Considered as the Venice of East, Udaipur has never failed to cast its magic spell and embrace its visitors with open hands round the year. The beautiful hill station nestled in a valley in the laps of four lakes and surrounded by the majestic Aravalli hills, Udaipur boasts of a wonderful weather and has a lot to offer, making it a memorable experience in all seasons. Every nook and corner of the city resonates with the ascetic and ethnic values. This crown jewel of the state of Rajasthan has always given a momentum of pride and glory to Udaipur tourism. The land of Maharajas, palaces, lakes, courtyards and gardens, Udaipur boasts of a profusion of natural beauty, charming temples, bustling bazaars and breathtaking architecture which makes it one of the most enchanting tourist destinations in the country for both local and foreign travellers.
The city is evergreen and the perfect place to unwind and celebrate your vacation amidst the beauty of nature and several attractions like ancient forts, magnificent palaces, museums, art galleries and serene lakes, all vying for your attention. Udaipur has seen a growing population as well as development leading to an increase in Udaipur tourism. With so much to offer, it doesn’t really call for much, but a little planning and cautiousness in charting a trip during the best season, so that you can experience the most of this stunning destination. Read on to discover the opportune time to travel to Udaipur and explore the famous celebrations and events around the corner in the city. So here you go!
Udaipur is scenic and historical in itself but there are quite a few places around it which are worth a visit. These out of the way places can be easily reached from Udaipur and are great options for a daytrip or for a weekend away. They are less frequented by tourists, which means you can enjoy the pulse of the region without unnecessary congestions.
A 15th-century fort built by Rana Kumbha, the fort is a silent sentinel that still speaks of the bravery of the region of Mewar. It is perched quite high in the Aravalli Range, which made it quite difficult for the enemies to capture the fort and had always provided refuge to the rulers and the subjects in times of battle. The biggest attraction of the fort is the wall that goes around it, known as the Great Wall of India and is considered the second longest wall in the world. In places, it is wide enough to let five horses walk side by side together! Today, parts of the wall are open for hiking and you can walk along it and catch glimpses of the cities and town below. It is about 2 hours north of Udaipur and vehicles have to be left outside the fort and walked into.
Location: 2 hours north of Udaipur
Timings: 7 am to 7 pm
Entry: INR 25 for Indians, INR 300 for foreigners
Attractions: Haldi Ghati along the way, Kumbhalgarh Festival, Hiking along the Great Wall
Although situated in Rajasthan, Ranakpur has been more of a Jain city and the temples here are astonishing. The temple at Ranakpur is dedicated to the first Tirthankara of the Jains and is largest and most elaborate Jain temple complex in the country. The Chaumukha Temple draws many tourists who only look in wonder at the temples 29 halls, 80 domes and 1444 engraved pillars and it takes well over an hour to go through the temple. It is important to dress conservatively to enter the temple premises, for both men and women, with legs and shoulders covered. One can also get a permit to hike the four hours distance from Ranakpur to Kumbhalgarh, although a guide is required to accompany you.
Location: Two hours north of Udaipur
Timings: Non- Jains may enter only from noon to 5 pm
Entry: Free for Indians, INR 200 for foreigners
Attractions: Jain Temples, Hike to Kumbhalgarh
Delwara is an out of the way town and is filled with hundreds of ancient temples and mansions. The luxury Raas Devigarh Hotel in situated here, which is an 18th century palace. The region has a number of step wells which are a joy to explore. The crafts tradition here is noteworthy and many domestic and foreign tourists visit the place just so they can acquire some of the handiworks from here. Although it was a small rural village, the people here are self sufficient today and are setting an example for the other villages in the vicinity. Be sure to participate in the Delwara Heritage Walk, which are conducted by the adults of the town itself.
Location: On National Highway 8
Timings: Any time
Entry: Free
Attractions: Jain Temples, Raas Devigarh Hotel, Delwara Heritage Walk
Another small town, Nathdwara is a temple town but is considered very holy. It houses a 17th century temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, known as Sreenathji. It a holy site of pilgrimage for the locals and it is a pleasure to take in the traditional Pichwai paintings which depict the various adventures of a young Krishna and other events from his life. The town attains special significance during Diwali as the walls of the buildings are painted every year around this time and once the lamps are lit, a truly unique festive fervor is created. The night market close to the Sreenathji’s Temple is an added bonus.
Location: Along National Highway 8
Timings: Anytime, but especially during Diwali
Entry: Free
Attractions: Sreenathji’s Temple, Night market, Diwali celebrations
Udaipur will leave you spoilt for choice when it comes to options for accommodation. Apart from the luxury stays here, there are many mansions and villas that have been converted into hotels which will give you a feel of traditional Rajputana hospitality. There are budget hotels to choose from as well. You can also choose hotels depending on the preference of location, food and other amenities available. While Rajasthan is always a good time to visit, if you are visiting around Dussehra or Diwali, be sure to book your rooms well in advance to avoid last minute rush. You can book rooms through OYO app according to your liking.
Trying out authentic Rajasthani cuisine in Udaipur is a delight. A Rajasthani thali, which is available in mostly all major restaurants in a must try. As far as roadside food is concerned, do not forget to try out the paani puris, and the various types of kachoris on offer. They come with a variety of fillings and are often served with a side of spicy potatoes or chutneys. Jalebis are sure to be another favorite. Many stalls also sell Dal- Baati- Choorma, another authentic dish of this region. There a number of delicacies which are served with succulent and dry dates, depending on their availability. The food is somewhat spicy but extremely delicious. Do not forget to try out the Kesar kulfi as the perfect dessert to your meal.
Shopping in Udaipur is a real treat because you are sure to come across items which you will not find anywhere else.
Head to Hathi Pol, if you love paintings. The Pichwai paintings and the Phad paintings here are very popular, as well as miniature handmade paintings. Nagra slippers, the traditional footwear of the Rajasthanis, made from camel skin and with beautiful embroidery, are real collector’s items. Be sure to put your bargaining skills to good use as prices are heavily increased here for tourists.
Bara Bazaar is the place to go to if you are looking for bandhni and batik print clothes and dress materials. The market itself is a riot of colors is a great place to shop for souvenirs. Pick up handmade Jootis here which are sure to increase your style quotient. It is also a great place to buy local handmade jewelry.
If you want to pick up local crafts good, then head to Chetak Circle. The market here is always abuzz with local artisans and you can get wide variety of wooden craft items like jewelry boxes and lamp stands. Pottery here is most revered, especially the hand painted ones. Mandi Bazaar, which is situated within Chetak Circle, is famous for its spice market and vendors come from far and wide to replenish their stocks from here.
Since Udaipur is a major city, one can get direct domestic flights to the city’s own domestic airport. It is situated 22 km from the main city but one can either get a cab, a bus or even arrange for transportation from one’s own hotel to reach here.
The city has a number of bus stands and direct buses are available from other major cities of Rajasthan as well as from Delhi and Agra. Both private and luxury bus options are present.
The Udaipur railway station is situated within the city limits and one can easily visit the other parts of the city through cabs and buses from the station itself.
The picturesque city of Udaipur is a haven for you to marvel at the untouched natural beauty and interesting history of the place. In totality, the time of September and March are the best month to explore Udaipur. Take a leisurely stroll through the meandering roads of the city or go boating with your loved one and make some amazing memories to treasure forever while in Udaipur! Without further ado, start planning your next vacation; your wonderland is waiting for you!
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