The lake city of Udaipur, from one corner of the city to the other, exudes a charm that no single visitor can escape. With a stunning location, splendid sights, dream-like palaces and a people that are a friendly lot, the city heads the itinerary of every tourist to Rajasthan. Udaipur, that is also known as the 'City of Dawn' is infused with history and legends and that's what makes it even more desirable for vacationers and tourers from across the world. Of all the palaces in Rajasthan, one of the most impressive in appearance is the Lake Palace emerging out of Lake Pichola in all its splendour and elegance.


Previously known as Jag Niwas, the Lake Palace was the brainchild of Maharana Jagjit Singh who founded the palace in the 17th centuy taking up a huge space of 4 acres. The maharaja ruled the city of Jaipur between 1628 and 1654. Being a close friend to Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, Maharana Jagjit Singh got inspired from the incredible architecture of edifices in Agra and attempted to copy some of the elements while he got the Lake Palace built. The years that followed saw the palace to be used as a summer refuge for the successive rulers. The grand courtyards of the palace were engaged to hold royal durbars for the maharajas.

The Rajput-Mughal architectural fusion has resulted into an incredible structure that comprises of huge courtyards, massive columns, pillared terraces, exquisite fountains and landscaped gardens. The palace further boasts a chain of royal apartments - Bada Mahal, Khush Niwas, Ajjan Niwas, Phool Mahal and Dhola Mahal. Each of the rooms are embellished with excellent inaly works, cusped arches and painted mirrors. The portraits and miniatures that decorate the palace enliven a whole panorama turning it all into a feeling of intense nostalgia. Walls with deeply carved mouldings and hugely ornate ceilings speak a lot of the maharajas sense of style.

Today, the Lake Palace is one of the most elegant heritage hotels in Rajasthan. Accessed by a boat, the palace preserves much of its earlier charm and is a haven for tourists who wish to stay in Udaipur the maharaja style. While on the one hand, a major part of the palace has been converted into a hotel, on the other, there is a section that is still inhabited by the royal families. Therefore, while you enjoy your stay here, you can also get closer to the royal residents and delight your taste buds with the choicest of cuisines from the very traditional to the very exotic. The days are splendid at the palace. But the evenings are dramatic. As evening falls and the myriads of lights illuminate the palace, a walk through the lush garden with the aromatic barbecue placed alongside and the lake glittering is an experience of a lifespan. To gain more recognition about the maharajas and their luxury and elegance, you should pay a visit to the palace museum displaying a fascinating collection of antiques and royal artifacts.



An evening cruise along the Lake Pichola is the one thing that you would never want to miss. Lake Pichola that derives its name from the Pichola village was expanded by Maharana Udai Singh. The lake houses the Jag Niwas Island and the Jag Mandir. Sailing along the turquoise waters amid calm surroundings and feasting your eyes upon the fantastic sights means a lot of fun and flavour. Boat cruises are organised from the Bansi Ghats for different intervals of time.