A Sneak Peak to Udaipur..What makes Udaipur one of the best cities in India?

          Udaipur is one of the best cities in India, not just because it's my hometown but the statistics say it all. It is also referred to as 'Venice of the East', 'Most Romantic City of India' and 'Kashmir of the Rajasthan'. It is beautiful in all the seasons and not so crowded as metros yet developed so beautifully to attract tourists from foreign countries too. It is ranked World's 3rd Best City and one of the 'best destinations in India' for tourism. The city has been included in the project "Smart Cities Mission" by the Government of India.

                           Udaipur City                   *pic by sources

Here are a few facts that make Udaipur one of the best cities in the world.

• City of Lakes: Udaipur has been known as "City of Lakes" because it is surrounded by so many beautiful lakes. Fateh Sagar, Dudh Talai, Pichola and Bari ka Talab are the most famous water bodies within the city. Fateh Sagar lake is a happening place in the city. People do come here for morning and evening walks as well as hang out with friends and family. You would find food stalls, bhutta and bhelpuri vendors on the roadside. People do enjoy sitting on 'Pal' of the lake. Cherish your precious time by embarking on the boat or theme-based lakeside restaurants. There are few more big lakes within 50-70km from Udaipur city limit e.g. Jaisamand, Rajsamand, Udai Sagar, Banas Nadi, and few small lakes and ponds too.

                                       

Doodh Talai and Pichola

                            

• Aravali mountain range: Udaipur is a valley surrounded by Aravali mountain range and it is very beautiful on rainy days. There are so many seasonal waterfalls and streams, which are great for a picnic during rainy days.                                 

                                          

• Forts and palaces: Udaipur is known as Maharana Pratap's 'Karma Bhumi'.  It was founded by his father Maharana Udai Singh in 1559 and was named after him.  You will get to visit most beautiful palaces and forts within the city e.g. City Palace, Monsoon Bhavan known as Sajjangarh, Jag Mandir, Gangaur Ghat, Maharana Pratap Smarak, Bagor ki haveli. There are few big and prominent palaces with strong historical values nearby Udaipur like Kumbhalghar fort, Devighar fort, Chittorgarh fort, etc.

Devigarh Palace, Delwara

City Palace, Udaipur

• Maharana Pratap Museum, Haldighati: This museum is located in Haldighati at a distance of 40 km from Udaipur. It tells stories about "Bharat ka Veer Putra - Maharana Pratap" and his faithful horse "Chetak". Haldigati is famous for the battle which took place between Maharana Pratap and Akbar. This museum stores artifact from that famous battle like weapons used by Royals and paintings. 

Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap      Mughal Badshah Akbar

• Pratap Gaurav Kendra(A National Tirth of India): Pratap Gaurav Kendra is a new Tirth at Tiger Hills in Badgaon, Udaipur. It has been declared 'Rashtriya Tirth'(National Pilgrimage). At this Tirth, you would contemplate Hindu Dharma, culture and inspiring life of great personage of the society. Maharana Pratap Gaurav Kendra is based on life stories of 'Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap' and other royals. In addition, there is going to be a gigantic"Bhakti Dham", which would have nine temples of the most glorified gods of Mewar.

57 feet high metal statue of Maharana Pratap at Kendra

  12 feet tall metal statue of Bharat Mata                                            Chetak

• Handicrafts: Udaipur is famous for one more thing and that is Handicrafts. There are so many handicraft shops in bazar. They do the export beautifully hand-crafted piece of Art, either it is a decorative piece or things for personal use. To encourage folks of the rural area, the city hosts a famous fair in the month of December for 10 days and it's called "Shilpgram Mahotsava." This Mela or fair depicts the lifestyle of folks and tribal people from rural areas of the western zone. They also invite folks from different states, to give them a stage for their handicrafts and their tribal Art. They do come to perform their folk songs and dance too. It represents the diversity of culture in our country. It's so colorful and happening place to visit.

  

                                                                         Shilpgram

• Gardens: Lakes, mountains, and gardens make Udaipur 'Venice of the East'. There are few big gardens that were developed and maintained by royals of Udaipur back then, now the City development department does take care and maintain those gardens. Sahelio ki bari, Dudhtalai garden, Gulab-bagh and Chidiyaghar (Zoo), Nehru Garden, Rajiv Gandhi Park, Moti Magri, Sukhadia Circle are some of the big parks within the City.

Nehru Garden Island in Fateh Sagar

Sahelion ki Bari

• Temples: Alike gardens, there are few temples which were made by royals. Now they are public property and maintained by the municipal corporation, Udaipur. Jagdish Mandir is a renowned temple for its Indo-Aryan style of architecture. It was known as Jagannath Rai temple earlier. It's a very important part of City Palace. Karni Mata, Mahalakshmi Mandir, Bohra Ganesh Ji, Mahakaleswar Mandir are few more famous temples in Udaipur City. A few eminent temples are situated in the outskirts of Udaipur too, i.e. Ranakpur Jain Temple, Eklingnathji(a temple of Lord Shiva) and Shrinathji(a temple of Lord Krishna). These are situated just around 30-50km away from Udaipur city limit.

  

  Jagdish Mandir in city

  
  

  

  Shrinathji Temple, Nathdwara

  
  

  

  Jain Temple, Ranakpur

  
  
  

  Udaipur Solar Observatory: Solar observatory is situated on an island in the middle of Fateh Sagar Lake. The sky conditions of Udaipur is quite favorable for solar observation. It was built in 1976 by Dr. Arvind Bhatnagar following the model of the observatory in Big Bear Lake, Southern California.

  
  

  Food: Udaipur is a city of food lovers. It is said, "If a pav-bhaji seller earns more than an engineer that means you are in Udaipur."

Authentic Rajasthani food

• You can find first-rate restaurants easily. They offer you great taste either you want to strive for an elegant seven-star restaurant or street food.  Suryamahal and Chandni at Oberoi, Aravali, The Terrace and Amrit Mahal at Trident and Ambari restaurant are few elegant diners. If you really want to experience the authenticity of food and Rajwada style, than Aapni Dhani is the place you should try. A great Rajasthani thali would make your mouth watery. You would revel in snacks with prodigious folk songs and dance while sitting on Khat (bed made of wood and jute strings). They serve your food in a traditional way with hot Jalebis, Ghevar, and raab. The sensation is out of the world.

• Hotels: Udaipur is the most romantic and happening place for a honeymoon. The natural beauty of the city is still intact with development. It is one of the most wanted tourist places in India. The hotel business has boosted up in the last few years. All the big brands in the hotel business have come to Udaipur like, Oberoi, Taj, Leela Palace, Trident, etc. Apart from elegant hotels, there are so many good choices available for the economic class.

Hotel JagMandir an island in Lake Pichola

           

 

Hotel and Diner Ambrai           

• Wild Life Sanctuaries: Wildlife lovers' have the best destination to embark on a safari and click their extraordinary shots. Sajjangarh, also known as Monsoon Palace, has ruins, Shiv Temple and Jaivik Udhyan. It is situated on the hilltop with the best sunset viewpoint in the city near Bari ka Talab. 

       Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary is sprawled across Aravali Mountains of Pali, Rajsamand and Udaipur district. It is named after historic Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajsamand district near Udaipur. This gratifying sanctuary contains a huge range of wildlife and birdlife.

                                         Sajjan Garh or Monsoon Palace and sanctuary 

                                         Kumbhalgarh Palace and wildlife sanctuary 
    
         Udaipur is the most googled city in the world and everyone should plan to visit Udaipur at least once in their lives. I bet, once you come here, you would forget the world. Localities of Udaipur are so humble and helpful. The city is good for food as well as shopping too. Most of the population is vegetarian so it's so easy to find vegetarian food here. You will experience culture and authenticity in the air with each breath you would take here.

The temperature of Udaipur doesn’t remain the same throughout the year. Summers are a little hot and dry and winters are not worse. The yearly average temperature of Udaipur is 25 degrees Celsius. In summer, it goes maximum 28degree Celsius. Since the main rain falls during summers, so at the end of June or the first week of July is the best time to visit Udaipur. 

Here is the monthly chart of the weather of Udaipur. 





Happy Holidays!!