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Udaipur Culture


Udaipur, the ‘Venice of the East’ and the ‘Kashmir of Rajasthan’ is the second most sought after tourist destination of the state after Jaipur. Thronged by the tourists all round the year this romantic city, endowed with its rich Rajputana cultural and historical heritage, was listed as the best city of the world by a New York based travel magazine ‘Travel + Leisure’ in the year 2009. It is also said that the Jag Mandir of Udaipur inspired Shahjahan to build the Taj Mahal. Udaipur, the city of Rajputs is still inhabited by its native tribes named ‘Bhil’. These tribes still virgin from the torrents of modernism retain their simplicity and innocence. The traditional attire of Rajasthani people Ghaghara – Choli, Kamari Angarakha, Long Angarakha, Dhotis, Pyjamas, Patka, Turban, Mojaris and Jewellery can be seen here in abundance. Udaipur folks usually wear bright multi colored clothes ornamented with loads of silver jewelry. The citizens of Udaipur are extremely friendly and hospitable and they will receive you with warm welcome.
Major languages spoken at Udaipur include Mewari, Rajasthani, Hindi and English. Majority of the residents of Udaipur follow Jainism and Hinduism, while other religions such as, Islam, Christianity, and Sikhism etc. are also followed here. Typical Rajasthani cuisine such as Dil Jani, Daal-Baati-Choorma, Gatte-Ki-Sabzi, Mirchi Bada, Kachori, Bhujia, Mathri, Khatta-Meetha Sev, Daal-Moth, Tarfini, Raabdi, Bail-Gatte, Panchkoota Imarti, Ghevar, Feeni, Besan Chakki, Balusahi, Dilkhushaal, Jhajariya, Palang Torh, Milk-Cake, Kicha Ki Sabji, Moranga Ki Sabji, Guwar Fali Ki Saag, Gajar Ki Sabji, Badi, Ker-Saangri Ki Sabji, Papad Ki Sabji, Pyaaz Paneer, Sev Tamatar, Dal Chawal Kutt, Lauki Key Koftey, Dahi Mein Aloo, Rabori Ki Sabji, Chaavadi, Laapsi, Boondi, Mohan Maans, Laal Maans, Safed Maans, Saanth Ro Achaar, Khad Khargosh, Bajri Ki Raab can be relished at Udaipur.
Udaipur is especially reckoned for its expertise in art and crafts including exquisite woodcraft, traditional batik, hand prints and bandhani clothes, dyed saris, turbans, handicrafts, pottery items, wooden toys, puppets, miniature paintings of Rajput, Mughal, Mewar, Jodhpur, Jaipur and Kangra style, silk, wood, paper, marble and ivory paintings, pichwais, phads, wall hangings, hand carved wooden screens, cloth lanterns, pen stands, painted wooden boxes, handmade papers, greeting cards, different kinds of containers, brassware and terracotta sculptures, precious stones, latticework or jail, silver jewelry, kundan, metal inlay furniture, marble handicrafts, house hold item and other antique items. The must do things at Udaipur constitute Horse Back Riding, Camel Riding, Puppet Show, Theatre Show, Cultural Festivals, Guided Tours and Ropeway Trips.
Udaipur Culture is particularly marked with its vibrant and colorful folk dance forms frequently performed at the times of fairs & festivals and other ceremonies. The rich cultural legacy of Rajputs is presented and preserved through these energetic and vivacious dance performances. The tribal culture of Udaipur is distinctly characterized with spectacular and sensuous dance performances which include several dance forms such as Ghoomar, Kalbeliya Dance, Chari Dance, Bhavai Dance, Sasariya Dance, Gorbandh, Dang Lila, Tippani Dandiya Raas, Kachi Ghodi, Gair, and Terah Taal and so on. The major traditional festivals celebrated at Udaipur comprise The Mewar festival, The Gangaur Festival and The Shilpgram Crafts Festival.
Udaipur city has also made its mark in popular media today. Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book has mentioned Udaipur as Oodeypore as the birthplace of Bagheera, the fictional panther in the king's Menagerie. James Bond film Octopussy, some scenes from The Jewel in the Crown (a British television series), The Cheetah Girls One World (a Disney channel film), a number of non Indian films and TV series such as Opening Night, Darjeeling Limited, Indische Ring, Heat and Dust, James Bond in India, The Fall and Gandhi were filmed at Udaipur. Moreover, some Indian Movies namely Guide, Khuda Gawah, Phool Bane Angaray, Mera Saaya, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Dhamaal, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Kachche Dhagey, Eklavya: The Royal Guard, Yaadein, Jalmahal, Fiza, Return of the thief of the Bagdad, Chalo Ishq Ladaaye, Jis Des Mai Ganga Rahta Hai, Kundan, Nandini, Saajan ka Ghar, Gaddaar, etc. and many bollywood songs, TV series and reality shows also used Udaipur as their backdrop.

Festivals In Udaipur

The Mewar Festival
Mewar Festival, celebrated in the months of March or April, marks the arrival of spring. Women dress themselves up in their finest clothes and specially enjoy the feast to its fullest. At the time of Mewar Festival the images of Lord Shiva (Isar) and Goddess Parvati (Gangaur) are dressed up and carried in a traditional procession through different parts of the city. The final destination of this procession is the Gangaur Ghat at Pichola Lake where the images are immersed into the waters of the lake. At the end of this religious practice, people engage themselves in fun activities and merry making. The Mewar Festival is uniquely marked with the performances of traditional dances and songs revealing the cultural heritage of Rajasthan. The curtains of the Mewar Festival are brought down with a lustrous show of glittering fireworks.
Shilpgram Crafts Fair
Shilpgram Mela or Shilpgram Crafts Fair, celebrated in the month of November or December is the popular festival annually organized in the west region of Udaipur. The main objective behind hosting this fair is to encourage and promote the art and craft of Rajasthan. You can buy Udaipur special handicrafts and artifacts such as hand woven clothes, camel leather, embroideries; mirror works etc from here.