City Palace Udaipur
The magnificent City Palace Udaipur stands on the bank of the Lake Pichola. This palace happens to be one of the major attractions of Lake City, Udaipur. Udai Singh laid the foundation stone of this palace, though subsequent owners too added more chambers to the palace. The lake is almost on the doorstep of the palace, and it provides a picturesque backdrop to the structure. The palace has been converted into a heritage hotel, and it is easy to see why the spot is so popular with honeymooners.
The majestic structure has multiple entrances leading to it. The Hati Pol, also known as the Elephant Gate, is the most majestic entrance. It is guarded by an elephant carved in stone. Elephants were a popular symbol of royalty in Rajasthan, as they symbolize power, wisdom, and majesty. The Bada Pol is the next gate, while the Tripoli is the last entrance. The Tripoli has an interesting royal custom associated with it. During times of famine, or royal celebrations, the king would be weighed at this gate on a weighing scale.
The majestic structure has multiple entrances leading to it. The Hati Pol, also known as the Elephant Gate, is the most majestic entrance. It is guarded by an elephant carved in stone. Elephants were a popular symbol of royalty in Rajasthan, as they symbolize power, wisdom, and majesty. The Bada Pol is the next gate, while the Tripoli is the last entrance. The Tripoli has an interesting royal custom associated with it. During times of famine, or royal celebrations, the king would be weighed at this gate on a weighing scale.
The equivalent amount of gold and silver from the royal treasury would be distributed among the people. The Moti Mahal, the royal apartments, is exquisitely done in tiny mirrors, glinting in the light. Another similar palace complex is the Sheesh Mahal, the Palace of Mirrors, with thousands of tiny mirrors set in the walls. The Suraj Gokhada is where the people omce assembled to hear the king’s speech.
The Mor Chowk, or Peacock Square, takes its name from the colored glass peacocks adorning the walls. In the Manak Mahal, you will see some beautiful items of crystal and ceramics, testifying to the royal luxury of the times. The Krishna Vilas depicts the life of the royalty in more peaceful times, when hunting used to be one of their favored pastimes. In stark contrast, the paintings in Bhim Vilas depict the deity Lord Krishna, accompanied by his consort Radha.
The Amar Vilas has beautiful gardens, with delicate blooms on slender creepers, and magnificently terraced flower beds. The Chini Chitrasala, Chinese Art House, has a design similar to that of Chinese palaces. It is easy to see that the much aware kings of Udaipur wanted their palace to reflect not just traditional Rajasthani grandeur, but also the beauty of global architectural styles.
Today, part of the palace houses a hotel, so you may not be able to tour those parts unless you are a hotel guest. However, most of the palace is open to visitors, and you can tour the beautiful chambers, gardens, and museums inside the City Palace Complex without trouble
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