Looking for reasons if you should add Saheliyon ki Bari to your itinerary or not?
Saheliyon ki Bari is one of the top attractions in Udaipur that you should not miss. While there are plenty of places to visit in Udaipur you need to add this historical garden to your list. Udaipur can provide you with a great holiday experience provided that you plan your itinerary the right way.
Nestled on the banks of Fateh Sagar Lake, Saheliyon Ki Bari (SUH-HAY-LEE-YO-KI-BAA-REE) is a lot more than just another historical garden. If you are looking for a quiet evening experience you can visit this Udaipur garden alone or with your family and friends.
However, before I proceed with the reasons why you should visit Saheliyon ki Bari, let’s find out a bit about its history and how it came into existence.
Saheliyon ki Bari History
Built in the 18th century (1710 – 1734), Saheliyon ki Bari (Garden of the Maidens) was designed by Maharana Sangram Singh II. As per various legends, this was a gift to the queen by the king himself.
While I have no credible proof of this, it is said that when the queen got married to Maharana Sangram Singh II she was accompanied by 48 maids in her marriage. However, there was no space for the queen and her maids to go out in the open without being spotted by other males in the vicinity.
To provide the queen and her maids with moments of pleasure of being out in the open the king decided to build this garden. Decorated with ornate marble pavilions, intricately carved fountains and a massive blooming lotus pond, Saheliyon ki Bari was a lush garden designed as a retreat offering private sanctuary away from the grandeur of court life.
Later, Maharana Bhopal Singh added a pavilion with rain fountains that mimic the sound of cascading rain and various sounds related to water. This is what makes Saheliyon ki Bari one of the unique places to visit in Udaipur.
Note: Areas around the rain fountains can be wet. Hence, I recommend wearing a slip-resistant footwear. Right before we toured the garden, it drizzled for a while. Hence, all floors in the images are wet.
Saheliyon Ki Bari Entry Fee
The entry fee for Saheliyon ki Bari is Rs. 10/- per person including children.
For International Visitors, the entry ticket price is Rs. 50/- (USD 0.60) per person.
There are no extra charges for camera.
Saheliyon Ki Bari Timings
Saheliyon ki Bari is open to public from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The park remains open to the public all days of the week.
7 Reasons Why You Should Visit Saheliyon ki Bari
1. Experience Unique Rain Fountains
One of the reasons why you should visit Saheliyon ki Bari Udaipur is because of the aural experience it has to offer. The rain fountains at Saheliyon ki Bari are unlike anything you’ve ever heard or seen. Yes, I mentioned ‘heard’ before seen because these fountains look like any other ordinary fountains. However, they mimic the sound of rain the moment you close your eyes.
Most readers would know that the state of Rajasthan is home to Thar Desert and therefore receives less rainfall compared to other states in India. The idea of incorporating fountains that mimic the sound of rain (in a desert state) is an incredibly genius idea.
The main pool is called ‘Sawan Bhado’ (Rainy Season) and this pool mimics the sound of a pouring rain. This is the biggest pool/fountain in the garden. It has four marble pavilions at the corners with bird figurines atop. No matter where you stand around this pool you can shut your eyes and the sound of the fountain will bring you the images of a pouring rain.
Similarly, various smaller fountains mimic different versions of rain-related sounds like drizzling, pattering and misting sounds.
2. Admire Its Architectural Beauty
While there are no tall structures and buildings in Saheliyon ki Bari one can see the architectural brilliance when visiting this garden. The garden has been designed to offer exclusivity to the royal women. As you stroll various fountains and gardens you will find a glimpse of Mughal and Rajput architecture. You will find various fountains that have bird figures that give them a more feminine feel. If you have inclination for architecture visiting Saheliyon ki Bari is one of the things to do in Udaipur on a budget.
3. You Want to Spend Your Time Leisurely
One of the reasons why you should visit Saheliyon ki Bari Udaipur is because you want to spend your time leisurely. This is one of the best gardens in Udaipur and can provide you with a tranquil experience as you stroll the lush gardens and marble pavilions. This would be a great place to visit in Udaipur when you are with your partner or family. You should visit this Udaipur garden in the morning or evening hours to skip the afternoon heat. While you are in Udaipur you can pick amazing Airbnb rentals to help you stay at the right location.
4. Know Its Historical Significance
There are plenty of top attractions in Udaipur that have historical significance. If you are a history buff you can still visit this lush garden in Udaipur that offers you a piece of history. The history behind the making of this garden itself is interesting because it reflects the values of Rajasthani culture.
The garden is proof of the love, affection and concern of the king for the queen and her maids. To provide his queen and her maids the freedom to move around freely, the king decided to build a royal garden designed with beautiful spaces but ensuring complete privacy from the outside world.
5. See Diverse Plants and Trees
If you are someone who loves to explore various plants, flowers and trees Saheliyon ki Bari seems like a great place to begin with. This garden has a huge variety of different plants, flowers and trees that were grown here to add natural beauty to the space and also create a sense of privacy and seclusion.
You can take your time to explore this huge garden and walk through a variety of plant and tree life. Additionally, you can also spot many birds here in the garden as well.
6. Click Amazing Pictures
Are you into nature photography? With plenty of trees and plants, you can bring out the photographer in you and click some amazing pictures. This would allow you to add some great pictures of the garden and macro shots of the plants, flowers, birds and even insects.
7. Stay Close to Top Attractions in Udaipur
Saheliyon ki Bari is located on the banks of Fateh Sagar Lake and this means that you are closer to other top attractions in Udaipur like the Fateh Sagar Lake itself, Maharana Pratap Memorial and other landmarks. Hence, you can quickly head to other places to visit in Udaipur and cover them subsequently. You can also try shopping in Udaipur at various markets which are just 10 minutes from the garden location.
Conclusion
Saheliyon ki Bari is one of the best places to visit in Udaipur when you have a couple of hours to spare. This is an ideal place for those who want to experience the rain fountains that the garden has to offer. You can spend your time leisurely as you explore the plants and trees and the lush greenery. This is not the right place for those looking for adventure and plenty of activities.
However, this would be an ideal place to spend time when you are with your family and loved ones. For the minimal entry fee, you can always visit Saheliyon ki Bari and combine it with other local attractions in your itinerary.
FAQs
Q: How much time is sufficient to explore Saheliyon ki Bari?
A: While the garden is vast you can spend around 2 hours here. This would allow you to enjoy different areas and fountains at the park , take pictures and selfies and appreciate the beauty of the garden.
Q: What is the best time to visit Saheliyon ki Bari?
A: If you are planning to add Saheliyon ki Bari to your itinerary you can visit it in the early morning or evening hours. In terms of months, you can visit this garden from September to March.
Q: Do you need a guide while visiting Saheliyon ki Bari?
A: The moment you walk in towards the ticket window you will find local guides approaching you. Many people skip local guides here because they prefer to enjoy the lush garden and spend a leisurely day. However, if you want to know more about various areas of garden I would recommend hiring a local guide to make your trip worthwhile.
