Udaipur

Known as the ‘City of Lakes’, Udaipur is a beautiful city in the state of Rajasthan in the western part of India. It was founded by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1559 as the capital of the Mewar kingdom.

Located in the Aravalli Ranges, Udaipur is one of the most well-known tourist destinations of the country and beautifully exemplifies the Rajasthani culture. It is a city rich in history and culture and is visited by tourists from all over who come here to get a glimpse of the Rajput way of life.

Things to do in Udaipur

Udaipur is known all around for its numerous lakes. Fateh Sagar Lake, Rajasmand Lake, Udai Sagar Lake, Jaismand Lake and Pichola Lake are just few of the many beautiful likes in the city which add to the charm of the place and beautify the landscape. These lakes provide people with a wonderful way to spend a pleasant evening either sitting by the lake or boating.

The city of Udaipur is also known for its palaces and forts, and every palace here is a tribute to the unique Mewar dynasty which has ruled the place for ages. The architectural style is extremely artistic and intricate.

The City Palace, which is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan and an exquisite mix of Medieval, European and Chinese architecture, the Lake Palace situated in the middle of the Pichola Lake, the three storied Jag Mandir Palace are some of the many beautiful palaces in Udaipur. Many of the palaces, including the exquisite Lake Palace, have now been converted to luxury hotels and provide guests the opportunity to enjoy a truly royal vacation. Tourists can also try various attractive packages options to tour the heritage city of Udaipur.

The Chittorgarh Fort which is the largest fort in the country and the Kumbhalgarh Fort are the famous forts in Udaipur, and are standing relics of the city’s history. There are also quite a few famous temples in Udaipur visited by devotees from around the country.

The Jagdish Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the Jain pilgrimage site - Ranakpur Temple - known for its intricate architecture, Rishabhdeo Temple which is another important Jain temple are few of the numerous temples in the city.

The best time to visit Udaipur is during the winter months of September to March. During this time the weather is pleasant and the temperature is comfortable. The famous Mewar Festival held here at the onset of spring sees many tourists. It will be held from 25th-27th March, 2012 and coincides with the festival of Gangaur. Women get together and decorate the idols of Gangaur and Isar and take them in a procession to the famous Lake Pichola where they are put on decorated boats with a lot of fanfare. The festival also includes a vibrant display of Rajasthani folk culture and winds up with a display of fireworks.

Being such a popular tourist site, Udaipur is known for its many exquisite luxury and deluxe hotels most of which have successfully tried in keeping alive the rich culture and tradition of the place.

Travelling to Udaipur

To reach Udaipur by air, easily accessible is the Maharana Pratap Airport located at Dabok at 22 km away from Udaipur. The airport connects to major cities in India that include Kolkata, Jaipur, Delhi and Mumbai. Also, there is regular flights plying from Udaipur to Delhi and Mumbai.

Udaipur has the main broad gauge railway line and connects to all major other railway stations in India. Express train services are also available from Udaipur to neighbouring and nearby cities like Jaipur and Jaisalmer.

Rajasthan Roadways has public bus services plying between Udaipur and the major cities in Rajasthan. Volvo super deluxe buses are also easily available from Delhi, Jaipur and Ahmedabad to Udaipur.

Accommodation options in Udaipur

Hotels in Udaipur range from heritage properties and budget hotels to culture hotels.  Most of these hotels also offer transfers for sightseeing and pick-up from railway and bus stations.