Worldroom MICE Tourism Guide: India 2008


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	Worldroom National Tourism Guide INDIA 2008archive


	If Maharana Udai Singh II, the Sisodia royal who set up his new capital of Mewar around the picturesque serene waters of picturesque Lake Pichola in 1559, were to return to his old capital there would be plenty of surprises for him. He certainly wouldn't have had any future plans to open up his royal home to commoners except during his daily public durbars to meet his subjects, when he built this palace citadel. For that matter neither did a host of descendants up to the 20th century, who added more and more regal residences to this citadel-like palatial structure, suited to their personal needs, to the old king's palace. The times they say are certainly a-changing. The city palace complex of Udaipur is a stunning cavalcade of 11 palaces... poems in marble and granite - complete with impressive ramparts, fluted turrets, facades, canopies and regal porticoes and balconies. Each one of them has merged seamlessly into the original architectural framework, while continuing to reflect the individual ruler's personality and personal choice in interiors. The revoking of the privy purses for princely India may have been a bad thing for the erstwhile royals, but for the public at large it's been a boon. For like many other royals, Udaipur too has opened up its palaces to be run as hotels or partly, museums to ensure their conservation with the accruing revenues. The opulent Shiv Niwas Palace and Fateh Prakash Palace are both attracting visitors from around the globe as Grand Heritage Hotels, while part of the palace complex has had a successful run as a museum since 1969. The Crystal Gallery here continues to be a show stopper and a little distance away vintage car aficionados have a treat in store at the Classic and Vintage Cars Gallery. The pleasure palace of a defiant prince on Lake Pichola (now run as the world-famous Lake Palace Hotel by the Taj group) may continue to be a riveting choice for romancing couples from around the world, but his family home--the City Palace ruminating by the lakeshore, and the setting for some parts of the James Bond thriller Octopussy , holds its own even today. The royal family continues to live in a private wing of the palace complex. Shiv Niwas Palace Straddling the lakeshore, across the waters from the Lake Palace, the Shiv Niwas offers visitors a slice of old-fashioned royal living amidst lavish interiors. The Shiv Niwas has been modernized a tad to offer every comfort a globe trotting tourist would expect from such a grand home, but it maintains its regal standards with the staggering assemblage of marble and mother of pearl inlay work frescoes and mosaics colored glass and crystalware. From its windows are picture-perfect views of the Lake Palace and Jag Mandir in Lake Pichola. It comes as no surprise that the Shiv Niwas has in its colourful past having hosted luminaries such as Queen Elizabeth, the Shah of Iran and the Kennedys. Check out the emerald-toned features of the Imperial Suite with its glass inlay walls, period silver furniture, chandeliers and a fountain at the end of the bed. In a time-honoured tradition at the palace, Scottish tunes played on the bagpipes by its bands drift over the lawns in the evening. The present palace band a Bagpipe music band, was started by Shriji Arvind Singh descendant and 76th custodian of the house of Mewar who has revived an ancient tradition of Mewar royals -- in ancient times called the panch sabdi bajja consisting of five local instruments. Fateh Prakash Palace In 2001-2002, this royal residence guesthouse won the National Tourism Award for the best heritage hotel in 'Heritage Grand' category from the Department of Tourism, Government of India. Named after one of Mewar's most impressive rulers, the place is a confection of elegant domes and dramatic turrets, its interiors filled with assiduously collected chandeliers and rare paintings, glittering crystal and crockery by past royals. Each suite is a vision of luxury and comfort with with original paintings, elegant furnishings, period furniture. The lake views from the picture windows are riveting at sunrise and when the lake becomes liquid gold at sunset. The sensitively restored 117-ft long 47-ft broad durbar hall evokes images of the grand celebrations held in its August environs. City Palace Museum The museum has swallowed up much of the residential wings with their individual attractions, to showcase the staggering splendour of the bygone eras of Mewar's royal world. The Mardana Mahal and Zenana Mahal became, in 1969, an integral part of this development. Visitors to the museum still stand in awe of the individual architectural styles and stupendous range of materials used to enhance their beauty and luxury. The Kanch ka Burj has superb glass work while the Zenana Mahal has a stunning display of miniature paintings of the Mewar School. At the Manak Mahal marvel at the rare collection of porcelain and glass collectibles, while the Chini Palace is filled with panels of porcelain tiles from China. At the Krishna Vilas you'll find an excellent collection more paintings of festivities and processions, from the Mewar School surfacing an entire wall. Mosaic inlays embellish the Mor Chowk (Peacock Courtyard) the new durbar venue in Maharana Karan Singh's time (1629-1628) The nightly sound and light show showcasing the important events of Mewar history, is held at the historic Manek Chowk - the venue of many celebratory moments at the palace, is India's first privately run show of this kind. Timings: 9.30 am to 4.30 pm; open on all days Crystal Gallery Is a celebration of the whims and fancies of India's royals at their grandiose best. Located here is the single largest private collection of stunning crystal. This fabulous collection was ordered by Maharana Sajjan Singh from 1878-82, for his personal use, from world-renowned UK based crystal specialists F&C Osler, manufacturers of monumental cut glass Victoriana luxury objects. Unfortunately the maharana passed away in 1884, before the magnificent collection was delivered. The eclectic collectiony includes crystal thrones, a bed and chairs, a bejeweled carpet, dinner services engraved with the Mewar coat of arms, decanters, flywhisks etc etc. The entire collection was stored and forgotten about till it was discovered again during palace renovations. The grand collection has been on display in a special gallery at what is now the Fateh Prakash Palace Hotel and open to the public since 1994. Timings: 10am- 8pm The Gallery of Classic and Vintage Cars is situated about 2km from the palace in holding pride of place here is the Rolls Royce Phantom II of 1934 vintage, one of four Rolls Royces here, a Cadillac dating to 1938, and a 1930 Standard Phaeton. There are also other Cadillac open convertibles, rare Mercedes models, a 1936 Vauxhall and 1937 Opel models. Flora Danica Collection This fabulous collection of rare Danish porcelain is on display at the Fateh Prakash Palace Gallery Restaurant.