UDAIPUR – INDEED THE CITY OF LAKES! #TRAVELINDIA
Rajasthan – the name itself gives us the image of forts, palaces, deserts, cultural colourful activities and many more. Words cannot describe the vastness, the beauty, the serenity of this place. There are lots of places to explore and see. However this time we just covered Udaipur and its nearby places. Next time would cover the rest
We reached Udaipur in the evening from Mumbai. Checked in Hotel Ishwar Palace , freshened up and started to explore the nearby places. This Hotel is situated at a walking distance of Lake Pichola. The view from the roof top is just amazing!
Since it was already evening, we did not have a lot of places to explore. Every evening there is a Cultural dance and puppet show at The Bagore Ki Haveli which is just situated on the Banks of Lake Pichola.
Folk dance at Bagore Ki Haveli
The dance form ‘Ghumar’
The Puppet Show at Bagore Ki Haveli
A 62 year old Lady performing the dance while balancing the Earthen pots
Different forms of Rajasthani dance , the history and the puppet show beautifully designed the evening. Next the sunset at lake Pichola is something to behold. We sat there soothing our feet in the water as the pigeons flew around us , sometimes for food, sometimes for fun.
Folk music being played at the banks of Lake Pichola
Li’l friend trying to sleep while am trying to take a shot
The City Palace and the Lake Palace are situated beside and in the Lake Pichola respectively.
Next day we headed for the city attractions. The major lakes in the City are connected to each other. Named as Lake Pichola, Lake Swaroop Sagar and the Fateh Sagar Lake. The water is really clean and one can see shells all along the banks of the Fateh Sagar Lake! There are few Camels around the Lake and once can have a Camel ride there for few minutes(although mostly camel rides are at Jailsalmer).
Shells at Fateh Sagar Lake
A Camel beside the Fateh Sagar Lake
After that we went to Saheliyon ki Bari. It is a must visit place because of the architechture and the engineering of all the fountains that were made such a long time ago. A specific garden for a specific season where the water in the fountains comes from the Lake and flows in anti gravity way to give a beautiful circular design in the gardens. The garden meant for the summer season has the fountains designed in such a way that when the water pours out , it fall on only the big leaves directly, giving the impression of heavy rains while one walks in in the interior of the garden!
Saheliyon Ki Bari
One of the gardens for the Queen
Water flowing at one go in anti gravity way out of the trunk
On the way there is the Rajasthan Handicrafts and Dress shop from where one can get different kinds of dress materials and some beautiful handicrafts of marbles, stones , gemstones, etc..
Next place was the Folk Art Museum. It houses every kind of Rajasthani folk musical instruments, dresses, ornaments, arts and crafts and lots more.
For lunch we had the famous Laal mas of Rajasthan as ‘Hukam’ restaurant. It’s a mutton dish cooked in the Rajasthani herbs and spices. No wonder it was delicious!
Next we headed for the Car Vintage Museum of Udaipur which houses some of the oldest and vintage cars of all time! It’s a treat to the eyes of all car lovers
The oldest Rolls Royce!
Giant carriage
The City Palace – most famous attraction of Udaipur. It was built over 400 years ago by the Mewar dynasty. It’s not only a majestic palace of Rajasthan but beautiful and very well maintained too. The only con is that the entry fee is a bit high, so also for the Camera. Nearly all Mewar Maharanas have contributed to the betterment of this palace.
Entrance to The City Palace
The walls of the Great City Palace , Udaipur
There are 2 entrances to this palace. The one on the Lake Pichola side is a narrow street and a bit crowded one.Everything inside the palace and the palace museum is a treat for history lovers.
The Mewar Dynasty
Cage for Carrier pigeons
A view of the Udaipur City from the City Palace
Li’l friend posing for a shot in the premises of the City Palace
After coming out of the City palace we headed towards Lake Pichola for the sunset again. It’s walking distance from there. On the way just near the Lake there is the Cafe Edelweiss. Once can get a good aromatic coffee and different kinds of tasty pie and cakes! Their speciality is the chilli brownie. We grabbed apple pie , chilli brownie and some coffee. It was yummy no doubt! It’s a small cosy hangout place and a must visit to steal some time of your own to sit and relax with some coffee and dessert
Apple pie, Chilli brownie and coffee at Cafe Edelweiss
Next day we headed for the nearby places which included the Eklingji temple – believed to be built in the 15th century, Haldighati – the soil there is of turmeric or ‘haldi’ colour, Kumbhalgarh Fort.
On the way to Haldighati we stopped at a restaurant to have authentic veg Rajasthani thali and it was spectacular!
Veg Rajasthani Thali
A view of the Kumbhalgarh Fort
The Kumbhalgarh fort is another must visit place. It’s huge, majestic and wonderful!
We booked a cab for a day tour and visited all these places. Rajasthan Tour and travels is a good option for that.
There are lots of other activities to do in Udaipur like ropeway, Elephant or Jeep ride etc.
On your mark….get set go!
Finally a short trip to the City of Lakes got over for the time being and we came back with beautiful and colourful memories of the place.