Udaipur
Udaipur is a beautiful city located in the state of Rajasthan in India. Often referred to as the "City of Lakes" or the "Venice of the East," Udaipur is renowned for its stunning architecture, rich history, and picturesque surroundings.
Udaipur was founded by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1559 as the capital of the Mewar kingdom. The city has a long and glorious history, marked by numerous battles, sieges, and patronage of art and culture.
Best Time to Visit
Udaipur, also known as the "City of Lakes," is a stunning city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Known for its beautiful lakes, palaces, and vibrant culture, Udaipur attracts tourists from around the globe.
The best time to visit Udaipur is during the cooler months, from September to March. Here's a more detailed breakdown:
September to March: This is the peak tourist season in Udaipur. The weather during this period is pleasant, with daytime temperatures ranging from 25-30 degrees Celsius (77-86 degrees Fahrenheit) and nighttime temperatures dropping to around 10-15 degrees Celsius (50-59 degrees Fahrenheit). This weather makes it ideal for sightseeing and enjoying the various outdoor activities the city has to offer, such as boat rides on the city's lakes, exploring the city's palaces, and immersing oneself in local festivals.
Monsoon (July to September): If you want to see Udaipur in a different light, consider visiting during the monsoon season. The city gets minimal rainfall, and the showers make the city even more beautiful, enhancing the charm of the lakes and the greenery surrounding them. However, you might find some outdoor activities and sightseeing tours to be limited during this season due to rain.
Summer (April to June): Summers in Udaipur can be quite hot, with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). While the hotels may offer attractive discounts during this off-peak season, the heat can make outdoor exploration uncomfortable. However, evenings are usually cooler and pleasant, making it a good time for boat rides and other water-based activities.
In terms of festivals, Udaipur hosts the Mewar Festival, typically in March or April, which celebrates the arrival of spring. The festival features a procession of colorfully dressed women carrying images of the goddess Gauri, cultural performances, and a fireworks display. The Shilpgram Arts and Crafts Fair, usually in the last ten days of December, is another significant event where you can witness the rich craftsmanship of Rajasthani artisans and enjoy folk performances.
How to Get There
Udaipur, located in the Indian state of Rajasthan, is well-connected to the rest of the country and even internationally through various modes of transport. Here are the different ways you can reach Udaipur:
By Air: Maharana Pratap Airport, also known as Udaipur Airport or Dabok Airport, is located about 22 km from the city center. It's well-connected to major cities in India like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Jaipur, and there are flights from international destinations via these cities as well. Airlines like Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet operate regular flights to Udaipur. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or a cab to reach the city center.
By Train: Udaipur City Railway Station is well-connected to major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, and Chennai. Some of the popular trains include the Mewar Express (Delhi to Udaipur), the Gwalior-Udaipur Express, and the Bandra-Udaipur SF Express (Mumbai to Udaipur). The railway station is located about 4 km from the city center, and you can hire a taxi, auto-rickshaw, or use local bus services to reach your destination from there.
By Road: Udaipur has a good network of roads connecting it to various cities and states in India. The city is connected via the Golden Quadrilateral road network, National Highway (NH) 48, which connects Delhi to Mumbai, and NH 58, which links Udaipur with Gujarat. If you prefer self-driving, this might be a good option, but do ensure that you're comfortable with driving long distances and familiarize yourself with Indian road rules. Additionally, Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) and several private operators provide bus services to and from Udaipur.
By Bus: There are regular state-run and private AC and non-AC buses from cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Jodhpur.
How to get Around
Getting around Udaipur is relatively straightforward, thanks to the variety of transportation options available:
Auto-Rickshaws: Auto-rickshaws are a popular and cost-effective way of getting around Udaipur. These three-wheeled vehicles can navigate through narrow streets and congested areas, making them ideal for short distances. However, be prepared to negotiate the fare as most auto-rickshaws do not run on metered fares.
Taxis and Car Rentals: You can also hire taxis for a more comfortable journey. You can book them for the entire day or for a half-day, depending on your sightseeing plans. Many hotels can arrange taxis for their guests. If you prefer driving yourself, car rental services are also available.
Bicycles and Motorbikes: For the more adventurous traveler, bicycles and motorbikes are available for rent at several places in Udaipur. These can be a great way to explore the city at your own pace.
Boats: Given that Udaipur is known for its beautiful lakes, boat rides are a popular way of getting around. These are especially popular for getting to the Lake Palace and Jag Mandir, both of which are located in the middle of Lake Pichola.
Walking: Many of Udaipur's attractions are located close to each other, especially around Lake Pichola. Exploring the city on foot can be a pleasant experience, particularly early in the morning or in the evening when the weather is cooler.
E-Rickshaws and Cycle Rickshaws: In some parts of the city, you'll also find e-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws. These eco-friendly modes of transport are cheaper than taxis and are good for short distances.
App-Based Cabs: Services like Ola and Uber operate in Udaipur, allowing you to book a cab right from your smartphone.
Most Popular Attractions and Activities to See and Do in Udaipur, India
Top 18 Attractions in Udaipur
Udaipur is full of beautiful sights, historical monuments, and natural beauty. Here are some of the top attractions to visit while you're there:
City Palace: Overlooking Lake Pichola, the City Palace is a marvelous blend of Medieval, European, and Chinese architecture. The palace complex includes several beautiful structures, including the City Palace Museum, which displays a rich collection of artifacts.
Lake Pichola: This artificial freshwater lake, created in 1362 AD, is one of the oldest and largest lakes in Udaipur. You can enjoy a boat ride to Jag Mandir and the Lake Palace that stand majestically in the middle of the lake.
Lake Palace: Now turned into a luxury hotel, the Lake Palace seems to float on Lake Pichola. Even if you're not staying there, it's worth admiring from the lake's edge or during a boat ride.
Jag Mandir: Another beautiful island palace on Lake Pichola, Jag Mandir is renowned for its beautiful interiors and grand style of architecture.
Lake Garden Palace (Jag Niwas): This lovely palace located on Jag Niwas island in Lake Pichola houses a museum showcasing a wide array of ancient sculptures and antiques.
Jagdish Temple: A large and artistically significant Hindu temple in the middle of Udaipur, Jagdish Temple attracts many visitors with its beautiful carvings.
Saheliyon-ki-Bari: Also known as the "Garden of Maidens," Saheliyon-ki-Bari is a beautiful garden adorned with marble elephants, delightful fountains, a delightful kiosk and a delightful pool with chiseled kiosks and terraces.
Fateh Sagar Lake: Another beautiful lake in Udaipur, it's known for its scenic beauty. There's also a park, known as the Nehru Park, on an island in the lake.
Sajjangarh Palace (Monsoon Palace): Providing a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside and sunsets, this palace is known for its stunning views, especially during the monsoon season.
Shilpgram: Situated 3 kms west of Udaipur, Shilpgram is a rural arts and crafts complex spread over 70 acres of land. It's a living ethnographic museum depicting the enormous diversities in craft, art, and culture between Indian states.
Bagore Ki Haveli: An historic haveli that offers a peek into royal life with its museum featuring costumes, modern art, and Mewar paintings. In the evening, the haveli hosts traditional dance and music performances.
Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum: If you are interested in the folk culture of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, this museum houses a fascinating collection of Indian folk art, including costumes, dolls, masks, paintings, and musical instruments.
Eklingji Temple: Located about 22 kilometers from Udaipur, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the deity of the Mewar clan. It's a complex of 108 temples enclosed by high walls, filled with beautiful carvings and structures.
Doodh Talai Musical Garden: A rock and fountain garden that offers a beautiful view of the sunset and panoramic view of Udaipur.
Jaisamand Lake (Dhebar Lake): Located around 48 kilometers from the main city, it is Asia's second-largest artificial lake. You can enjoy boat rides and visit the small islands in the lake, which have their own palaces.
Maharana Pratap Memorial (Moti Magri): Overlooking the Fateh Sagar Lake, this memorial features a bronze statue of Maharana Pratap on his loyal horse, Chetak. It also houses a museum exhibiting the life and times of Maharana Pratap.
Udaipur Solar Observatory: Located on an island in the Fateh Sagar Lake, it's considered the best solar observing site in Asia.
Under the Sun Fish Aquarium: Near the Fateh Sagar Lake, it's the biggest fish aquarium in India showcasing over 150 species of fishes.
Top 12 Activities in Udaipur
Udaipur, with its beautiful lakes, grand palaces, and vibrant markets, offers a wide range of activities for visitors. Here are some of the top activities to do while you're in the city:
Boat Rides: Take a boat ride on the beautiful Lake Pichola or Fateh Sagar Lake, especially at sunset, for breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding hills.
City Palace Tour: Explore the City Palace, a complex of several beautiful palaces, gardens, and courtyards. Don't miss the City Palace Museum, which showcases a range of artifacts from Udaipur's history.
Heritage Walk: Wander around the old city, exploring its narrow lanes, bustling bazaars, havelis, temples, and traditional houses.
Visit Jag Mandir: Take a boat to Jag Mandir, an island palace on Lake Pichola, and enjoy the serene beauty of the palace and the lake.
Visit the Bagore Ki Haveli Museum: Explore this historic haveli and its museum, which houses a fascinating collection of royal costumes, modern art, and Mewar paintings. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Rajasthani dance and music performance.
Explore Saheliyon-ki-Bari: Stroll through this beautiful garden adorned with marble elephants, kiosks, marble fountains, and a delightful pool.
Shop at Local Markets: Udaipur is known for its colorful handicrafts, jewellery, clothes, and paintings. Visit markets like Hathi Pol, Bada Bazaar, Chetak Circle, and Shilpgram to buy local products.
Attend a Cooking Class: Sign up for a traditional Rajasthani cooking class to learn how to prepare local dishes.
Visit the Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum: Get to know the local culture and traditions of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat at this museum that showcases folk art, costumes, dolls, masks, paintings, and musical instruments.
Visit the Monsoon Palace for Sunset Views: The Monsoon Palace or Sajjangarh Palace is famous for its panoramic sunset views over the surrounding countryside and sunsets.
Try Local Cuisine: Don't miss trying traditional Rajasthani cuisine. Specialities include dal baati churma, gatte ki sabji, laal maas, and ker sangri.
Bird-Watching at Lake Badi: Located around 10 km from the city center, Lake Badi is a perfect place for bird-watching, especially during the winter when migratory birds visit.
Best Shopping
Udaipur is a shopper's paradise with its vibrant markets and shops that sell a plethora of traditional Rajasthani items. Here are some places where you can go shopping in Udaipur:
Hathi Pol Bazaar: This market is popular for Rajasthani handicrafts and folk arts. You can find a wide variety of items such as traditional Pichwai and miniature paintings, embroidered bags, colourful juttis (Rajasthani shoes), tie-dye fabrics and more. Remember to bargain here.
Bada Bazaar: This is another great place for shopping. Here you can buy typical Rajasthani items like silver and camel bone jewelry, batik and bandhani print sarees and textiles, copperware, and brassware. You can also find a good variety of juttis here.
Chetak Circle: Chetak Circle is known for its stationery items, brassware, and wooden furniture. This market is also a great place to buy traditional Rajasthani puppets and pen stands for decorative purposes.
Mochiwada Bazaar: If you're looking for footwear, Mochiwada Bazaar is the place to go. It offers a vast collection of juttis in different designs and colors.
Shilpgram: Situated 3 km west of Udaipur, Shilpgram is a rural arts and crafts complex spread over 70 acres. You can buy traditional items made by rural craftsmen, such as pottery, wooden furniture, and clothes.
Jagdish Temple Street: The street around the famous Jagdish Temple is full of small shops selling a variety of items like camel leather journals, wall decorations, traditional Rajasthani clothing, and more.
Lake Palace Road: This is the place to go for textiles. You'll find a vast array of beautiful block-printed fabrics, as well as batik and hand-embroidered textiles.
Clock Tower: Near the city palace is the Clock Tower, surrounded by stalls selling everything from copperware to clothing.
Bapu Bazaar: Bapu Bazaar offers a bit of everything - clothing, gadgets, crockery, school supplies, etc. This market is quite popular among locals.
Remember to bargain to get the best prices, especially in the open markets.
Entertainment & Nightlife
Udaipur may not be as bustling at night as some other major Indian cities, but it still offers an array of entertainment and nightlife activities that will help you immerse in the local culture and enjoy a delightful evening. Here are some options:
Traditional Dance and Music Shows: One of the popular evening activities in Udaipur is to attend a traditional Rajasthani dance and music performance. Bagore Ki Haveli hosts the famous "Dharohar Dance" show which features folk dances like Ghoomar and Kalbelia along with puppet shows and magic shows.
Rooftop Dining: Udaipur's restaurants offer a wide array of culinary delights. Many restaurants, especially those around Lake Pichola, offer rooftop dining with splendid views of the city and lake. These places often have live traditional music, making your dining experience even more special.
Lake-Side Lounges: Enjoy a leisurely evening at one of the many lounges located near the lakes. These venues offer a relaxed setting to enjoy a drink while taking in the beautiful views of the city.
Boat Cruises: An evening boat cruise on Lake Pichola is another popular activity. The illuminated City Palace and Lake Palace provide a mesmerizing backdrop.
Light and Sound Shows: The City Palace Complex hosts a light and sound show called "Yash ki Darohar". It narrates the rich history of the Mewar Dynasty and the city of Udaipur.
Bars and Clubs: While Udaipur isn't known for a wild nightlife scene, there are a few bars and clubs where you can enjoy a drink and some music. Some of these include the Brewz Rock Cafe, Panera Bar, and Baro Masi.
Night Markets: Some of Udaipur's markets stay open late into the night, offering you the opportunity to explore local arts, crafts, and street food after sunset.
Stargazing: Head to the Sajjangarh Palace, or the Monsoon Palace, in the evening. The palace, located on a hill, provides panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and sunsets. After sunset, it's a great place for stargazing.
Spa Treatments: For a more relaxing evening, consider a spa treatment. Many hotels in Udaipur offer spa services, including traditional Ayurvedic treatments.
Local Cuisine
Rajasthani cuisine, known for its unique flavors and rich textures, is a delight to savor and Udaipur offers plenty of local dishes to try. The cuisine is characterized by the use of a variety of spices and pulses and can be quite spicy. The food is primarily vegetarian, but there are also several notable non-vegetarian dishes. Here are some of the local specialties that you should try when you visit Udaipur:
Dal Baati Churma: A classic Rajasthani dish, it consists of baked round bread called Baati, spicy lentil soup or Dal, and sweet crumbly dessert known as Churma. It's a filling meal in itself.
Gatte Ki Sabzi: This curry dish is made from gram flour dumplings or "gatte", simmered in a spicy, tangy yogurt-based gravy.
Ker Sangri: This is a traditional Rajasthani vegetarian dish made from dried Ker berries and Sangri beans. It's usually spicy and tangy.
Laal Maas: A popular non-vegetarian dish, Laal Maas is a fiery mutton curry made with a sauce of yogurt and hot spices like red chillies.
Pyaaz Kachori: A popular snack, Pyaaz Kachori is a deep-fried pastry filled with a spicy onion filling.
Rajasthani Thali: The best way to sample a variety of local dishes at once is by ordering a Rajasthani Thali, which is a platter of various dishes such as dal, baati, churma, gatte ki sabzi, pulao (spiced rice), roti, pickles, and sweets.
Ghewar: A traditional Rajasthani sweet, Ghewar is a disc-shaped dessert made from all-purpose flour and soaked in sugar syrup. It is especially popular during the festival of Teej.
Mawa Kachori: This is a dessert version of the Kachori, filled with a sweet mixture of mawa (dried whole milk) and nuts, then deep-fried and dipped in sugar syrup.
Mirchi Bada: A popular street food in Rajasthan, Mirchi Bada consists of a large, mildly hot green pepper filled with a spicy potato mixture, coated in gram flour batter, and deep-fried.
Bajra Roti with Lasoon Chutney and White Butter: Bajra Roti is a thick flatbread made from millet flour. It's often served with spicy garlic chutney and a dollop of homemade white butter.
Accommodations
Udaipur offers a range of accommodations to suit all kinds of travelers - from budget to luxury. The city is divided into several neighborhoods, each with its own charm and attractions. Here are some of the best areas to stay in Udaipur:
City Palace Area: This area is right in the heart of the city, close to many of the main tourist attractions like the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, and Bagore Ki Haveli. You'll find many restaurants, cafes, and shops nearby. This area is particularly famous for hotels with lake views.
Lake Pichola: Staying near Lake Pichola is a great option if you want to enjoy serene lake views. There are many luxury hotels located on the lake itself, like the Lake Palace and the Leela Palace. But you can also find budget accommodations with good views of the lake.
Lal Ghat: This area is located on the eastern side of Lake Pichola and offers a wide range of accommodation options, from budget guesthouses to luxury hotels. It's within walking distance of the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, and other attractions. The area has a charming old-world feel with narrow winding streets and old havelis.
Ambrai Ghat: Located on the opposite side of Lal Ghat, across Lake Pichola, Ambrai Ghat area provides stunning views of the City Palace and Lake Palace. Ambrai Ghat is known for its sunset views.
Fateh Sagar Lake: This area is a bit away from the city center but offers a more tranquil and laid-back environment. It's a great place to stay if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The area around the lake has some lovely gardens, like Saheliyon-ki-Bari, and other attractions like the Udaipur Solar Observatory.
Near Udaipur Railway Station: If you prefer to stay in a more modern part of the city with easy access to public transportation, consider the area near the Udaipur Railway Station. The hotels in this area are more standard business hotels with modern amenities.
