There is something about cities with a history. Cities which grow battling the simultaneous claims of the past and the present, cities where honour and glory once dominated the way of life, cities which have seen the rise and fall of monarchy. There is a romance in looking back, aching for the things which have been and never more will be. In cities like this, nostalgia is not looked upon as a hindrance for progress, but is willfully nurtured and indulged in.
Udaipur is a perfect manifestation of a city which holds both the past and the present in a fine balance. It is a city where sprawling ancient bazaars are competing with air-conditioned malls, quaint narrow by-lanes are gradually making way to accommodate the onslaught of Uber and Ola cabs, road side stalls selling mirchi vada are putting up a fight with artsy cafes selling milkshakes and fancy sandwiches. Everything survives and slumbers on- the old and the new, the past and the present, the dying and the newborn.
Things to do in Udaipur:
There is plenty to see/do in Udaipur. If you are a shopaholic, be ready to splurge your money on colorful handicrafts, textiles, miniature paintings, clothing or jewelry. Udaipur is a shopper’s paradise and it’s bazaars have a charm of their own. Even if you are not interested in shopping, just walking through the rusty lanes lined with shops will enthrall you with its collective irresistibility. If you are a bookworm looking for a quiet corner of your own, you can amble into quaint, little cafes overlooking the lake. You can sit in one of these for hours, sipping coffee and watching the sunset. There is something for everyone. It is a city that seldom disappoints.
The construction of this magnificent palace was commissioned by Maharana Udai Sing II in 1553. Over the next 400 years, several rulers from the Mewar dynasty contributed to its completion. Overlooking Lake Pichola, the City Palace is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. From paintings, artifacts, antiques, furniture to exquisite glass and mirror work, every corner of the palace deserves special attention. It is also an architectural marvel. Built with granite and marble, this imposing structure houses a number of courtyards, terraces, balconies, handing gardens and stunning rooms.
The Sajjan Garh fort was originally built as an astronomical centre but was later converted into a monsoon palace. Long winding roads lead up to this palace which is located on the top of a hill. From its vantage point, you can get a panoramic view of the city. The fort itself has not much to offer,but the view is enthralling.
Even though this fort is technically not in Udaipur, I would strongly recommend a visit. A lot of tourists shy away from visiting this place, mainly because of the long, winding uphill trek that leads up to the main fort. However, the journey is worth it. Kumbhalgarh Fort is a massive structure whose fortifications run approximately 36 kms. The unending wall fortifying the fort, is thus said to be the second largest wall in the world, after the ‘Great Wall of China’. One of the major attractions of the fort, is the Badal Mahal or Cloud Palace, which is said to be the birthplace of Maharana Pratap. The view from this palace is breathtaking. From here, you can see the undulating walls spread across the Aravellis, slowly merging into the horizon.
The best way to reach this fort is to hire a cab from Udaipur. The distance of around 100kms takes you through tiny, rugged villages which elude the same raw, rustic charm that Rajasthan is so famous of.
(Note: Make sure you carry plenty of water and sunscreen. Do not miss the evening light and sound show)
Keeping these major attractions aside, you can also indulge in the following:
* Enjoy a serene boat ride in Lake Pichola.
* Explore local markets like Hati Pole or Bada Bazaar
* Indulge in street food around Lake Fateh Sagar
* Take a walk among beautiful, flowery courtyards of Saheliyon-ki-bari
* Ride through the amber hills of Haldighati. Visit the place where Chetak famously saved Maharana Pratap’s life. Stop by the roadside stall to observe attar distillation and buy beautiful bottles of rose syrup.
* Visit the Vintage Car Museum to check out a private collection of cars owned by the Royal family
* Enjoy the traditional dance and puppet show at Bagore Ki Haveli to get a glimpse of the rich Rajasthani folk culture.
* Take the Rope Way to visit the Mansapurna Karni Mata temple in order to get a bird’s-eye view of the Lake City.
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