The Venice of the East and the city of sunrise Udaipur is a land of fascinating blend of steel blue water lakes, surrounded by lush hills of the Aravalis, dotted with Its fairy-tale palaces, lakes, gardens and narrow lanes are eye feasting sights .The white marble palaces rise from little islands in the lake turning Udaipur into one of the most romantic cities in India. Its romantic beauty is an inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writers. Udaipur was founded in 1559 by Maharaja Udai Singh and named after him. Udaipur is the Jewel of Mewar -a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 years. The foundation of the city has an interesting legend that once Maharana Udai Singh the founder was hunting one day when he met with a holy man meditating on a hill over looking the lake pichola. The hermit blessed the Maharana and advised him to build a palace at this favorably located spot with a fertile valley watered by the stream, a lake, an agreeable altitude and an amphitheatre of low mountains. Maharaja followed the advise of the saint and founded the city in 1559. Over looking the lake Pichola stands the splendid City Palace - a Marvel in granite and marble. Of the original eleven gates of the Udaipur city only five of them remain