Saheliyon Ki Bari, Garden of the Maidens, is one of the most beautiful and under-rated places in Udaipur, an old 300 year royal garden by Fateh Sagar Lake with gravity-operated fountains with no pump or motor at all. The timings are 9 AM to 7 PM, daily, with a small entry fee. Morning time is the best time of all to visit here. Here is everything you need to know about the timings, entry fee, gravity operated fountains, sightseeing, history, and more.

Saheliyon Ki Bari Udaipur Timings: The Short Version

Here is the core of it. Saheliyon Ki Bari Udaipur timings are 09:00 AM To 07:00 PM every day entry fee is small. The following pattern is what you will find in this university garden just north of Udaipur, on the edge of Fateh Sagar Lake. Do call to confirm before visiting as timings and fees are subject to change, and the best time is in the morning when it is least crowded.

Detail	At a glance
Open	9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, daily
Entry fee	Nominal, around Rs 10 for adults, more for foreign visitors
Best hours	Before 10:00 AM, or late afternoon around 4:30 to 6:30 PM
Highlight	Gravity-fed fountains, working without pumps
Visit duration	About 45 minutes to 1 hour
Best season	October to March
Location	Near Fateh Sagar Lake, about 3 to 4 km from the Old City

Opening Hours and the Best Time of Day

The gardens are open from nine in the morning until seven in the evening every day. Because it is an open-air garden with pools and fountains, the time of the day plays a significant role, and morning and late afternoon are much more enjoyable than midday. 

Visiting the garden before ten in the morning will ensure that you enjoy quiet gardens along with soft lighting falling on the pools and the marble stones, making it perfect for photographers, while the late afternoon period between half past four and half past six is also convenient. Weekends and the evenings tend to be crowded at the central fountain, so a weekday morning visit is recommended.

Entry Fee and Camera Charges

Saheliyon Ki Bari is very affordable, which makes it easy to add to any Udaipur itinerary. The figures below are indicative and revised over time, so confirm at the ticket counter.

Item	Approximate cost
Adult entry, Indian visitors	Around Rs 10
Children	A small reduced charge
Foreign visitors	Higher, around Rs 50
Camera	A small extra charge may apply, confirm at the counter

The nominal price is a great part of what makes the garden appealing, as it gives you a tranquil and beautiful place for next to nothing. Photography is usually permitted but camera policy and prices may differ, so it’s best to ask at the counter. Have some money handy for your entrance ticket.

The Gravity-Fed Fountains: A 300-Year-Old Marvel

This is what makes Saheliyon Ki Bari special and that itself is wonderful. Fountains across the garden are powered solely by gravity, drawing water up-through uniquely designed underground channels from nearby Fateh Sagar Lake fully without an electric pump or motor and acting like they have throughout almost three centuries.

And those channels, in turn, were fed by the natural water pressure pushing through a higher lake to power fountains and pools, an ingenious piece of period engineering still functioning today. The fountain blows with a stronger gush since the lake level increases during monsoon. This system of the garden works on original roots, and is nearly pump-free; it can be a quiet marvel you will notice in action if you know how to look.

What to See: Fountains, Pools and Marble

Even though small in size, the garden is full of many attractive sights in its courtyards.

• The lotus pool: The main pool contains marble elephants of real size that shoot water into the pool, surrounded by water jets; a place where you can take photos.
• The fountains: Rainfall-type fountains and bird beak type spouts; the artificial rain in which maidens once used to play.
• The four courtyards: The different sections of the garden containing lawns, flower gardens, and covered walkways.
• The marble pavilions and throne: Decorative kiosks and a marble throne amid the greenery.
• Rang Mahal: Famous for its glass lighting, requires patience.
• The small museum: Contains household items of royalty and artifacts.

Do not rush while enjoying the elephant fountain, the lotus pool, and the long walkway of fountains; the prettiest parts of the garden.

A Bit of History: The Garden of the Maidens

Saheliyon Ki Bari, which means the Garden of the Maidens, was constructed in the early eighteenth century, during the period of approximately 1710 and 1734 by Maharana Sangram Singh II. It was developed as a secluded garden for the use of the queen along with the 48 maidens who were given along with her as part of her dowry.

So the garden can be said to have been a pleasure garden of royalty for the ladies of the royal family to take walks, have rest, and enjoy the artificial rain from the fountains. Some three centuries later, the marble pavilions, the lotus pond, and the fountains fed by gravity remain as an elegant reminiscence of that period and the great dynasty known for its warrior spirit as well as its elegance.

Best Time to Visit: Season and Hour

• October to March: The cool and comfortable season, the most comfortable for walking in the open garden.
• Early morning, before 10:00 AM: The quietest time, with gentle light for taking photographs.
• Late afternoon, between 4:30 – 6:30 PM: The time is also comfortable, with gentler light.
• Monsoon Season: Fountains spray more vigorously due to increased water level in the lake, although the paths may be a little damp.

Do not go during midday when the open garden becomes very hot, or on weekends at evening times, which is the busiest period in the fountain area.

How Saheliyon Ki Bari Fits Udaipur’s Sightseeing

It helps to see where this garden fits among Udaipur’s headline sights, since it offers something different.

Place	Where	Known for
Saheliyon Ki Bari	Near Fateh Sagar Lake	A peaceful royal garden and gravity-fed fountains
City Palace	Old City, by Lake Pichola	The grand Mewar palace complex
Fateh Sagar Lake	Right nearby	Boat rides, Nehru Park island, and lakefront views
Gulab Bagh	Near the City Palace	Udaipur’s largest garden and park

The real picture then looks something like this. City Palace and the lakes form the big attractions in terms of architecture, whereas, Saheliyon Ki Bari forms the green, serene contrast of small gardens that provide an escape from the hustle of palaces and fort complexes. Given its proximity to Fateh Sagar Lake, it complements lake visiting as well as a half day trip.

Pros and Cons: An Honest Assessment

Weighing both sides helps set expectations.

The pros:

• A tranquil and picturesque royal garden, a peaceful break from the royal palaces.
• The amazing gravity-operated fountains that work without using pumps.
• Very cheap, easily incorporated into any itinerary for Udaipur.
• Ideal for photography, families, and quiet strolls.
• Close to Fateh Sagar Lake, it is easy to visit both places together.

The cons:

• It is small, so the time needed is minimal, 45 minutes to one hour.
• The garden becomes hot during midday due to its open nature.
• Evenings on weekends are crowded around the central fountain.
• Water in the fountain varies from month to month.
• Camera rules may vary, so confirm at the counter.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Visiting during the harsh mid-day heat when the garden is not pleasant.
• Rushed visit in 20 minutes and missed fountains, the museum, and Rang Mahal.
• Visiting on a weekend evening thinking of a tranquil visit close to the central fountain.
• Without carrying water, cap, and protection from sun rays in the open.
• Taking it for granted about fixed charges or camera restrictions.
• Not visiting Fateh Sagar Lake adjacent to the garden.

Is It Worth Visiting? Who It Suits

Yes, it is certainly worth it for a peaceful and inexpensive stopover, which also appeals to certain people.

• Best for: people who seek a tranquil escape from the bustling palaces and fortresses in Udaipur.
• Good for: families, couples, and photographers, attracted by the fountains and marble.
• Good for: people with interest in history and the fascinating technology behind the fountains without any pumps.
• Ideal for: people who are touring Fateh Sagar Lake, and can make an easy combination.

For a visitor to Udaipur, a morning visit to Saheliyon Ki Bari, and then to Fateh Sagar Lake, can be a very pleasant experience.

Photography Tips: Making the Most of the Garden

• Arrive before 10 AM for soft lighting with water and marble reflections.
• The elephant fountain and the lotus pond are the most photo-friendly locations.
• The path of the fountain is impressive, particularly early in the day.
• The Rang Mahal glass light play deserves your patience and careful observation.
• On winter mornings, there can be light fog around the fountains.
• Don’t forget to check any camera fees at the desk first.

What to Carry and How Long to Spend

On average, most people take about 45 minutes to one hour here, just enough to view the four courts, the lotus pond, the fountains, and the museum. Photographers should spend an additional 20 to 30 minutes here. Water, cap, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes must be carried along by tourists here; during the monsoon, tourists need to carry grip shoes because the areas around the fountains can be slippery.

Since the place is small and serene, it should not be hurried but viewed at leisure, thus allowing some time to sit down and listen to the gushing of water.

How to Reach Saheliyon Ki Bari

The garden is on the northern edge of Udaipur, near Fateh Sagar Lake, about 3 to 4 km from the Old City.

Mode	Details
By auto-rickshaw	About 10 to 15 minutes from the City Palace area, around Rs 60 to Rs 100, agree the fare first.
By cab	Ola and Uber operate in Udaipur and reach the garden easily.
On foot	A 5 to 10 minute walk along the embankment from the Fateh Sagar promenade.
By train and air	Udaipur City station is a few km away, and the airport about 25 km.

An auto-rickshaw from the City Palace area is the easiest way, and if you are already at Fateh Sagar Lake, the garden is a short walk along the lakeside road.

Nearby Attractions: What to Combine With Your Visit

• Fateh Sagar Lake: just next to the garden, for a lakeside stroll or a boat ride to the Nehru Park island.
• Maharana Pratap Memorial (Moti Magri): the hill memorial that overlooks Fateh Sagar Lake.
• Sukhadia Circle: the fountain and the circle that is near.
• City Palace and Lake Pichola: the old city attractions that are not too far away.

A typical itinerary visits Saheliyon Ki Bari and the Fateh Sagar Lake early in the morning, and later the City Palace and Lake Pichola.

Trivia and Lesser-Known Facts: Saheliyon Ki Bari

• Its name translates to the garden of maidens constructed for the queen and her 48 maids.
• It was constructed by Maharana Sangram Singh II in the early eighteenth century.
• Its fountains work only on the principle of gravity without any electrical pump and draw water from Fateh Sagar Lake.
• Marble elephants of life size spout water into the lotus pond in the center.
• The maidens are supposed to have played in the rains created by fountains.
• This garden is 300 years old, one of the most elegant gardens of Udaipur.

Quick Tips: Making Your Saheliyon Ki Bari Timings Work

• Plan your time from 9:00 to 7:00, and reach there before 10:00 to enjoy the visit during the most peaceful hours.
• Schedule your visit during October to March, and avoid the midday heat.
• Know about the gravity-powered fountains before you visit to enjoy the place better.
• Take water, a hat, and sun protection as the gardens will be open.
• Get the information regarding the entry fee and photo fee at the counter.
• Pair it with Fateh Sagar Lake which is just near there.

Final Take: Planning Your Saheliyon Ki Bari Visit

Saheliyon Ki Bari Udaipur Timings are from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, everyday and has a nominal charge of about Rs 10 per person for Indians, thus making it a convenient and cheap place to visit. One should visit the place either in the morning, prior to ten or in the evening to avoid the hot afternoon weather conditions, and visit during the cool period between October and March. Spend some time at the lotus pool, the marble elephants, the fountains and the museum as well.

One should learn the history of the fountains of this garden because it dates back to more than 300 years, where they are gravity fed and thus function without any pumps taking the water from the Fateh Sagar Lake through subterranean channels. One should thus carry water and protection from the sun and also check on the fee and camera regulations at the counter. Combine this place with Fateh Sagar Lake, which lies adjacent to it. This is thus a very nice place to visit as it provides a serene environment from the hustle and bustle of the other palace in Udaipur.

Frequently Asked Questions

Also read about: Guindy National Park Timings: Entry, the Snake Park and Full Guide