Temples in Udaipur

Jag Mandir
This is the other island palace in Lake Pichola, which was constructed by Maharana Karan Singh as a hideout for Prince Khurram the estranged son of Emperor Jehangir the implacable foe of the Maharana. The reason for the aid was that the prince was the son of a Rajput mother. It is also said that Shah Jahan [prince Khurram] derived some of these ideas for the Taj Mahal from this palace when he stayed there in 1623-24. The island has some striking carving including a row of elephants that looks as though they are guarding the island. The exquisitely carved chhatri in grey and blue stone is another example.

Maharana Jagat Singh who made a number of additions to it later renovated the place. Within the palace was the temple dedicated to the Lord Jagdish and hence the name is derived from that. There is a museum detailing the history of the island as well and the neat courtyards.

Jagdish Mandir
Built by Maharana Jagat Singh I in 1651 the temple enshrines a black stone image of Lard Vishnu. There is a brass image of Garuda the Lord bird carrier. The exterior and the plinth are covered with base relief of alligators; elephants, horsemen and celestial musicians rise in tiers. Chanting, bells and music can be heard throughout the day. It is the largest and most splendid temple of Udaipur.

Eklingji
A RELIGIOUS COMPLEX Northern region of Mewar (22 Kms) It houses 108 temples chiselled out of sandstone and marble, this temple of Eklingji was built in 734 AD. Enclosed by high walls, it is devoted to Eklingji (A form of Shiv Deity adored under the epithet of EKLINGA). One of the prominent deity of the Maharanas of Mewar, worshiped as Mahadeva Chaumukhi,the quadriform divinity, represented by a bust with four faces., it has an ornate Man dap [ A pillared hall ] and the huge pyramidal roof composed of hundreds of knots very vividly carved and finely decorated with the coloured stones.

Before the entrance in the main temple there is a beautifully sculpted huge Nandi [ the sacred brazen bull who is the loyal steed of Lord Shiva and has his altar attached to all his shrines. The temple of EKLINGJI was constructed roughly in between the Uda- Nath route, with the hills towering around it and abundant small springs of water where more or less every tourist takes a break. And locals pay homage through out the whole year.The Belief is such.

Nathdwara
Nathdwara lies 48 kms from Udaipur and literally means the gateway to the Lord. This great Vaishnavite shrine was built in the 17th century on spot exactly defined by the Lord himself. The legends have it that the image of the Lord Krishna was being transferred to safer place from Vrindaban to protect it from the destructive wrath of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The image when it reached the spot it vehicle the bullock carts wheel sank axel deep in mud and refused to move further. The accompanying priest realised that this was lord's chose spot and the image did not want to travel any further. Accordingly a Temple was built here.

This is revered temple and place of pilgrim amongst believers. Devotees throng the shrine in large number during occasions of "Janamashtmi" the day of Lord's birth and other festivals like Holi. The priests treat if like a living deity and tend to the lord with daily normal function like bathing- dressing meals called "prasad" and the resting times in regular intervals. The main attractions are the Arties and the Shringar. The formal prayer offered with diya, insentsticks, flowers, fruit and other offerings with local instruments and devotional songs of the Lord according to the demand of the time and occasion. The fine intricately woven shaneels & silk cloth with real original zari and shredded work done upon them along with tones of real jewellers, which are of antique value, looks dazzling.

The view of the idol after the pardha (curtain) is removed is a spectacular sight that is simply mesmerizing leading to a melee (gully) of visitors, crowding divine lord. The mystic, spirited aura of India comes alive. Nathdwara has a small but throbbing township around the temple. It's shopping in the bye lanes is a great revelation. It's famous for its 'pichwani' paintings, which Shri Krishna in the centre and is recognized for profuse use of gold colour.