It was a big day today.

We visited the Udaipur’s City Palace, it is a monumental complex that serves as a testament to the 400-year history of the Mewar dynasty. Perched on a hill along the eastern bank of Lake Pichola, it is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan and offers a panoramic view of the city and its surrounding lakes.

City Palace was founded in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II and expanded by 22 generations of successors. The architecture is a flamboyant fusion of Rajasthani Rajput and Mughal styles, with later additions reflecting European and Chinese influences. Built primarily from granite and marble, the complex is a maze of interlinked palaces, courtyards, and gardens.

• It served as the administrative hub and primary residence for the Maharanas of Mewar for centuries, remaining a symbol of royal resilience.

• The facade stretches over 800 feet in length and features ornate balconies, towering domes, and majestic gateways like the triple-arched Tripolia Gate.

• Mor Chowk (Peacock Courtyard), this is one of the most famous sections, renowned for its intricate glass mosaics of peacocks that represent the three seasons of summer, winter, and monsoon.

• Zenana Mahal: Once the private quarters for royal women, this area now houses museum galleries featuring delicate mirror work and frescoes.

• City Palace Museum: The museum displays a vast collection of royal memorabilia, including weaponry, ceremonial clothes, silver artifacts, and rare miniature paintings from the Mewar School.

• Badi Mahal (Garden Palace): Situated at the highest point of the complex on a 90-foot-high rock, this garden palace features marble swimming pools and offers some of the best views of the lake.

Part of the City Palace remains a residence for the royal family.

Then we were taken in a boat and motored out to the Taj Lake Palace and Jagmandir Island Palace, landing at the later to wander about its buildings and gardens.

We then visited local artists who practice fine brush art work. Large brushes are made from camel eyebrows and fine tiny brushes from Squirrel tail. The technique used results exquisite pictures painted on small canvases, made of paper, silk or camel bone.

The next stop is the Saheliyon ki Bari, a historic and prominent garden in Udaipur, Rajasthan, built between 1710 and 1734 by Maharana Sangram Singh II for the royal women. Located near Fateh Sagar Lake, the garden is famous for its fountains, kiosks, lotus ponds, and marble elephants, it’s alive with birds and locals enjoying the park.

It’s then off to the folk museum, which helps fills the gap on what we have seen, heard and experienced.