We are so caught up with all the drama around us in between the routines of life that we don’t really realize how badly we ignore the most important thing in life. Ourselves!
Do you know what is going on inside that deep mind? How have you been, what are you feeling? Do u still dream? Are you happy? Have you been in any kind of pain or in denial or boredom? What are your thoughts, what are your joys and sorrows? Are you chasing your goals or have you lost them in the routines. Life is short and it’s just moving. Is this how you wanted it to be? Or do you want to make any change or improvements?
It is necessary once in a while that we stop abruptly, run away from the surroundings and spend time with ourselves and our alter egos, understand what’s going on in there. Ask these questions to know what you are!
And for that, travelling alone seems necessary to indulge, rediscover, and love ourselves.
Udaipur was such a trip for me. I wanted to travel alone in search of myself but something better happened. I got to travel with my best friend. Someone, whom I can talk to during the voyage and not talk as well, a solo trip but not a lonely one!
While it was about self-discovery for me, for her it was about making a major life decision. Rajasthan has always been very close to my heart. The sands and the winds somehow have grown deep inside me when I was studying there and I could not think of any other place than Udaipur.
Three nights in Udaipur:
Udaipur is a city replete with cultural heritage and architectural marvel. It’s situated on the banks of the serene and spectacular Lake Pichola, surrounded by Aravalli Mountain ranges. Fine Rajputana taste, palaces showing off the grandeur of maharajas, folk music, mind-blowing Rajputana architecture, interesting traditions, fascinating Rajput war legends, delicious Rajasthani cuisine, peace and tranquillity at the lake, exotic art and silver jewellery, luxurious royal palace hotels – That’s Udaipur for you!
I stayed at Udai kothi. A heritage boutique hotel which I would say is an affordable luxury. It has a sexy rooftop pool overlooking the sundown.
But if you are on a dreamy romantic trip where you want to pamper yourself with luxury then you gotta stay in either of the below three.
The Oberoi Udaivilas, The Leela palace or the Taj lake palace.
3 nights in Udaipur:
The plan was, we had no plan. I researched and noted down a few places that I thought we would like to see and the rest was just on the go. I know planning ahead makes better sense, in fact, I am someone who likes to plan day-wise and sometimes by the hour for the entire trip. But this trip was different. I wanted to break the pattern. Of course, being the control freak that I am, a lil bit of research and notes did go in as part of my trip plan journal. But mostly what we did was talk to random people, the hotel staff, the rikshawala bhaiyya, the shopkeeper, other tourists, foreign tourists (who were living for about a month there) etc.
Places visited:
- City Palace
- Lunch at Shiv Niwas Palace
- Walk to Lake Pichola
- Boat ride across the lake and a visit to Jag Mandir Palace.
- Dinner at Upre – Has a great view of the lake and the city around it and serves good food.
- Udaipur city tour.
- Shopping at Hathipole, BapuBazar
- Sahelion ki Bari.
- Some me time at Jheel’s Cafe by the lake.
- Sunset at Gangaur Ghat.
- Random old city walk and souvenir shopping.
City Palace:- The first thing on the agenda was a visit to the city palace. It is an architectural marvel, a fusion of the Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles with a view of the city and its surroundings overlooking Lake Pichola.
It rarely rains in the dry deserts of Rajasthan but it was the monsoon season when I visited. There wasn’t much crowd and I got the luxury of visiting the palace in peace.
I would suggest you hire a guide, they charge a nominal amount of Rs.200 and walk you through the entire history, interesting stories as you go around the magnificent marvel. We spent a good time here till afternoon followed by Lunch at Shiv Niwas Palace:- This is a former residence of the Maharana and a part of the City Palace complex.
2. Lake Pichola and a trip to several Islands:- After lunch, we just started walking towards Lake Pichola, a lazy walk while talking, thinking and absorbing the beautiful surroundings.
The trip to Pichola Lake would have been incomplete without a boat ride. The pristine blue waters of the lake left a soothing impact on us.
Sahelion ki Bari: This garden is a green retreat in the drylands of Rajasthan. Seemingly the garden used to be a popular relaxing spot for the royal ladies who come for a stroll and spend leisure time.
It had many natural made fountains that were built during the 17th century and I was surprised to know that it was all constructed using the water pressure and no other motors were used. It was drizzling as I entered this garden and was mesmerized by the peace it provided. It also had two different gardens one for the summer and one for the winter.
If you are an ardent lover of greenery and calm then this place is a must visit for you especially during the monsoon.
Gangaur Ghat:
Gangaur Ghat is nice place situated near the waterfront of Lake Pichola. One can just sit and enjoy the calm breeze while listening to both upcoming musicians and traditional musicians playing folk music.
After a while, I just plugged in my earphones playing Kabira from the movie Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani and was transported into my deep thoughts.
Shopping:
Do buy some trinkets made of brass or silver, the typical Rajasthani jewellery, and Rajasthani fabric work like leharia, bandhej, batik dyeing, gota, bandhani sarees if you like that kind of stuff.
I usually get souvenirs back home from each and every place I visit and I had many artistic and beautiful souvenirs to bring back.
Rajasthani Food:
Unfortunately, I did not take any food pics but Rajasthani food is very delicious. Do try the famous Rajasthani thali at Krishna Dal Bati Restro, Jharokha Restaurant (Karohi Haveli), Ambrai – Amet Haveli, Natraj dining hall. Also do try my favourite Dal Bhati Churma, Gatte ki Sabzi, Laal Maas ghost curry and yummy Khewra dessert.
Summary :
It was too short a trip for the kind of self-indulge I was wanting to have, but that was all I could afford given my busy schedule at work and it was kind of enough. One of the many things I liked about Udaipur travel is about being there, watching the lake and not letting time get you.
Udaipur during monsoon gave an entirely different perspective to this colourful city. If you google Udaipur images, you will see colourful streets, bright blue skies, sunsets over the lake, etc. But my post is all about relishing even on a rainy day! Pun intended. I am not sure how many of you would choose to visit Udaipur during the monsoon but it was quite an exquisite experience for me. Witnessing a different colour of the sky, water, the mountains, and the smell of the dry hot desert sweetened by the raindrops!
Hope you like the post.
Tata!
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