TRAVELSM - Rajasthan - UDAIPUR
UDAIPUR - "The City Of Lakes"
Udaipur, The City of Lakes, used to hear this name since my childhood. Udaipur had it's own History as well, because of which I, and like me many other Indian students have read about Udaipur and it's culture in History and in General Knowledge.
And after reading about it, obviously always wanted to explore it. And one fine day, last year me and my partner in crime ;) we just spoke "Why not this time while visiting Jaipur, we visit any tourist place nearby, and the name that came up from him was 'Udaipur', I was like am ready, and we informed our family." And the tickets were done.
It was last year in October that we traveled from Jaipur to Udaipur i.e., approx 420km. Four of us boarded the overnight train from Jaipur and reached Udaipur early morning at 6:30 am. I was all active to see around; the Railway station was neat and clean and as it was morning time, so hardly few passengers visible on the station. We directly went to our hotel, got freshened up and ready and as we all wanted to try the local food, so we walked down the streets nearby and as my father in law had already visited Udaipur, so he took us to the nearby place, were the shopkeeper was selling Poha (the Indian flattened rice dish), and his shop was also crowded for breakfast. Though Poha was looking very bland, but believe me when we all ate it, we were like woww, it was just too yummy with peas and onions sprinkled separately on top of it. We ordered extra plates till our stomach were full.
We were discussing over the breakfast to hire a cab/ local tampu for the whole day to visit all the tourist places. Nearby even we could see there were many tourists tour guide shops, so as we walked out, there was a guide who came nearby us saying "I will take you along and make you visit all the tourist places, you can have a look at the places in this guide book" and he offered us a guide book to see where all he will take us. Also as usual, as I already did my homework in prior of what all places we have to explore in Udaipur, so I matched and we discussed few places that we wanted to go and negotiated on the price for full day.
And here our journey began:
Pratap Smarak is on the hill top, at the road side there are few stalls of artifacts and eatables, we had an awesome lassi (sweet butter milk) there and then moved ahead, it was over a large area, constructed in a very arranged manner. At the sides there are shades with beautifully designed seats to sit and we can see almost whole of Udaipur from here visibly Lakes as well. It showcases the statue of Maharana Pratap's with his great fastest horse ' Chetak'.
Udaipur is all surrounded by mountains i.e., Aravali Range, with beautiful huge lakes, gardens, palaces and white buildings. It was indeed an awesome experience and we covered all of it in a day.
The Next day, we left for Nathdwara by bus that's around 1 hour drive from Udaipur. On our way, we stopped by Eklingji Temple. The temple was closed initially at 11am, on asking people found that it will open in 20mins, so we waited. As we entered inside from the main gate, there was a covered lock shoe rack, wherein we took off our footwears, kept inside it , locked and kept the key with us, then water taps were there to wash your hands and feet. On moving further saw many a vendors sitting sideways selling flowers to offer to God. It was a very clean and quite temple. People were moving in que, it took almost 30 mins to reach by the main Eklingji temple. After praying, came out and bought few fruits from outside the temple.
Then left for Nathdwara. Nathdwara is a small town, we got down at the city centre from where the temple was nearby. We kept our luggage in the lockers provided in he temple premises. The temple area is very big and expanded having all sorts of shops, sitting arrangements, prasad counters. Felt something very different and auspicious about this place, luckily we were able to attend the Arti of Lord Krishna 'Bal Gopal'. Then took the Prasad, explored the nearby area and had lunch at a very nice restaurant. Stayed for a while and then returned to Udaipur by evening as had our night train.
It was a short and nice trip. There are few other places to explore in and around Udaipur .
And after reading about it, obviously always wanted to explore it. And one fine day, last year me and my partner in crime ;) we just spoke "Why not this time while visiting Jaipur, we visit any tourist place nearby, and the name that came up from him was 'Udaipur', I was like am ready, and we informed our family." And the tickets were done.
It was last year in October that we traveled from Jaipur to Udaipur i.e., approx 420km. Four of us boarded the overnight train from Jaipur and reached Udaipur early morning at 6:30 am. I was all active to see around; the Railway station was neat and clean and as it was morning time, so hardly few passengers visible on the station. We directly went to our hotel, got freshened up and ready and as we all wanted to try the local food, so we walked down the streets nearby and as my father in law had already visited Udaipur, so he took us to the nearby place, were the shopkeeper was selling Poha (the Indian flattened rice dish), and his shop was also crowded for breakfast. Though Poha was looking very bland, but believe me when we all ate it, we were like woww, it was just too yummy with peas and onions sprinkled separately on top of it. We ordered extra plates till our stomach were full.
We were discussing over the breakfast to hire a cab/ local tampu for the whole day to visit all the tourist places. Nearby even we could see there were many tourists tour guide shops, so as we walked out, there was a guide who came nearby us saying "I will take you along and make you visit all the tourist places, you can have a look at the places in this guide book" and he offered us a guide book to see where all he will take us. Also as usual, as I already did my homework in prior of what all places we have to explore in Udaipur, so I matched and we discussed few places that we wanted to go and negotiated on the price for full day.
- We first went to Aravali Vatika - a kind of small hilly park with few statues and fountains.
- Pratap Smarak was next - I just loved that nearby beautiful hill top area. And just 2 mins before Pratap Smarak, we stopped at a museum showcasing all the battle instruments and various battlefield in and around Rajasthan. The Battle fields were very nicely portrayed with palaces, temples, boundaries, the trees and the jungles.
Pratap Smarak is on the hill top, at the road side there are few stalls of artifacts and eatables, we had an awesome lassi (sweet butter milk) there and then moved ahead, it was over a large area, constructed in a very arranged manner. At the sides there are shades with beautifully designed seats to sit and we can see almost whole of Udaipur from here visibly Lakes as well. It showcases the statue of Maharana Pratap's with his great fastest horse ' Chetak'.
At the sideways, there's staircases going towards the park area, wherein you can sit and relax and there was a temple and ruins of the battle.
- Lake Pichola - Then we went nearby to Lake Pichola, believe me it was such a quite place in the afternoon and the cool breeze near the lake was just so refreshing. We all liked this location.
- Sahelion ki Bari - While entering Sahelion ki Bari, there were few tour guides, so, father hired one tour guide, who was really very excited to take us to each and every corner and tell us the whole story. It has many areas covered with trees and plants. The most interesting part was because of some kind of gravitational force the water was automatically by force coming out like a fountain. This really surprised us, an eye opener.
- Lok Kala Museum - It was right at the corner of the road. There were so many different forms of art work of Rajasthan and maniquins of different tribes of Rajasthan was displayed. Then at 2pm katputli (doll) dance was conducted for half an hour in a hall. It was so interesting that we thoroughly loved and enjoyed it. People were laughing and dancing and clapping. Especially the Kids enjoy it thoroughly.
- Mansapurna Karni Ropeway - The route was hilly to this place. The driver stopped by the entrance. We bought the ticket and relaxed, had food at the restaurant before the entrance. Then walked towards the ropeway wherein a que was there because of which had to wait in que for 15mins and also there was a construction work going on. Seemed like they were expanding the area. We sat in the Gondola, it was nice, reached the main hill top in 10mins. There was a temple and a mosque on the hill top. The temple was beautiful, all around made with white marble. This place was also getting renovated. The view was mesmerizing in the bright sunlight with cold wind blowing by us and the lakes sparkling like diamond.
- City palace - Then the driver took us to City palace. There was a entry ticket of Rs 300/ person. At the main entrance there were few expert guides, among whom one with the City palace tag hanging around his neck, saw and approached us and said he will take us around all corners of palace and explain about the history, So, we hired him and after purchasing the ticket went inside. It was marvellous, so royal, and just huge. The guide said that the king and his family still stays at a particular part of the palace that's closed for visitors and only accessible to the Royal family. I was like so interested and really wanted to meet and see the king , but not possible ;) . We then saw whole of the palace, it's courtyard, marriage area, the royal kitchen, official area, rooms, it was just huge. When we finished we walked down to the palace complex wherein there is a restraurant and many a shopping stores. We walked across the shops and our guide took us to one of the traditional clothing store, wowww they had so many salwar suits and the sarees, but to tell you the most interesting fact about the sarees over here is that these were recyclables and made out of banana tree, and few other plants. We bought few as I really liked the concept.
- Jagdish temple - It was just nearby to the city temple. Like 5mins walk from City palace. A very nice peaceful temple of Lord krishna.
I did shopping in the nearby City palace area, yeahh...!! Ofcourse the best part in Udaipur. Udaipur is full of things that one would love to buy like I bought many earings, show pieces, jeweleries, cloths and that too at a really cheaper rate. I just loved it, loved it, loved it. I can go again and again there to shop. Just that you have to be really good at your negotiation skills.
Then the driver dropped us to the hotel at around 7pm, we rested for a while, got freshend up and left for a walk to explore the nearby town streets and had our dinner at a famous restaurant serving Rajasthani thali(varieties of food). It was so delicious, As it was unlimited, I kept on eating, till the time was stomach got buldged ;P
The Next day, we left for Nathdwara by bus that's around 1 hour drive from Udaipur. On our way, we stopped by Eklingji Temple. The temple was closed initially at 11am, on asking people found that it will open in 20mins, so we waited. As we entered inside from the main gate, there was a covered lock shoe rack, wherein we took off our footwears, kept inside it , locked and kept the key with us, then water taps were there to wash your hands and feet. On moving further saw many a vendors sitting sideways selling flowers to offer to God. It was a very clean and quite temple. People were moving in que, it took almost 30 mins to reach by the main Eklingji temple. After praying, came out and bought few fruits from outside the temple.
Then left for Nathdwara. Nathdwara is a small town, we got down at the city centre from where the temple was nearby. We kept our luggage in the lockers provided in he temple premises. The temple area is very big and expanded having all sorts of shops, sitting arrangements, prasad counters. Felt something very different and auspicious about this place, luckily we were able to attend the Arti of Lord Krishna 'Bal Gopal'. Then took the Prasad, explored the nearby area and had lunch at a very nice restaurant. Stayed for a while and then returned to Udaipur by evening as had our night train.
It was a short and nice trip. There are few other places to explore in and around Udaipur .
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