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City Palace, Udaipur "
Rajasthan "
The City Palace is a landmark structure right in
the heart of the enchanting ‘city of dawn’- Udaipur.
Enclosed within crenellated walls, atop a beautiful hillock, this
magnificent palace of granite and white marbles reflects a fine
blend of Medieval European and ancient Chinese architecture. The
complex is full of rare treasures including fountains, buildings,
balconies, towers, cupolas and sprawling courtyards. Interiors of
the buildings present lavish use of marble and mirror works, frescoes
and wall paintings.
It was Maharaja Udai Singh, who laid the foundation stone of this
vast architectural complex, which got its final touch after many
additions by subsequent Maharajas. So organized and integrated the
complex is that it becomes difficult to believe that the palace
was not conceived as a whole.
There are four main and several minor palaces inside the City
Palace. The complex also houses the biggest and most beautiful temple
of Udaipur ‘the Jagdish Temple’-dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Some of the prime attractions within the complex include the Hawa
Mahal, Dilkhusha Mahal (Palace of Joy), Moti Mahal (Palace of Pearls),
Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) and Krishna Mahal. These palaces
are lavishly decorated with colors and paintings. Another interesting
site is the Mor Chowk, known for its unique peacock motif in mosaic.
Also noteworthy is the Chini Chitrashala with its blue and white
ceramics. The triple arched gate ‘Tripolia’, built in
1725, forms the main entrance to the complex. At the highest point
lies the Amar Vilas with its magnificent hanging gardens, towers
and terraces amidst panoramic view of the picturesque Pichola Lake
and the town beyond.
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