City Palace - Udaipur
City Palace towers over the Pichola Lake. Maharana Uday Singh initiated
in the construction of the palace but succeeding Maharanas added several
palaces and structures to the complex retained a surprising uniformity to
the design.
The entry to the Palace is from the Hati Pol, the Elephant gate. The Bari
Pol or the Big gate brings you to the Tripolia, the Triple gate. It was
once a custom that the Maharana would weigh under this gate in gold and
silver, which was distributed to the populace.
It is also now the main ticket office. Balconies, cupolas and towers surmount
the palace to give a wonderful view of the lake. Suraj Gokhada or the balcony
of the sun is where the Maharana would grant public audiences mainly to
boost the morale of the people in difficult times.
The Mor Chawk is the peacock square and gains its name from the vivid blue
mosaic in glass of a peacock that decorates its walls. The main part of
the palace is now preserved as a museum displaying a large and diverse array
of artefacts. Down steps from the entrance is the armoury museum exhibiting
a huge collection of protective gear, weapons including the lethal two-pronged
sword.
The City Palace museum is then entered through the Ganesh Deori meaning
the door of Lord Ganesh. This leads to the Rajya Angan, the royal courtyard
that is the very spot where Maharana Udai Singh met the sage who told him
to find a city here. The rooms of the palace are superbly decorated with
mirror tiles and paintings.
Manak Mahal or the Ruby Palace has a lovely collection of glass and mirror
work while Krishna Vilas display a rich collection of miniature paintings.
Moti Mahal or the pearl palace has beautiful mirror work and the Chini Mahal
has ornamental tiles all over.
The Surya Chopar or the sun square depicts a huge ornamental sun symbolising
the sun dynasty to which the Mewar dynasty belongs. The Bari Mahal is a
central garden with view of the city. Some more beautiful paintings can
be seen in the Zenana Mahal or the ladies chamber, which leads to Lakshmi
Chowk a beautiful white pavilion.
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