The Aravali Range is a range of mountains in western India running approximately 800 km in a north-eastern direction across Indian states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi. The Aravalli ranges are the oldest fold mountains in India. It is one of the world's oldest mountain ranges.
The northern end of the range continues as isolated hills and rocky ridges into Haryana state, ending in Delhi. The southern end is at Palanpur near Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The highest peak is Guru Shikhar in Mount Abu in Rajasthan.
The city of Udaipur with its lakes lies on the south slope of the range in Rajasthan.
In ancient times Aravalli ranges were extremely high but since have worn down almost completely by millions of years of weathering.
Udaipur is located 403 kilometres southwest of Jaipur and 250 km northeast from Ahmedabad. It is often called the "Venice of the East" or "Lake City" or "City of Lakes".
Udaipur was founded in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II. Being a mountainous region and unsuitable for heavily armoured Mughal horses, Udaipur remained safe from Mughal influence.
Udaipur remained the capital of the state which became a princely state of British India in 1818. The Mewar province became part of Rajasthan after India became independent.
Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake, Udai Sagar and Swaroop Sagar in Udaipur are considered some of the most beautiful lakes.
Udaipur is well connected to the major cities of India by land, rail and air. The city lies on the Golden Quadrilateral National Highway 8, midway between Delhi and Mumbai, located around 700 kilometres from either city.
Udaipur is well known for handicrafts such as paintings, marble articles, silver arts and terracotta.
