Jagdish Temple

Jagdish Temple stands in the busy old city of Udaipur, close to the City Palace. Maharana Jagat Singh I commissioned it, and it has been in worship since 1651. Vishnu is honoured here as Jagannath, Lord of the Universe, and the temple remains one of the city's main religious centres.

Built in the Indo-Aryan style, it rises over three storeys with pillared halls, tall spires, painted walls and decorated ceilings. A flight of 32 marble steps with carved balustrades and two large stone elephants leads to the entrance. The sanctum holds a black stone image of Vishnu as Jagannath, with figures of his consorts beside him. Carvings of Vishnu's avatars and celestial beings cover the walls, and smaller shrines in the complex honour Shiva, Ganesha, Surya and Shakti.