The very mention of Rajasthan conjures up images of royalty, of brave warriors, of dynasties and their rich cultural heritage. Udaipur founded by Maharaja Udai Singh was the erstwhile capital of the Mewar kingdom. A picturesque and scenic Udaipur offers a great mix of royalty and scenic natural beauty. Add to this, the warm-heartedness and hospitality of the locals makes it a tourist paradise. Sreekant Krishnamurthy spells out five things you must do in this City of Lakes.
City Palace
Udaipur offers you a tryst with royalty as you enter this majestic palace. We recommend you the audio tour which helps you take in the palace and its glory at your pace. However, if you would like some juicy trivia, help is at hand. Reach out to the local guides, who will gleefully share stories of the inner world of kings and queens, which of course, is to be believed at your own risk. In the palace one can also see the original armoury of Maharana Pratap and his faithful war horse Chetak who rescued his master at the cost of his own life. If you are lucky, you may get a glimpse of Shri Arvind Singh Mewar who sometimes does his rounds around the palace. Do not miss the light and sound show in the evening. It's magical.
Jagdish Mishthan Bhandar (JMB)
How can one visit Rajasthan and not savour the local delicacies. Apart from the traditional gattey ki subzi and daal baati churma, make a mandatory stop at Jagdish Mishtaan Bhandaar (popularly known as JMB) for their snacky specialities. Their kachoris are legendary and serve both as a tourist attraction and a local delight. We recommend that you have them piping hot. Their pyaaz kachori is the most popular snack.
Fateh Sagar Lake and Pichola Lake
Both these lakes are very scenic and the best time to go there is in the evening, just before sunset. You can stroll in the Nehru Garden or take a tour of the ghats, that are frequented by both, the locals and the tourists. Alternately, you can just hop on to one of the silent row boats or shikaras and soak in the beauty of the sunset. Just make sure your navigator can manage a good song on board.
Sajjangarh Fort
Sajjangarh fort, also known as the Monsoon Palace offers a breathtaking view of the beautiful lakes on one side and the Aravallis on the other. If you are looking for photo ops, this is the place to be at. A great spot to marvel at the beauty of the city, get here before sunset.
Shilpagram
If shopping is on your mind, then head to Shilpgram where talented local artisans sell everything from minakari jewellery, lehariyas, mojris and other local handicrafts. All the products are authentic, as it has been formed under a scheme of the government to promote local art and artists. When you are tired of lifting those shopping bags you can also take a moment to watch some of the live singing and dancing performances.
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