Traditionally, many Indian women—especially royal women—were kept separate from men and general society, and required their own leisure spaces that they could enjoy without being watched by strangers. Udaipur’s Maharana Sangram Singh built Saheliyon ki Bari in the early 18th century for his wife and her 48 companions. With water from nearby Lake Fateh Sagar, the gardens are a rare area of lush greenery in the desert state. Many travelers visit independently and guided city tours make a stop here, too. As well as tours in buses and private tours, you can also take tuk-tuk or tonga (horse-drawn carriage) tours in Udaipur.
Saheliyon ki Bari is located just east of Lake Fateh Sagar, which shouldn’t be confused with Udaipur’s more famous and central Lake Pichola. Lake Fateh Sagar is north of Lake Pichola. The gardens are easy to reach by taxi and most drivers will know where to go. They’re near Sukhadia Circle and the Railway Training Ground.
The garden is open every day from morning until evening. As Udaipur’s climate is very hot for much of the year, it’s best to avoid visiting the garden in the middle of the day. An early morning or evening stroll will be much more comfortable during the hot months. It’s a popular place with local people, so visit during the week to avoid the weekend crowds.
The Saheliyon ki Bari is one kid-friendly attraction in Udaipur, and the Mansapurna Karni Mata Ropeway is another. This cable car connects the Karni Mata Temple atop Machhala Hill with Deendayal Upadhyay Park at the bottom. There are sweeping views of the city, lake, and mountains from the top, and on the ride up.
