Udaipur is the pride of India and the valour it carries is the identity of the warrior clan called Rajputs these people are fighters when they begin it’s impossible to stop them. Maharana means the head of this clan, the king who fights from the front “Pehlo have Rana ro” means the first hit on the enemy will be always of the King. This dynasty is still there and the present king HH Maharana Arvind Singh Mewar, the dynasty was started by Bappa Rawal in the 8th century Ad born in the year 713 Ad and his rule started in the year 728 AD. there is a lot of history behind this dynasty and the glorious fight they had put on since the 8th century AD. The rule started from a 2000-year-old fort called Chittorgarh, Later their capital Shifted to Udaipur during Maharana Udaisinghs Maharana Pratap’s Father rule in the 16th century AD
Such is the Glory of this Dynasty that nobody could make them their Vassal. Legend says that Maharana Pratap even eat Grass bread but was not ready to be ruled under Akbar the Mughal Ruler. well, I can go on with the history but here we want to tell you more about the Palaces and lakes of Udaipur.
There are many lakes in Udaipur and it’s even called “Venice of East” the city Palace, the seat of the present King and his family, the Main palace is on the banks of the Pichola Lake and the old city is also based here. in the Lake, there is a lake palace, Jagmandir Palace and many other palaces surrounding them. the city came into the international limelight when the James bond Movie Octopussy was shot here. the Geography of the place is such that it is an oasis in the Thar Deserts of Rajasthan, the western province of India. come here to experience royalty valour and beautiful Lakes.
Places to visit in Udaipur: Pichola Lake, City Palace Jagmandir Palace (have to take a boat to reach Jagmandir Palace), Fateh Sagar Lake, the old city area and the Temples around, around 100 Km away is 2000-year-old Chittorgarh Fort,(it will be a day trip) then there is Kumbalgarg Fort it has a second largest wall of the world after China Wall (again a day Trip), Ancient Ranakpur Jain Temple ( famous for beautiful Marble carvings) and the nearby Sun Temple legend says the temple is built like a Vimana or you can say ancient alien spacecraft, Haldi Ghati (Turmeric Valley) the sand here is yellow in colour and hence the name. Haldi Ghati is the place where a small army of Maharana Pratap fought against the mighty Mughal 10-1 was the ratio of the army of Maharana Pratap, Mughals came in huge numbers to fight the Rajput King but could not catch him nor could defeat him. There is a Museum here on the fight of Haldi Ghati and the glory of Maharana Pratap. The museum takes you back by 500 years during the times of Maharana Pratap and Mughal Emperor Akbar.
come to Udaipur for at least one week.
stay: best place in Udaipur is Shiv Niwas palace though its a bit expensive but it’s best because the king lives here on the same premises though you may not get to see him but can surely experience the royal treatment, then there are many more hotels near the Shiv Niwas Palace, the most expensive is Taj Lake Palace and cheaper options are around the shiv Niwas palace where you can find many old historical hotels and houses which are as cheap as 20$ a day.
Eat: one should try the street food here near the city Palace, Aloo kofta, (potato balls) Mirchi Wada, (green chilli balls) Dah Wada, (curd balls) Kachori, etc. have it with sweet and chilli Chutney. Then you should try good Authentic local food called Dal Batti (lentils Soup & wheat balls) this is some of the vegetarian options, in Non-veg options, you can eat Laal Maas,(Mutton Dish) Banjara Gosht, Macchhilli Jaisamandi ( fish dish). I will be candid here we are, vegetarians, and have never eaten Non-Veg food so don’t know how these Meat and fish dishes will taste. but for the Veg lovers, the above-mentioned food is Awesome one tip here try eating food with your hand instead of a spoon that is the tradition in this part of the world.
Travel to Udaipur: by flight from New Delhi to Udaipur or from Bombay to Udaipur. By Train from Bombay to Udaipur Aravali Express or Via Road, there are Luxury buses running between New Delhi – Udaipur and Bombay-Udaipur.
This city is worth being there in your Bucket list of places to visit in one’s lifetime.
