City Palace
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.
Shilpgram
Literally meaning a "Craftsmen's Village"
is a living ethnographic museum depicting the enormous
diversities in craft, art & culture between various
Indian states, but the exquisite terracotta work mainly
in dark red and dark brown sand material along with
the wooden carvings are the forte of this ethnic village
. Shilpgram comprises 26 huts set in 70 acres of natural
surroundings at the foot of the Aravali Hills.A colourful
craft festival during winter seasons to the whole set
up induces viatanity and zeal.
Ahar
Located about 2 kms east of Udaipur is an impressive
cluster of cenotaphs of the Maharanas of Mewar. There
are about nineteen cenotaphs of Maharanas cremated there.
The most striking cenotaph is that Maharana Amar Singh,
who reigned from 1597 to 1620. Nearby is also Ahar Museum,
where on display is limited but very rare earthen pottery.
Some sculptures and other archaeological finds. Some
pieces date back to 1700 BC and a tenth century metal
figure of Buddha is a special attraction.
Vintage Collection of Classic Car
The collection within the grounds of the Garden Hotel
comprises a variety of classic and interestingly rare
transportation vehicles; some stately and vintage like
Cadalec, Chevalate, Morais etc., while the others are
sleek and fast .The Maharanas of Udaipur once possessed
and used these regal splendours of automobiles as their
luxuries but most of the other models are gradually
being added to the collection ,since it provides a unique
aristocratic safari for the exclusive guests.
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