Udaipur– City of Lakes
Introduction: Udaipur commonly known by the name “city of lakes” is a vibrant tourist place located in the state of Rajasthan. It is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the entire country because of its mesmerizing views and romantic vibes.
It is surrounded by beautiful manmade lakes and is situated between Aravalli Hills from all sides. It has beautiful lakes, azure places, delicious food, and traditional culture to relish. Not only it is a beautiful tourist destination but also the most luxurious destination in the country. It is also known by the name of “Venice of the East” because of the presence of alluring lakes in the city.
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Table of Contents
Udaipur History:
The city was founded by Maharana Udai Singh II in the year 1559 as the capital of the Mewar kingdom. The architecture of the city is an evidence of the prevalence of the Rajputana era in the city. Tourists fall in love with the city at first sight because of its magnificent architecture, Rajputana forts, stunning lakes, romantic sunsets, and busy market places. The city is the most popular wedding destination because of various Hollywood and Bollywood movies shot there.
This article will work as your tour guide for the Udaipur trip:
How to Reach?
One can reach Udaipur by train, air, or road. Dabok or Maharana Pratap Airport is situated 22 km away from Udaipur which has connectivity with all major cities of India such as Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, etc. Many trains run from major cities of the country to Udaipur central railway station. For luxury lovers, the train called Palace on Wheels is alsoavailable as an excellent option available. Roads to Udaipur are fine enough and many private and state buses from nearby states run to Udaipur.
When to Visit?
The optimal time to visit the city of lakes is between October to March because summers in Rajasthan can be extremely brutal as it is home to the Thar desert. The winter offers various festivals like the Mewar festival which are worth visiting. The Mewar festival takes place in March.
The City Palace:
The main tourist spot of the city is the city palace which symbolizes the royal architecture of the Rajput military and Mughal embellishment constructed by 22 Maharanas between the 16th to 20th centuries. Now, most of it has been converted into a museum to which one can enter via TripoliaGate. One can hire a tourist guide there to understand the history and significance of the palace. One can visit the city palace between 9 am to 5:30 pm. There the ticket is very long. Therefore,be ready to stand one hour in the waiting line to buy the ticket. The complete audio tour is also available in English, Spanish, French and German language at Rs 250. There is also a separate ticket available for the sound and light show.
Lake Pichola:
The next beautiful tourist spot is the lifeline of the city, Lake Pichola. One cannot go from Udaipur without visiting the Lake Pichola and riding a boat in it. It is the oldest, largest, and most picturesque lake in the city along with bathing ghats, temples, and hills around it. It is recommended to enjoy the sunset tour of the lake to experience its beauty at the peak. One can visit the lake between 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and the boating price ranges between Rs200 to 300/- and the cruise starts from Rs 500.
Jag Mandir Palace:
The next destination is an island on lake Pichola, known as Jag Mandir Palace. One can reach the palace via boat only. It is a spot famous for film shootings as well as destination for marriages. Its royal architecture includes a spacious courtyard with white and black marble tiles and a flower garden on the east. There are eight big elephant statues at the entrance of the palace along with the boat ramp. Although expensive but it is worth trying a meal here.
Lake Fateh Sagar:
The next most beautiful tourist destination is lake Fateh Sagar which is situated at the north of the Lake Pichola. It is a man made lake. it is surrounded by the Pratap Memorial and hills on the other three sides. The optimal way to enjoy the beauty of the lake is to do a ride on a motor boat or a speed boat. The best time to ride is early in the morning to late in the evening because at that time you’ll get the most beautiful view and it will save you some money also. A motor boat ride on the lake will cost around Rs300. It is open on all days from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm in the evening.
Sajjangarh Fort:
The next beautiful place to enjoy beauty and experience royalty in Udaipur is the SajjanGarh Fort. One can get the first glimpse of this fort as a crown at the top of the Aravalli Hills from the City Palace. Just like lakes and Jag Mandir Palace, this fort also looks most beautiful during the time of the sunset .One can get magnificent views of the lakes and palaces from this fort. It is situated on the outskirts of the city of lakes. Hence, one needs to book a taxi to reach the hilltop. Timings to visit this fort are between 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. The individual entry fee is Rs 80.
Udaipur is the heaven for the people who are fond of royal architecture, vibrant culture and local cuisines.
