sassilysoloThe city of lakes, the white city, the hub of destination weddings – Udaipur is one of the most loved cities of Rajasthan. And rightly so! I have been to Udaipur a couple of times, sometimes in-transit, but this time was different. Not only was I travelling alone, but this visit was also to bring my second and last leg to Rajasthan to an end. Paradoxically, with both a lot and little in mind, I set my plan in motion.
Reaching Udaipur turned out to be an uphill task for me. I had planned to leave from Chittorgarh by an inter-city express train, which I realized on my arrival at the Chittorgarh Railway Station, was running three hours behind its scheduled time. I asked around and hopped on a bus, terribly crowded (even the online advance booking didn’t help much), that took about three exhausting hours to take me to Udaipur. It was still the right decision to make!
I had reserved one day for the city of Udaipur and one for Mount Abu, a small hill station near the city.
The next day, I hit the road and made my first stop at Jaisamand Lake.
The second largest artificial lake in India, Jaisamand was created in the 17th century. It covers a total area of about ninety square kilometers when filled up to the brim. Though located in the city famous for its lakes, Jaisamand or Dhebar is actually about 75 kms (46 mi) away from the main city of Udaipur. It takes about two hours to reach the place and the journey is totally worth it. Booking.com
It houses a temple at the centre of its embankment and a hilltop palace. I could, however, make time only for visiting one.
I visited Jaisamand Lake early in the morning using a hired cab that cost me Rs. 2500 (or about USD 36). The place was very quiet and less crowded then with just a few locals in the vicinity. It charges a nominal entry fee and you can go for boat rides. The only place I found here to put up at was the Jaisamand Island Resort. It is a bit pricey for travellers on a budget, so I gave it a pass and chose to stay in the city instead.
Fateh Sagar
A little busier, Fateh Sagar is located in the heart of the city of Udaipur. I decided to make this my second-last stop for the day before wrapping things up in Udaipur. The place comes alive from late evenings, with locals and tourists thronging for walks along the shoreline. Like the Jaisamand, it is open for boating and houses small shops across its boundaries.
Fateh Sagar can be a great option to stay at for anyone trying to get away from the congested lanes of Udaipur around its famous Lake Pichola. Booking.com
Udaipur is the hub of destination weddings in India. Well, the City Palace is, to be precise! And it has every reason to be.
The architectural marvel stands on the banks of Lake Pichola and overlooks the entire city of Udaipur, making it a perfect site for royal weddings. The palace was built by Maharana Udai Singh, with extensive additions by its successors. Its courtyards, domes, corridors, and pavilions showcase a marvellous blend of medieval, Chinese, and European architectures.
And, of course, every palace is incomplete without a chariot….
A fee is charged for entry to the City Palace, open till half-past five in the evening.
Past the grandeur is Lake Pichola, accessible both through the City Palace and the main road outside its premises.
The palace’s exit gates also make way for the Jagmandir, an upscale hotel floating on the waters of Lake Pichola. It is also open for day visits at a charge of about INR 800 (USD 12), the payment for which can be made while leaving the City Palace.
For those not up for visiting the Jagmandir can head straight to the Lake Pichola, book a boat ride, and wrap the evening up floating on its waters.
I left the next day for Mount Abu, a small hill station in Udaipur.
Mount Abu is easily accessible via road from Udaipur. It is about a 170-km (more than a hundred miles) away from the city, a journey that takes anywhere between three to four hours to complete. Alternatively, the nearest railhead for Mount Abu is the Abu Road Railway Station which is well-connected by major cities like Delhi.
Mount Abu mostly hosts local tourists, especially from the Indian State of Gujarat; it being a bordering state. I, however, found it perfect to bring my trip to Udaipur, and Rajasthan, to an end. Here’s a list of my favorite things to do in Mount Abu:-
Hiking to the Toad Rock
A rock that looks like a toad, mounted on a hilltop next to the quiet Nakki Lake, was where I chose to begin with.
A flight of about a hundred stairs, a chance encounter, and some really spicy munchies later I reached the Toad Rock. The initial couple of stairs can seem a bit scary and less-trodden, thanks to the shrubs and bushes dominating the path, but since I am a huge fan of elevated shots, I didn’t mind going the extra mile.
Dilwara Jain Temple
The Dilwara Jain Temple is a must-visit in Mount Abu. Out of all the places of religious significance I have visited across India, Dilwara Jain Temple’s architecture was truly the most transcending of all. Booking.com
The temples are located a bit far from the main city and are accessible without an entry fee. It is managed really well and has guides that take you around in a group right from the entrance. However, cameras and cellphones were not allowed inside the premises, which was a bummer.
Nakki Lake
Nakki Lake, at the centre of Mount Abu, is perfect to retire for the day. It comes alive in the evenings mostly with locals dominating the sidewalks. There is a small market located next to the Nakki Lake which bustles with the evening crowd.
In a gist,
- The nearest international airport to reach Udaipur is IGI, Delhi from where one can get connecting flights to Udaipur. Maharana Pratap Airport, Udaipur is about twenty kilometers away from the city. Booking.com
- I stayed in a female dorm at Moustache Hostel and found it to be a decent stay.
- Getting around Udaipur is easy, it being a big city. Not all the major attractions are at a walkable distance away and this brings tuktuks and Uber rides in the picture.
- Udaipur can be covered in a maximum of two days easily if you are planning to travel on an itinerary.
- The winter months from December to February are the best time to visit Udaipur, in fact, anywhere in Rajasthan. I travelled during the mid-January and found it to be mildly warm. Despite its being a winter month, my woolens pretty much remained packed.
- If in doubt about whether to visit Udaipur and Mount Abu, I’d suggest Udaipur for it is a bit more happening than Mount Abu. But if you can spare an extra day or two, the Dilwara temples mustn’t be missed.
Rajasthan is the largest state of India and planning a trip can be overwhelming. I believe each part comes with its own perks and a few setbacks. For those short of time or strict on the itinerary, these answers might help.
Where to go – Udaipur or Jaisalmer?
Of all my travels through the different parts of Rajasthan, the two most beautiful and serene places for a perfect laid-back travelling experience were Osian and Khuri. Khuri village came with an added advantage of giving a real country feel. And I’d ask you to visit Jaisalmer, especially for its small village or Khuri.
Which is better – Udaipur or Jaipur?
I stayed in both Udaipur and Jaipur for a day but found Udaipur more interesting and less crowded with tourists. For history buffs, however, Jaipur is the place to be.
Which is better – Udaipur or Jodhpur?
Udaipur is, again, a bit more happening than Jodhpur. The latter thus, at times, finds itself at the short end of the stick. However, for a quiet travelling experience, Osian in Jodhpur will undoubtedly help you form a decision.
Thanks for sharing this post. Udaipur is a well-known tourist destination in India. It is also called the city of the lake. It is the perfect place to enjoy the holiday or spend time.
Thank you very much. It really is.
Chittorgarh fort is one of the most famous and beautiful fort of India. It is the largest fort of India. In Jaipur, you also see many beautiful forts, ancients monuments, and other beautiful destinations.