Mishri (1866-1926) were famous in Udaipur and Mewar, while in Nathdwara, Pichvai paintings were the most celebrated. Today, Udaipur has an extraordinary number of accomplished artists in small ateliers scattered throughout the city.

Historical sites
Destinations around Udaipur include historic and cultural sites of Nagda, the old capital of the Mewar dynasty, dating back to 626 AD. The private temple of Shri Eklingji just outside Udaipur is chiselled out of sandstone and marble. It was originally built in 734 AD by Bappa Rawal, founder of the Mewar Dynasty. Shri Eklingji an incarnation of Lord Shiva is the principle deity of the people of Udaipur. The complex of 108 temples is built on the shore of a lake and enclosed by high walls. A manifestation of Lord Shiva, Shri Eklingji has been the protective deity of the rulers of Mewar ever since the eighth century. To this day the Maharana of Udaipur visits his temples as the eponymous Shri Eklingji in who's name he acts as custodian of Mewar.

Located 55 km north of Udaipur on the bank of the river Banas, is the most celebrated Vaishnava shrine of Lord Krishna or Shri Nathji. It is a major pilgrimage destination and also a centre for traditional meenakari (enamel) work. Nathdwara or 'Gateway to God' is a seventeenth century town, more famous for its historic battlefield of Haldi Ghati. It was here, in 1576 AD that Rana Pratap, on his incomparable white stallion Chetak, carried the crimson banner of Mewar, against the mighty Mughal army. For the first time, in fifty years, the Mughals suffered their first setback and Haldi Ghati shattered the myth of their invincibility. The battle of Haldi Ghati, displayed acts of unparalleled bravery, unmatched sacrifices and fighting skills of a few notable individuals who participated in this battle for the preservation of self-respect, self-reliance and independence. Rana Pratap is a national hero on account of his commitment to preserve the independence of Mewar, at any cost, despite heavy odds stacked against him. Even today, his life inspires those who value self-respect and self-reliance.

A centre for crafts and performing arts
Udaipur furthermore has a proud heritage as a centre for crafts and performing arts. It is famous for its school of miniature paintings in the Rajput - Mughal style. Beautifully crafted enamel work called Meenakari is also a good buy in Udaipur. Filigree animals and birds richly coloured in ruby reds, blues, greens and whites form a dominant theme. Bandhini and Lehariya, age-old techniques of tying and dyeing fabrics are another specialty of the region.

Mewar Cuisine
Each region in India has its own traditional dishes and specialities. In the royal kitchens of Rajasthan, as well as most other states, food is a very serious business and was raised to the level of an art-form. Rajasthani cooking naturally favoured the war-like lifestyle of medieval Rajasthan and the availability of ingredients of the region. The Rajput warrior, for example, was not averse to shikar, killing game to put in his pot at night. As a result of this, the Mewar or Udaipur family devised a form of barbecue called Sooley.

Shri Eklingji temple

Centuries of loyalty between rulers and subjects have been kept alive by songs, stories and paintings. The Maharana may now lack political power, but he remains as respected by the people of Udaipur as were his forefathers. His personal funding and income from tourism are invested in the Maharana of Mewar charitable Foundation, which subsidizes local hospitals and dispensaries, educational institutions, welfare of women, environmental projects, to name only a few.

Conceived in 1995 by Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur, the 'City within a City' project, within the City Palace complex can be experienced as a unique and holistic existence achieved by the dynamic partnership of the philanthropic and corporate activities of the House of Mewar. A role model of pragmatic and sustainable living heritage, this miniature city ensconced within the City Palace Complex responds to the present day issues of environmental conservation, promotion of arts and crafts, protection of cultural heritage and sustainable and safe tourism. The 'City within a City' project, which has now developed into the much more comprehensive Eternal Mewar project in fact, is the ideal Gateway to Udaipur, Mewar and Rajasthan. In essence, this visualization is the manner in which the non-commercial section of the House of Mewar conserves, restores and continues the Heritage of Mewar; it is the way in which this heritage is presented by the HRH Group and an experience that can be felt in each and every activity within the City Palace Complex. In this age of commercialism, the 76th custodian of the House of Mewar is convinced that social welfare is as important as generating revenues and profits and the imaginative and original City within a City concept, now under the banner of the Eternal Mewar project is an ideal example of such Heritage Tourism. Foreign and Indian tourists who visit the City Palace Complex, Udaipur not only experience a unique phenomenon second to none, but also contribute to the future growth of the self sufficient little City within the larger City of Udaipur. In addition, the Foundation has also set up a number of subsidiary Trusts for religious and charitable purposes, to give assistance without distinction of caste, creed or religion in the honoured tradition of a family that has never descended to bigotry.