SAHELIYON KI BARI

SAHELIYON KI BARI

Saheliyon-ki-Bari or the 'Garden of the Maids of Honor' of Udaipur was once reserved for the royal ladies who came here for a stroll. A well planned garden, with extensive lawns and shady walks situated on the banks of the dainty Fateh Sagar Lake was constructed in 18th century by Maharana Sangram Singh for forty-eight young ladies-in-waiting sent to the royal house, as part of the dowry as a cool summer retreat for them. Its numerous fountains located strategically in the four scenic pools of the garden attract as much tourists as the chiseled and sculpted kiosks and marble elephants. However, they had been added later. A rose garden with over 100 varieties greets the visitors.

The garden's lotus pools and fountains have been so placed that they are at a lower level than the waters of Fateh Sagar Lake. The main fountain sports a white marble pavilion in the centre and the contrasting black marble for the four corners of the pond. The 'Savan-Bhado' fountain is on the left of the central square and there is yet another one on the right. The pond on the west features daintily sculptures chhatris (pavilions) of soft black stone, which are surrounded on all sides by more fountains. It is one of the finest examples of Hindu landscape gardening and is a favorite picnic spot of the city.