Location: Udaipur, Rajasthan
Importance: One of the most picturesque lakes in India
Best time to visit Lake Pichola: July to August
Things to see / do / palace / temples / Art Gallery / boating / lakes / birds / game / sanctuary / marble / granites / 5 star / heritage hotels / resorts / Royal parties in and around Lake Pichola , Udaipur, Rajasthan
Given name after the close at hand Picholi Village, two islands in the vicinity known as Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir are positioned within Pichola Lake. On its seashore are the Oberoi Udaivilas, the Leela Palace Kempinski , twin heritage hotels - Shiv Niwas and Fateh Prakash - and the City Palace museum.
Folklore say that it was produced near the beginning in the 15th century, for the duration of the period of influence of Maharana Lakha by a Banjara tribesman, Pichhu Banjara who erected a bridge over it as his bullocks failed to cross the watercourse of the Lake. Soon after it was engorged by Maharaja Udai Singh and put up a stone masonry dam known as Badi Pol. For decades together, the lake and backdrop have been urbanized and it has been converted into a major tourist magnetism.
Jag Niwas Island is completely enclosed by the Lake Palace, a 250 year elderly white marble and mosaic summer palace. One of the most passionate spaces in the world, it is a gorgeous palace, positioned in the middle of the Lake Pichola. The palace is at the moment a five star heritage hotel of the Taj Group of hotels, with stunning gardens and pavilions.
Come into view to be budding from clean blue water, it is the mainly photographed hotel in India. The palace was erected by Maharaja Jagat Singh as his summer dwelling in 1740. Its quad has a restaurant presenting spectacular picturesque views. Sheesh Mahal -The Mirror Palace, Krishna Vilas -The dwelling of Lord Krishna, Chini Chitrashala -Chinese Art Gallery, Mor Chowk -Peacock Court and the Amar Vilas -The Eternal residence are the chief appeal of this palace.
A slight further south is the Jag Mandir erected by Maharaja Karan Singh. It is noteworthy for the Gul Mahal, an arched pavilion which was constructed by Maharana Jagat Singh (1628-52). Even though, Jag Mandir was put up by Maharana Karan Singh, it derives its name from Maharana Jagat Singh who made a quantity of embellishments to it. He fabricated a Zenana' or the womens’ segment to the palace. Renowned as the star position in the movie Octopussy it has as well gained historical significance, when Prince Khurram, afterward Shah Jahan was given shelter here when he was in rebellion against his father, Mughal Emperor Jahangir. At the occasion of 1857 Sepoy mutiny, Maharana Swaroop Singh gave protection to European families in this palace.
This is a three storied structure, assembled of yellow sandstone devoted to the Lord of the Universe. Its internal lining is finished of marble. The interior is decorated with colored stones and at the moment it boasts various superb Mughal paintings. The courtyard core has delicately carved chhatri of exceptional grey-green granite. The island is well preserved, with fountains and has a line up of elephants that look like safeguarding the island. It is furthermore said that Jagmandir was the encouragement behind the Shah Jahan's Taj Mahal. He took a lot of ideas in particular the pieta dura work from Jag Mandir palace. Now this Island has hosted innumerable magnificent events through the decades as well as weddings and Royal parties.
With the exception of these two huge islands, there are quite a few other minor islands. On the western coastline of the Lake, immediately at the rear the Jag Niwas, is the Arsi Vilas Island where Swaroop Sagar Lake is linked to Lake Pichola by an vaulted bridge that was put up by Maharana Swaroop Singh. The bird sanctuary and Sitamata Game Sanctuary at this juncture, draw a large quantity of tourists. Erected by Maharana Arsi Singh, in order to gaze at the sunset from the central point of the lake, it has a low down platform at the back, which serves the function of a helipad when essential.
At the southern fraction of the lake, is a hill acknowledged as a Hora Magra where one can witness the Eklinggarh Fort. Towards the eastern bank of the lake one can observe City Palace of Udaipur the biggest palace complex in city. The northern region of the lake, there is the ritual ghat in which Gangaur Festival is celebrated. Devoted to Gauri, a materialization of Goddess Parvati, spouse of Lord Shiva, it is celebrated on the initial day of Chaitra, the day subsequent to Holi and continues for 18days.
Above and beyond Jag Mandir and Jag Niwas there is the Mohan Mandir and Natani ka Chabutra. The Mohan Mandir was erected amid 1628 and 1652 by Jagat Singh. Although it stares like a temple, it doesn’t have a deity. It was put up in memory of one of the unendorsed sons of Maharana Jagat Singh, Mohandas. Currently it is in possession of the State Government and is used for exhibition of fireworks for the duration of the Gangeur / Mewar festival.
Natini Chabutra, a hoisted platform in the patio built in the reminiscence of a natani , tightrope walker. There is a narrative behind it. Maharana Jawan Singh proffered half of the Mewar Kingdome to a tightrope walker if she traversed the lake from a village situated on the west bank to the City Palace on the East bank. But she was embittered as the rope got snapped and she sank in the lake. Before she drowned, she gave the curse to the Maharana family that there would not be any successor for them. That curse is believed to have come factual. Most gorgeous at sunrise and sunset, one can sit and get pleasure from this stunning lake on Lal Ghat, Gangaur Ghat and Hanuman Ghat . It in addition offers admirable opportunity for boat riding. The tourists are more often than not ferried in boats to their predestined hotels. One can take a boat from the City Palace jetty on Bansi Ghat.
Boating duration / Fee of Lake Pichola: Adult: Rs 250, Child Rs 130 per hour, and Adult: Rs 130, Child Rs 50 for 1/2 hr. The longer boat ride comprises a 20 minutes stop at Jagmandir Island.
How to Reach Lake Pichola
The lake is located only 3 km away from the bus station and railway station and 25 km from the airport. One could reach the lake by getting auto-rickshaws, Tongas, taxis or by local buses.The preferred location of movie makers, Lake Pichola is situated only 3 km away from the bus station and railway station and 25 km from the airport. One could arrive at the lake by getting auto rickshaws, Tongas, taxis or by buses.
By Air : Indian Airlines daily connects Udaipur with Jodhpur, Jaipur, Aurangabad, Mumbai and Delhi. Dabok Airport is 21 Km. from the city centre and transportation by taxi takes 35-45 minutes.
By Rail / train : The Railway Station is about 3 Km. from the city centre. Udaipur is directly connected by rail with Delhi, Jaipur, Ajmer, Chittaur, Jodhpur and Ahmedabad.
By Road / local transport: Udaipur is connected by National Highway No. 8, the major road link between Mumbai and Delhi. The Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh Road Transport Corporation operate buses to Udaipur from various regions. Private bus companies also operate in the region during night hours. The State Transport Bus Stand is on City Station Road, NH 8, Udaipur
For further tourist information / package tours / tour operators in Lake Pichola , Udaipur, Rajasthan , India:
Tourist Offices Rajasthan Tourism Reception Centre, Fateh Memorial, Suraj Pol, Udaipur Phone : 0294-2411535 l
RTDC Tourist Reception Centre , Dabok Airport, Udaipur , Ph: 0294- 2655433
