There’s so much to do in Udaipur, from exploring historic castles and palaces to shopping some of the world’s finest handicrafts. All the choices you’ll have to make when planning your trip can be a bit bewildering. Udaipur, set amid lakes and dotted with palaces, is renowned as one of the most romantic cities in the world. The city, surrounded by a battlemented wall, is especially noted for its maharaja’s palace, which overlooks scenic Pichola Lake.
The City Palace
After reaching Udaipur City Palace, one of the largest palaces in India, you will see the marble Jug Niwas Palace floating on lake Pichola. Now a hotel, it is one of the prettiest and most entrancing sights in the world ; its Maharani suite being very popular with honeymooners. A traditional welcome at the city palace include a grand reception with garlands and Aarti by comely Rajput maidens in true Rajasthani welcome.The Palace has an atmosphere of langurous haze and relaxation. You feel like doing nothing, just relax and gaze at the surroundings and the reflection of the City Palace on the shore.
City of Lakes
A visit to the Lake Palace is on the “must do” list for most tourists in Udaipur. Due to an abundance of water, there are a number of gardens in and out of town. There are a number of reservoirs surrounding the town, along with a few forts and ancient ruins. Lake Pichola, in which the famous Lake Palace Hotel is situated, has dropped several meters and the hotel can only just maintain its “floating palace” illusion.
Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal Museum
If you are interested in learning about the local culture, a visit to the Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal Museum will prove to be a great help. This is a museum of folk arts which has rich collection of folk dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls, folk musical instruments and paintings. World famous puppeteers put on shows here so if you like this sort of thing or are traveling with your children, don’t miss it!
Camel Safari
If you have a bit of time to spare then you simply must go on a Camel Safari. One of the highlights of your visit to Udaipur is to go on a camel safari. One travels through the desert on the camel’s back with a whole caravan of tent pitchers, helpers, cooks, camel men and can see the life of various tribes of which are still exist in this ever changing modern world.
Shopping in Udaipur
A visit to Udaipur wouldn’t be complete without at least one shopping spree at one of the many bazaars. Shopping in Udaipur is a must and one must not miss the pottery, the articles in stone, clay, leather, wood, ivory, lacquer-wear, glass, brass, silver, gold and textiles. Most are exquisitely handcrafted and worth every coin spent.
