Udaipur - Venice Of The East

Nestled amidst the Aravalli Hills in the state of Rajasthan, Udaipur is fondly referred to as the Venice of the East. With its shimmering lakes, ancient palaces, and colorful bazaars, it's easy to see why this city is compared to the Italian city built upon water. In this blog post, we'll explore what makes Udaipur such a unique and mesmerizing destination.

The City of Lakes

At the heart of Udaipur's beauty are its interconnected lakes, which gave rise to its moniker as the City of Lakes. The largest and most famous is Lake Pichola, named after a nearby village. This 4km long lake was enlarged in the 14th century and encompasses several islands, including the Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir palaces.

A boat ride on Lake Pichola provides stunning views of the Lake Palace hotel, seemingly floating on the water, as well as the City Palace, Jag Mandir and hilly surroundings. Smaller lakes within the city include Fateh Sagar Lake and Swaroop Sagar Lake, both created in the 17th century.

The lakes provide a serene backdrop to the city, while also facilitating a bustling ghat culture. Steps leading into the lakes enable locals and visitors alike to wash clothes, bathe, and participate in religious rituals. Watching the daily rhythms of life unfold along the ghats is one of Udaipur's simple pleasures.

Majestic Palaces

The palaces of Udaipur exemplify the rich heritage of the Mewar kingdom that ruled this region for centuries. Construction began in 1553 on the impressive City Palace, located on the banks of Lake Pichola. This sprawling complex houses 11 smaller palaces within its courtyard and gardens.

The palace reflects a unique fusion of Medieval, European and Chinese architectural influences. Visitors can marvel at the carved archways, inlaid mirrors, painted murals and glass mosaics adorning the interior walls and ceilings. The City Palace museum provides a glimpse into the extravagant lifestyle of the Maharanas of Udaipur.

On the nearby Jag Niwas island, the Lake Palace hotel was originally built in 1746 as a royal summer palace before being converted into a luxury heritage hotel. Made almost entirely of marble, this white palace seems to float ethereally on Lake Pichola. With its picturesque beauty, it's no wonder the Lake Palace has been featured in several Hollywood and Bollywood movies.

Vibrant Markets

Beyond the lakes and palaces, Udaipur comes alive in its vibrant local markets buzzing with colorful textiles, aromatic spices, and other handicrafts. The centuries-old Jagdish Temple marks the entrance to the Old City bazaar area. This lively market is the perfect place to immerse yourself in local culture and pick up souvenirs.

Wind your way through narrow lanes flanked by stalls selling embroidered fabrics, tie-dyed textiles, miniature paintings, carved wooden toys, silver jewelry and more. Stop for a break to sip masala chai tea and savor street food favorites like mirchi vada and dal baati choorma. Don't forget to bargain - it's part of the fun in these traditional markets!

For upscale boutiques and mall shopping, the newer areas like Chetak Circle and Saheli Marg are the places to go. You can find chic clothing, home décor, crafts and souvenirs from Rajasthan in air-conditioned comfort. Don't miss checking out the local blue pottery that Udaipur is renowned for.

Spectacular Sights

Beyond the lakes and bazaars, Udaipur enthralls visitors with splendid architectural wonders. Towering over the city is the Monsoon Palace, also known as Sajjangarh Palace. Perched on a hilltop with panoramic views of Udaipur and its lakes, this white marble palace was constructed in the late 19th century as a monsoon retreat.

The Jag Mandir palace is located on an island in Lake Pichola. Dating back to the early 17th century, it's famous for hosting Prince Khurram, who later became Emperor Shah Jahan. The palace's unique design blends Mughal and Rajput architectural styles.

On the outskirts of the city, the Monsoon Palace offers breathtaking sunset views over Udaipur. The Neemach Mata Temple is also located on a hilltop nearby, featuring intricate stone carvings dedicated to a beloved local deity.

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