritage and legends galore!