Udaipur is more famous as the city of lakes but it has more charms than these scenic water bodies. Considered as a quaint yet quiet city flanked by the soaring Aravallis, the city is among the most famous tourist destinations in Rajasthan. Believed to be the homeland of the Mewar monarchs, the city was founded in the 15th century by the Mewar king Maharana Udai Singh. The city was also a former capital of the Sisodia rulers that is recognized as the direct heirs of the Sun God.
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Udaipur[/caption]
The unique presence of most beautiful lakes, temples, and palaces make Udaipur stand out from the rest of the royal destination in the state. “Venice of the East!” – This is an international recognition given to Udaipur and exactly the reason that fascinated me to explore the oasis in the desert. Therefore, my four college friends and I decided to spend a weekend here in the month of April, for which we booked a flight from Bangalore as well as one of the budget homestays in Udaipur, Chandra Niwas.
Our Journey
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Lake Palace[/caption]
Because we had only two days, we planned to keep one day for monumental sightseeing and the other for exploring the lakes. Therefore, we spent our first day by taking a tour of some amazing monuments and palaces, such as City Palace, Saheliyon ki Bari, Lake Palace, Bagore ki Haveli, Haldighati, and Jag Mandir Palace. We ended our day by visiting a few temples with exquisite architecture of Mewar, namely, Eklingji, Nathdwara, Sahasra Bahu (under archaeological survey), and Rishabdeo.
The second day was spent in boating on Lake Pichola and exploring Udai Sagar and Fateh Sagar lakes all of which are pristine fresh water bodies. After an exhausting first day tour, the second day sojourn was quiet soothing and refreshing at these lakes.
Best Restaurants
I recommend dining at the Anna Restaurant near Jagdish Temple for all those who are on budget. It is famous for the local dishes such as Daal Baati Choorma and Gatte ki Sabzi. For a sweet treat of Gajar ka halwa, do get inside the sweet shop opposite to Anna. Another cool restaurant is Ambrai in Hanuman Ghat, which feature flickering candles and soft music apart from delicious menu.