Strolling in the garden of maidens - Saheliyon ki Bari

The garden of maidens as it is fondly termed is an exotic garden on the banks of the Fateh Sagar Lake that is charmingly constructed with a variety of water fountains, marble statues, kissoks, lotus ponds and flower beds to enthrall its visitors.

Saheliyon Ka Bari is a garden made for the recreation of royalty and their maidens in a delightful nook in the beautiful city of Udaipur in Rajasthan in India. With frolicking fountains gushing out, splashes of water mingle with the balmy breeze. With lotus ponds, flower beds and green lawns, elephant statues and marble pavilions rising majestically, the garden has a stately ambience that is definitely befitting royalty and their companions.

Aptly called the garden of maidens due to its origin that resulted from 48 maidens accompanying the Princess to Udaipur, this ravishing garden is the creation of Maharana Sangram Singh in the 18th century, in order for these young maidens to spend their leisure time in a peaceful atmosphere.

This garden is located in a lovely nook by the banks of the Fateh Sagar Lake from which its fountains draw their water supply effortlessly, being situated at a lower level than its water level. The centerpiece of the garden is perhaps the most striking, with a marbled tank with both black and white marbled kiosks demarcating its corners and centre respectively while its fountains are created as beaks of birds that spurt out little jets of water far and wide, mingling its foamy spray with the breeze. The pavilion of rain fountains that was built in later years by Maharana Bhopal Singh is another masterpiece that creates an illusion of rain dancing in the breeze with the walking maidens.

Rose beds line certain parts of the garden with their ravishing beauty while lotus ponds add an exotic charm to the whole garden with their colourful appearance. Another must visit place is the museum that houses an incredible array of interesting items and collectibles that include stuffed cobras that would thrill the adventurous traveller.

Portraying the grandeur of that bygone era is one Udaipur Hotel overlooking the ravishing Aravali mountain range from its stately place on the banks of the Lake Pichola. The Leela Palace Kempinski Udaipur has most of its rooms glancing on to the placid waters of the lake, and has a charming architecture and interior designed to simulate a palace’s interior. There is a touch of Rajasthan in its furniture and handicrafts while the spacious conference rooms, business rooms and banquet hall all match the contemporary facilities of Business Hotels Udaipur.