Udaipur was ruled by Sisodia dynasty for 1200 years. Under the reign of Mewar kingdom, it reached a glorious peak. There is an intriguing story related to the foundation of this city of Rajasthan. The legend says that Maharana Udai Singh the founder of this city was once on a hunting adventure and chanced upon a sacred man. The man was meditating on a hill that peeped over the Lake Pichhola. That holy man gave blessings to th e Maharana and suggested him an idea of building palace at the place where fertile valley covered by the stream, a lake, an agreeable altitude and a field of low mountains composed the surrounding. Following his advice, Maharana founded this city in 1559. Hence in this land of Mewars the celebration of Mewar Festival, Udaipur catches special attention.
The Mewar Festival in Udaipur is observed to greet the arrival of spring season. It is celebrated on quite a similar pattern as Gangaur festival. However being distinct from it and characterized by unique charm, the Udaipur Mewar Festival enjoys both religious and cultural significance.
Women folk attired in bright dresses flocks at one place to mark the celebration of Mewar Festival, Udaipur. They gather at one point and dress the images of Isar and Gangaur wonderfully. Later, they take these elegantly adorned images of Isar and Gangaur for ceremonial procession. This procession takes various routes of the city and proceeds to the Gangaur Ghat at Lake Pichhola. It is at this site that images are placed onto special boats. With this unrestrained festivities begin and people indulge in singing.
However that was the religious part of the Mewar Festival in Udaipur. Once this part is over the cultural part takes over. The local people sing enchanting songs, perform dances and other programs. The festival reaches its culmination with the ostentatious display of fireworks. |