Famous Historical Places in Udaipur | Monuments of Udaipur
The famous city of lakes is a perfect place to visit with your family or friends. There are many historical places in Udaipur. Udaipur is also popular for its vibrant markets, iconic temples, and palatial buildings as it is for its scenic lakes – Pichola, Fateh Sagar, and Jaisamand. There are some Interesting Facts about Udaipur, that tell about its uniqueness of history. Once home to the valiant Mewar dynasty, Udaipur boasts of rich history, culture, and traditions.
List of Historical Places in Udaipur
1. Jagdish Temple, Udaipur
Jagdish Temple, built in 1651, is one of the best historical places in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this temple was built by Maharana Jagat Singh, who ruled the region from 1628 to 1653. This three-storied temple has finely decorated Indo-Aryan architecture and has beautifully carved pillars. Its 24-meter-high spire displays intricately sculpted images of musicians, elephants, dancers, and horsemen.
Interestingly, the idol of the presiding deity in the sanctum sanctorum has been carved out of a single piece of black stone. Apart from this, four small temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Shakti, and Sun God are also present in the temple premises. A visit to this religious place will bring good luck in your Udaipur trip and yes, lots of wonderful memories too!
2. City Palace, Udaipur
The magnificent City Palace holds great historical importance as it once served as the administrative complex of the Maharanas of Udaipur. This beautiful palace was built by Maharana Udai Singh II and was built by his successors for over 400 years. Made of marble and granite, the building blends Chinese, medieval, and European architectural styles.
There are 11 small palaces and many other amazing structures throughout the complex. The view of the exterior of the palace will surely delight you, and so will the interior featuring intricate marble-work, inlay-work, mirror-work, and wall paintings. Situated at an altitude of about 598 meters above sea level, the palace complex also offers the most stunning views of the picturesque Lake Pichola and find the best Shopping Places in Udaipur near City Palace, where you can buy local handicraft items.
3. Bagore Ki Haveli, Udaipur
One of the best historic places in Udaipur is Bagore ki Haveli, which was built between 1751 and 1778 by Amarchand Badwa, the Prime Minister of Mewar State. After his demise, the place was taken over by the royal family of Mewar. A triple-arched entrance gate was added to this building during the rule of Maharaja Shakti Singh in 1878 and since then it has been famous as Bagore ki Haveli. It remained in the possession of the Mewar State until 1947 when it came under the supervision of the Rajasthan State Government.
There are approximately 138 rooms in the complex, each with stunning mirrors and glasswork as well as stunning murals. The courtyards, arches, fountains, balconies, and ‘jharokhas’ are simply fascinating. Apart from this, the folk dance performances organized on the campus will surely leave you mesmerized!
4. Saheliyon Ki Bari, Udaipur
Built by Maharana Sangram Singh in the 18th century, Saheliyon Ki Bari (or the Garden of the Maids) is famous for its beautiful fountains, lush lawns, and marble structures. According to legends, the king himself had planned this garden for his beloved queen and the 48 young women who accompanied her to the wedding.
Situated on the banks of the Fateh Sagar Lake, this garden also houses a museum that has a collection of royal objects. The evening time is the best time to visit this park as the sound of chirping birds, the water flowing through its canals and the dying rays of the sun ensure that you have a pleasant experience here.
5. Ahar Memorial, Udaipur
The small town of Ahar is famous for housing the monuments of the great rulers and queens of the Mewar kingdom. 372 such monuments have been built here in 400 years; The last belonged to Bhagwat Singh, the last Maharana of the city. Due to the intricate craftsmanship and elaborate motifs, each monument has attractive features and looks like a temple belonging to the 15th century.
Once you have explored this place, visit the nearby Government Museum to see some old objects and sculptures that are believed to date back to 3300 years check out some famous Forts and Palaces in Udaipur to know about Udaipur history.
6. Moti Magri, Udaipur
Situated on the banks of Fateh Sagar Lake, Moti Magri is popular for featuring the magnificent bronze statue of Maharana Pratap and his gallant ride, Chetak. This statue was built by Maharana Bhagwat Singh in 1948 and is a tribute to the courage shown by Maharana Pratap and Chetak in the battle of Haldighati.
As you click pictures of the monument as you stroll along the lush green hill of Moti Magri, visit the nearby Japanese Rock Garden and spend some time there. If you are there at sunset, then the view of Fateh Sagar Lake at that time will surely give you a serene experience.
7. Sajjangarh Palace, Udaipur
The 19th-century Sajjangarh Palace is one of the most prominent historical places in Udaipur city. Built by Maharana Sajjan Singh in 1884, this palace was initially used as an astronomical center, but later, it was also used as a hunting lodge and monsoon palace. This white marble building stands at a height of about 944 meters on the Banasadra hill and has a beautiful bronze statue of Maharana Pratap, a grand central court, fountains, and royal quarters with intricately decorated jharokhas, So Sajjangarh Palace is the most famous place to visit in Udaipur.
The best time to witness the majesty of this palace is during the monsoons. Situated at the foot of the Banasdra hill is the Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary, which is abundant in flora and fauna and can be visited along with the palace.
8. Ghanta Ghar, Udaipur
Built some 130 years ago, the Ghanta Ghar is the city’s first public clock with an interesting history. The story goes that there was a huge conflict between the Muslim community of Bohra and the Hindu community of moneylenders over a small matter. As a punishment for this struggle, each of these communities was fined Rs 5000 by Rai Pannalal Mehta, the then-head of the Mewar state. He then convinced Maharana Fateh Singh to build a clock tower at the same place where the conflict had started as a symbol of peace.
The 50-foot bell tower we see today was brought from London and is today considered one of the most popular historical attractions in Udaipur.
9. Eklingji Temple, Udaipur
Built by Bappa Rawal in the 8th century, the Eklingji Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who was worshiped by the Mewar rulers. It was at one time under attack from the Mughals; however, it was repaired and brought back to its original condition by the Mewar rulers.
Featuring a pyramid-style top with a carved tower, this two-story structure has a pavilion that houses a silver image of Nandi as well as two others made of brass and black stone. The main attraction of the temple is the 50 feet beautiful marble statue of Lord Shiva or Eklingji with four faces depicting his four forms. Visiting this site is a must as it is counted among the top 10 temples in Udaipur!
10. Haldighati, Udaipur
The hill pass of Haldighati, which connects the Pali and Rajsamand districts, marks the site where the famous battle of 1576 was fought between Raja Man Singh of Amber and Rana Pratap Singh of Mewar; The first emperor was the general of Akbar. This is the battle where King Maharana Pratap and his horse, Chetak lost their lives and are etched in the history books forever that’s why it is the best historic place in Udaipur.
This hill pass is a part of the Aravalli mountains and is named Haldighati because of the yellow color of its soil, which looks exactly like turmeric.