Saturday, October 13, 2012

Today's Indian Palace: Udaipur

The City Palace in Udaipur was begun by the Rajput kings of Mewar in 1559, and they have been adding to it ever since.

The palace sits on the edge of Lake Pichola, and Udaipur likes to call itself the Venice of India.


The palace interior is noted for its lavish decoration, including the mirrored audience hall, the Manek Mahal.

The royal swing.


Besides the main palace on the lake shore, there are several pleasure pavilions on islands in the lake. This is the oldest and most famous, the Jag Mandir.



The Majaranas still live here, but to pay for the upkeep of the huge complex they have converted much of it into a series of luxury hotels. So you could actually stay here, if you wished.

Inspired, like all my Indian palace posts, by George Michell and Antonio Martinelli, The Royal Palaces of India.

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