Visit to Udaipur, Rajasthan

Royal Rajasthan:

Udaipur’s City Palace

Part 1: Udaipur – City of Lakes

Udaipur is often referred to as the 'Venice of the East', the city of lakes Udaipur is located around the water lakes and is surounded by lush green hills of Aravallis. The famous Lake Palace, located in the middle of Lake Pichola is one of the most beautiful sights of Udaipur. Jaisamand Lake, claimed to be the second largest man-made sweet water lake in Asia. 

Udaipur was founded in 1553 by Maharana Udai Singh II as the new capital of Mewar Kingdom.

I have visited Udaipur twice in last 4 years. Latest was in December 2017 during the Christmas break. Before that in February 2015. It is a beautiful city and every time you are there you will experience something new. So much to see and learn.

Though we went in December which is a peak season for tourism, but I really will not choose to visit in December again. There was so much of rush and traffic. Hotel rates are too high and transportation gets difficult as taxis/cabs charge more and most of them are already booked by foreign tourists.

NOTE: You won't need heavy woollens. 

Day 1: Kolkata – Udaipur

City Palace

Our flight was via Mumbai – a 6 hours long flight. I am not sure about the timings as it was 1-year back. So you can check with the best flight available now. From Kolkata you will not get a direct flight to Udaipur but there are direct flights to Jaipur. So you can also start with Jaipur and then on the way visit Ajmer, Pushkar, Chittorgarh and Udaipur. We travelled this way, back in 2015 on a road trip (Patiala to Udaipur). It was a wonderful experience and journey was good as roads are well maintained. However, you will surely face bit problem with lack of good Dhabas/restaurants. But I feel one should visit Rajasthan on a road trip.

Coming back to the recent journey, we arrived in Udaipur at 6 PM in the evening.

~Stay at Hotel Trident ~ 

Hotel Trident 

It's a 5 Star Property and per night stay costs around - ₹17000 (including breakfast). We booked it through Booking.com.

We took an extra bed and you can negotiate with them for the extra person charge.

Hotel Trident 

Pros:

• Beautiful property and perfect location.
• Very well maintained and everything is taken care of.
• Buffet breakfast was included in the room tariff and it was too awesome. Buffet had variety of veg/non-veg options.
• Rooms had bathtub and a beautiful view.
• Food quantity and taste is perfect.

Buffet breakfast

Cons:

• Only thing I felt, rooms and bathroom were not much spacious. We took a extra bed and because of that room was fully packed. Rooms should be more spacious for the rent they charge.

So, you can spend 1 day roaming and relaxing in the hotel. They also take you for a trip to Oberoi Udai Vilas, which is next to Trident (in the same vicinity). I missed visiting the same. But my family did visit and it is beautiful. Oberoi’s room tariffs are much higher.

Day 2: Udaipur City Palace

Inside City Palace

City Palace

We took Uber/Ola to City Palace and he dropped us at the main gate (Bara pol), near Shitala Mata ji Mandir. There is ticket counter inside the gate.

NOTE: You can get concession on tickets for Defence Personnel with dependents/ Student/ Teacher/ Handicapped. For boat-ride, there is a separate ticket counter (near parking).

The staff is very cooperative. They refunded the money of 1 ticket as my father couldn’t visit the palace.

NOTE: The Palace is at a height and you have to climb up, which will be tiring for senior citizens. Do check for private cabs, which can take you inside to the parking area.

City Palace - Entrance

TIP: Do hire a guide as you will enjoy listening to the stories and will learn about the Palace more.

Udaipur’s City Palace is well maintained and beautiful. You can see the Taj Lake Palace in the centre of the Lake. I liked Udaipur’s City Palace more than Jaipur’s City Palace. Entry to one part of the Udaipur City Palace is prohibited as the Royal family resides there.

City Palace - Beautiful Architecture

So, after you are done visiting the Palace you can go for a boat ride. You can also come for the light and sound show, which starts in the evening around 6 PM. Tickets are available in the same counter.

Places to have Best Rajasthani Food:

Krishna Dal Baati Restro -

Dal Baati Churma Thali

It serves authentic Dal Baati Churma (Rajasthani cuisine) and it is the best. Earlier I used to dislike Dal Baati. However, after visiting this place, I understood the real taste and the way to eat it. Dal Baati Churma Thali costs around ₹240/plate.

It is near City Palace and a must visit.

Natraj Dining Hall and Restaurant -

Rajasthani Thali

Here you will get Rajasthani/Gujarati Thali. This place is near Udaipur Railway Station. Rajasthani Thali has lots of variety and is unlimited. Costs on ₹110/thali. They also serve Dal Baati Churma, but we tried the thali only.

Rajwada Bites-

A good restaurant, where you can spend your evening watching beautiful Rajasthani Folk Dance with different stunts. Has outdoor, AC, Non AC seating options.

Places to Shop:

Shilpgram-

Shilpgram is an art and craft Mela in Udaipur, at a distance of 3 km from the centre. Do visit if you get a chance. There are variety of shops, dances, events and food. 

NOTE: The entry fee is around ₹30.

We hired an Ola for 6 hours and visited the place. Then went to Hathi pole market for shopping.

Hathi Pole Market-

Though the local people will say Hathi Pole Market is not good. Clothes will bleed color. But, personally I loved shopping there. You can buy gift items, artefacts, bed sheets, ethnic wear, suit pieces, jwellery, juttis (women footwear) and many home décor items.

We have purchased almost all these things.Quality is good. My salwar pieces did bleed color but you can get it dry-cleaned. Do buy beautiful Bandhni Dupattas and Juttis.

Forum Celebration Mall & Lake City Mall-

Both malls are good and most of the brand showrooms are available. Celebration mall is better.

Day 3: Ekling Ji Temple | Nathdwara | Haldighati (Rakht-Talai)

Ekling Ji Temple-

We hired an Innova, we got his contact from Airport Pre-paid Taxi booth. Driver was nice.

We started our journey at 8 am in the morning and first visited Ek Ling Ji Temple. It is at a distance of 22 km from Udaipur. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Eklingji has been the ruling idol of Mewar rulers.

We waited outside, as the gates were yet to open. You can buy flower and offerings from the temple.

NOTE: There is a separate queue for Ladies and Gents, inside the temple.

NOTE: You can carry your mobile but photography is strictly not allowed.

Nathdwara-

Bhog Prasad at Nathdwara

Next, we headed towards Nathdwara which is more 26 km from Eklinji Temple. Nathdwara is a famous temple dedicated to Sri Krishna (Vishnu ji). Many Gujaratis visit this temple.

NOTE: Mobile phones are not allowed. Do keep them in car.

NOTE: You can hire a priest/pandit who can help and guide you for the Darshan.

TIP: Be careful inside the temple as there could be rush. Stay with your family members.

The curtains are pulled-off in intervals and you get to see Sri Nath Ji. Then again, the curtains are brought down. This ritual is known as Jhaki. It is similar to the Darshan of Banke Bihari Ji in Vrindavan.

NOTE: You can buy Prasad inside the temple. Also, one can have lunch prasad (Bhog) at very nominal price. In bhog you can get Dal, Rice, Mix Veg, Baati, Churma, Kheer etc.

Haldighati-

Entrance to Museum

Rakht - Talai Museum

Haldighati is very near to Nathdwara. People also call it as Rakht-Talai. It is a must visit for Children. It takes you back to the history where Mewars fought against Mughals. Maharana Pratap led the Battle of Haldighati. The fight was so deadly that the place was full with dead bodies of mostly Mewar soldiers as Mughal soldiers were more in number. Due to blood bath and rain, the ground turned as lake of blood, therefore it is known as Rakht (Blood) Talai (Lake).

Rakht-Talai has a small Museum, which also shows a animated movie on this true story. There are few shops and photo booths.

You can also do a Camel Ride there.

Camel Ride

So, this was my journey. You can also visit the beautiful Kumbalgarh Fort and Chittorgarh Fort. I have visited Chittorgarh back in 2015 but not Kumbalgarh.

Chittorgarh fort is one of the largest fort in Asia. It takes 2:30 hours to reach Chittorgarh from Udaipur. Nothing much to see as most of the palaces are broken.

Rani Padmini Palace

I think Kumbhalgarh Fort is more beautiful than Chittorgarh Fort. Therefore, if you can only visit any one of the two, then go for Kumbalgarh Fort.

Next day we took a flight to Jaipur.

So, this was the 1^st Part of my Royal Rajasthan Trip. Stay tuned for the second part!

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