A weekend getaway to Udaipur...........Vroommmm

Paradise for architecture lovers vibrant Rajasthan is an incredible destination popular for its formidable monuments, colorful culture, golden sand dunes and the desert! Magnificent monuments silently tell the tales of prosperity, gallantry and tragedies of the bygone era. 

Udaipur is a nice, cozy size for a city and exploring it at my own pace was entirely possible. And the locals were friendly and ever ready for a chat — be it shopkeepers or rickshawalas or  chaiwalas — and an opportunity to share nuggets of their city with me. I still remember my first visit it was a shopkeeper who pointed me to shop selling the best sweets I have ever eaten. Similarly, it was a rickshawala who took me to a small shop selling bandhani dupattas in unimaginable colours and shades.

Udaipur is a city that is used to tourists from all over and is therefore a very tourist-friendly city. It was a city that felt safe and woman-friendly as well. This was also the only city in Rajasthan where I was not asked “Which country I was from?” .Before going forward let me share some snaps of our amazing trip which we had :- 

CITY PALACE

CITY PALACE

SAJANGARH

This  was not my first visit to Udaipur ,but every time I visit I do get excited and do come to know about one new thing or a place in the city. This visit was special was accompanied by my sweetheart and also with my besty and his girlfriend, so you can say it was love in the air :) 

Don't know why Iam writing this here but this one is for you babes , you always asked me what kind of girl I want the answer is it starts with the eyes. She's gotta have those kind of eyes that can look through the good in some one. 20% angel, 80%  devil. Down to earth. Not afraid of anything. 

 IT'S YOU BABY .....................

As we skim past it various alleys and broad roads – well, it does boast a few wide roads, we are in awe of this romantic city with its breathtaking hilltop fortress and mind boggling palace structures, and more importantly, its polite and hospitable people. That the land gave birth to sons who were known for their courage and valour is amply evident from the numerous architectural works that speak volumes of the famed Sisodia Rajputs and their acts of bravery.

While on the Lake Palace and the city of Udaipur itself, let me digress a little to allow you to have a quick historical recap of the city. It is a part of the Aravalli Hills, and was founded in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh. Nicknamed Jewel of Mewar, it was ruled by the India’s oldest dynasties, the Sisodia dynasty, back in 566 AD. The actual history of Udaipur it is believed began with the construction of Nouchouki Palace on the banks of a pond dug by a gypsy in the 15th century. Udai Singh is supposed to have extended this pond and created a mammoth manmade lake that he named Pichola after a small hamlet Picholi, located nearby.Legend has it that Maharana during one of his hunting expeditions chanced upon a sage who was meditating on the hills overlooking Lake Pichola. He blessed Maharana and asked him to build a palace at that very spot as it would be well protected. Thus was born Udaipur, in 1559 A.D, along the shores of Lake Pichola, a kaleidoscope of fairy tale palaces, lakes, temples and gardens. It is recorded that Udai Singh built the Dhuni Mata shrine at that very spot to commemorate this historic meeting. 

Coming back to the present, we snake through several alleyways, amidst bustling shopping areas and come upon another of the city’s landmarks. That nature and architecture blend in a harmonious whole is amply seen as we enter the expansive Sahelion Ki Bari or “Garden of the Maids of Honour” with its plush mosaic pools and ornamental fountains. It is said that the garden was built for a queen of Udaipur whose dowry included forty eight maids!
Our visit to the City Palace, a masterpiece in marble and granite, is a revelation – a revelation of architectural beauty and bounty, keeping in step with its grounds that is veritably modernity blending into a historical era. Manek Chowk the palace grounds is ornately landscaped and dotted with shops and emporia, vending colorful souvenirs and other wares symbolic of this romantic city, referred to as the Venice of the East. We come upon a maze of corridors, inter-connected courtyards and rooms in the City Palace, a major section of this being now converted into a museum for public viewing. Needless to say the museum, a treasure trove of art, showcases the heritage of Mewar

No visit to a place is complete without bringing back a couple of memorabilia and Udaipur has plenty to offer by way of its ethnic, indigenous artefacts. In terms of cuisine, Udaipur, like the rest of Rajasthan caters to people of varied tastes, ranging from the authentic South and North Indian dishes to the Chinese, Continental and Western, besides its local Rajasthani fare. Its now become a ritual for me n her to buy some sandals on every visit to udaipur.

Thanks.......