What make Udaipur truly memorable are the exquisite lake palaces, shimmering like jewels on Lake Pichola. Jag Niwas, the summer residence of the princes of Mewar, is today a luxury hotel of breathtaking magnificence. Jag Mandir, the other island palace, is a marvel of red sandstone, with a marble dome. The mosaic pools and fountains of Sahelion-ki-Bari near Fateh Sagar Lake are open to the public.

City Palace

The whitewashed City Palace seems to float out of the blue Pichola water. Here one finds a maze of inter-connected courtyards, corridors, and rooms. Some have lovely inlaid pietra durra mirror work walls, scalloped arched windows with colored glass panes, glazed mosaic tiles, and sculptured bas relief decorations like the famous dancing peacocks in Mor Chowk. Parts of this old palace complex house a museum endowed by the Maharana Mewar Foundation.

Lake Palace

Lake Palace or Jagat Niwas is a white marble summer residence of the princes of Mewar, which was built in 1746 by Jagat Singh. Set on an island, the whole Palace appears to float on the blue water of Lake Pichola. The airy stucco complex with dainty balconies, terrace gardens, water fountains and arched windows, reflects the brightness of the sun, sky and lake. The interiors are profusely decorated with paintings, stained glass and crystal.

Jag Mandir

In the midst of the lake stands another piece de resistance, Jag Mandir. It a lake retreat built by the Maharana as a refuge for Prince Shahjahan. The Palace, made in red sandstone of translucent thinness, was once laid with jasper, jade and rubies. It has spacious courtyards, a beautifully proportioned white marble dome, high ceiling rooms, majestic cupolas, arched pavilions and a garden planted with trees and flowering creepers. A beautiful structure here is the temple of universe. With stone colonnades, it is dedicated to the lord of the universe. The temple of Jagdish is built in classical style and is dedicated to Vishnu. It was built by Jagat Singh I in the midst of the city, on the street that leads to the palace. Its walls are covered with bas-relief, friezes of makar (crocodiles), elephants, carved dancers statue of Garuda.

Saheliyoin-ki-Bari

Saheliyojn-Ki-Bari was designed by Maharana Fateh Singh on the embankment of Fateh Singh Lake, towards the north of Lake Pichola. A Lotus pool, flowerbeds, lawns, fountains and marble pavilions in Rajputana style, all combine to make it an enchanting place. The hill top Sajjangarh Palace fort in the west of Udaipur is a vantage point, from where a magnificent view of the city, its lakes and palaces can be enjoyed.