In the 16th century, Udaipur rose to be the capital of Mewar. After the constant battle at the capital Chittorgarh, Maharaja Jai Singh built the royal city of Udaipur.

Located in a valley and surrounded by four lakes, Udaipur has natural offerings with a grandeur multiplied by human effort

Udaipur Travel Guide

The city of lakes is one of the most beautiful cities in Rajasthan. Compared to the other cities in this desert state this is the palce to be. Udaipur offers the most pleasant temperature along with beautiful views and amazing food.

Udaipur has an array of explicit museums portraying its glorious past including Ahar Museum and Bagore ki Haveli. Lastly, the quirky Udaipur Solar Observatory (largest on the continent) near Big Bear Lake, is a must-visit site.

One of the ceiling desigins at the Palace in Udaipur

Things To Do In Udaipur

City Palace

When in the city it goes without saying that you visit the Udaipur City Palace. It is the epitome of rich Rajasthani architecture. The costs are minimal compared to the glowing scenery that greets you above the dark waters of Lake Pichola.

Inside the compound, there are many structures worth a visit including Peacock Square, Amar Vilas, Badi Mahal, Fateh Prakash Palace, Durbar Hall, Zenana Mahal, etc.

Sajjan Garh Palace

Also known as Monsoon Palace, Sajjangarh Palace is located at a peak Bansdara Mountain as high as about 944 m above the sea level overlooking the famous Pichola Lake. Though a little far from the city center it is definitely worth a visit.

This Palace also has a Hollywood connection as it was used in the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy as the residence of Kamal Khan, an exiled Afghan prince.

Monsoon Palace by Tommy CC BY SA2.0

Vintage Car Museum

Not too far away from the magnificent City Palace Vintage Car Museum is an awesome place for automobile and car lovers. It has numerous vintage cars in its collection which is sure to make you wonder about the richness of our past.

Jagmandir Island

With its entrance flanked by a row of enormous stone elephants, the island has an ornate 17th-century tower. It is the Gol Mahal, which is carved from bluestone and contains a small exhibit on Jagmandir’s history. It also has a garden with lovely views across the lake.

Bada Mahal

Dating back to 17th century, Bada Mahal is a structural marvel. Constructed in Rajput-Mughal architectural style, the Mahal is considered as the area for men in the City Palace.

Gulab Bagh & Zoo

You must visit Gulab Bagh and Zoo which is not just a garden but a paradise for those who wish to experience more in less time. It has everything you need for a calm evening in the midst of nature.

Shilp Gram

It is located at the foothills of Aravali Mountains in Udaipur. Shilpgram is a craftsmen’s village which encloses twenty-six huts constructed in traditional architectural styles  These huts display many household decorative items.

Haldighaati

It is a historic site located 40km from the main city. It is famous for the battle between the Mughals and the Rajputs led by Maharana Pratap. There is a cenotaph with thin, delicate marble columns dedicated to Rana Pratap’s horse.

Crystal Gallery

Crystal gallery has a stunning collection of crystal artifacts and is the largest collection of crystal in the world. The gallery is located inside the Fateh Prakash Palace and was established by Maharana Sajjan Singh in 1877.

Maharana Pratap Memorial

Overlooking the charming Fateh Sagar Lake, Maharana Pratap Memorial consists of a marvelous bronze statue Maharana Pratap sitting on his faithful horse Chetak. Many people come here to pay their homage to the Rajput hero and his loyal horse.

Nature

Since it is known as the city of lakes, it has no shortage of nature. It has beautiful lakes all over where you can go and spend your whole day looking at the lake and the city bordering it.

Lake Pichola

Pichola Lake is one of the most beautiful and picturesque lakes of Rajasthan. Located in the heart of the city, Pichola Lake is the oldest and one of the largest lakes of Udaipur. Pichola Lake is enveloped with lofty palaces, bathing ghats, temples, and hills on all sides.

Fateh Sagar Lake

An artificial lake constructed by Maharana north of Lake Pichola in 1678. It is located on the northwest of Udaipur.

Within the confines of Fateh Sagar Lake, there are three small islands. The largest of these is Nehru Park. The second island houses a public park with an impressive water-jet fountain, and the third is the address for the Udaipur Solar Observatory.

Badi Lake

Located nearly 12-14km from Udaipur, it is a beautiful and calm destination. You can hire a bicycle or motorbike and have an exciting morning ride to this peaceful destination. Badi Lake is completely undeveloped with no toilets, walking paths, shops, or villages.

Saheliyon Ki Bari

This garden area lies in the northern part of the city and has fountains, kiosks, a lotus pool, and marble elephants. Each water channel has a distinct sound, and the mingling of these sounds complement the ambiance of the place.

It also has a small museum. Sahelion Ki Bari was created for a group of 48 young women attendants who accompanied a princess to Udaipur as part of her dowry.

Dhudh Talai

A rock and fountain garden and the sunset point from which you can enjoy the sunset view in Lake Pichhola and a panoramic view of the old city. Take the aerial tramway (ropeway) which connects the Doodh Talai gardens to the Karni Mata temple.

Shop for

Udaipur is famous for its miniature paintings inspired by the style of Rajputs and Mughals. You are unlikely to find these items elsewhere in India. These cost as little as ₹100 and make a beautiful gift or keepsake.

Items such as handicrafts, pottery, jewelry, wooden toys, antique items, and paintings are easily available in the tourist area.

Other items you can buy include toys, puppets, wall hangings, cloth lanterns, handmade papers, painted wooden boxes and greeting cards, pottery in both metal and adobe, pots, plates, vessels and containers, brassware, and terracotta sculptures.

Udaipur also has typical bazaars some of which are

• Hathi Pol
• Bada Bazaar
• Chetak Circle
• Bada Bazaar
• Palace Road.

Temples

Jagdish Temple

Dedicated to the preserver of the universe, Lord Vishnu, the Jagdish Temple stands in the City Palace Complex in the city of Udaipur. Beautiful carvings, numerous appealing statues and an atmosphere of serenity make this place of worship an ideal choice for seekers of solace and faith.

Eklingji Temple

Almost 22km away from Udaipur, Eklingji Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Take a cab to this temple to reach it. Other modes of transport might not be very convenient. It is one of the most famous temples of Rajasthan, known for its remarkable architecture.

Neemach Mata Temple

Surrounded by lush greenery, Neemach Mata Temple is located on a hill in Dewali, on the banks of the Fateh Sagar Lake. It is dedicated to Goddess Neemach Mata. It takes climbing a distance of 900 meters from the base through some mesmerizing natural surroundings.

Local cuisine

Udaipur is famous for its spicy snacks such as mirchi bada and kachori. Other common local cuisines include Dal Baati Churma (Lentils and rice), Pyaz Kachori (onion/flour balls), and Gatte Ki Sabzi (gram flour dumplings with curry) definitely worth trying.

There are a couple of Thali restaurants where you can get unlimited servings of a selection of Rajasthani and Gujarati dishes (rotis, savory bites, daals, vegetables, rice, sweets and more).  Outside of the old town, you can find street stalls selling cheap chaat (Indian fast food).

There are many rooftop restaurants with romantic views of Lake Pichola. However, you will usually have to walk up several flights of stairs to get to them. But eating dinner here watching a Bond Movie is an experience you should have.

Have a cup of Khulad Coffee by the lake

Other Activities

• Check out organized bicycle tours in and around Udaipur. The tours combine cycling with Indian art, culture, and heritage.
• Take the ropeway and spend the evening overlooking the city lights from a high altitude. There is a restaurant on top of the hill with a nice.
• Try horse riding to get back the feel of the Rajputs. You can get in touch with any of the organizations which do the same. Princess Trails and Krishna Ranch are few.
•  Mewar festival is to welcome the arrival of the spring season (March/April). The festival is celebrated especially for women giving them the opportunity to dress in their finest clothes and join the celebrations of the fest.
• Shilpgram Mela is an annual event in the west of the city of Udaipur in the month of November/ December. The fair is organized to promote the arts and crafts of Rajasthan. This fair is a perfect destination to try out the hand woven clothes, embroideries, mirror works, and handicrafts.

Artifacts displayed during the mela

Getting Around

Reaching Udaipur is easy. After arriving at Delhi Airport just take another flight to Dabok/Maharana Pratap airport. The airport is 25 km away from the city; so, take a cab or taxi from the airport.

Buses can also bring you to Udaipur from any city including Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, and Agra.

Best Time to Visit

Summers are uncomfortably hot in India and Udaipur is no exception. Rajasthan is the Sahara of India with temperatures soaring above 50 degree Celsius. Tourists from temperate and polar countries will not find it bearable.

Best not to visit during April-May. Instead, come during November-March. Temperatures during the winter and spring are more pleasant. 

The city palace during night time

Where to stay

The city has numerous places to stay. It has places to suit all budgets, from 5-star hotels to budget hostels. Airbnb is a good option in the city. 

Depending on your budget you can check in on online sights like Make my trip or Yatra or Trivago to get the best deal.

Safety

There are many clinics and hospitals in Udaipur which provide quality treatment at affordable prices, and health tourism is on the upswing.

Udaipur has a profusion of ayurvedic healing centers and therapeutic massage salons with services at a fraction of the cost you would pay in the west. There are yoga classes available.

December 28, 2017 11:03 pm Published by Staff Writer