Jagdish Temple

Most visitors to Udaipur pay at least a cursory visit to the Jagdish Temple, and it's a major stop on most half- and full-day guided tours of the city. Interesting features include a large brass image of Garuda, the half-man, half-eagle steed of the Hindu Lord Vishnu, and the 100-odd pillars depicting scenes from Hindu mythology. Just outside the temple is a slab of marble believed to have curative properties against aches and pains.

• The temple is a must-visit for those interested in architecture, history, or religion.

• Remember to wear clothes covering your knees and shoulders.

• Shoes must be removed before entering the temple.

• Entering the temple requires climbing a steep marble staircase with 32 steps.

Jagdish Temple is located in the heart of the Old City of Udaipur, a 2-minute walk from the ticket counter for the City Palace and on the southern end of Chand Pol Bazaar. It's a quick walk from the banks of Lake Pichola, while getting to the Udaipur City railway station in the heart of the busy city center takes about 10 to 15 minutes by car.

The best time to visit Udaipur is between November and February, when temperatures are at their coolest. Things begin to heat up in March and really peak toward the end of May and into June. Monsoons in late June through September cools things down a bit, despite the fact that Udaipur gets less rainfall than many other parts of Northern India, due to its desert climate.

As the name suggests, this temple is dedicated to Jagdish, a form of the Hindu deity Vishnu more commonly known as Jagannath. He's often associated with Lord Krishna (also an avatar of Vishnu) and is frequently depicted as a black stone, as is the case at the Udaipur Jagdish Temple.