City Palace, Udaipur is a beautiful place, only I had just enough time to run through it. The thing that amazed me was the camera fee of 200 Indian rupees. I know the SLR toting (myself included) crowd may not mind it. But 200 rupees even if you wanted to use a cell phone camera did feel steep. This is the highest amount for a camera fee that I have encountered. For me the entry and the camera fee was taken care by The Rajputana who invited me to Udaipur.
The construction palace was started by the Maharana Udai Singh and many other kings over the years. I actually attended a session by Maharaja Arvind Singh of Udaipur where he mentioned that the Lake Palace used to be his summer home! ! But without much ado and detours let me present a photo feature of the City Palace, Udaipur, which is what I wanted to do from the beginning.
As far as I could figure out the tour could be done only in one way, which is a good thing for me, I don’t need much to get lost. But as I said I did a hurried trip and I could actually be wrong. I just kept following the signs and I got out of the place safe and sound. The stairs were the entry point for me into the palace.
To me the Sheesh Mahal was the grandest room of them all. I wonder what was it used for originally? Was it used for meetings and gatherings on special occasions, I wonder. There was an audio guide available, I paused around it but I knew I simply didn’t have time to do any justice to it if I hired one.
There are many spots within the palace which give a fabulous view of the Udaipur city. But then why would I expect any less, after all this a place fit for kings and queens!
I really like the use of colored glass in Rajasthani palaces. Hawa Mahal, Jaipur also has many such nooks and corners. I also feel a lot of such features had practical use as well. I wonder if these glasses were better at keeping the sun out? Now if only they would let me sit down with a book in a corner somewhere along this passage!
Whenever I look at such long passages, me of the 2-3 bedroom drawing dining mentality, end up thinking how my whole home would fit in many times over in this corridor itself!
I wonder if this is what is meant by wearing rose tint glasses? It, for sure, makes the view much more soothing to look at, even when the sun was harsh! But then what would I know, I hardly ever get to see the world through rose tint glasses, or do I actually get to do so sometimes?
The security personnel encouraged me to visit this section of the palace, as I was rushing out. You see, even by mistake I would not like to be left inside this vast palace. I am sure the resident ghosts must be coming out after the closing time to conduct their daily affairs! But I am glad I heeded to the advice as the section had a lot of silverware and beauties like this palki. However, after that I had only one thought, and it was to get out before the doors closed!
I paused again only when I was safely in the outer courtyard where vivid paintings graced the walls. I know this is not how a history blog post should be written. But this is how I felt about the place and it is the only way I know to write!
What a beautiful city and the colors are too good. I passed from Udaipur in car a few years ago but was in too much of a hurry to stop and see… 🙁
Prasad I am sure there will be a next time.
Lucky you! But I think City Palace interiors don’t look that great. It looks beautiful from outside settled peacefully on Lake Pichola. I think it’s high price is just too much of hype for nothing.
Renuka, I just ran through the place but I admit I was really surprised by the camera fee. Not that it personally mattered to me but it just felt high.
Udaipur is an amazing place to visit. I often wonder about the high-tech architecture of those times that has passed the acid test of time…
I agree Maniparna they used to built things that would last!
The best part is they allow photography unlike the Mysore palace.
Great shots Mridula.
Oh so they don’t allow cameras in Mysore Palace! For me it is always difficult yo enjoy the places that don’t allow photography.
Beautiful images of the palace.
Thank you Rajesh.
Wow – what a beautiful place! That second photo is stunning.
Thank you Lady Fi.
This article is awesome with beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing
Thank you Swapnil.
Awesome place and great photos.
Thank you Rupam.
The beautiful pictures took me there! I was there almost 25 years ago, your post makes me feel like going back once more.
I too had visited the place about 14 years before. And yet it feels the same!
😀
You are lucky to have found the corridors with less number of living heads, when i visited people going for Ram Devra mela in Jaisalmer gave me company and ruined my all shots
The pleasures of living in India Tarun 😀
Awesome pics and an even beautiful city.
I would like to visit Udaipur once. Its long pending on my list of places to visit.
Thanks for the post Mridula.
That’s some beautiful architecture. Looks really lovely, I think I need to update my to visit list 🙂
We are planning a trip to Udaipur for the longest time…hope this year we can make it!!
200 rupees is high enough and the one other place I was asked this fees was our very own jama masjid.. Like you I simply did not take it well !!
http://www.myunfinishedlife.com
I have been to this place and more than the palace, I really liked Udaipur. Its a beautiful and very romantic city.
I thought the 200 rs was completely ridiculous. Actually, I found the tour to be just a little boring compared to some other places in Rajasthan, but you don’t know until you try!
I have been to udaipur and as you say its beautiful , but it was a long time back and seeing the pics I want ot do it all over again ..
beautifulllllllllllllllllll
Bikram
I see and travel the world through your blog…its lovely 🙂 Lovely pictures…and the place is so beautifully maintained. and that corridor…like you said. totally beckons one to sit and read 🙂
I really love the tinted glass and those elegant arches. It’s been such a long time since I visited Udaipur. Time to pay it another visit.