Udaipur
Often described as Venice of the East, Udaipur is undoubtedly a very special town. Founded in 1559 by Udai Singh, it was the capital of the royal kingdom of Mewar and is still home to Udai Singh’s decedents.
The creation of the city has an interesting legend associated with it. According to legend, Maharana Udai Singh, the founder, was hunting one day when he met a holy man meditating on a hill overlooking the Lake Pichhola. The man blessed the Maharana and recommended that he build a palace.
Also known as the City of Lakes, what makes the place so special and draws hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, is the sophisticated man-made lake system, seven of which surround the city, and the stunning palaces and havelis that climb from its shores.
The Taj Lake Palace was constructed between 1743-1746 on the island of Jag Niwas in the middle of Lake Pichola. The palace was used as a summer retreat by the Mewar family. The walls are made of black and white marbles from Rajnagar and are adorned by semi-precious stones and ornamented niches. Gardens, fountains, pillared terraces and columns line its courtyards. Its location on an island in the midst of a lake affords every room breathtaking views of the neighboring City Palace, Aravalli Hills, Machla Magra Hills and Jag Mandir.