City Palace, ultimul obiectiv vizitat de noi in Udaipur, si-a inceput istoria in 1559, prin Maharaja Udai Singh si a continuat prin urmasii sai. Stilul hindus este vizibil in toata aceasta constructie, cu slabe influente mogule. Intrarea in spatiul palatului se face prin Badipohl, care te indruma, printr-o mica curte interioara, spre a doua poarta, Tripolia, cu trei arcuri.
Badhiphol
Tripolia vazuta din prima curte
Tripolia, vazuta de la o terasa a palatului
Tripolia, vazuta din curtea principalaNe aflam acum in cea mai mare curte interioara, plina de vizitatori. Terasa sa ne ofera primele imagini ale orasului.
curtea principala
prima vedere, de sus, a orasuluiDupa cateva fotografii facute palatului din exterior, ne indreptam spre intrare. Deasupra usii, stema clanului Rathore.
Intram si trecem pe la controlul biletelor. Intrarea la City Palace costa 300 Rp/persoana (inclusiv un excelent audio-ghid), iar taxa pentru fotografiat este de 200 Rp.
Intram imediat intr-un mic hol, Ganesh Deodi, cu o statuie a idolului si peretii impodobiti cu placi ceramice victoriene. Holul dateaza din sec. al XVII-lea.
Ganesh
Din nou o mica curte, Ganesh Chowk, leaga holul precedent de Mardana Mahal.
un mic altarMardana Mahal este un palat care consta dintr-o serie de coridoare acoperite, suspendate, in partea dinspre Lacul Pichola a palatului.
baietelul poza pentru tatal sau si am profitat si eu
pentru ca aceasta doamna intra cu insistenta in fata obiectivului…
Lacul Pichola, cu insula Jag Mandir
galerie de la Mardana Mahal, vazuta dintr-o curte interioaraPrintr-o curte interioara umbroasa, cu lume multa si banci pentru odihna, am trecut mai departe, nu inainte de a face cateva fotografii.
un frumos costum indian cu pantaloni jodhpur
Avem din nou ocazia sa ne inghesuim pe o terasa, pentru a vedea alte unghiuri ale orasului alb.
se vede Jagdish Temple
in fundal, muntii AravaliVedem apoi Chini Mahal, cu peretii impodobiti cu placi ceramice olandeze si chinezesti:
si o galerie, cu tavane si pereti frumos pictati, in culori vii:
Cateva privelisti furate in graba, spre curtea mare interioara si spre luxosul hotel de pe lac si ne indreptam spre Vani Vilas. Aceasta este prima biblioteca din Udaipur, construita la 1875 de catre Maharaja Sajjan Singh. Aici a scris el Veer Vinod, o istorie a Merwarului.
Vani Vilas, biblioteca
Se pare ca acest palat are mai multe galerii si terase decat cele pe care le-am vizitat pana acum fiindca o alta galerie minunata ne duce la Moti Mahal. Inghesuiala este mare aici si pentru ca galeria in sine este o mica bijuterie si pentru privelistea pe care o ofera. Sunt grupuri de elevi si eleve care viziteaza palatul, fiind in vacanta si ei.
Moti Mahal, construit cu multe oglinzi si sticla multicolora aminteste de Maharaja Singh Ji (1884-1930), cel care a terminat constructia Palatului Niwas (azi, hotelul luxos de pe Lacul Pichola) si care a introdus electricitatea in complexul de palate.
Maharaja Fateh Singh Ji
Prin alte sali de legatura, pictate si ele, trecem mai repede, pentru a ajunge in galeria de deasupra Curtii Paunilor.
Curtea Paunilor sau Mor Chowk este un loc minunat din palat, unde fotografii nu mai prididesc sa aleaga unghiuri si, mai ales, sa prinda un moment favorabil cand nu le intra nimeni in fata…Numarul indienilor care vor sa se pozeze cu paunii pare sa nu aiba sfarsit, spre deosebire de rabdarea mea. Imi aminteste foarte bine acest episod de greutatea cu care am fotografiat in Orasul interzis, la Beijing. Dar daca vedeti cat de minunata este acesta curte, va dati seama ca nu puteam sa ii condamn…Fotografiile va prezinta mai intai galeria de deasupra curtii, apoi loja Maharanei privita de pe geam si, in cele din urma, din curte. In curte se afla paunii minunati lucrati din sticla si sidef, asemanatori cu cel de la Bawore Ki Haveli, doar ca acestia sunt in casete de sticla, pentru a fi protejati.
Spiralele aurite care se vad pe cladiri se numesc kalash si simbolizeaza independenta de stapanirea straina.
sotul meu, asteptand rabdator sa termin de fotografiat/my husband, waiting for me to finish my photos
Dupa cate minunatii am vazut pana aici, ne mai rezerva vreo surpriza acest palat desprins parca din 1001 de nopti?
Desigur, mai este dormitorul Maharajei, impodobit cu oglinzi, sticla, sidef si culori aprinse. Si nu pot uita nici de Amar Mahal, construit de Maharaja Amar Singh I in sec. al XVI-lea, avand pictate pe pereti scene din marile epopei indiene.
Trecem printr-o camera mai apropiata de zilele noastre, impodobita cu candelabre si lampi aduse din Europa si ne indreptam spre ultima curte interioara pe care o vedem.
In sfarsit, iesim in Lakshmi Chowk, principala curte a Zenanei, partea rezervata femeilor in fiecare palat indian. O galerie laterala, sprijinita pe coloane frumos ornamentate, expune cateva palanchine. Se pare cu, cu o zi inainte, a avut loc aici un festival si pompoane de flori au ramas inca atarnate in copaci, dand un aer special curtii.
manerul unui palanchin
Zenana, partea rezervata femeilor
Iesim din City Palace printr-o poarta monumentala, vazandu-l inca o data pe Vishnu cel albastru, pictat pe tavanul cupolei. Face ce stie el mai bine: canta si danseaza.
Stories of Rajahsthan 30. City Palace, Udaipur
City Palace, the last objective we visited in Udaipur, was erected at 1559 by Maharaja Udai Singh and continued by his followers. This was really a palace from 1001 nights, as you will see. It has so much to offer for the 300 Rp (an audio-guide inclusive) which represents the entrance fee! To take photos you have to pay 200 Rp.
We went through two gates, Badipohl and Tripolia, and found ourselves in a big courtyard, were we took the first glance over the town. Then we entered the palace and started the visit. Many palaces, from different periods, exposing the great skill of the local craftsmen. Walls ornated with paintings, mirrors, mother of pearls, terraces with astonishing views over the Lake Pichola or the town. Other walls, covered with Dutch or Chinese tiles. And then, the marvelous Mor Chowk or The Yard of the Peacocks, with Maharaja’s lodge!
And again, the Maharaja’s bedroom, vividly colored and adorned with mirrors, and an older palace with the walls painted with scenes from Mahabharata. The last inner courtyard was Lakshmi Chowk, part of the Zenana, the women’s palace (a Zenana exists in all palaces we have visited, as women occupied a separate space). Then, our last view is that of the blue Vishnu, singing and dancing on the ceiling of the monumental exit gate.
We went through two gates, Badipohl and Tripolia, and found ourselves in a big courtyard, were we took the first glance over the town. Then we entered the palace and started the visit. Many palaces, from different periods, exposing the great skill of the local craftsmen. Walls ornated with paintings, mirrors, mother of pearls, terraces with astonishing views over the Lake Pichola or the town. Other walls, covered with Dutch or Chinese tiles. And then, the marvelous Mor Chowk or The Yard of the Peacocks, with Maharaja’s lodge!
And again, the Maharaja’s bedroom, vividly colored and adorned with mirrors, and an older palace with the walls painted with scenes from Mahabharata. The last inner courtyard was Lakshmi Chowk, part of the Zenana, the women’s palace (a Zenana exists in all palaces we have visited, as women occupied a separate space). Then, our last view is that of the blue Vishnu, singing and dancing on the ceiling of the monumental exit gate.
Very much pictures but also very nice and colorful.
I like your portrait pictures that you have made from this little kids.
Greetings, Joop
Minunate fotografii!!!
I was lucky enough to visit this amazing place in 2008 and I was impressed. Gorgeous pictures!
Thank you, Joop Zand!
A fost o placere sa le fac, Andras!
Thanks, Phivos! I am glad you had also the opportunity to experience India!
Every time I see your photos, I’m saying is the most beautiful!!!!
Today I say, so beautiful than ever!!!
I admired the colorful azulejos, beautiful baby faces, the palace, everything …
Incredibly, the huge hotel pool!!
Thank you very much to travel to dream places !!!!
Warm regards
Magda
Thank you, Magda, so much for your kind words!
Foarte frumoase pozele!
India e extraordinara! sper sa ajung si eu acolo candva
Another fascinating place full of beauty. I love the gates, tiles and all the ornaments, but my favourite are photos of children.
Multumesc, alicee! Iti doresc sa ajungi!
Thanks, Joo! Children have been real models 🙂
These photos are so enchanting. I love the ones of the kids and the blue and white titles. But the on the window with the colored glass is just stunning. Love your Santa Fe posts!
E greu sa ma hotarasc ce imi place mai mult 🙂
Ma gandeam ca dupa ce voi citi seria ta de articole imi va fi mai usor sa ma decid asupra unei liste de destinatii obligatorii in India, dar in loc sa o scurtez, continui sa adaug noi obiective.
Thank you, Randy, for your comment! For me was unusual to find those tiles there, in India. I wouldn’t believe they will bring Dutch tiles! I am also glad you enjoyed the Santa Fe posts. In fact, it is a translation of a longer article which I published in our local press. It was also published in a Santa Fe on-line magazine 🙂
Daca lista e atat de lunga, va trebui sa faci mai multe excursii in India, VertAnge, pe zone sau sa stai mult timp 🙂 Oricum ar fi, iti doresc sa ajungi pe acolo!
what an amazing city. it must be a fabulous experience having to see all these beauty up close and personal.
It is one of the most beautiful city in Rajahsthan, Life Ramblings.
templu langa templu, pictura langa pictura, minune langa minune. in rest admir. multumesc
Asa e, pharaonx, uneori poate parea chiar prea mult, mai ales in ritmul in care le-am vazut noi. Cred ca intelege oricine acum cat de solicitanta si obositoare a fost calatoria, mai ales daca te gandesti la varsta noastra 🙂
This single post is worth a travel! I like the fanciful details and the buildings on the water.
Should I understand that you changed your opinion, VP, about India as a travel goal? 🙂
The world of the water is fantastic.
The miniature is a precious human being inheritance.
Thank you for your visit.
Good weekend
ruma
Good weekend to you too, Ruma! Thank you for visiting and commenting.
Beautiful palace, I especially like the location. The whole area is beautiful. I wonder how come taking photos costs more than the admission? I’m even surprised, that they charge for taking photos. But well, I may not really be surprised, since I figure they want to earn something from the tourists, who come to admire their historic heritage.
Oh, and another thing. Would you maybe not comment on my Slovenian blog. It’s just that I made my second blog for those who are fluent in Slovenian and I hope to get comments in Slovenian language, not English. You’re very welcome to comment my English blogs, as there will mostly be similar posts than on my Slovenian. But I want the latter to be English free.
To reply your comment. Yes, Taiwan has the most 7-11s in the world per person, so I always visit. 🙂 And my girlfriend was counting receipts and I wrote about how in Taiwan the government has a draw, where you can win money, if the number on your receipt is drawn. That’s why here everyone keeps receipt and then checks every 3 months, if they have won anything. We won 20 euros this time, so it was worth it 🙂
OK, you may erase the comment on the Slovenian blog. I understand and respect your point of view.
It’s interesting that kind of marketing with the receipts… 🙂
I checked the entrance fees and you are right: entrance was 300 Rp per person, including an audio-guide and the camera tax which was 200 Rp, resulting a total of 800 Rp. I made the correction, thank you. Generally, the fees are much higher for the foreigners and yes, they want to make a better income, as most of them have cameras.
you have an award waiting for you at http://www.duncaninkuantan.blogspot.com. You will find the Stylish Blogger Award image on the ‘About Me’ page.
Another great post! Love the pictures of the boys and girls in line.
The photos overlooking the entire place amaze me. Breathtaking capture of moments you had when you visited that place. 15 minutes before midnight here now in my country and these photographs made me focus on my laptop’s screen.
It’s raining outside, best time to sleep. Hoping that I’ll see these wonderful images in my dream, and hoping that I’ll be walking in this place in my dream tonight.
Most esp, glad to see the photo of your husband, my friend. Happy weekend. Thanks for being so generous in sharing your stories and your wonderful photos.
Thank you Duncan for the award. Much obliged. I am glad that people like what I do here.
Hi, Rizalenio! I hope you dreamed well, my friend! Ha, ha! Have you been the Maharana?
Most of my family photos have my husband as subject. He is very patient and follows me while I am taking photos. Seldom, I appear in few of them, as I am the photographer.