Palace on Wheels in Udaipur: Discover the Beauty of Saheliyon Ki Bari

There are destinations that impress you immediately, and then there are places that reveal their beauty slowly. Udaipur, Rajasthan’s enchanting City of Lakes, manages to do both.

Surrounded by the Aravalli Hills and shaped by shimmering lakes, magnificent palaces and centuries of royal heritage, Udaipur is one of the most memorable destinations visited during a journey aboard the Palace on Wheels.

Among the city’s grand monuments is somewhere altogether more intimate: Saheliyon Ki Bari, the celebrated Garden of the Maidens. With elegant marble pavilions, lotus pools, graceful fountains and lush gardens, it offers a peaceful glimpse into the private world of Udaipur’s royal past.

For guests travelling aboard the Palace on Wheels, the visit provides a beautiful contrast to Rajasthan’s imposing forts and palaces—and another reason why Udaipur remains such a highlight of this legendary luxury rail journey.

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Arriving in Udaipur Aboard the Palace on Wheels

One of the pleasures of travelling through Rajasthan by luxury train is waking each day to discover an entirely new destination.

When the Palace on Wheels arrives in Udaipur, guests step from the comfort of the train into a city defined by water, architecture and royal history.

Known as the City of Lakes, Udaipur was founded in the 16th century by Maharana Udai Singh II and became the capital of the Mewar kingdom. Its remarkable setting around Lake Pichola and surrounding hills gives the city a character quite different from Jaipur, Jodhpur or Jaisalmer.

The day’s sightseeing introduces guests to some of Udaipur’s most celebrated attractions, but one of its most charming stops is the beautiful Saheliyon Ki Bari.

Saheliyon Ki Bari – Udaipur’s Garden of the Maidens

Away from the grandeur of Udaipur’s enormous palace complexes lies a quieter expression of royal life.

Saheliyon Ki Bari, meaning the Garden of the Maidens, is one of Udaipur’s most enchanting historic gardens.

Created during the reign of Maharana Sangram Singh II in the 18th century, the garden is traditionally associated with the royal ladies of the Mewar court. It provided a secluded retreat where the queen and her companions could escape the formalities of palace life.

Today, walking through the garden offers visitors an opportunity to imagine this more private side of Rajasthan’s royal history.

Instead of towering fortifications, visitors encounter delicately designed gardens, shaded pathways, pools and pavilions.

It is elegant rather than imposing—and that is precisely its charm.

Marble Pavilions, Lotus Pools and Fountains

The beauty of Saheliyon Ki Bari in Udaipur lies in its details.

Graceful fountains send streams of water into ornamental pools, while marble pavilions appear between trees and landscaped gardens. Lotus pools add colour and tranquillity, creating peaceful corners that invite visitors to linger.

Water plays an especially important role in the garden’s character.

The sound of fountains, combined with the greenery and elegant architecture, creates an atmosphere that feels wonderfully removed from the busy streets outside.

For photographers, the combination of marble architecture, reflections, fountains and gardens offers countless beautiful compositions.

For travellers, however, its appeal is often much simpler.

It is a place to slow down.

A Different Side of Rajasthan’s Royal Heritage

Rajasthan is renowned for monumental architecture.

The immense walls of its forts, elaborate royal palaces and imposing gateways tell stories of dynasties, battles and political power.

Saheliyon Ki Bari tells a gentler story.

Here, Rajasthan’s royal heritage is expressed through landscape design, leisure and beauty. The garden reminds visitors that life within the royal courts wasn’t solely about ceremonial halls and fortified palaces.

There were also private spaces created simply for conversation, relaxation and enjoyment.

This makes Saheliyon Ki Bari particularly interesting when experienced as part of a wider Palace on Wheels tour of Rajasthan. Each destination reveals a different dimension of the region’s history.

Exploring Udaipur’s Magnificent City Palace

Saheliyon Ki Bari is only one chapter in a fascinating day of Udaipur sightseeing aboard the Palace on Wheels.

Another highlight is the magnificent City Palace, dramatically positioned overlooking Lake Pichola.

Built and expanded by successive rulers of Mewar, the vast complex is a remarkable collection of courtyards, balconies, towers, corridors and royal apartments.

From its elevated terraces, visitors can admire wonderful views across the lake towards Udaipur’s islands, hills and historic buildings.

Inside, ornate rooms, decorative artwork and museum collections reveal the extraordinary history of the Mewar dynasty.

The contrast between the monumental City Palace and the intimate gardens of Saheliyon Ki Bari makes exploring both particularly rewarding.

The Romance of Lake Pichola

No luxury visit to Udaipur feels complete without experiencing Lake Pichola.

The lake forms the visual heart of the city, surrounded by palaces, historic havelis, temples and the distant Aravalli Hills.

A boat journey provides one of the most memorable perspectives of Udaipur.

From the water, landmarks such as Jag Mandir and the famous Lake Palace appear almost to float above the lake, while the immense City Palace rises dramatically from the shoreline.

It’s easy to understand why Udaipur has long been considered one of India’s most romantic cities.

Udaipur’s Bazaars and Traditional Crafts

Udaipur isn’t simply a city of royal monuments.

Its markets and workshops continue Rajasthan’s long traditions of craftsmanship.

Colourful textiles, miniature paintings, silver jewellery, decorative objects and handcrafted souvenirs fill the city’s bazaars. Exploring these streets provides another perspective on Udaipur, connecting its historic royal patronage with the artisans who continue traditional crafts today.

These smaller encounters often complement the grand sightseeing beautifully.

One moment you’re standing inside a centuries-old palace; the next you’re watching an artisan carefully create a miniature painting.

Together, these experiences reveal the living heritage of Rajasthan.

Returning to the Palace on Wheels

After exploring Udaipur, returning to the Palace on Wheels creates another change of pace.

The train becomes a familiar retreat between destinations—a place to relax after sightseeing, enjoy attentive hospitality and watch Rajasthan’s landscapes pass beyond the windows.

This balance is one of the great appeals of luxury train travel in India.

Rather than repeatedly checking into hotels and repacking luggage, guests return to their own private cabin while the train carries them towards the next destination.

By evening, Udaipur may already be disappearing into the distance as another chapter of Rajasthan awaits.

Why Udaipur Is a Highlight of the Palace on Wheels

Every destination on the Palace on Wheels route has its own personality.

Jaipur brings colourful bazaars and magnificent architecture. Jaisalmer rises dramatically from the desert. Jodhpur is dominated by mighty Mehrangarh Fort. Ranthambore introduces the excitement of India’s wildlife.

Udaipur offers something different.

Its lakes soften the landscape. Its palaces appear reflected in the water. Its gardens provide quiet spaces between grand monuments.

And places such as Saheliyon Ki Bari reveal that Rajasthan’s royal heritage isn’t only about grandeur—it can also be found in the delicate sound of fountains, a lotus-covered pool or a marble pavilion hidden among the trees.

Palace on Wheels – More Than a Luxury Train

A journey aboard the Palace on Wheels is ultimately about much more than the train itself.

The luxurious cabins, restaurants and onboard hospitality provide the setting, but it is the combination of destinations and experiences that defines the journey.

Each day brings guests face-to-face with another part of India’s story—from royal Rajasthan and its historic cities to wildlife encounters and iconic monuments.

Udaipur captures this philosophy beautifully.

You arrive aboard one of India’s most famous luxury trains, spend the day surrounded by palaces, lakes and gardens, and then return to your cabin as the journey continues.

It is sightseeing without the constant disruption of conventional touring.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Udaipur?

The Palace on Wheels operates during the cooler part of the year, making this an excellent period for exploring Rajasthan.

The autumn and winter months generally bring more comfortable conditions for sightseeing, particularly when exploring outdoor attractions such as Saheliyon Ki Bari, palace courtyards and Udaipur’s historic streets.

Those planning to travel during popular periods should consider reserving well ahead, particularly when specific cabin categories or departure dates are important.

Experience Udaipur Aboard the Palace on Wheels

There are grander attractions in Rajasthan, but the charm of Saheliyon Ki Bari lies precisely in its intimacy.

Its fountains still dance above tranquil pools. Marble pavilions remain surrounded by greenery. Lotus flowers add colour to quiet corners. Together, they preserve a glimpse of the elegance and refinement once enjoyed by Udaipur’s royal household.

Combined with the grandeur of City Palace and the serenity of Lake Pichola, it makes a day in Udaipur one of the most varied and memorable experiences aboard the Palace on Wheels.

For travellers seeking a journey that combines Rajasthan’s royal heritage with the romance of luxury rail travel, Udaipur is a destination that deserves to be savoured rather than simply visited.

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