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Udaipur is famous
around the world as the City Of Lakes or Venice of The East. The
Pichola Lake, Fateh Sagar, Udai Sagar and Swaroop Sagar in this city
are considered some of the most beautiful lakes in the state. Fateh
Sagar contains two small islands, one of which contains USO, or
Udaipur solar observatory, and the other one has a beautiful garden
called Nehru Garden.
Udaipur is well connected to the world through land, rail and air.
It is known for its Rajput -era palaces. Particularly famous is the
Lake Palace, which entirely covers a small island in the Pichola
Lake. Many of the palaces have been converted into luxury hotels.
The City Palace, or the Palace of the then King of Mewar, is one of
the most beautiful places to visit in the city.
Udaipur is also home to the Udaipur Soliatary one of the six
stations participating in the international Global Oscillations
Network Group (GONG) which is aimed at the determination of the
physical properties of the solar interior.
Founded in 1568 By Maharaja Udai Singh II following the final
sacking of Chittorgarh by the Mughal Emperor, Akbar, Udaipur rivals
any of the world-famous creations of the Mughals with its Rajput
love of the whimsical and its superbly crafted elegance. The lake
Palace is certainly the best late example of this unique culture
explosion, but udaipur is full of palaces.
Udaipur, city of sunrise, is one of Rajasthan's biggest tourist
draws. Its cobblestoned old city hugs the shore of green Lake
Pichhola, whose serene waters harbor two exotic island palaces. On
shore, its whitewashed havelis, lush gardens, and massive city
palace complex inspire hours of awe and contemplation. Although this
longtime capital of the mewar kingdom hasn't altogether managed to
fend off the chaos and pollution of industry, the old city of
monumental architectural and aesthetic importance, Udaipur should
certainly take up several days in tourists' itineraries.
Maharaja Udai Singh II moved the Mewari capital to Udaipur after the
final siege of Chittaurgarh in 1568. Upon his death four years
later, he was succeeded by his son, Pratap, who remains the most
revered of the mewari rulers for his legendary heroism during the
repeated Mughal attacks that followed. As the city thrived, the
Udaipuri School of miniature painting developed and many of the
city's majestic palaces built. In 1736, the city was crippled by the
mighty Marathas, but it bounced back again with British aid, somehow
managing to remain firmly independent. Since then, the city's arts
have continued to flourish, James Bond films notwithstanding (Roger
Moore's octopussy was filmed here.
Possibly no city in Rajasthan is quite as romantic as udaipur. The
French Impressionist painters, let alone the brothers Grimm, would
have loved this place, and its not without justification that
Udaipur has been called the Venice of the east. The city was once
surrounded by a wall and, although the gates and much of the wall
over the higher crags remain, a great deal of it has disappeared.
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