A jewel in the crown of Udaipur, the City Palace is one of the most beautiful edifices on the banks of Lake Pichola. Lined amongst the greatest architectural marvels ever constructed in history, the City Palace is a major tourist attraction in Udaipur.
The Udaipur Museum was built in the complex to preserve the heritage of Mewar and the royal family. Complimenting the architecture of the City Palace, the museum is segmented into a series of palaces built over three centuries.
Amongst them, the City Palace Museum features the Mardana Mahal (palace for the royal men) and Zenana Mahal (palace for the royal ladies). Decorations of the palace courtyards such as Mor Chowk, Chini Chitrashali, Bhim Vilas, Krishan Vilas, and Chandra Mahal are also captivating.
Also known as Pratap Museum, the City Palace Museum houses a remarkable collection of ancient sculptures, antiques, and inscriptions of the bygone era. In addition, rare Rajasthani murals, court paintings of the Mewar school, glass inlay work, and artifacts add charm to the different sections of the Museum.
City Palace Museum Udaipur Timings: 9.30 am – 5.30 pm
City Palace Museum Udaipur Entry Fee
- Adult (Age above 18 Years) – INR 300
- Child (Age 5 to 18 Years) – INR 100
- Child (Age below 5 Years) – Free
- Handicapped Person Free
Note: Students and military/defense visitors have separate charges.
Architecture of the City Palace Museum Udaipur
- The entrance gate is called Badi Pol, and the walls on the east are adorned with eight beautiful arches called ‘torns’, made of stone.
- Another highlight is the Manek Chowk, used for ceremonies and public congregations, elephant processions, horse cavalry, etc.
- Ganesh Deori, meaning ‘Door of Lord Ganesha,’ takes the visitor to the museum ornamented with artifacts.
- Rajya Angan or The Royal Courtyard, is a gallery dedicated to the brave warriors in Indian history, Maharana Pratap & his horse, Chetak. This gallery has all his original armor and weapons he used during the battles.
- Next, Badi Mahal, also known as the Garden Palace features 104 pillars carved out of local marble along with ceilings displaying intricately fixed marble tiles.
- The Mor Chowk is where the dining is. It has 5 peacock statues covered with glass inlay work. Mor Chowk is built with 500 mosaic tiles arranged in unique patterns.
- Between Badi Mahal and Mor Chowk is Badi Chitrashali Chowk. It is an entertainment area.
- The Zenana Palace is adorned with splendid work of art and has swings, balconies, frescoes, and alcoves.
- Lastly, Kanch Ki Burj is a small dome building with a ceiling covered with glasses and mirrors.
Things to do at the City Palace Museum
Visit the Sheesh Mahal, the Surya Chopar, Dilkhush Mahal, the Bhim Vilas, Moti Mahal, and more palaces in the complex.
Watch the sound and light show called ‘The Legacy of Honor’ held at the Manek Chowk. It begins at 7.00 pm and continues till 8.00 pm. It tells you about the glorious history of Rajasthan.
Witness the exquisite miniature paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries at Badi Mahal and the Bhim Vilas.
Location of City Palace Museum
City Palace Museum is a popular tourist attraction in Rajasthan located on the east bank of Pichola Lake. This is a great place to learn about Rajasthan’s heritage and India’s past.
Address: Lake Pichola, City Palace Complex, Udaipur, Rajasthan, 313001, India
How to Reach the City Palace Museum
By Air: Maharana Pratap Airport is the nearest airport to Udaipur City. In approximately 30-40 minutes, you can reach the City Palace Museum by taxi or shuttle bus from the airport.
By Train: Udaipur has a railway station and is well-connected to other parts of India. It takes 15-20 minutes by taxi or auto-rickshaw to reach the City Palace Museum from Udaipur City railway station.
By Road: There is a good road connection between Udaipur’s City Palace and nearby cities and towns. Once you arrive in Udaipur, you can reach the City Palace Museum by auto-rickshaw or taxi.
It is recommended that you check the museum’s opening hours and entry ticket fees in advance since they may vary from time to time.
Places to Visit Near the City Palace Museum
Some of thе bеst places that you can choosе to visit near thе City Palacе Musеum arе as follows:-
Lake Pichola: In Udaipur, the beautiful city palace is situated on the banks of the lake, which provides an impressive view of the lake.
Sahеliyon ki Bari: It is the garden of Maidans, which is just 3.5 km from the City Palace Museum. This is an ideal place for picnics and relaxation.
Sajjan Garh Palace (Monsoon Palace): Also known as Sajjan Garh Palace, the Monsoon Palace is named after Maharana Sajjan Singh. A panoramic view of the city can be enjoyed from Monsoon Palace. It was built as an astronomical observatory to track the arrival of the monsoon.
Gulab Bagh and Zoo: From the city palace Museum, you can take a 5-minute drive to Gulab Bagh, the perfect location to witness natural beauty, and the adjoining zoo adds to its appeal.
City Palace Museum Udaipur Ticket Price
The entry fee for the City Palace Museum is Rs 250 for adults and Rs 100 for children.
Facts About The City Palace Government Museum Udaipur
Here are some of the interesting facts about the City Palace Museum:-
- When Maharana Udai Singh moved his capital to Udaipur due to Mughal conflicts, the Museum was founded.
- Traditional Mewar paintings and arts are on display at the museum, giving visitors a glimpse into the region’s history and culture.
- Thе city palacе is not just a musеum; it was a royal hеritagе of thе Mеwar dynasty.
- Due to the rich history and art of the region, the City Palace Museum is one of the must-visit places for all visitors.
- City Palace Museum has been featured in many Bollywood and Hollywood movies.
