Udaipur · Lakes & Southern
Lake Pichola is an artificial freshwater lake created in 1362 by a Banjara named Pichhu, whom it is named after, and later enlarged by Maharana Udai Singh II in the 16th century. It is surrounded by hills, palaces, temples, ghats and embankments, with the Lake Palace (Jag Niwas) and Jag Mandir as its island palaces. A boat ride across the lake is a signature Udaipur experience.
Gangaur is one of the most important festivals of Mewar, celebrated with great devotion in Udaipur. Elaborate processions carry images of Gauri (goddess Parvati) through the old city to the Gangaur Ghat on Lake Pichola, marking the worship of Shiva and Parvati. The lakeside ceremonies and cultural performances draw large crowds.
Celebrated to welcome the spring season in Udaipur, the Mewar Festival coincides with the Gangaur festival of Mewar. Colorful processions carrying images of Goddess Gauri wind from the City Palace area to Gangaur Ghat on Lake Pichola. Folk music, dance and a boat procession on the lake are major attractions.
An annual rural arts and crafts fair held at Shilpgram near Udaipur, showcasing the craftsmanship of Rajasthan and other Indian states. Artisans from across the country display pottery, textiles, metalwork, sculptures and paintings. The event is lively with folk music, dance and traditional food in a village setting.
Dharohar is an evening folk dance show performed daily at the 18th-century Bagore Ki Haveli on the banks of Lake Pichola. It features folk dances of Rajasthan and Gujarat performed by more than 40 artists in the haveli's inner courtyard. It is a major evening attraction for visitors to Udaipur.
The main Jagdish Temple in Udaipur performs daily aarti rituals including mangla, shringar, bhoga, sandhya and shayan aarti. The largest evening aarti draws many devotees and visitors to this historic 1651 temple of Lord Vishnu. Lamps, bells and devotional hymns fill the intricately carved stone courtyard.
PalaceThe City Palace complex, begun in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II, is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan…
HeritageJag Mandir is an island palace on Lake Pichola built by Maharana Karan Singh in the early 17th century and co…
TempleJagdish Temple is a large Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Jagannath), built in 1651 by Maharana Jagat…
LakeFateh Sagar Lake is an artificial lake in the north of Udaipur, originally built in 1687 by Maharana Jai Sing…