Udaipur

Unlike its desert counterparts in Rajasthan, Udaipur is situated in the forested, hilly region of Aravalli Ranges in complete contrast to the arid deserts in the northwest. The city of lakes is set on the banks of freshwater lakes, the Pichola, Fatehsagar, Doodh Talai and Swaroopsagar. Lake Pichola, the largest and the most beautiful of Udaipurs Lakes is surrounded by hills, white palaces, mansions, bathing ghats, gardens and temples. Jag Mahal and Jag Niwas are the two island palaces that add to the lake’s romantic ambience. A boat ride in the evening to the island where Jag Niwas is situated promises to be a mesmerising experience and the view of Uadaipur reflected in the lake at night in all its splendour will leave you spell bound. City Palace is a magnificent and awe inspiring citadel that hosts a ‘Mewar Light & Sound Show’ every evening. Jagdish Temple, Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum, Pratap Smarak, Nehru Park, Saheliyon ki Bari, Gulab Bagh and the Monsoon Palace are other places to visit. Udaipur is connected by air and has a wide network of roads and railway services connecting it to major cities of India.

Best time to visit: October to March

Languages spoken: Mewari, Hindi, English

Climate: Hot and dry summers and cold sometimes freezing winters

Heritage Sites and Holy places: Jag Mahal, Jag Niwas, City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Pratap Smarak, Monsoon Palace

Parks and Knowledge Centres: Nehru Park, Saheliyon ki Bari, Gulab Bagh, Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum, City Palace Museum, ‘Mewar Light & Sound Show’ at City palace

Udaipur Diaries – The City of Lakes

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We left our home at around 11.20 p.m. and our first stop was “Mardeshwar Temple” , Palikhanda, a place  located adjacent to high way itself. We decided to take blessings of “Lord Shiva” to start the journey. It was around 1.15 pm we left for our next planned stop “Shamlaji Temple”. We were at “Shamlaji” around 2.50 pm. After having darshan in the temple, we took a bit longer break here for some refreshment. I am avoiding writing historical details of this two temples as authentic information is easily available on web and there is no point writing it again. We left shamlaji at around 3.30 curiously waiting to reach our final destination.

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Chittorgarh- The pride of Sisodia clan

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By the evening it is time for the light and sound show in the precincts of the fort. The starry evening sky with the stories told through light and sound across various towers and buildings in the fort make the entire history come alive. A must watch for any tourist. A fascinating experience that will take one to edge of their chairs and marvel at the fate of dauntless men, women and children, who lived and thrived here ages ago, thus ended our trip to mystical city of Chittorgarh.

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Trip to the magnificent city of lakes- Udaipur

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Rajasthan with its rich culture, grand palaces and forts has always been one of the most coveted regions aspired by Mughals and later by British. The story of Udaipur and Chittorgarh are no less. Udaipur was built by the valiant Sisodia king of the Rajputs, Maharana Udaisingh in 1553. It was the historic capital of the kingdom of Mewar. Udaipur succeeded Chittorgarh which was besieged and taken over by the Mughals. After 1818 it became a British princely state. Udaipur is popularly known as the “City of Lakes” with its numerous lakes major ones being the Fateh Sagar Lake, Pichola Lake, Swaroop Sagar Lake, Rang Sagar Lake and Doodh Talai Lake besides others. The city is flanked with ethereal gardens and mountain ranges.

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Udaipur Diaries Continues …Part-2

Udaipur Diaries Continues …Part-2

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We left “Sajjangarh” at around 2.15 p.m. for “City Palace”. On the way we wanted taste rajasthan variety snack and ballubhai rightly stopped and one of very famous food chain joint JBM. Never forget to try Dal Kachori and Pyaj Kachori here, it’s affordable with great taste. At around 3.15 we were at “City Palace”. Entry tickets for city palace is Rs.330/- (which includes entry for must recommended visit to museum). Believe me at first sight I was wondering why to pay so much for palace, but once we were inside felt it’s worth.

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Goaing – from Goa to Delhi

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After the mandatory getting-lost-and-going-round-in-circles-before-finding-the-destination that we seem to do in most new cities, we reach our destination after 2 solid hours of wandering the drowning streets of Ghatkopar in a downpour worthy of …. Mumbai! The thing to note is that more time was spent in negotiating the traffic (read: stuck in traffic) than driving!

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