Bhakti D
A Majestic Journey Udaipur, often hailed as the “City of Lakes,” beckons travelers with its rich history, cultural allure, and resplendent Rajput palaces. Welcoming millions of tourists annually, both from domestic and international locales, this enchanting destination promises an unforgettable experience amidst its regal ambiance.
For those planning a visit, the ideal time to explore Rajasthan’s gem, Udaipur, is typically from September to March. Established by Maharana Udai Singh in 1553, Udaipur exudes an aura of timeless elegance and grandeur. Its scenic landscapes, dotted with shimmering lakes and majestic palaces, captivate the hearts of all who venture here.
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Embarking on our journey from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminal, we embarked on a brief 1.30-hour flight to Udaipur. Upon arrival, we opted for an Uber ride to our chosen Airbnb accommodation, where the warmth of local hospitality awaited us. Opting for a homestay provided not only a sense of safety but also an immersive experience into the local culture and cuisine.
Navigating the narrow and winding streets of Udaipur, we chose the quaint auto-rickshaw as our preferred mode of transportation, adding an authentic touch to our exploration.
Fateh Sagar Lake:
Fateh Sagar Lake is located near where we were staying, so we decided to visit it in the late afternoon on the same day we arrived. A serene oasis nestled near our accommodation, with a promenade running along its banks. There are plenty of street food stalls offering local snacks like pav bhaji and kulhad chai along the shores. After indulging in some outside food, we headed back home to rest. During chilly days, having a room heater is essential, so make sure it’s available wherever you plan to stay.
City Palace:
The next morning, we had breakfast at our accommodation and we left around 8:45 to visit the City Palace. We found an auto-rickshaw nearby and booked it for the entire day. City Palace is adjacent to the Jagdish Temple, which we visited first. We bought tickets for the City Palace and entered. We also hired a guide to accompany us. As we arrived early, there wasn’t much crowd initially. However, by 10:30, the crowd started increasing significantly. Therefore, it’s advisable to reach here by 9:00 in the morning, and exploring the entire palace takes at least 3 hours.
This majestic palace, initiated by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1559, is truly grand and divine. Photography inside the palace is unrestricted, so if you’re into photography, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to capture stunning shots.
From the intricate architecture to the silver items, weapons, paintings, and more, you’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time and immersing yourself in history. The panoramic view of the entire city of Udaipur from the palace’s upper floors is breathtaking.
Every corner of the palace offered a glimpse into Udaipur’s regal past
After exploring the City Palace, we stepped outside the gates and grabbed some tea. As it wasn’t too cold, we kept sipping tea continuously. Next to us, there was a dosa center where kids enjoyed dosas. Later, we visited the famous Shri Krishna Dal Bati Center for some delicious dal bati. They serve excellent dal bati there. Our next destination was Lake Pichola
Lake Pichola:
A boat ride across the tranquil waters of Lake Pichola afforded us breathtaking views of the hills and palatial structures. We marveled at the island of Jag Mandir, a sanctuary of serenity amidst the lake’s expanse.
Lake Pichola is a man-made lake constructed in 1362. In the 16th century, Raja Udai Singh expanded this lake, making it even larger. The shores of this lake boast of towering hills, magnificent palaces, temples, and bathing ghats. Inside the lake is an island named Jag Mandir, where a hotel is located. This island is a major attraction for tourists. Boat riding is a popular activity on this lake, and I highly recommend experiencing it.
After visiting Lake Pichola, we went shopping at Hathi Pol Bazaar. Instead of buying everything from one shop, we explored 3-4 shops before making our purchases. After shopping, we headed back home. We had placed our meal order in advance, so the food was ready when we arrived. After having our meal, we retired for the night.
On the third day, we only had breakfast for the kids. After breakfast, we went out again. Before heading out, we stopped at Jagdish Misthan Bhandar to try their Pyaaz ki Kachori. We also sampled their Kachori and Jalebi. From there, we proceeded to Sajjangarh Biological Park for a leisurely stroll.
Sajjangarh Biological Park:
This park is located about 5 kilometers from the city, near the Monsoon Palace (Sajjangarh). Since the palace and the park are close to each other, you can visit both or choose one depending on your preference. We opted for the park, especially for the kids. It takes about 3 to 4 hours to explore the park on foot, or you can also opt for a golf cart ride to cover more ground. After exploring the park, we decided to visit the Vintage Car Museum to see some classic cars.
Vintage Car Museum:
Our fascination with Udaipur’s royal heritage led us to the Vintage Car Museum, where a curated collection of classic automobiles awaited us.
From sleek vintage models to opulent chariots, each vehicle narrated a tale of bygone eras. The Vintage Car Museum houses a collection of cars used by the royal families.
There’s also a restaurant now. Although the ticket price for the museum is a bit higher, if you have an interest in vintage cars, it’s definitely worth it. Photography is allowed inside the museum now. After exploring the museum and admiring the vintage cars, we headed back home. In the evening, we visited Bagore ki Haveli for some sightseeing.
Bagore ki Haveli:
Bagore ki Haveli is located near Gangaur Ghat in the old city of Udaipur. This haveli houses a museum showcasing artifacts from ancient times, and in the evening, Rajasthan cultural programs are organized. You can purchase tickets before the program starts or buy them a day in advance, especially during busy days. The sunset from Gangaur Ghat is spectacular, and after witnessing it, you can attend the cultural program at the haveli in the evening.
After attending the cultural program, we returned home, where dinner was ready. We enjoyed the flavors of Rajasthani cuisine, noting the distinctiveness between the dishes served outside and the homemade Rajasthani thali. If you have access to a homestay, you can request Rajasthani cuisine to be prepared at home. The meal included mixed vegetable curry, dudhi (bottle gourd) curry, okra curry, kadhi, fulka (Indian bread), pickles, sweet semolina pudding, and lentils with rice. After dinner, we retired for the night as we had to head to JODHPUR in the morning.
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We had a separate itinerary for Jodhpur. As our flight back to Mumbai was from Udaipur, we spent one night in Udaipur before heading to Mumbai . We had about 4 hours before our flight, so we went to Jagdish Misthan Bhandar (JMB) to buy sweets. We packed snacks like ghevar, pheni, pyaaz ki kachori, and some other sweets and headed back to the airport. We then headed back to the airport to reach the jungle of humanity once again.
