Wakal River: see NATURAL FEATURES OF MEWAR.

Walai: see VALLABHI.

Walls (and Gates) of Udaipur: see GATES (POLS) OF UDAIPUR.

Warriors, Rajput. Like the combatants of many medieval countries, Rajput warriors, and especially those of Mewar, believed in honour, and even death, in battle when fighting for preservation of the Maharana and their country. Of course, this ethic applies to modern warriors as well, but the pageantry is lacking to a great extent. Acts of bravery acquired honour (the basic code of the Rajputs), which ranged from killing their opposing assailant (especially one of renown), to simply touching him with a sword or lance without doing him harm, an act that could be rather dangerous, considering the circumstances. However, to die in battle meant fulfilling one's appointed duty. Both foot soldiers and cavalry were renowned as fierce and uncompromising fighters. Mewar warriors heading into battle, particularly the horsemen, were an impressive sight. They sat proudly and well in their saddles, dressed in saffron robes, their hands and forehead marked with turmeric paste, the sun glinting off their armoury of swords, shields, and spears or bows and arrows.

water islands of Pichola (see individual entries for details): Jag Mandir; Jag Niwas (Lake Palace); Mohan Mandir; Arsi Vilas; Natani-ka-Chabutra; and Kapuria Baba, the small mosque dedicated to the Muslim saint of that name.

Waterpark (Udaipur): see MARVEL WATER WORLD.

West Zone Cultural Centre, a large, refurbished nobleman's palace (see BAGORE-KI-HAVELI) on the eastern shore of Pichola Lake, next to Gangaur Ghat. Eventually, it belonged to the Mewar royal family, but after 1947 Independence, it became the property of the Government of Rajasthan. In 1986, when the Government of India formed the West Zone Cultural Centre, an institution that promotes folk art, music, puppetry, and all activities relating to the regional culture and traditions, it gave this large and ornate haveli as the Centre's headquarters. As the building had fallen into disrepair, the Centre management then began a programme of faithful restoration. Like many such residences, it is a bewilderment of narrow corridors leading to many small rooms, many of which were for official and administrative purposes, and many more that housed the occupant's family and its many retainers (its near neighbour, the huge City Palace complex, is a good example of this). The haveli has one hundred and thirty-eight such rooms, plus balconies, courtyards and terraces. Primarily, it is a museum, displaying objects reflecting the original use of the various rooms: the music room, durbar hall, recreation room, women's quarters, pantry, and kitchen. There are other, more formal display areas with a turbans exhibit and Mewari ladies' colourful costumes. The lower floors are art galleries displaying interesting works by contemporary local artists. One sector displays clever models of world architectural wonders such as the Tower of Pisa, Chittor's Victory Tower, and the Taj Mahal, all made from polystyrene. The Centre also features evening performances of lively and colourful Indian music and dance.

Western Gates, Chittorgarh: see GATES (POLS) IN CHITTOR.

Wharves of Udaipur (see individual entries for details): Bansi Ghat; Gangaur Ghat; Hanuman Ghat; Lal Ghat; Nao Ghat; Natani-ka-Chabutra; Pipli Ghat: Rovaniya Ghat.

Wildlife and Game Sanctuaries in Mewar: see NATURAL FEATURES OF MEWAR.

Wildlife Conservation in Mewar: see NATURAL FEATURES OF MEWAR.

Working days in Udaipur, excluding Sundays and public holidays. Central (Indian) Government: Monday to Friday; State (Rajasthan) Government: Monday to Saturday (excluding every second Saturday).