Udaipur

“Boat waves, sun rays, ain’t nothing like lake days.”

There is so much to do in this city and a lot more around it.

You can Google and find the must see attractions and look for some must see experiences, make yourself a list of sorts.

But here is my personal list of recommended things to see and do when in Udaipur 🙂

Stay

Oolala (Airbnb) – If there was something called as “Boutique Airbnbs” this listing would qualify for it. Check out my blog to know more about this beautiful property situated right in middle of a lake – www.bombbaekar.com/stay/oolala

Visit

The Monsoon Palace 

When I visited Udaipur for the very first time, I asked my hosts to recommend a list of places I MUST visit – this was on top of their list. They told me that this Palace was built by the king to keep a watch on the changing weather of the city.

Now here’s where things get interesting –

I hired a car and my driver was also my guide. He had a very different story on the history of the Palace.
Here’s his version –
“Madam.. I will tell you the real reason why this Palace was built. Our King built this Palace for his Queen. You know how women are – when they get mad about something and you try to approach them – its like playing with fire. The poor King felt the same way. So he built this Palace for the Queen to go to when she was mad at the King. The Queen with her convoy would head to this Palace and stay here for a few days till the King wouldn’t come and make peace with her and take her back to the Royal Palace. Which is why this place is also called ‘Roothi Rani ka Mahal’ and that is the REAL story.”

Now if you ask me – I’d like to believe in the driver’s version of this story. Yes. Sometimes idiosyncrasy trumps practicality :p

Since I completely bought his version of the story, here’s my little dedication to him – Me sitting grumpily in the Palace waiting for the King to realize his stupid fault and come get me 😛

Don’t visit this place just for the story but also this fabulous view.

And if you are the romantic kind then set up a date at this beautiful cafe just within the Palace premises. If this setting doesn’t scream romance- nothing will!

Badi Lake 

Udaipur is a city of lakes.. And this one is my favorite. You’ll feel such peace here.

If you are feeling adventurous then keep heading north of Badi Lake and do a short 15 min trek to see this majestic Lake from one of the highest mountain peaks in the area. There is a tiny Maggi stall right at the top for you to enjoy the views with a hot bowl of Maggi and Chai 🙂

Haldi Ghati 

I had goosebumps when I passed from this stretch. The Battle of Haldighati was fought in this area between Maharana Pratap’s Army and Akbar’s forces. Thousands of soilders lost their lives in this battle and there was so much blood everywhere. It is said that because of this bloodshed, the sand here, is of the color turmeric (Dark Yellow), as the blood mixed with the sand and even today, decades after the battle – it still retains that peculiar color.

Reading about it and experiencing it are two very different things – please do go visit this stretch of land.

Maharana Pratap Museum 

If you are a history buff and want to know more about the history of Maharana Pratap and the Battle of Haldi Ghati, visit this Museum. They play a short film about the Battle which you shouldn’t miss.

Jagdish Temple 

We went there late in the evening, I was unable to get any good pictures of this temple but it is sooo exquisite! Built up of marble – it is truly magnificent! Stay for the Aarti 🙂 It is a divine experience.

Shreenathji Temple 

Speaking of divine experiences – If you have half a day to spare, you can easily add this to your itinerary. If you have planned to visit Haldi Ghati – this temple is a very short drive from there. The temple vicinity has some of the best Pyaaz Kachoris (a type of deep-fried street food) you’ll ever eat.

Shopping

Two places and two places only. Forget the “BEST 10 places to shop in Udaipur!” A total scam that is.
Doesn’t matter what you want to buy – if you want to shop in Udaipur just make time (2 hours at each place) to go visit these two places –
1. Jagdish Temple Street – the vicinity of Jagdish Temple is full of beautiful curio shops and handmade things that are not just pretty but last the test of time. I recommend buying leather bags from here (some of the very best in Udaipur) and handmade diaries.
2. Bada Bazaar – This is a proper market. You’ll find everything here. Though I’d recommend buying some blankets and bedsheets. Also this is a good place to buy Bandhani clothing and some oxidized jewelry.

Please remember to negotiate the price everywhere you go.

Hit the tab below to see a detailed list of prices of the most common products that you might want to take back home from Udaipur.

In Udaipur, there’s beauty in everything. You just need to look 🙂