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Saheliyon Ki Bari

An 18th century garden built for the queen's maidens, where the fountains run on gravity alone and the lotus pool is lined with marble elephants

  • 18th century royal garden
  • North Udaipur
  • Gravity fed fountains
  • October to March best
  • 30 to 60 minutes

What makes it special

Saheliyon Ki Bari is a small 18th century garden in northern Udaipur, about a kilometre from Fateh Sagar Lake. The name translates to "Garden of the Maidens." Maharana Sangram Singh II built it for a queen and her attendants (tradition says 48 of them) who came to Udaipur as part of her dowry. The garden was their private retreat, a place to walk, sit by fountains, and be away from the formality of the palace.

The genuinely interesting part is the engineering. The fountains in this garden run on gravity alone. No pumps, no motors. Water flows down from Fateh Sagar Lake through channels and ducts, and the pressure of the natural elevation difference powers the fountains. This system was designed in the 18th century and parts of it still work. When the fountains are running at full flow, there is also a "rain fountain" pavilion (added later by Maharana Bhopal Singh) where water falls from the ceiling like artificial rain. Standing under it is genuinely fun, especially in the heat.

Beyond the fountains, the garden has a lotus pool with marble pavilions around it, life sized marble elephants that stand along the walkways, shaded paths with old trees, and a small museum in one wing with royal household items and some stuffed animals. The garden is compact. You can see everything in 30 to 45 minutes at a comfortable pace. An hour if you take photos.

The honest take

This is not a major Udaipur attraction. It is a pleasant, quiet garden that takes under an hour and pairs well with Fateh Sagar Lake, which is right next door. If your Udaipur itinerary is tight (two days or less), you can skip this without regret. If you have a relaxed third day, or if you are already at Fateh Sagar for the evening, walk over. The entry fee is nominal, the fountains are genuinely clever, and the garden is one of the few spaces in the city that was designed specifically for women's enjoyment, which gives it a character most Udaipur heritage sites do not have.

It is also a popular photography spot, especially for pre wedding shoots. On weekends you may find parts of the garden occupied by photographers and their subjects. Morning visits before 10 AM are quieter.

Entry fees and timings may change. Confirm at the gate on the day you visit.

Quick answers

Is Saheliyon Ki Bari worth visiting?
It is a pleasant 30 to 45 minute garden visit with genuinely interesting 18th century gravity fed fountains. Worth it if you have a relaxed day and are already visiting nearby Fateh Sagar Lake. Skippable if your time is tight.
What is the entry fee?
Nominal. Roughly ₹10 to ₹30 for Indians and ₹50 to ₹150 for foreigners, depending on the source. Fees may have been updated. Confirm at the gate.
How much time do I need?
30 to 45 minutes at a comfortable pace. An hour if you want photos. It is a compact garden, not a large complex.
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Quick facts

Everything you need to know at a glance.

At a glance

Location
North Udaipur, near Fateh Sagar Lake embankment. About 3 to 4 km from the old city.
Built by
Maharana Sangram Singh II, early 18th century. Built for the queen and her 48 maiden attendants.
Known for
Gravity fed fountains (no pumps), lotus pool, marble elephants, rain fountain pavilion, and a small museum.
Entry fee
Nominal. Roughly ₹10 to ₹30 for Indians, ₹50 to ₹150 for foreigners. Confirm at the gate.
Timings
Generally 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily. Confirm at the gate.
Time needed
30 to 45 minutes. An hour with photos.
Best season
October to March. Fountains are strongest post monsoon (Sep to Nov) when Fateh Sagar is full.

On the ground

Mobile network
Works fine.
Food
No restaurant inside. Street food stalls at nearby Fateh Sagar Lake.
Parking
Small parking area at the entrance.
Washrooms
Available inside the garden.
Photography
Allowed. Best light before 10 AM. Pre wedding shoots common on weekends.
Walking
Flat, paved, shaded pathways. Easy for everyone.

Seasonal weather

  • October to March
    28°5°
    Winter
  • April to June
    42°25°
    Summer
  • July to September
    35°22°
    Monsoon

Suitable for

  • Couples — suitable
  • Families — suitable
  • Seniors — suitable
  • Solo — suitable
  • First-timers — with some care
  • Pet-friendly — not suitable

How to reach Saheliyon Ki Bari

2 approach routes, with seasonal access.

  • From Udaipur old city

    Year round
    Distance
    About 3 to 4 km
    Time
    10 to 15 minutes by auto
    Road
    City roads. Auto, Ola, or taxi.

    Auto from City Palace or Jagdish Temple. Roughly ₹60 to ₹100. Ola and Uber also work. The garden is in the Panchwati / New Fatehpura area near Fateh Sagar Lake.

  • From Fateh Sagar Lake (walking)

    Year round
    Distance
    About 1 km
    Time
    10 to 15 minutes on foot
    Road
    Flat, paved road along the lake embankment.

    If you are already at Fateh Sagar Lake, the garden is a short walk north along the embankment road. This is the natural pairing.

Best time to visit

Season by season, so you can plan around the weather rather than hope.

  • Recommended

    Winter

    October to March

    Best time. Comfortable weather and fountains at their strongest post monsoon.

    Day temperature
    15 to 28°C
    Fountains
    Best early in the season when lake is full
    Crowds
    Low to moderate (weekday mornings quietest)
    Photography
    Good light, especially mornings

    Comfortable weather for walking the garden. The fountains are usually at their best in the early part of this window (October to November) when Fateh Sagar Lake is still full from the monsoon and the gravity pressure is strongest. Morning visits before 10 AM are the quietest.

  • Summer

    April to June

    Hot, but the shade and the rain fountain help.

    Day temperature
    30 to 42°C
    Fountains
    Can be weak if lake level is low
    Comfort
    Shaded paths help, but still hot
    Tip
    Morning only

    Hot. The garden has shade from old trees, which helps, but walking around in 40°C heat is not pleasant. The rain fountain pavilion is actually more fun in summer because you want to get wet. Lake levels may be low, weakening the fountains.

  • Monsoon

    July to September

    Greenest garden and strongest fountains, but rain can be a problem.

    Day temperature
    25 to 35°C
    Fountains
    Strongest when lake is filling up
    Garden
    Greenest
    Rain
    Can interrupt your visit

    The garden is green and the fountains are at full flow as Fateh Sagar fills up. Monsoon rain adds to the atmosphere. But if it is actively raining, the garden visit is not comfortable. Late September, when the rain tapers off and the lake is at peak level, is actually the best single window for the fountains.

Things to see & do

4 things worth your time at Saheliyon Ki Bari.

  1. Watch the gravity fed fountains

    10 to 15 minutes

    The main draw. The fountains run on gravity alone, powered by the natural elevation difference from Fateh Sagar Lake. No pumps. The rain fountain pavilion, where water falls from the ceiling, is worth seeking out. Best when the lake is full (post monsoon) and water pressure is strongest.

  2. Walk through the garden and lotus pool

    15 to 20 minutes

    The central lotus pool is surrounded by marble pavilions. The life sized marble elephants line the walkways. The pathways are shaded by old trees. It is a compact, manicured space. Pleasant for a slow walk, especially on a warm afternoon.

  3. Visit the small museum

    10 minutes

    One wing of the garden has a small museum with royal household items and some stuffed animals (cobras, birds). It is basic and takes about 10 minutes, but included in the entry fee.

  4. Photography

    Throughout your visit

    The marble pavilions, elephants, and fountain areas photograph well. Morning light before 10 AM is the best for photography. On weekends, pre wedding shoot crews can occupy the main areas.

Know before you visit Saheliyon Ki Bari

The practical bits, from people who have been.

The fountains depend on lake water levelGravity fed from Fateh Sagar Lake. Best when the lake is full (post monsoon).

The fountains run on gravity from Fateh Sagar Lake, not electric pumps. When the lake is full (typically September to March), the fountains run at their best. When the lake level drops in summer or drought years, the fountains can weaken or stop. There is no way to predict this in advance. If the fountains matter to your visit, come post monsoon.

Pair with Fateh Sagar LakeWalk to Fateh Sagar in 10 minutes. Natural pairing for the same afternoon.

Saheliyon Ki Bari is about 1 km from Fateh Sagar Lake. The natural pairing is to walk from one to the other. Do Saheliyon Ki Bari first (quieter in the morning), then walk to Fateh Sagar for the evening lakeside experience and street food. Moti Magri (Maharana Pratap memorial) is also nearby and can be added to the same half day.

Pre wedding shoot crowds on weekendsWeekends can be crowded with photography shoots. Morning visits are quieter.

The garden is popular for pre wedding photography shoots, especially on weekends. If you visit on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, you may find photographers and their subjects occupying the best spots near the fountains and lotus pool. Weekday mornings before 10 AM are the quietest.

Who it suitsGood for a quiet 30 to 45 minute stop. Not a major destination on its own.

Anyone who enjoys gardens, historical engineering, or a quiet stop between busier sights. Families with children (the rain fountain pavilion is fun for kids). Seniors (flat, paved, shaded). Photography enthusiasts. Not ideal if you are short on time and need to prioritise. This is a 30 to 45 minute attraction, not a half day destination.

Nearby attractions

Other places worth the detour.

  • Fateh Sagar Lake

    ~1 km · 10 min walk

    Udaipur's local lake, about 1 km from the garden. Cheap boating, evening street food stalls, and a relaxed atmosphere. Walk here after the garden for the best pairing.

  • Moti Magri (Maharana Pratap Memorial)

    ~1.5 km · 5 min auto

    A hilltop memorial to Maharana Pratap of Mewar, next to Fateh Sagar Lake. A bronze statue of the warrior on his horse Chetak with views of the lake below.

  • City Palace

    ~4 km · 15 min auto

    The largest palace complex in Rajasthan, on the banks of Lake Pichola in the old city. A separate visit, usually done on a different day.

  • Lake Pichola

    ~4 km · 15 min auto

    The main lake of Udaipur with palaces and the famous sunset boat ride. Connected to Fateh Sagar.

  • Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace

    ~5 km · 20 min drive

    A hilltop palace with panoramic views of Udaipur. Best at sunset. About 5 km from the garden.

Our packages with Saheliyon Ki Bari

Curated trips that include a visit to Saheliyon Ki Bari.

FAQ

What is the entry fee for Saheliyon Ki Bari?

The entry fee is nominal. Sources report roughly ₹10 to ₹30 for Indians and ₹50 to ₹150 for foreigners. Fees vary across sources and may have been updated. Confirm at the gate. Either way, it costs less than a cup of coffee.

What are the timings?

Generally open daily from about 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Some sources report 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Last entry is usually about 30 minutes before closing. Confirm at the gate.

How much time do I need?

30 to 45 minutes covers everything at a comfortable pace. Add 15 to 20 minutes if you want to take photos. It is a compact garden, not a large complex.

How do the fountains work without pumps?

The fountains in the garden run on gravity alone. Water flows down from Fateh Sagar Lake through channels, and the natural elevation difference creates enough pressure to power the fountains without any pumps or motors. This system was designed in the 18th century. The rain fountain pavilion, where water falls from the ceiling, was added later.

How far is it from the old city?

About 3 to 4 km from the old city. About 1 km from Fateh Sagar Lake. Auto from City Palace or Jagdish Temple costs roughly ₹60 to ₹100 and takes 10 to 15 minutes. If you are at Fateh Sagar, it is a 5 to 10 minute walk.

Is it suitable for families and seniors?

Yes. The garden is flat, paved, and shaded. There are no steep climbs. Comfortable for seniors and families with children. Children enjoy the rain fountain pavilion and the marble elephants.

Is Saheliyon Ki Bari worth visiting?

If you have three or more days in Udaipur and are already visiting Fateh Sagar Lake, yes. It is a pleasant 30 to 45 minute stop. The gravity fed fountains are genuinely interesting. If you only have two days, you can skip it without missing something essential.

When are the fountains at their best?

After monsoon (September to November) when Fateh Sagar Lake is full and the water pressure powering the fountains is at its strongest. The fountains are the main draw, and they are at their best when the lake is high.

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Written by
Travel Coffee EditorialDestination Research
Last reviewed
July 2026