City Palace Museum
Udaipur India February 2009
City Palace next to Pichola lake, is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan and one of its most outstanding features is that it has uniformity in design. And this is in spite of the fact that the complex was built by not just one person. The beginning was made by Maharna Udai Singh II. One can cnter the palace through Baripol or Tripolia Gate at the northern end and get a magnificent view of the imposing towers and balconies. Tripola Gate has eith elegantly carved marble arches
A major part of the palace is occupied by the city. Palace Museum whihc has different collections. Amoung them are old weapons in an armoury, the Mor Chowk with mosaics of peacocks. Within the complex are the Manak (which means Ruby) Mahal and Krishna Vilas among others. While the former has mirrorwork and glass the latter has a vast collection of miniatures. Apart from this there is Chini Mahal, cover by ornamental tiles, Surya Chopar which has an ornamental sun--which symbolizes the presence of the Mewar dynasty, Moti Mahal with mirrorwork whil Bari Mahal has a beatiful garden and commands a panaromic view of the old city. The Zenana Mahal has some exquisite paintings.
Wihtin the palace there is also a government museum which sports weapons, paintings, sculptures, a small lamp and some stuffed animals.
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City Palace The entrance to the palace |
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Inside the courtyard is the entrance to Palace and Museum |
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looking down at the gates into the front courtyard of the palace |
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Looking down at the court yard in front of City Palace on the S end is the restaurant where we had lunch and bought wine |
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Me sitting inside City Palace behind me is the Lake Palace |
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PEACOCKS India National Bird There were countless peacocks tiled with real jewels like this one all behind glass |