Saheliyon Ki Bari

Published on June 27, 2025

Saheliyon Ki Bari, which means "Garden of the Maidens," is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in Udaipur. While Udaipur is known for its grand palaces and vast lakes, this garden offers a quiet, green escape that shows the softer, more gentle side of the city's royal past. It's not just a collection of plants and fountains; it's a place full of history, clever engineering, and a story of a king's love and care for his queen. To truly understand its charm, we must look at its origin, its amazing design, and what it means to the city.

The Story of Its Origin: A King's Gift

The story of Saheliyon Ki Bari begins in the early 18th century, during a time of peace and prosperity in the Mewar kingdom. The king at the time was a wise and kind ruler named Maharana Sangram Singh II. He was a king who cared not only about his kingdom's strength but also about the happiness of his family.

He had a queen whom he loved very much. When she was getting married, she brought with her a large number of her own maids, about 48 of them, to live with her in the palace. These maids were not just servants; they were her companions and friends. The queen and her maids lived a life that was often private and limited to the palace walls. The world outside was busy with politics, war, and the duties of running a kingdom. The king saw that his queen and her maids needed a place where they could go to relax and have fun, away from all the noise and duties of the royal court.

So, as a symbol of his love and care, Maharana Sangram Singh II decided to build a special garden just for them. He chose a beautiful piece of land near the Fateh Sagar Lake, which provided a natural source of water. The garden was designed to be a private and happy place where the queen and her companions could spend their time. They could walk freely, talk without worry, and enjoy the beauty of nature in a safe and peaceful environment. The garden was a perfect example of a king's thoughtful gift, a space built purely for pleasure and joy. It showed that even in a powerful kingdom, the small, personal moments of happiness were important.

An Architectural and Engineering Marvel

The design of Saheliyon Ki Bari is simple yet very clever, showing the great skill of the builders of that time. The garden is most famous for its many fountains, which are its heart and soul.

• The Amazing Fountains: The most remarkable part of the garden is its fountains, which were built without any modern technology like pumps. The builders used a smart system based on gravity and water pressure. Water was brought from the nearby Fateh Sagar Lake through a complex network of pipes and channels. Because the garden was at a lower level than the lake, the natural flow of the water created enough pressure to make the fountains work. This was a true engineering marvel of the 18th century.

  There are many types of fountains in the garden, each with a unique design:

  • The Central Fountain: At the heart of the garden is a large fountain with a big lotus flower on top. The water shoots up from the middle of the flower, creating a beautiful and refreshing sight.

  • The Rain Fountains: In some parts of the garden, there are special fountains that create the effect of rain. This was made to give the queen and her maids the feeling of being out in the rain without actually getting wet.

     

  • The Elephant Fountains: Around a large marble pavilion, there are four fountains with statues of elephants. The water flows out from their trunks, making it look like a herd of elephants is playing in the water.

     

• The Pavilions (Chhatris): The garden has many beautiful pavilions, or chhatris, made of marble. These small, domed structures were a place for the royal ladies to sit and relax in the shade. Each pavilion is finely carved with detailed designs, and some of them have benches where people could sit and enjoy the sound of the fountains. These pavilions are a key part of the garden’s design, breaking up the open space and providing cool, private spots.
   
• The Marble Elephants: The garden also has a special place with four large, lifelike marble elephants. Water flows from their trunks into a small pool. These elephants are not just statues; they are a part of the garden’s water system and a beautiful example of the artistry of the time.
   
• The Lotus Pool: One of the most peaceful spots in the garden is a large pool full of beautiful lotus flowers and water lilies. The pool is surrounded by green lawns and walkways, and it adds to the serene and natural feel of the garden. The lotus flowers, which are a symbol of beauty and purity in India, make the pool even more special.

   

A Place of Culture and Peace

Saheliyon Ki Bari was more than just a place to rest; it was a center for the royal women's cultural and social life. It's easy to imagine them sitting in the pavilions, telling stories, singing songs, and enjoying music. The garden would have been a place where they could be themselves, away from the strict rules of the palace.

The garden’s design, with its walkways and many different fountains, was perfect for walking and spending time with each other. It was a place for friendship, laughter, and calm. The sounds of the fountains would have drowned out the distant sounds of the city, making it feel like a completely different world.

Over the years, the garden became an important part of Udaipur's royal traditions. It was a place where special events and small celebrations for the queen and her maids would have taken place. It was a symbol of the queen's position and the king's dedication to her.

The Visitor's Experience Today

Today, Saheliyon Ki Bari is a popular spot for both locals and tourists. It's a great place to escape the city's heat and noise. The lush green lawns, the many colorful flowers, and the constant sound of water from the fountains create a very relaxing atmosphere.

As you enter the garden, you are immediately greeted by the sight and sound of the fountains. The air is cool and fresh, and the greenery is a welcome sight. You can walk along the paths, sit on the marble benches, and watch the fountains spray water high into the air. The garden is well-maintained and looks just as beautiful today as it did centuries ago.

At one end of the garden, there is a small museum. It shows artifacts and a small collection of old things from the royal family. It gives visitors a better understanding of the history of the garden and the lifestyle of the people who used it. The museum is a great place to learn more about the garden's past and the amazing story behind its creation.

For photographers, the garden is a paradise. The fountains, the beautiful flowers, and the historical pavilions make for stunning pictures. The best time to visit is often after the monsoon rains when the garden is at its greenest and the water in the fountains is at its fullest. The light in the morning or late afternoon is also perfect for taking photos.

The atmosphere in Saheliyon Ki Bari is one of peace and calm. It is a place where you can just sit and reflect, listening to the gentle sound of the water. It’s a place that connects you to the past, allowing you to imagine the queen and her maids enjoying their time in this beautiful, private world.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Beauty and Ingenuity

Saheliyon Ki Bari is more than just a garden; it is a beautiful piece of history that tells the story of the royal women of Mewar and shows the great skill of the builders of that time. Its origin, as a king's thoughtful gift, makes it a symbol of love and care. The ingenious engineering of its fountains, which still work perfectly today, is a testament to the scientific knowledge of the 18th century.

The garden stands as a lovely symbol of leisure, beauty, and the calm side of a grand kingdom. It reminds us that even in a world of power and politics, there was a great appreciation for art, nature, and creating spaces for peace and happiness. A visit to Saheliyon Ki Bari is not just a trip to a garden; it's a journey into a royal past, a step into a world of beauty and tranquility that has been carefully preserved for centuries. It remains a timeless gem in the city of Udaipur.