Sahelion-ki-Bari Garden

• Opening timings: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., open all days
• Entry fee: INR 10 per head for Indians, INR 50 per head for foreigners
• Suggested visiting duration: 30 mins
• Address: Saheli Marg, Infront of Satnam Digital Colour Camera Corner, Saheli Nagar, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
• Recommended tour: 10 Days Golden Triangle to Udaipur Tour

   

Sahelion ki Bari Garden (also known as the Garden of the Maids of Honour) is located on the banks of Fateh Sagar Lake. It is one of the most famous scenic spots in Udaipur. The garden is well known for its lush green lawns, marble art, and fountains.

History of Sahelion ki Bari

Sahelion ki Bari was designed and built by Maharana Sangram Singh II (1710-1734) in 1710 and had a history of more than 300 years.

It is said that the garden was built as a present for the newlywed queen, who was accompanied by 48 dowry maidens. To provide a relaxing and leisure place for them, the king decided to construct this garden. Sahelion ki Bari is embellished with numerous trees, lawns, and fountains. It's not easy to keep such a green area in the extremely water-scarce region of Rajasthan. The queen with her maids and other loyal ladies used to come to Sahelion ki Bari to go for a walk and spend their time in leisure.

In the late nineteenth century, the flood occurred in Fateh Sagar Lake and damaged some parts of the Sahelion ki Bari, and the emperor repaired it to give the present form.

Nowadays, Saheliyon ki Bari has become a leisure park for Udaipur local residents to enjoy recreation and relaxation.

Architecture of Sahelion ki Bari 

Sahelion ki Bari presents a perfect fusion of Indian and English styles of architecture. The essence of Sahelion ki Bari is numerous fountains, ponds and marble pavilions. There is a square white marble pool in the middle of the garden and there are four black marble pavilions at the four directions of the pool. The top of the pavilion is carved by water birds, and the springs are constantly pouring out of the water bird's beak. There is a white vaulted marble pavilion in the center of the pool and a statue of a girl in maid costumes in the center of the pavilion. The trickle will continue to flow around the pavilion.

There is a larger round pool fountain in the west of the garden. If your travel time is proper for the occasion, you will see lotus flowers in the pool. A beautiful three-layer fountain is in the center of the pool. Several stone lions are at the bottom, and several stone waterbirds at the upper two layers, gushing out from mouths of the lions and beaks of the birds in thin sprays. There are four white marble elephants around the pool. Some smaller fountains on both sides of the garden hide in flower beds and green grass.

The water of the garden fountain is drawn from the nearby Fateh Sagar Lake, which served as a continuous source of water to the fountains and the lotus pond. It is said that the king knew his beloved queen like the sound of the rain, his specially designed non-motor fountains hitting the leaves of the trees, which can create the sound of the rain. The sounds from different fountains make the garden with a romantic atmosphere. These fountains were imported from England. That's why you may have the illusion that you are strolling in a European garden.

Apart from the scenic beauty, the garden also possesses a museum, which displays some royal supplies and ancient paintings.

If you are tired of palaces and temples after many days of Indian trip, come to the refreshing and comfortable garden to have a stroll, you will forget the hustle and bustle of the city and rejuvenate from the lush green retreat.