Friday 10 February 2017

UDAIPUR,A DREAM DESTINATION

                                                                                
          UDAIPUR ,a dream destination for a romantic holidays
                                                                                                                 
The razzle dazzle hot spot for Indian honeymooners awaits at Udaipur. Fondly referred as the ''city of lakes'' Udaipur is one the most romantic destinations in India. It casts its spell and everyone gets fascinates by it .It has a perfect blend of rich culture, heritage, royalty all teamed with endless beauty which takes you to a romantic sojourn, hence a promising destination on the national tourism circuit.

                Trapped in the enchanting beauty of the place, I visited the city palace last year. Nestled under the palatial roof there are many places of interests .City palace of Udaipur is the jewel in the crown which dates back to the 16 century is located at the heart of the city overlooking the serene lake Pichola offering a breath taking view. This heritage property of maharaja of Udaipur is a meandering maze like palace known for its intricate mosaics and jharokhas, where the royals lived. The palace exudes royalty from every nook and cranny and the architectural marvel soaked me in the kingly era. It also houses a Vintage car museum,Dawaat e khas,Dawat e aam ,Maharani palace and a Chrystal gallery in its complex and the fact is that this is the biggest crystal gallery in the world and a must visit. There is a cafe as well in the palace complex itself where you can grab a quick bite .It is advisable to take a guided tour to understand the hidden facts about the regal palace better. Light and sound show is an added charm which reinforces a mesmerizing majestic feel in everyone.

                        The tranquil beauty of the lake Pichola provides an exotic eye pleasure encircled on all sides by the magnificent city palace, temples, Jag Mandir, beautiful havelis and well defined Aravalies on the other side gives it a majestic aura, hence adding beauty to the entire scenery. The best way to absorb the grandeur of Udaipur is by taking a boat ride in the evening. The city looks staggeringly beautiful after the dusks when the lights lit up leaving a gleam on the lake and enhancing the city s landscape.


                        An island palace, Jagmandir is not a temple as name but a palace is another epitome of opulence which is by the name not a temple but a palace , dates back to 17 century is a white marble beauty amidst lake Pichola exudes Persian and Rajput architectural marvel. It is 10 min from the mainland to be reached by boat. It features few suites, restaurant and a manicured garden teamed with an awe inspiring view of the city. This palace was built for the royals of Udaipur as a summer resort for leisure and pleasure .This place is perfect to spend a romantic evening dinner amidst the lake to the music of Jal tarang which draws your soul to the splendid yore of the bygone era. Hence this floating paradise is the best known wedding destinations for the celebrities and a must visit.



The garden of maidens as it literally means Sahelion ki bari was constructed by maharana bhopal singh is a exquisite place built for the maids who accompanied the princess to Udaipur .Saheliyon ki bari was one of those places where the maids would make merry,sing dance and indulge in recreational activities .The garden is well equipped with fountains ,kiosks marble elephants and a delightful lotus pool .The fact is that this beautiful garden sets below the embarkment of the Fateh sagar lake hence fountains are fed by the water of the lake gushing through the ducts. Spending time in this garden suffused a soothing feeling of royal grandeur in me.
The charm of Udaipur is incomplete without Fateh sagar lake ,which is situated in the north of Lake Pichola .There are three islands in the lake out of which Nehru Park is the most famous. It is also an ideal place for the family outing as it has a zoo and a boat shaped restaurant .The scenery adds a ethereal feeling to the ambiance, especially during the hours of dusks. A calm boat ride on the lake is a perfect retreat for the tourists.



Perched high on the hill above the city the monsoon palace [Sajjangarh] can be easily seen from the city. As the name suggests Sajjangarh was favored getaway for the royals during monsoons. The palace was built by maharaja Sajjan Singh in the late 19 th centaury and now is restored by the Indian government. The place exudes scenic beauty and from a distance looks like one of those castles from a fairy tale.
Bagore ki haveli is another architectural wonder which dates back to the 18 th century located on the lake Pichola and thus offers splendid view of the lake. The Haveli is a massive structure that now offers a peek inside the Mewari luxury. It houses more than 100 rooms with terraces and courtyards.

Located on the bank of lake Pichola ,Amrai ghat is a wonderful place for photographers.City palace and lake palace overlook this beautiful ghat ,which means one gets an exclusive view of two palaces from here. Sunset is the best to be here as one can click the captivating hues of dusks.

Since Udaipur is the part of the desert land of Rajasthan, it experiences harsh summers .However it is recommended to plan your vacation during the winter time when you can enjoy the beauty of the city with pleasant weather.

MUST TRY: Ambrai restaraunt at Amet haveli is a must try place perched right in the corner of the lake offers soothing and pleasing ambiance with the best view of the lake specially during the nights when the landmarks are lit up gives a absolutely spectacular view. The restaurant serves delectable array of multi cuisines which tantalize with your taste.

STAY: There are numerous hotels in Udaipur from budget inns to luxurious palaces .If you are not ready to spend to spend much on hotels, then there are options of budget hotels as well as where tariffs start from Rs 500 and go upto Rs 4000 .OYO Rooms are also easily available offering a wide range of hotels in Udaipur under two categories like budgetary and premium. However, if you can afford, try a stay in Lake Palace.

HOW TO REACH:

By air: Reaching Udaipur is not very difficult since it is connected with cities like Delhi, Kolkata Mumbai, Indore and Jaipur by air.

By train: Trains are also running on daily basis from New Delhi and Jaipur. If you want to experience the luxury, then there are trains like Maharaja Express that takes on a two weeks tour to Rajasthan.

By bus: There are deluxe and luxury buses that connects to Udaipur with Delhi, Kota, Jaipur ,Ahmedabad and Indore.

Visit to Udaipur filled me with the feeling of opulence of the bygone era. Away from the hustle and bustle Udaipur is undoubtedly a place that embraces you with warmth, peace and hospitality and proves to be an ideal locale for the honeymooners where they can renew their wedding vows and rekindle their love for each other hence a dream destination for a romantic holidays so hit this beautiful “city of lakes” this vacation and create enduring memories which will be cherished all your life.