Kumbhalgarh fort
Kumbhalgarh, located 64 Km from Udaipur, this mountain fortress built in 15th century was called the "eye of Mewar" because of its strategic position in relation to its agressive neighbours of Gujarat and Marwar.
Designed in accordance with the ancient Hindu treatise, Vastu Shastra, it has a commanding view of the wild and rugged landscape of the Aravallis, having an array of magnificient palaces and ruined temples.

The Kumbhalgarh fort also has great significance by being the birthplace of Maharana Pratap and as the finest examples of defensive fortification in Rajasthan. This fort also saw the murder of Rana Kumbha near Jhali Bao at the hand of his son Udai Singh I. The approach to the fort is pretty impressive, across deep ravines and through thick jungles. This forest forms a part of the nearby Kumbhalgarh WildlifeSanctuary
The palaces inside the fort can be approached only through any one of the seven gates of the fort. Seven ramparts one within the other is further reinforced by rounded bastions and massive watchtowers. Mirror signals could be sent from Arait Pol, the first gate, in times of emergency. Hulla Pol or the Gate of Disturbance. The gate is so named because in 1567 the attacking Mughal army had reached this spot which resulted in a great commotion by both parties. The marks of cannon shots can still be seen on the gate. Hanuman Pol one and a half kilometers from the second gate is the third gate and has a temple and a shrine dedicated to the Monkey God Hanuman. It also houses the image of Rana Kumbha, said to have brought back from Mandore in Marwar (now Jodhpur). The Bhairava Pol is next and it has a panel depicting the exiling of a treacherous Prime Minister in the 19th century.

The fifth gate is Paghra Pol (Stirrup Gate) where the cavalry gathered prior to action. The Star watchtower closeby is an early structure and has 8m wide walls. The Topekhana Pol or the Cannon Gate is said to have an underground passage that leads to a secret escape tunnel. The final gate is called Nimboo Pol or the Gate of Lemon Trees, near the temple of Chamundi, one of the 365 temples within the fort. The shrine of the founding Mewar ruler stands in front of the temple. The infant Udai Singh I, later the founder of Udaipur, was saved from murder at his uncle Banbir’s hand after being hidden in chambers close to the Nimboo Pol.

Ranakpur
is located 98 Km from Udaipur, named after Rana Kumbha, is one of the five main holy places of the Jains. Its 500 years old temples are unique in their style & design, with no other place in Rajasthan having the same ambience and setting as that of Ranakpur.
The most famous is the Chaumukha Temple sprawling over 48,000 sq.ft with 29 halls, 80 domes & 1,444 distinctively carved pillars.
Another temple worth visiting is the Sun Temple having polygonal walls with impressive carvings of warriors, horses & splendid chariots.

Ranakpur- A Jain pilgrimage Center

The Jain community and their temple building activities were always patronized by the ruling Mewar dynasty. Dhanna Shah, the founder of the temples at Ranakpur, had approached Rana Kumbha to ask for some land to build a temple. The Rana gladly agreed on one condition that the temple should bear his name. Hence the temple site on the banks of the river Maghai came to be known as Ranakpur and is one of the five main holy places of the Jains. The temples are over 500 years old but well preserved. It is really hard to decide who surpasses the other in beauty – the temples or the town. No other place in Rajasthan has the same ambience and setting as that of Ranakpur whose beauty has been emphasized by its isolation.

The temples in Ranakpur are quite unique in style and design. The ceilings of the temples are carved with fine, lace-like foliate scrollwork and geometric patterns. The domes are carved in concentric bands and the brackets connecting the base of the dome with the top are covered with figures of deities.

The 15th century Adishwar temple or the Chaumaukha temple built by Sheth Dhanna Shah is a fine structure. It is in the form of a Nalinigulm Vimana (heavenly aircraft) that Shah had seen in his dream. Designed by Dipa Shilpi it took 65 years (1367-1432) to erect and is the largest and most complex Jain temple in India. It also boasts of being one of the five most important holy shrines of the Jains.

Eklingji :
The temple is situated 20km from Udaipur Eklingji is famous for its 108 temples complex. Built on a shore of a small lake surrounded by hills it is also known as Kailashpuri or the abode of Shiva.
*It was built by Bappa Rawal on the side of 72 roomed jain temple which had a four faced idol of Adinathji , the first Jain saint.
First built in 728AD , the main temple is made in white marble. Made of black marble , the four faced image of Mahadev (an icon of Lord Shiva) is worshipped as Eklingji.Eklingji is built on the shore of a small lake bounded by the surrounding hills. A religious place from every angle it is also well known as Kailashpuri or the abode of Shiva, the family deity of the ruling Mewar dynasty. Even today the maharana of Udaipur visits this marble temple every Monday. The Lord is regarded as the real ruler of the state who functions through his representative on earth, the Maharana of Udaipur.