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.