Dubbed "the most romantic spot on the continent of India" by British administrator James Tod,[11] Udaipur is a tourist destination and is known for its history, culture, scenic locations and the Rajput-era palaces.

[12] Besides lakes, Udaipur is also known for its historic forts and palaces, museums, galleries, natural locations and gardens, architectural temples, as well as traditional fairs, festivals and structures.

There are footprints of two different civilizations, which provides claims about earliest inhabitants of the Ahar culture: the first ones are the Bhil/Bheels, the indigenous tribes originated at this place, and are still residing in the area in large numbers.

[17] Udaipur was founded in 1559,[6] by Maharana Udai Singh II in the fertile circular Girwa Valley to the southwest of Nagda, on the Banas River.

Maharana Udai Singh II, in the wake of the 16th-century emergence of artillery warfare, decided during his exile at Kumbhalgarh Fort to move his capital to a more secure location.

Ayad was flood-prone, hence he chose the ridge east of Pichola Lake to start his new capital city, where he came upon a hermit while hunting in the foothills of the Aravalli Range.

[38] In recent years, the population growth of Udaipur has increased amazingly due to its weather, relaxing environment and wonderful places to visit nearby.

[51] With various other renowned hotel chains present in the city, the tourism sector has been a fairly large contributor to the economic growth and fame of Udaipur.

[52] Udaipur is host to medium and large enterprises designing and manufacturing electronic instruments, control panels, sensitive metering technology and LED lamps.

The Ropeway Station also offers massage chairs, traditional costume photography and has started "Yoga with a View" sessions for locals and tourists from 1st December 2024.

The dynamic and vibrant dances of Bhavai, Ghoomar, Kachchhi Ghodi, Kalbeliya, and Terahtaali add a sparkle to the rich cultural heritage of Udaipur.

The tradition of painting the wall of houses with scenes from mythological and chivalric tales has been prevalent in Rajasthan for the past many centuries {citation needed}.

Offering an insight into the lifestyle of the royal era in Udaipur, the museum has a collection of dresses, tribal jewelry, turbans, dolls, masks, musical instruments, paintings, and puppets.

With various cultural events including folk song and dance performances, theatre and puppetry, the institute highlights the different social stigmas, thereby proving to be a powerful education tool for the masses.

Shilpgram, a crafts village 3 km west of Lake Fateh Sagar, has displays of traditional houses from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra.

One of the important objectives of the Shilpgram festival is in the sphere of increasing awareness and knowledge of rural life and crafts, specifically, for the younger generation.

In Udaipur, the third biggest Ratha-Yatra[67] is organized on the auspicious day of Ashadh Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) Dwitiya according to Indian Vikram Samvat.

On this cultural day of summer solstice theme, June 21 of every year, the journey of the Hindu god Jagannath to aunt's house is started.

The presiding Hindu gods of the temple Jagannath (Krishna), Balabhadra (Balarama) and their sister Subhadra are taken through the streets in decorated wooden chariots, which are made annually.

For many Hindus, the sanctity of the festival is that a touch of the chariot or pulling ropes is considered to give the results of several pious actions or penance for ages.

[71][72] Udaipur is mentioned under the spelling Oodeypore in Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book as the birthplace of Bagheera, the fictional panther in the king's Menagerie.

Some of the other non-Indian movies and TV shows filmed in Udaipur include: Darjeeling Limited, Opening Night, Heat and Dust, Indische Ring, Inside Octopussy, James Bond in India, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Gandhi, and The Fall.

Some of them shot here include: Dhadak, Guide, Mera Saaya, Phool Bane Angaray, Kachche Dhaage, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Jalmahal, Yaadein,[73] Return of the thief of the bagdad, Eklavya: The Royal Guard, Dhamaal, Jis Desh Mei Ganga Rehta Hai, Chalo Ishq Ladaaye, Fiza, Gaddaar, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Khuda Gawah, Kundan, Nandini, Saajan Ka Ghar, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Pataakha, Mirzya,[74] Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela,[73] Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, Love Aaj Kal, Angrezi Medium.

In this festival, Musical programs, adventure sports, jungle safari, bird watching, light and sound shows, art fair etc.

There are total of 10 countries included and are taking part in the event: Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Brunei, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and India.

Through them, Udaipur has direct train connectivity on the broad gauge network to most of the major cities in Rajasthan and the rest of India such as Mysuru, Bengaluru, Khajuraho, Alwar, Jaipur, Kota, Chittorgarh, Ajmer, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ratlam, Patliputra, Indore, Ujjain, Mumbai, Surat, Vadodara, Gwalior and Agra and a broad gauge conversion is completed in October 2022 for Ahmedabad.

[81] The East West Corridor which starts from Porbandar and ends at Silchar is intersecting the Golden Quadrilateral and shares the common space from Udaipur to Chittor.

Udaipur City Bus Depot has lines running for the majority of other destinations in Rajasthan and farther north and west towards Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

Apart from Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC), there are numerous private operators and companies providing bus services to and from the other cities.

It will be committed to 12 sports namely like Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Kho-Kho, Kabaddi, Handball, Archery, Rifle shooting, Judo – Karate, Boxing, Swimming, Squash.