The Udaipur Chronicles- Exploring the city of lakes

07.01.2023,  18:30 HRS - JOURNEY BEGINS

I left my office at around 06:30 PM, full of excitement already visualizing my journey for the next week. I hopped on an auto-rickshaw and headed to the Calicut International Airport.

On the way, I completed my web check-in on my mobile, trying to get an emergency exit seat for the extra legroom. Although it cost an extra Rs. 600, I hoped to snag a free seat by highlighting my unusual height ;P.

Once I arrived at the airport, I completed the luggage check-in but wasn't able to get an upgrade to the emergency seat as the flight was at full capacity. I went through security checks and waited in the boarding area, where I spent my time watching YouTube videos and scrolling through Instagram posts while keeping my phone charged.

After a while, the aroma of pastries and coffee from the adjacent cafe tempted me to take a look at their menu. It was quite expensive!

As I hadn't eaten since lunchtime, I was already hungry, so I purchased a pastry and a cappuccino.After spending about an hour in the waiting area, I finally boarded the flight and was pleasantly greeted by the flight attendant.

I reached Delhi at around 11:30 PM. As I walked off the aircraft through the connecting air bridge, I felt the intense cold outside. I collected my suitcase from the baggage reclaim area and proceeded towards the exit. As soon as I left the airport, I felt a sudden drop in temperature.

I saw fog coming out of my nose and mouth as I exhaled. There were groups of people waiting outside the exit gates, all dressed in two layers of clothing, mufflers, and caps.

A taxi was waiting for me, I boarded it and we left for the hotel. The thick fog had obscured the city, so I was only able to see a few feet ahead. I arrived at the Hotel Star around midnight and ordered dal khichdi. It was very tasty and appetizing.

08.01.2023 , 08:30 HRS - AN EXCITING DAY AHEAD

The next morning, I checked out of the hotel at 8:30 AM and took a taxi to the Delhi airport. The city was engulfed in thick fog, and I could hardly see anything out of the window.

I reached the airport around 9:00 AM and was excited to meet my parents who were arriving at 9:30 AM.

After completing the web check-in and security checks, I went to the food court for breakfast. I ordered a plate of aloo paratha, which was served with a large cube of butter on top!!

My parents arrived and joined me in breakfast, and then we went to security gate 37A.

There was a small delay in the boarding, probably due to the thick fog. The flight journey was good.

                   

 " Khamma Ghani, Udaipur"  

We reached Udaipur, collected our bags, and took a pre-paid taxi to our hotel, Jaiwana Haveli.

After walking through the narrow alleys of Udaipur, we reached the hotel, which was situated on the banks of Lake Pichola. The decor and atmosphere of the hotel reflected the Rajasthani architecture. We got our room keys, stored our luggage, freshened up, and went to the roof-top restaurant.

It was already past lunch time, so there were hardly any people in the restaurant. Before checking out the menu, we first glanced at the lake pichola from the roof and it looked magnificent with all the hotels, palaces on its banks and the Taj lake palace floating in the middle of the lake. We quickly had our lunch and stepped out to explore the city. 

As we walked , we noticed a spot where they were offering short boat rides in the lake. They rented out a boat to us for 30 minutes.The boat arrived and the skipper quickly moored it to the pierside. We all got inside and sat comfortably. Luckily, the boat had a roof since it was late in the afternoon. 

The boat ride was a feast to the eyes. It genuinely felt like experiencing Venice in India. The Lake Pichola was surrounded by several havelis, palaces, temples ghats Some havelis had been converted into some of the now-known heritage hotels of Udaipur. The Taj lake palace floated on the serene waters like delicate little water lilies and the majestic city palace stood on the better side of the lake showing off its glory and grandeur.

Whether at sunrise, sunset, or any time of day, I can say that the Lake Pichola is a breathtaking natural wonder that truly showcases the beauty of nature.

The boat took us around the Lake Palace Taj Heritage Hotel which was originally named Jag Niwas after the monarch who built the palace. I so wished the boat ride to never end. We hurried to the city palace after the boat ride as entry to the city palace would stop after 5 PM. We reached on there on time.

The moment you enter the palace complex, you are transported back in time to the golden age of the Mewar dynasty. The grand entrance leads you to a series of beautiful courtyards, each with its own unique character and charm. As you explore the palace, you will be struck by the intricate details and lavish decor that adorn every corner and surface.

You will see many artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of the dynasty and its rulers, and you will be impressed by the craftsmanship and attention to detail that went into the creation of each piece.

One of the highlights of a visit to the City Palace is admiring the stunning views of Lake Pichola and the surrounding city from the balconies and terraces of the palace. The panoramic vistas are truly breathtaking, and provide a wonderful backdrop to the palace's grand architecture.

Whether you are a history buff, an architecture lover, or just someone looking for a memorable travel experience, a visit to the City Palace is sure to leave a lasting impression.

We did some street shopping outside the city palace. We also bought some dresses, Rajasthani artefacts and paintings. The sun had set by then, so we headed back to our room and freshened up.

We were absolutely famished and were craving to eat some delicious north-indian food. We decided to dine at Khamma Ghani restaurant. It was near the lake pichola and offered a great scenic view of the lake in the night. I was too excited to get a table at this rooftop restaurant, which is usually pre-booked to full capacity.

The weather got a bit too chilly towards the end of our dinner, and we found ourselves rubbing our hands for warmth. As the chilly night set in, we nestled under warm blankets and layered up with extra clothing. 

09.01.2023, 07:30 HRS - UNRAVELING UDAIPUR

When we awoke the next morning, we were greeted with a pleasant weather that had transformed into a serene scene with pigeons hovering over the lake. The tranquil surroundings left us feeling rejuvenated and grateful for the beautiful morning.

We had an appetizing breakfast of Dhoklas, Kachoris and Kulhad chai at a popular restaurant in Udaipur. We then proceeded towards the Kumbalgarh fort. On the way, we visited the Delwara temple and Nathdwara. It was a truly enriching and memorable experience. The temples are known for their intricate carvings and stunning architecture, with the use of white marble adding to their beauty.

The road journey to the kumbalgarh fort covered a distance of about 90 kms. The journey took us through scenic rural rajasthan, with views of lush greenery, fields, and traditional rajasathani villages aling the way. The road wound through the picturesque Aravalli hills, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. 

As we approached Kumbalgarh Fort, the road became steeper and narrower, with hairpin bends and sharp turns along the way. Upon reaching the fort, we were greeted with stunning views of the surrounding countryside, with the Aravalli hills stretching out in the distance. The fort itself was a magnificent structure, with walls stretching over miles, said to be the second longest in the world after the Great Wall of China.

My experience inside the Kumbalgarh Fort was nothing short of spectacular. I was struck by the intricate carvings and stunning architecture that adorned every surface. From the beautifully carved stone pillars to the ornate balconies and courtyards, every detail of the fort seemed to have been crafted with care and attention. It was unimaginable to comprehend the fact that such a majestic structure was built in the 15^th century.

Atop, the fort offered stunning views of the surrounding countryside with the Aravalli hills stretching out in the distance. The cool breeze felt like a gentle hand caressing the skin and calming my senses, completely relaxing me.

We returned back to Udaipur and visited the Gangori ghat. The Gangori ghat offered stunning views of the lake pichola at night. the tranquil waters of the lake pichola became a canvas for mesmerizing display of light and colour. The sparkling lights of the palaces and opulent hotels that dotted the shorelines created a visual feast and nothing short of a magical display.

We then visited the Bagore ki Haveli, a haveli that hosts folk dance, drama and puppet shows every day. The show was held in the Haveli’s beautiful courtyard as the backdrop. The folkdance performances were the highlight of the cultural show featuring dancers in colorful Rajasthani costumes performing traditional dances like Ghoomar, Kalbeliya etc. The dances were an energetic and vibrant display of the Rajasthani culture.

The puppet show is another unique feature of the cultural show. The puppets are handmade and dressed in traditional Rajasthani attire, and the show usually tells a story from Rajasthani folklore. The puppeteers manipulate the puppets skillfully, making them dance and move in sync with the story.

After this, we went to the Lake Pichola restaurant which is a lakeside restaurant. The ambience of the restaurant was a class apart and the stunning view of the lake pichola at night amidst gentle live music and wind chill was a perfect combination and nothing short of a dream. The food was quite delicious and worth the hype.

Despite the new adventures and experiences that awaited me, the memories of Udaipur lingered in my mind, and I couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness at the thought of leaving behind such a magical place.