MEWAR. Slow, Solo & Soul-Satisfying
Here’s an itinerary from justonewayticket
Udaipur … The Lake City on your Mind
Every traveler around the world surely has Udaipur on top of their bucket list. The “Venice of East” with its numerous manmade artificial lakes has contributed to the beauty of gorgeous palaces adding romance to this beautiful chalky city. It holds a plethora of everything for every age.
The place thrives on tourism and has options suiting every pocket. Accommodations are available from as small as Gharh, Kumbha, Haveli, and palace. Everything is royal and heritage.
I am no different from any other traveler, madly in love with this place but at the same time wanting it slowly and not hurrying, hence my itinerary is slow and soul-satisfying.
Udaipur from my lens
The Rajasthan Sojourn
I am located in Nasik and Udaipur is 1000km away, though well connected by railroad and air, I took an evening flight from Nasik to Ahmedabad and drove to Udaipur reaching the early hour of the morning
IFLY
Day 1: Departure from Nasik reached Udaipur in the early hours of the morning. We could rest and have the whole day for us.
Stay Karohi Haveli: This heritage hotel perched on an alleviation gave us the best view and feel of Lake Pichola which was our top priority. Just five minutes away from the city Centre. The hotel has treasures antique souvenirs and artifacts and hospitality is quite courteous. Multi-cuisine is available from the older eras.
Day 2: The early morning glimpses of the city palace over Lake Pichola gave me a great start. With some local roadside breakfast which is sumptuous and, affordable I begin my day with sightseeing. With the perfect weather of December CHAI takes the center stage all the time.
Jagdish Temple: Built-in 1651 with continued worship till date is located very near to the city temple. The stone-carved Hindu Iconic temple is a superb example of stone carving.
City Palace: Located on the East bank of Lake Pichola, it hosts a cluster of palaces that were built over 400 years and contributed by most of the ruling monarchs of various dynasties. This flamboyant-style architectural monument is a fusion of Mughal and Rajasthan Architecture and you will require half a day to visit. My stomach grumbled as I am back from the boat ride after visiting “The Jag Mandir Palace” and “Taj Lake Palace”.
The glory of city palace
View from Karohi Villa
Jag Mandir: Built on the Island of Lake Pichola, also called as “Lake Garden Palace” and named after the Last Maharana Jagat Singh, the Palace was used as a summer resort by the royal and for family gatherings and functions. Situated on the lake it has a great vibe and makes you stay longer than usual.
# TIPs: The boat ride has Timings and according to that the tickets. The rates differ. Choose as per your time on hand.
# My suggestion: As the tickets are high Keep a full day to get value for money.
# Afternoons are Crowded and Hot. Pack well and prepare mentally to have a long day.
# Carry water along.
Out from the complex, a local lunch is on the cards as an hour of relaxation and I am ready to visit
Sahiliyon Ki Bari: A retreat for the queen and her 48 maidens away from the Political center a royal gift from the then king Sangram Singh to his queen. The fountains and greenery must have surely made it a relaxing place with the intricately carved chattris a great place for hide and seek
Bagore Ki Haveli: The place echoed with Rajasthan folk Music as the dancers twirled and twirled fluidly on the unimaginable objects. The place reverberated with whistles and claps for all the artists. Built in the 18th century, the beautiful mirror work in the queen’s chamber and many other artifacts are well preserved and worth a visit.
Gangaur Ghat: Walking down from the Haveli on the Ghats, you see this mesmerizing view of the mirror image of the city palace in the Lake in the evenings with the fort and city lights on. It’s an absolute beauty with the local artist playing Rajasthan folk music.
# Visit at day time and you could feed the hundreds of pigeons which make a beautiful sight with the calmness of the lake in the hustle-bustle of the city.
# Relax at Café Adelwise to have some hot chocolate …. Coffee …. To end your day by overlooking the crowd pass by and you fall in sync with the city.
At the Gangaur Ghat
Fatah Sager Lake Promenade: This is an awesome place to hang out and chill with local food stalls to satisfy your urge for a picnic.
Day 3: This is an early start for the day as I am traveling to
Eklingji: Just 20km away from Udaipur this ruling Goddess of the Mewar kings, is a temple complex in the old Capital of Mewar…Called Nagda. Stone carving and sculpting at its best have many temples.
# Heads-up: Photography is prohibited inside the complex.
Nathdwara: 30kms away from Eklinji, in the Rajasmand dist. Situated on the Banas River is the temple of the Infant Lord Krishna.
# Do visit the Goushala. (Place where the cows are assembled)
HaldiGhati: The pass is located 44km from Udaipur, and named after the yellow color of the soil, but is prominently visited for being a war memorial from where Chetak though injured, carried his master to a safe place. Heroic isn’t that?
Do Not Miss
# Visit the Chetak Samarak (Monument)
# On the way a visit to Chaitra Gulab farm (Roses coming in Chaitra (Hindu) Calendar Month) Is quite interesting. See the distillation of Natural flavors from the homegrown Flora.
Chaitra Gulab
Maharana Pratap Museum: The King’s life history through sound and light shows is presented along with all the preserved War artifacts used by the army then. It’s a peace of passion and perseverance.
Must have
# Unlimited delicious thali (Food) here.
Ranakpur Jain Temple: This 15th Century Jain Temple built under the supervision of Rana Kumbha by the Jain Business Man is a piece of stone Art. As you enter the 800-year-old temple peace, beauty and stillness descend on you, along with the warm glow of the multiple oil lamps.
As we end our day of sightseeing … .it’s time to go over all that was visited as the reel plays in my mind I doze off.
I wake up to the twinkling lights of the valley of Kumbhalgarh after a nail-biting 38Km through the Ghats of Aravali from Ranakpur
Day 4: Kumbhalgarh
Another Sunrise gives a glimpse of the peaks of Aravali. And we are excited to be at the Fort as the anticipation grows. Read the Blog: http://justonewayticket.in/pride-of-mewar-kumbhalgarh/
The mighty Kumbhalgarh
En route enjoy the local breakfast, freshly made and served hot. Do visit the lush green and yellow Mustard fields full in bloom. Couldn’t resist.
Day 5: Chittorgarh around 150 km from Kumbhalgarh is located on a hilltop, this honey-colored Capital city of Mewar is an overload of history. Formerly Called Chitrakuta, built by a Mori king, hosts the only temple of Meera one of its kind. Our stay was at Pratap Palace which is an old entity in the small town of Chittorgarh only famous cause of its historical background.
Chittorgarh Fort
Day 6: Back in Udaipur, are hosted at the BURJ Baneria a homestay atop a hill, the ongoing roadwork made us cringe once again, but the homestay and the hospitality of the young couple made it for all.
Ahar Museum: The museum is a boost te knowledge and a glimpse into the rich history
Ahar cenotaph: A war memorial the cenotaph needs care and looking after.
The cenotaph calls for salute
Vintage Car Museum: A great diversion from loads of history, has a great collections of Mean machines. The tickets are high.
Sajjan Garh Fort: Evening at the Sajjan Garh fort. We witnessed the most stunning vistas of white-painted Udaipur surrounded by blue water bodies.
The sun cast it’s copper glow as the tourists waited to see the sun go home safely emanating shades of copper, gold, and orange on the horizon.
Day 7: Our last day was filled with a quick visit to Baddi Lake which turned out to be the most beautiful trek.
Baddi Lake: This water body around 25Km is a gem. One must visit to have some quiet time.
Baddi lake.
Water bodies … which make Udaipur synonym to Venice
Karni Mata Temple: The best view of the city is from the ropeway way to the KarniMata temple. This is not to be missed and is one of the greatest moments of the trip.
With great satisfaction, the slow, solo soulful journey to this culturally rich part of my country left everlasting memories on my mind and soul.
Do shop for
# Footwear
# Leather-boundaries.
#Anything Local….
# eat the authentic local cuisine
# Do visit the Edelweiss café…
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