Perched on the top of a marvellous hill is the famous Moti Magri, Maharana Pratap Memorial Park. It is situated such that it gives a beauteous overlook of the Fateh Sagar Lake. At the topnotch location of the hill is placed a gigantic bronze statue of the Rajput hero Maharana Pratap, who is straddling his patriotic horse Chetak.
Moti Magri is also known as the Pearl Hill or Zinc Park. It was made in the memory of its beloved jingoistic king, Maharana Pratap. It is quite a walk to reach the top, so if you love hiking, then pull up your socks for an adventurous trip. It is the best picnic spot for the locals and attracts many tourists round the year.
History of Moti Magri
Maharana Pratap Memorial was instituted somewhere in the twentieth century by the Pratap Sabha, Maharana Pratap Bhupal Singh of the Mewar dynasty. It was then brought to its final stage in 1948 with the help of public trust under the monarchy of Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar.
The memorial comprehends a majestic bronze statue of the courageous Maharana Pratap who is seated on his loyal and dearest horse, Chetak. Chetak was known for its faithfulness towards Maharana Pratap during the battle of Haldighati in 1575 against the Great Emperor Akbar, where it sacrificed its life to save its master.
Maharana Pratap did a lot for the people of his dynasty and was a lion-hearted Rajput king. Even today, people of Mewar appreciate his martyrdom and celebrate his efforts made as a true ruler towards his people.
Enthralling Gospel
Moti Magri is situated on the eastern part of the Fateh Sagar Lake. The luminous bronze statue of Maharana Pratap riding Chetak stands 11 feet high and weighs 7 tons.
The hill is luscious green protecting the tourist from the scorching heat of the sun. It gives a fantabulous view of the blue-green Aravali ranges at the backdrop.
Rich in its history, it is a place that will drag you back to the bold historical days and get you those Rajputana vibes.
People often come to pay tribute to the dignified King of Mewar who rebelled against the colossal army of Mughals to save his dynasty. The tales of the bravery of Maharana Pratap dwells in every aspect at Moti Magri. The park even pays tribute to the injured yet valiant horse, Chetak.
A picturesque scenery invites photographers to click the best photos of their kind. There is an amazing 360-degree view of the entire Udaipur city from the top of the hill. The garden area allows you to spend hours with your family and have a serene feel altogether. The park offers ample space for the kids to play and enjoy themselves.
Things To Do Around Moti Magri
- Light and Sound Show: Moti Magri is acclaimed to be one of the most popular tourist sites of Udaipur. At your visit to the Memorial park, do not miss the glorious light and sound show. The show portrays the 900 years rule of Mewar dynasty over Rajasthan. It’s not only entertaining, but the glowing view of the lit-up nightlife of Udaipur is also illustrious from the top.
- Moti Mahal Museum: The Moti Mahal museum at Moti Magri has preserved the history of the Maharanas. There are various paintings of Chittorgarh Fort, the battle against Mughal at Haldighati, queen of Chittor, Rani Padmini, Meera Bai and many more, that showcase the stories of the Rajput bravery and lifestyle.
- Activities At Fateh Sagar: There are many activities available at the Fateh Sagar Lake to complete your experience. You can grab a boat ride that detours you through the Fateh Sagar lake. There are speed boat rides for speedy-bold experience, and family boat rides for a comfortable and poised experience.
- Lake View: The way to Moti Magri is through the Fateh Sagar road. Hence, you get to witness some beautiful rippling and pulsating water in the lake with a gaze at some majestic floating islands.
- Horse Ride: After paying homage to the Rajput heroes, there’s something in store for you to get a heroic feel – a horse ride! You can find an affordable ride just outside the entrance of Moti Magri. Also, don’t miss the camel ride by the lake to get an exquisite feel of the Royal State of Mewar.
- Snacks: The mini kiosk or thelas offer you some tantalising Indian snacks. There are many lake-facing mini cafés along the lakeside, where you can sit and relax while relishing your meals with a splendid view of the lake.
Timings of the Moti Magri Memorial Park
The Maharana Pratap Memorial Park (Moti Magri) opens up at 9:00 a.m. and allows public entry until 6:00 p.m.
Entry Fee for the Moti Magri Memorial Park
Entries for adults and children are as following:
- Adult: Rs.25
- Child: Rs.15
Entry Fee for the Light and Sound Show
Entries for light and sound show adults and children are Rs 35 each:
Stuff to Carry
Known for its scenic and pictorial view, Moti Magri has a lot to offer to photographers. So don’t forget to carry your professional cameras to capture the vintage beauty of this place.
Considering it to be a hilltop, there’s enough of trekking in store for you. A pair of comfortable shoes is all you need to wear for a painless trek to the top. And if you do not wish to walk all the way to the top, then you can use your vehicles too.
Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat, will help you beat the blistering heat during the daytime. Stay hydrated! It is always recommended to carry a water bottle along with you during the trek.
Best Season to Visit
The best time to visit this park is from October to March when the weather is pleasant to cool or during August and September, the rainy season!
Directions to Moti Magri
Moti Magri has easy accessibility. You can reach it by rail, airport, bus and private taxis. It’s near Fateh Sagar Lake, which is located in the city centre and is also one of the most notable locations of Udaipur.
If you arrive at the train station, then hiring a cab or an autorickshaw will be the fastest and the cheapest way to get to Moti Magri. You can easily book a ride via Ola or Uber. And if you have some excellent negotiation skills, don’t hesitate in going the conventional way!
What Else?
Udaipur is the city of historical Palaces and alluring natural pulchritude. People from across the globe visit Udaipur to soothe their patriotic souls. Rich in Rajput culture, it has lots to show the world about its chivalrous Mewar history through its valiant architecture. Moti Magri depicts one of these courageous histories of the Maharana Pratap of Mewar. A salutation to the Bravery of this Rajput Hero is exhibited in the Bronze Statue placed at the Moti Magri Memorial Park.
