TRAVEL THE WORLD - UDAIPUR, INDIA

When India gained its independence from Britain in 1947, rulers of the Rajput states, including Udaipur, chose to join the new Dominion of India. Since that time, there has continued to be a Maharana of Udaipur. He is the heir of the former Maharanas, and, though he has no formal position or power, he is deeply respected by the people of Udaipur. We were in Udaipur in 2007 when his 63rd birthday was being celebrated. At the City Palace, which continues to be his residence, there was a very long queue of well-wishes bearing him gifts.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - UDAIPUR, INDIA

The Peacock Square or Mor Chawk in the City Palace in Udaipur gains its name from the peacocks in vivid blue glass mosaic that decorate its walls. This is only one example of the many beautiful rooms we admired in India. The peacock is the national bird of India.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - UDAIPUR, INDIA

In 2007 the City Palace complex in Udaipur was one of the most interesting palaces we saw in India. We had a very nice, very informative guide all to ourselves for over an hour. The palace was built by the Rajput Maharana Udai Singh beginning with the royal courtyard in 1568. He was given the title of maharana in recognition that he did not submit to defeat by the Mughals. The palace complex is a blend of medieval European and Chinese architecture. It has buildings of immense beauty, as well as gardens and fountains - all well planned and finely executed over the years.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - UDAIPUR, INDIA

Our favourite place in India when we visited in 2007 was Udaipur in Rajasthan. When people think of the beauty of Udaipur, they immediately visualize Lake Pichola. This lovely pavilion on the lake is reputed to have been where the Udaipur Maharanas entertained their ladies.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - UDAIPUR, INDIA

UDAIPUR, RAJASTHAN

Udaipur is a beautiful city in Rajasthan on the man-made Lake Pichola. The Lake Palace, pictured in the first photo above, was built in 1743 by the Rajput Maharana Jagat Singh. Today, it is a luxury hotel.

The Rajputs, prior to India gaining its independence from Britain, were rulers of states within what is now Rajasthan. These states joined newly- independent India, though they had not been part of the British Raj.

The second photo shows beautiful Lake Pichola. It is possible to book a room in a lovely moderately-priced hotel that faces directly onto the lake.

The City Palace complex, featured in the third photo, is the historic home of the Udaipur Rajput maharanas. The current Maharana, who continues to reside in the palace, has no political power but is held in great esteem by the people of Udaipur.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - UDAIPUR, RAJASTHAN, INDIA

Udaipur is a beautiful city in Rajasthan on the man-made Lake Pichola, pictured above. The palace was built in 1743 by the Rajput Maharana Jagat Singh. Today, it is a luxury hotel.

The Rajputs, prior to India gaining its independence from Britain, were rulers of states within what is now Rajasthan. These states joined newly- independent India, though they had not been part of the British Raj.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - VILLAGE NEAR UDAIPUR, INDIA

These photos, taken in 2007, show the primitive but effective way this farmer is irrigating his fields. You can see the stream which is the source of water just below the water wheel. Because of its dry climate, Rajasthan agriculture must depend on irrigation.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - VILLAGE NEAR UDAIPUR, INDIA

In Rajasthan in December the temperatures fall at night to below the freezing point. Here on a cold morning in a remote village between Udaipur and the fortress of Kumbhalgarh, men are wearing the woolen shawls that we saw everywhere. By the time we reached Jaisalmer, the night time temperature had become even colder, and our hotel, located within the old fort, had a very poor heating system. Fortunately, for around $7.00 I was able to purchase a beautiful multi-coloured woolen shawl. I fought the cold by wrapping myself into its lovely warm softness.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - UDAIPUR, INDIA

All three of these photos were taken in 2007 from the roof of the City Palace looking down onto the city of Udaipur. In the middle photo you can see Lake Pichola and, in the distance, if you look carefully, you can make out the outline of the hills. Right clicking on the photos and opening them in a new window will give you a much closer look at this beautiful city.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - UDAIPUR, INDIA

This beautifully decorated balcony is part of the City Palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Though the palace remains the home of the Maharana of Udaipur, much of it is open to the public. The balcony was built as a place where the women of the palace could stand unobserved while watching what was happening in the palace courtyard below. This seclusion of women was practised by the Rajput rulers of Udaipur as part of Islam. To see the decoration more clearly, obtain a larger version of the photo by right clicking on it and opening it in a new window.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - UDAIPUR, RAJASTHAN, INDIA

This 2007 view from our hotel in Udaipur looks out onto Lake Pichola. Udaipur was our favouite Indian destination and the hotel, the Jagat Niwas Palace, was also lovely and not too expensive.

INDIA VACATION 2007

JAIN TEMPLES IN INDIA

Jainism, an ancient religion, has 10 million followers in India. Compassion for all life is central to their beliefs. They adhere to a vegetarian or vegan diet, and almost every town and village in India has its Jain animal shelter.

Ranakpur temple, located 60 km from Udaipur in Rajasthan, is famously said to contain 1,400 carved marble columns, all different. Dating the temple is controversial, but there is agreement that it was built between the late-14th and mid-15th centuries. Ranakpur temple is pictured in the first photo above.

Another Jain temple, the Bhandashah temple, shown in the second photo, is the oldest structure in Bikaner. It dates from the year 1514.

INDIA VACATION 2007

FORTRESSES OF INDIA

Gwalior Fort, situated 100 metres above the town, has a 1,000-year history. It was long considered impregnable. The Mughals held it until 1754 when it was captured by the Marathas. The first photo above is of the Man Singh palace located within the fort.

Devgiri - the entrance through the walls is shown in the middle photo - is a 14th Century fortress standing on a 200-metre-high hill above the city of Daulatabad. It has vertical sides 50 metres high. A very strong fort, it was captured only once after the guards had been bribed.

Kumbhalgarh Fort, built in the 15th Century in the mountains 60 km. from Udaipur, stands on the site of a 2nd Century citadel. Due to its inaccessibility, it fell only once after a long seige. Its walls stretch for 36 km. and are wide enough for eight horses riding abreast. Inside the fortress are temples and palaces built by the Mauryas. The third photo is taken at the start of the descent from the fort.

INDIA VACATION 2007

UDAIPUR, RAJASTHAN

Udaipur is a beautiful city in Rajasthan on the man-made Lake Pichola. The Lake Palace, pictured in the third photo above, was built in 1743 by the Rajput Maharana Jagat Singh. Today, it is a luxury hotel.

The Rajputs, prior to India gaining its independence from Britain, were rulers of states within what is now Rajasthan. These states joined newly- independent India, though they had not been part of the British Raj.

The City Palace complex, featured in the middle photo, is the historic home of the Udaipur maharanas. The current Maharana, who continues to reside in the palace, has no political power but is held in great esteem by the people of Udaipur.

The first photo shows beautiful Lake Pichola. It is possible to book a room in a lovely moderately-priced hotel that faces directly onto the lake.