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Udaipur Festivals
 The
Mewar Festival is celebrated to welcome the advent of spring. It coincides with
the festival of Gangaur in Udaipur and has a unique charm about it. The festival
of Gangaur is very significant for women of Rajasthan. It is a time for them to
dress up in their best clothes and participate in the festival.
They gather to dress the images of Isar and Gangaur and then carry them in a
ceremonial procession through different parts of the city. The procession winds
its way to the Gangaur Ghat at Lake Pichhola. Here, the images are transferred
to special boats amidst much singing and festivity. Once the religious part of
the festival is over, it is time for cultural events where Rajasthani culture is
portrayed through songs, dances and other programmes. The festival culminates
with an impressive fireworks display. Like other fairs and festivals celebrated
throughout the state, there is a lot of activity, which keeps the participants
in a joyful frame of mind, eager to enjoy every moment.
The
city was founded in 1567 AD by Maharana Udai Singh on the advice of a sage.
Udaipur was last of the numerous Mewar capitals. It was in Udaipur that
legendary Maharana Pratap was born. He was obsessed with Chittaur and the
past glories of the Sisodia clan possessed his mind. Maharana Pratap left
Udaipur to win back Chittaur from the Mughals. But he failed in his attempts
and Udaipur remained the capital of Mewar till India got her
independence. The memory of the failure of noble Pratap gives Udaipur its
pervading mood of nostalgic wistfulness. Udaipur is in
the central part of the fascinating region of Mewar. The kingdom of Mewar,
with which many legends of bravery are associated, was considered the most
respectable of all Rajput princely states in Rajasthan. Claiming descent
from the sun (Suryavansha), the Sisodia dynasty that ruled Mewar for 1200
years is one of the oldest dynasties in the world. With a lineage of 67
generations behind, this clan fought for its respect and freedom. Like other
Rajput kingdoms of the time, it never married off its daughters to the
Mughals. A part of this lineage were Rana Sanga and Rana Pratap, great
warriors who fought to defend their kingdom from invaders.
The capital of the Sisodia dynasty was Chittor till the 6th century, when it
was moved to Udaipur, named after Maharana Udai Singh. According to legend,
the Maharana was out hunting one day when he met a holy man meditating on a
hill overlooking the Lake Pichola. The hermit blessed the Maharana and told
him to built a palace at that very spot, as it would be well protected. The
Maharana followed his advice and Udaipur came into being.
Today, Udaipur is a one of the better-known tourist destinations of India
and an integral part of any itinerary for Rajasthan.
Shilpgram, a crafts village 3 kms. west of Fateh Sagar is a treat for the
soul. Displays by the various musicians, dancers and the artisans from the
different states transports you in altogether a unique world of traditions and
customs and draws you closer to the essence of India. It is an ethnographic
museum depicting the life styles, traditions, customs, folk arts of rural and
tribal people of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Goa, Daman, etc. There are
several huts constructed in traditional architectural styles using mud and
local building material to reflect the geographical and ethnic diversity of
western India.
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