Udaipur

Is a city known for the famous Lake Palace, which has been converted into a Taj hotel. it covers an entire island. it wsa built as a summer palace 

Another  wonderful place we visited was Sahelion ki Bari. It is a garden that was made for the princess and her group of forty-eight young women attendants who were part of her dowry. The gardens have lotus pools, marble pavilions and elephant-shaped fountains. It is a mini paradise!

The bougainvillea flower

In fron of the Lotus Pond

Fun facts about Udaipur: 

It is mentioned in The Jungle Book as the birthplace of the panther Bagheera

Octopussy/james Bond Indian scenes were filmed in the city and the Lake Palace. 

The Mewar School of Painting is one of the largest schools of miniature paintings. The paintings started in the 17th century. All the people are painted in profile and have really strong color combinations, extensive detail and decorations. The school is still funded by the royal family. The painters working there are descendants from the original royal painter of the  Maharajas court

We had a demonstration by the youngest professor at the school. Which was great to see how the layers of drawing and paints were applied. I got to know the professor and bought a couple of paintings from him. The work is astounding.

The City Palace was the grandest one we have seen so far it was built in 1519

It is the largest in Rajasthan, and is a  seamless integration of  Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles. The palaces is on a hill top so the views of the city are beautiful. The city is in a mountainous area and was able to sustain attack and never be conquered

Legend is that the site was chosen for the palace when a ihermit met  the Maharana Singh while he was hunting in Udaipur. The Maharana met the hermit who was meditating on top of a hill above the lake.  He asked for the hermit’s blessings. The hermit told him to build his palace at that very spot and that is where the palace complex came to be established at Udaipur.

The queens beauty parlor! They would sit on the swing and have their hair done etc...

The queens dressing room

This is where the king would sit and watch his queens getting ready!

This is the Kings?Maharaja's weighing chair!

Maya looking out at one of the many "ladies windows" Remember they couldn't be seen by and men. 

Here is what it looks like to look out: