AIO Museums

City Palace Museum

Pratap Museum, While entering the City palace the straight way goes to the Government Pratap Museum housed with old sculptures and inscriptions. The antique paintings of Mewar, the turban of prince Khurram later on called Shah Jahan, who built the world famous Taj Mahal has also been displayed here as a token of friendship of Maharana Khazan Singh. Next to Fateh Prakash Palace, houses glass and mirror works.

Opens at: 0930 hrs. Last Admission: 1630 hrs.
Entry Fee: Adult: Rs.50 Child: Rs.30
All Type Of Cameras: Rs.200
Phone No.: +91294 2419023

Ahar Museum

Ahar Museum, where on display is limited but very rare earthen pottery, as well as some sculptures and other archaeological finds. Some pieces date back to 1700 BC and a tenth century metal figure of Buddha is a special attraction. Photography is not allowed.

Baghore Ki Haveli Museum

The cultural museum within Baghore Ki Haveli has a wide variety of royal objects on display. See hookahs, nut crackers, jewellery boxes, rose water sprinkler, hand fans and more.

Strall along wide corridors and enjoy a regal experience as you marvel at luxurious private chambers that were used by the ladies of the royal household.

Timings: 1000 hrs. to 1730 hrs.
Entry Fee: Indian - Rs.15
Foreigner - Rs.25
Child - Rs.7
Still Camera: Rs.10
Video Camera: Rs.50
Phone No.: +91294 2422567

Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal Museum

An interesting collection exhibited by this small museum and foundation for the preservation and promotion of local folk arts includes dresses, turbans, dolls, masks, musical instruments, paintings and its high point puppets. Regular 20 minute puppet shows are held daily and are included in the admission charge.

Timings: 0900 hrs. to 1930 hrs.
Entry Fee: Adult - Rs.20
Child - Rs.15
Still Camera: Rs.10
Phone No.: +91294 2422567

Daily Special Programs

Puppet show and Rajasthani Folk Dance (1 hour)

Timings: 1800 hrs. to 1900 hrs.
Entry Fee: Adult - Rs.30
Child - Rs.15
Foreigner - Rs.50
Still Camera: Rs.10
Phone No.: +91294 2422567

Shilpgram Museum

Situated 3kms. west of Udaipur near the Havala Village is the center's Shilpgram - the rural arts and crafts complex. Spread over an undulating terrain of 70 acres of land and surrounded by the Aravallis, the rural arts and crafts complex is conceived as a living enthnographic museum to depict the lifestyles of the folk and tribal people of the West Zone. Within this complex, huts of the member states are constructed incorporating traditional architectural features of different geographical and ethnic groups residing within the West Zone of India comprising of 5 federal states.

Timings: 1100 hrs. to 1900 hrs.
Entry Fee: Indian/Foreigner - Rs.15/Rs.25
Child - Rs.7
Phone No.: +91294 2419023

Tribal Museum

The museum within the Tribal Research Institute is the city's best kept secret with an unsually imaginative display of items. One can witness life like scenes through the display of artifacts. It has a well stocked and well maintained library for those wishing to learn more about the tribal culture of Rajasthan.

Entry is Free.

All in one!

Jagdish Temple

Located only 150m north of the entrance to the city palace, this fine Indo-Aryan Temple was built by Maharana Jagat Singh I in 1651 and enshrines a Black Stone image of Lord Vishnu as Jagannath, Lord of the Universe. The exterior and plinth are covered with bas-relief of musicians of alligators, elephants, horsemen and cellestial musicians rise in tiers. The walls are ornamented with delicate carvings that reflect the lifestyle of the 1500s, and which have been compared to those of Khajuraho. Chanting bells and music can be heard throughout the day. It is largest and most splendid temple of Udaipur.

Darshan Timings: 0500 hrs to 1400 hrs and 1600 hrs to 2200 hrs

Ahar Jain Temple

This is a Jain temple which is resplendent with intricately carved marble which should not be missed. There is also a Vishnu Temple in the vicinity which has interesting relief work.

Neemach Mata Temple

The temple is dedicated to the Goddess Neemach Mata Devi who is aid to be three entities of Shakti (The Powerful), Saraswati (The Wise One) and Durga (The Destroyer). Nestled on a hilltop near Fateh Sagar Lake, it is popular among those who wish to maintain good relations with the Goddess and is even used by the health freaks who walk up to the temple by climbing 600 steps.

Sheetal Nath Temple

One of the oldest temples in the city, this Jain temple is known for its intricate mirror and glass mosaic work. The decor is simple, yet beautiful with the walls, ceilings and columns sparkling with attractive designs. Some of them are geometric, others pictorial. Photography is not allowed.

Mahasatiya (Cremation Site)

When Maharana Amar Singh I (1597-1620) died, he was cremated at Ahar, where he had spent his last days. At the same spot, his son, Maharana Karan Singh (1620-1628) raised a magnificent chhatri or cenotaph in memory of his father. Since then, Ahar has been the Mewar royal family's mahasati (cremation site). It is graced by memorial cenotaphs; handsome columns raised on lofty terraces support vaulted roofs, the architraves of which are enormous single blocks. All are constructed of white marble and are encircled by the sacred Gangabhar Kund (tank). Each was carved with decorations that resemble some 15th century temples located nearby and contain, in addition to the image of Shiva, a single upright stone on which are carved figures representing the Maharana and each of his Satis (his wives who perished in his cremation flames). Nineteen Maharanas who ruled and died in Udaipur have cenotaphs here, including Swaroop Singh, Shambhu Singh, Sajjan Singh, Fateh Singh, Bhupal Singh, and Bhagwat Singh Mewar. Another fine specimen is the cenotaph of Sangram Singh II who, in 1734, was cremated with twenty-one wives. It has a fifty-six pillared portico with an octagonal dome in the centre, supported by eight small pillars.

Baghore Ki Haveli

Perched on the Gangori Ghat on the banks of the dazzling Lake Pichhola. It was constructed by Amir Chand Badwa, who was the Prime Minister at the Mewar Royal Court during his time. This medieval Haveli with more than hundred rooms was condemned to neglect till it was revamped in the year 1986 when the West Zone Cultural Center was setup here. After Amir Chand Badwa passed away the Haveli became the property of the Royal state of Mewar. The haveli now stages evening's entertainment; the performance of Rajasthani traditional dance and music in the moody surroundings of the haveli.

Sajjan Garh Fort (Monsoon Palace)

A huge palace on one of the highest peaks around, Bansdara Mountain, 5 km. west of the city towards Rampura. Beginning in 1883, Maharana Sajjan Singh (1874-1884) commissioned Sajjangarh, for two reasons. First, it was to be used as a resort by the Maharanas of Mewar, a summer retreat for watching the progress of the monsoon clouds over the surrounding areas (which led to its nickname of the Monsoon Palace). Second, it provided work for those without means. Maharana Sajjan Singh did not complete this palace during his lifetime; it was completed later by Maharana Fateh Singh. From the palace's lofty vantage point, the view of the Aravalli Hills, lakes, forests and rivers beyond the dazzling whitewashed town is breathtaking. During the monsoons, the fort's distant silhouette is shrouded in a haze of clouds and rain.

City Palace

Standing on the east bank of Lake Pichola is a massive series of palaces built at different times from 1559. The balconies of the palace provide panoramic views of "Jag Niwas" (the Lake Palace Hotel), Jag Mandir on one side and on the other the city of Udaipur. Its main entrance is through the triple-arched gate - the Tripolia, built in 1725. The way now leads to a series of courtyards, overlapping parations, terraces, corridors and gardens. There is a Suraj Gokhda, where the maharanas of Mewar presented themselves in the times of trouble to the people to restore confidence. The Mor-chowk (Peacock courtyard), gets its name from the mosaics in glass decorating its walls. The chini chitrashala is noteworthy while a series of wall paintings of Krishna are on display in Bhim Vilas. There are numerous other palaces such as Dilkhush mahal, Sheesh mahal, Moti mahal and Krishna vilas - in memory of a princess of striking beauty who poisoned herself to avert a bloody battle for her hand by rival princes. Now the palace contains many antique articles, paintings, decorative furniture and utensils and attracts thousands of visitors every day.The former guesthouse of the city palace, Shiv Niwas and the Fateh Prakash Palace have been converted into heritage hotels.

Opens at: 0930 hrs. Last Admission: 1630 hrs.
Phone No.: +91294 2419023

Shilpgram Festival

Shilpgram Festival

The Shilpgram Crafts Mela in Udaipur is a crafts lover paradise. A crafts men village in the literal sense, the Shilpgram Crafts Mela is a fair for depicting the diversities in art, craft and culture between various Indian States. The fair ground is situated at the foot of the Aravalli hills and consists of 26 huts pertaining to various states is set amidst 70 acres of lush green land.

It is situated 3 kms west of Udaipur near the Havala village. The craft fair gives us the opportunity to have a glimpse of the lifestyles of the tribal people.

The ideal time to visit Udaipur to enjoy the Shilpgram Festival is during the winter months of November and December.

Features:

The crafts fair aim is to propagate the importance of rural arts and crafts especially among the younger generation. Workshops are conducted on theater, music, arts and crafts to enhance the interest.

The fair acts as a place where the rural and urban artists can exchange their views. The mela also helps in promoting the urban potters, visual artists and designers.

A craft bazaar is put up where the various works are put up on display and for sale. This helps in opening up an economic side for the artists.

A program called Shilpdarshan is an integral part of this Shilpgram Crafts Mela. According to this activity, traditional performing artists are invited to demonstrate their skills and sell their products.

In this crafts fair, Rajasthan is represented by the Weaver's community of Marwar by 5 huts. Two sand bound villages of Rama and Sham are represented by 2 huts. Mewar's potter community from the village named Dhol is present. The tribal communities of Bhil and the Sehariyas are represented by 2 huts.