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Udaipur ‘Venice of the East’

Udaipur is the most beautiful city of Rajasthan, India, which was the capital of Mewar Kingdom and was founded by Udai Singh II in 1558. Since Chittorgarh was captured by Akbar, Udai Singh shifted his capital from Chittorgarh to Udaipur. Udaipur is located on southern part of Rajasthan, surrounded by beautiful Aravali mountain in all directions, which separate it from Thar desert. Udaipur is also known as the “City of Lakes”. City has major five lakes : Fateh Sagar Lake, Lake Pichola, Swaroop Sagar Lake, Rangsagar Lake and Doodh Talai Lake. Udaipur has historical forts, massive palaces, havelis, marvelous architectures, museums, galleries, gardens, temples, traditional shopping center, fair, roopways, rich culture, colorful costumes and turbans, etc. The dynasty family of Mewar Kingdom still exist until now. Current custodian is Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar. He is the chairman of his family business: HRH Group of Hotels. Some of the luxurious hotels belong to this group located in Lake Pichola are Jagmandir Island Palace Hotel, Hotel Shiv Nivas Palace, Hotel Fateh Prakash Palace,etc. The hotel in the middle of the Lake Pichola is Taj Lake Palace Udaipur, which belong to the Taj Group of Hotel, where James Bond’s Octopussy took place.

Places to visit in Udaipur:

Udaipur City Palace
  • Jagdish Temple
  • City Palace Museum
  • Lake Pichola Sunset Boat Ride
  • Taj Lake Palace
  • Jagmandir Palace
  • Vintage & Classic Car Museum
  • Crystal Gallery
  • Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace
  • Fateh Sagar lake Boat Ride
  • Dudh Talai Lake
  • Saheliyon-ki-Bari
  • Karni Mata Ropeway
  • Bagori ki Haveli
  • Moti Magri
  • Neheru Garden
  • Light & Sound Show at Maharana Pratap Memorial

Glimpse of Udaipur

Plan of Udaipur Trip:
  • 1st, 2nd and 3rd days for Udaipur City Tour
  • 4th day to Kumbhalgarh Fort, distance from Udaipur is 103 kilometres, time taken to reach 2:30 hrs and Haldighati, distance from Udaipur is 50 kilometres, time taken to reach 1:30 hrs (while returning from Kumbhalgarh Fort).
Haldighati
  • 5th day to Chittorgarh, distance from Udaipur: 120 kilometres, time taken to reach 3:00 hrs
  • 6th day to Mount Abu, distance from Udaipur: 163 kilometres, time taken to reach 4:00 hrs, you can return on the same day but it is advisable to night stay at Mount Abu and enjoy the lovely weather and scenic beauty of this hill station.
  • 7th day back to your own destination.
How to Reach

By Air: You can take any flight from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi and reach Maharana Pratap Airport, Udaipur. It takes 45 minutes to reach Udaipur from New Delhi.

By Road: Udaipur is well connected by road. Volvo bus services and route bus services are easily available from Delhi. It takes around 13 hrs.

By Railways: Udaipur is well connected by train also or you can go via Delhi to Udaipur by train. It takes around 11:30 hrs.

Where to Stay

 There are many hotels in Udaipur, but I will suggest you to stay by the lake. You can make your booking via makemytrip.com, booking.com or agoda.com, which will cost you little less.

  1.  Lake Pichola Hotel is the best option to stay on Lake Pichola side, the most happening place of Udaipur.
  2. Shiv Nivas Palace Hotel or Fateh Prakash Palace, which is a part of City Palace, you will feel the actual charm of Mewar Royal family.
  3. Radisson Blu Udaipur Palace Resort and Spa, this is in Fateh Sagar Lake side and if you want to stay in a clam and peaceful place this is the best option for you.
  4. Ramada Resort and Spa, Udaipur
  5. Taj Lake Palace Hotel (5 star luxury hotel and quite expensive)
  6. The Oberoi Udaivilas Udaipur (5 star luxury hotel and quite expensive)
  7. The Leela Palace Udaipur (5 star luxury hotel and quite expensive)
  8. Trident Hotel Udaipur (5 star hotel luxury and quite expensive)
What to Shop

Rajasthani lakh ki chudiyan (banglas), stone & kundan jewelries, famous Rajasthani Bandhani saree, mirror worked churnis, colourful bags, Rajasthani blankets, Cushion Covers and bedsheets, Rajasthani miniature paintings and sculptures, wooden handicrafts and home décor items, Authentic Rajasthani Decor and colorful ‘Nagra’ slippers made from camel skin with beautiful embroidery. I recommend to shop from Hati Pole market as you will get many varieties here and also very cheap.

What to eat

You must try the famous traditional Rajasthani Thali from Nataraj restaurant.  Some other must try dishes are Kachoris, Daal baati churma, Chaat, Gatte ki sabzi, Dahi Kachori, Jain samosas, authentic Rajasthani sweets on galis of Udaipur, Ghewar, etc.

What to Do

Boating on Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar Lake (sunset boat ride is recommended), Ropeway Ride, Dharohar Dance Show (Traditional Rajasthani Dance) and The Puppet Show at Bagore ki Haveli.

Day wise tour of Udaipur to be continued in my next blog…..untill then bbye 🙂

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