UDAIPUR is also known as the "City of Palaces", a "Fairyland" and a "Vision in Dream". It is surrounded by hills, mountains, and its beautiful palaces are mirrored in the calm blue water of Lake Pichola. Udaipur, as the capital of Mewar, was created by Maharana Udai Singh in 1568. The lakeside city was built on a small wooded plain encircled by mountains, which was in direct contrast to the masculinity of Chittor and Kumbhalgarh.

The houses and temples of the old city stretch out around the Lake Pichola in a pale honeycomb that makes Udaipur an oasis of colors in a stark and arid region like Rajasthan.

Udaipur has a tropical climate, but more pleasing than other places in Rajasthan. In the summers, mercury rises up to a maximum of 38.3°C. Not much respite is there in the summers, as the minimum temperature does not fall below 28ºC. Winters are a little cold with the maximum temperature rising to 28.8°C and the minimum dipping to 11.6°C. The annual total rainfall is 61 cm. Winters (September-March) are the best period for visiting Udaipur.

It is the jewel of Mewar, a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1,200 years, making it the oldest dynasty in India, perhaps in the world! Claiming descent from Surya, the sun God, they were the only Rajput princes who steadfastly refused to marry with the powerful Mughals. The capital of Sisodias was Chittor, until the 6th century, when it was moved to Udaipur, named after Maharana Udai Singh. According to legend, the Maharana was out hunting one day when he met a holy man meditating on a hill overlooking the Lake Pichola. The hermit blessed the Maharana and told him to built a palace at that very spot, as it would be well protected.

The Maharana followed his advice and Udaipur came into being! Over-looking the aquamarine waters of the Lake Pichola stands the shimmering granite and marble Lake Palace, a harmonious blend of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. Eight marble porticos mark the spot where the Mewar sovereigns were weighed in gold, the equivalent value of which was then distributed to the poor.

What make Udaipur truly memorable are the exquisite lake palaces, shimmering like jewels on Lake Pichola. Jag Niwas, the summer residence of the princes of Mewar, is today a luxury hotel of breathtaking magnificence. Jag Mandir, the other island palace, is a marvel of red sandstone, with a marble dome. The mosaic pools and fountains of Sahelion-ki-Bari near Fateh Sagar Lake are open to the public.

The whitewashed City Palace seems to float out of the blue Pichola water. Here one finds a maze of inter-connected courtyards, corridors, and rooms. Some have lovely inlaid pietra durra mirror work walls, scalloped arched windows with colored glass panes, glazed mosaic tiles, and sculptured bas relief decorations like the famous dancing peacocks in Mor Chowk. Parts of this old palace complex house a museum endowed by the Maharana Mewar Foundation.

Lake Palace or Jagat Niwas is a white marble summer residence of the princes of Mewar, which was built in 1746 by Jagat Singh. Set on an island, the whole Palace appears to float on the blue water of Lake Pichola. The airy stucco complex with dainty balconies, terrace gardens, water fountains and arched windows, reflects the brightness of the sun, sky and lake. The interiors are profusely decorated with paintings, stained glass and crystal.

In the midst of the lake stands another piece de resistance, Jag Mandir. It a lake retreat built by the Maharana as a refuge for Prince Shahjahan. The Palace, made in red sandstone of translucent thinness, was once laid with jasper, jade and rubies. It has spacious courtyards, a beautifully proportioned white marble dome, high ceiling rooms, majestic cupolas, arched pavilions and a garden planted with trees and flowering creepers. A beautiful structure here is the temple of universe. With stone colonnades, it is dedicated to the lord of the universe. The temple of Jagdish is built in classical style and is dedicated to Vishnu. It was built by Jagat Singh I in the midst of the city, on the street that leads to the palace. Its walls are covered with bas-relief, friezes of makar (crocodiles), elephants, carved dancers statue of Garuda.

Saheliyojn-Ki-Bari was designed by Maharana Fateh Singh on the embankment of Fateh Singh Lake, towards the north of Lake Pichola. A Lotus pool, flowerbeds, lawns, fountains and marble pavilions in Rajputana style, all combine to make it an enchanting place. The hill top Sajjangarh Palace fort in the west of Udaipur is a vantage point, from where a magnificent view of the city, its lakes and palaces can be enjoyed.