A Majestic Reminder of Mewar’s Royal Past: Exploring Udaipur, the City of Lakes
People all over the world are fascinated with the beauty of Venice. A beautiful town located in the north eastern part of Italy. The angelic place is famous for stunning architecture, serene lakes and a rich history.
Isn’t that striking? But what if I say there are 2 Venice’s in the world?
Yes, you got me right 2 Venice cities, not of course in Italy.
It’s in your own land, India. Yeah, it’s Udaipur.
“Maharana painted Udaipur on a canvas with the brushstrokes of picturesque nature and Rajputana culture, where both blends seamlessly to create a tapestry of beauty.”
The magnificent city is situated in the southern part of Rajasthan, near the Gujarat border. Udaipur is guarded by the Aravali range, with its rugged terrain, rocky outcrops, and steep slopes offering stunning views of the landscape.
Our visit to the city took place during Independence Day week, so the whole city looked tricolored.
Tracing the roots of the city of lakes- Udaipur
“Udaipur falls under the Mewar region, home to the Rajput clan. The glory of Udaipur is with Maharana Udai Singh.”
The rising sun is a symbol of hope and a fresh start. Do you know the meaning of Udaipur? Yes, the name Udaipur is derived from the Sanskrit words uda and pur, which, together uda + pur, mean “city of sunrise”.
It is believed that the present-day city of Udaipur was covered with dense forest. It was the Rajput king of Mewar, Maharana Udai Singh II, who founded the majestic place in 1559. Due to repeated attacks by Mughal Emperor Akbar, valorous King Udai Singh shifted his capital from Chittorgarh to Udaipur.
The magnificent place witnessed the fierce battle between Mughal & Rajput at Haldighati. Yes, how can we forget the famous battle of 1576 between Maharana Pratap and the Mughals (led by Raja Man Singh), where outnumbered and outgunned Rajputs fought with bravery & determination. Bhamashah and Bhel tribes’ participation and contribution to Maharana are remarkable. However, Rajput lost the battle. But it gave the world a very famous name.
Chetak, do you remember him? Yes, the legendary horse of Maharana Pratap was known for his speed, agility and courage. The loyal horse attained martyrdom after the battle of Haldighati.
3 Day Itinerary of a City of Romance and Beauty Udaipur, Rajasthan
“Experience the dreamy royal staycation at Udaipur and enjoy the Rajasthani royal delicacies of Raj Kuber.”
Choosing hotels that fit your budget and selecting places to explore is a very tough task. We had many options.
Taj Fateh Prakash Palace Udaipur, Trident Udaipur, The Oberoi Udaivilas Udaipur, Raffles Udaipur, Aurika, Udaipur — Luxury by Lemon Tree Hotels, Udai Nature Valley Resort near TAJ ARAVALI UDAIPUR are some of the best luxurious hotels of Udaipur, Rajasthan. But we chose the best hilltop hotel, Raj Kuber, for our vacation.
During our 3-day trip, we stayed at room no. 201 of the Hotel Raj Kuber. The room was spacious and beautifully decorated with ethnic Rajasthani art. View of Aravali from our room was breathtaking. Our trip to Udaipur coincided with the monsoon, so the whole range seemed to be covered in snowy clouds.
To enjoy our short trip, we picked a few best places of Udaipur.
Day 1:
- Jagdish Temple
We started our trip with the darshan of Lord Vishnu. And I must tell you that the 350-year-old Indo-Aryan architecture temple has a view. The beautiful carvings of Hindu mythology on the outer wall of the temple make the landscape angelic.
- City Palace
Wonderful place to know the rich heritage of Mewar Rajput. I was fascinated to see the architecture and mesmerizing view of Lake Pichola from the palace. It offers a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the Maharanas.
- Jag Mandir
It is a palace temple built by Maharana Karan Singh II that can be accessed by boat. Beautiful gardens, fountains, and pavilions offer stunning views of the lake & surrounding hills.
Lunch: When you are at Rajasthan it’s better to taste Rajasthani cuisine- Dal batti Churma. The household food of Rajasthan. And for that the best option is must try Rajasthani Thali. Gordhan Thal was a great place to have lunch. We ordered a Rajasthani & Gujrati Thali and it was delicious.
- Dharohar Folk Dance
If you are a dance lover, it is a must-see attraction for tourists. The show offers an opportunity to witness the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan through different dance forms, including Ghoomar, Kalbelia, Chari, Bhavai and others. I loved the puppet show, unique style, costumes, music and folklore the most.
- Saheliyon ki Baari
Call it Saheliyon ki Baari, or “garden of the maidens,” this is a gift from Maharana Sangram Singh II to his queen and her ladies. The garden is designed in Mughal architecture, including marble elephants, fountains and many more.
- Shopping Time- From the Handicraft Museum, I bought a banana silk sari and a Maharani silk sari for my mothers.
Dinner- The panoramic view from the rooftop of Hotel Upre caught my attention. Unfortunately, our romantic rooftop dinner was rained out due to heavy downpours. In spite of this, the hotel’s interior landscape is spectacular, and the imperial food was good.
“Assume yourselves like a King & Queen in the ambiance of a royal restaurant Upre.”
Day 2:
We kept the first hour of our second day for a photoshoot. Mr. Anshul Sukhwal from ClicksToRemember has taken our beautiful pictures. He is a best photo specialist. If you are looking for a pre-wedding shoot, post-wedding shoot or wedding shoot, approach him. His clicks will really make your occasion memorable.
- Ambrai Ghat
Morning, 6:00 a.m., majestic view of Lake Pichola. A vibrant palette of oranges, pinks, and purples is painted across the sky, its reflection on the lake giving a spectacular view. Best place for photography.
Breakfast- Maneshwari Vada Pav at Jagdish Chowk is a good breakfast corner for Udaipurians. We ate tasty spicy vada pavs with khullar chai.
- Purohiton Ka Talab
Hidden gem of Udaipur, is another great place for photography.
Pilgrimage Site
- Nathdwara Temple- Lord Shrinathji, the manifestation of Vishnu, is worshipped in the form of a child.
Darshan Timings
Mangla 05:00 am — 06:15 am
Rajbhog 11:00 am — 05:00 pm
Shayan 06:00 pm — 08:00 pm
*Note: Darshan timings wholly & solely depends upon the Temple Committee.
- Shri Eklingji Temple- Lord Shiva is worshipped in the temple. The ambience of the temple will make you feel like you are in Shivalok.
Darshan Timings
04:30 am — 07:00 am
10:30 am — 01:30 pm
05:00 pm — 07:30 pm
Aarti Timings- 05:30 am, 08:15 am, 09:15 am, 11:30 am, 04:30 pm, 05:00 pm & 06:30 pm
- Mahranpratap Sanghralaya-
It’s a museum where, after watching the story of valiant King Maharana Pratap, we got goosebumps. In the museum there was a handicraft section and herbal product section, you can buy the products or items of your choice.
- Haldighati- Witnessed the battle between the Mughals & Rajput’s.
At present the valley is famous for rose cultivation. You can get rose products- including perfume, face wash, syrup and many more.
- Cave- Secret cave of Maharan Pratap where he made the war strategies. It is the same cave where he and his troop took shelter for quite a long period.
- Cheetak Smarak- Martyrdom site of the famed horse Chetak.
Lunch- Local Restaurant at Haldighati
Dinner- Ate delicious food at the Hotel Raj Kuber and marvel at the breathtaking views from the rooftop.
Day 3:
Boarding day planned for Sajjangarh & Shopping
Breakfast- At Raj Kuber. There were many delicacies, but I like the Puri Aloo ki sabzi the most.
- Sajjangarh
If you are planning for Sajjangarh then keep 4 to 5 hours in your hands. This is because half the time you will be stuck in the queue for an entry pass. We planned to visit Karni Mata temple, but due to time constraints, we could not make it there. Anyways, Sajjangarh is amazing. The Palace is situated on the top hill of the Aravalli Range as the Monsoon Palace of Mewar. Its architecture was designed for rainwater harvesting and storing it for use during the summer. In addition to being spacious, the palace is also very windy.
- Botanical Park is near Sajjangarh, which is home to a variety of flora and fauna.
- Shopping Time- Visited the Mewar Art & Craft Museum.
We had a short time, so we visited a handful of places, but if you have much time, then you can add Fateh Sagar, Gangaur Ghat, Gulab Bagh, Rajiv Gandhi Garden, Doodh Talai, Saas Bahu Temple, Bahubali Hill, Lal Bagh Garden, Rayata Village (Hilly Area; Kashmir Like Valley), Jaisamand & Marble Slurry Ground are other best places in Udaipur which you can add in your bucket list. There are many names given to the city across the world, such as white city, Kashmir of Rajasthan, City of Romance, and Debar Lake. Overall, Udaipur is a city that is rich in culture & history. It offers visitors a unique and unforgettable experience. In the course of our trip, Mr. Shankar was the most reliable cab driver. For a perfect staycation, check out Hotel Raj Kuber.
“Visit Udaipur, get enchanted by the royal splendour and the spectacular natural beauty of this Rajasthani paradise.”
Khamma Ghani Sa
