Experience the grandeur & story trails of Udaipur Forts & Palaces.
Best Time to Visit: Winters (Nov-March)
Duration of Stay: 5 nights Recommended to cover all.
Udaipur is well connected with all metro cities by air & rail.
The Grandeur of Rajasthan can be better explained and experienced by its royal forts and associated history. Historical monuments, museums, architecture, Stories of Valour, colourful culture, gastronomy and traditions is extensively spread across Rajasthan.
This time my destination was one such jewel of Rajasthan, Udaipur – the Venice of the East, the City of Lakes, the Land of Maharana’s most prominently known The Maharana Pratap Singh. The old forts, lakes, museums, gardens and temples are the major highlights of Udaipur’s traveler trails.
Day 1 – Getting there
Take a morning flight and upon arrival experience the traditional welcome by a tilak. Keep the day at leisure to explore the property, area around and local hopping. In evening participate in Rajasthani folk performances organised by the hotel (depending on the property you choose)- Puppet show & Folk dance. Dance your heart out on Rajasthani songs and pick up some iconic moves.
Tips: We recommend you stay in a 4* or above category hotel like Radisson Blu etc.
Day 2 – Chittorgarh Fort & Vintage Car museum
After an early sumptuous breakfast head for a full day trip to Chittorgarh, duration 7-8 Hrs. It is the most sizable fort of India.
The fort houses many palaces, like the Rana Kumbha Palace, the Fateh Prakash Palace, the Tower of Victory and Rani Padmini’s Palace & Mira Bai temple where she was outcast. All these structures are significant for their Rajput architectural features. The fort, when viewed from above, looks roughly like a fish.
If you are interested in automobiles then I would suggest on your return to city visit the Vintage car museum, the luxury and grandiose lived and managed by the royal families of Udaipur is worth seeing. Every individual is curious to peek into the lifestyle of royalty.
The ticket costed INR 400 pp.
Tips: Always hire a good guide, you can negotiate as many are available on the site. Pack with yourself some sandwiches/ biscuits/water to sustain yourself. Also, Toilets availability and cleanliness should be ignored. Not much choices available.
Day 3- City Palace, Garden with fountains – Saheliyon ki Bari and some local shopping with authentic Cuisine.
After breakfast start your day with a visit to City Palace (4 hrs), the palace is confluence of Mughal & Rajput architecture. It home’s many artifacts, historical stories and museum pertaining to Mewar Dynasty. A part of palace is a hotel. Do take small breaks to experience the surreal views from quite a few locations that overlook the lakes, hills, and the entire city. At the end of the visit you will be awestruck by the grandeur, heritage, legends, and magnificence of the Maharanas. En route you can stop for savoring some authentic Local cuisine and then resume your journey of Saheliyon Ki Bari, a beautiful marvel of nature embellished with many fountains and carved marble pavilions and artifacts. Enjoy the beauty of the lush green garden.
If time permits go for local hand-loom shopping, a photo stop at lake Pichola & Fatehagar lake for water lovers (You can go for a boating as well). End you day with a mesmerizing & breath-taking view by taking a rope-way at top of the hill, it boasts a picturesque views of Lake Pichola, Sajjangarh Fort, Fateh Sagar Lake and City Palace.
Tips: City Palace is not to be missed. Worth a visit with good guide. Go to local restaurants for savoring authentic local cuisine.
Day 4- Kumbalgarh & Ranakpur Temples
An early start after breakfast for a full day trip to Kumbalgarh Fort & Ranakpur Jain temples. Kumbalgarh fort, the birthplace of Maharana Pratap has made its mark in world history as the second largest wall after the Great wall of China.
There are magnificent Jain and Hindu temples of which the most picturesque place is the Badal Mahal or the palace of the clouds, the view is spellbinding; Neelkanth Mahadeo Temple with 6 Ft Lingam in black stone; Vedi Temple is a revered Jain temple Built in an octagonal shape, the temple stands on 36 pillars. The fort also offers a breath-taking bird’s eye view of the surroundings.
Tips: Lots of steep walking and stairs up the fort. Start early by 8am for the tour.
Your next stop is Ranakpur Jain temples, the drive is 1-2 hrs through the forest area, The Temple is creditable for their splendid architecture consisting of more than 1400 exquisitely carved pillars supporting the temple. The temple is constructed in light color yellow marble and is four-faced.
Tips: Pack with yourself some sandwiches/ biscuits/water to sustain yourself. Also, Toilets availability and cleanliness should be ignored. Not much choices available.
Day 5 – Temple Tour Eklingji, Nathdwara & Haldighati Tour.
A relaxed start of the day with a hearty breakfast today you will pay your reverence to the lords of royal & place. All temples have timings of opening and close by noon. Plan, accordingly, to start with Visit Eklingji. This 14th century shrine has been rebuilt, renovated, and expanded from time to time. The Shiva lingam is five faced and it is made of black stone.
Next visit Nathdwara, the presiding deity Lord Krishna. The image is in the form of a single black monolithic marble, where the lord is revealed with his left hand raised and the right hand made into a fist resting at the waist, with a large diamond placed beneath the lips.
Later it was time for your last stop Haldighati. The name ‘Haldighati’ is believed to have originated from the turmeric-coloured yellow soil of the area. It is a mountain pass in Aravalli hills. The historical significance is this is where the Battle of Haldighati, which took place in 1576 between the Kingdom of Mewar led by Maharana Pratap and the Mughal Army led by King Mansingh.
Maharana Pratap’s beloved horse Chetak played a pivotal role in the Battle of Haldighati. Chetak was fatally wounded in this battle and died, Maharana Pratap erected a small monument for his horse at the place where Chetak fell. The cenotaph still exists at Haldighati.
A memorial which features a bronze statue of the Maharana astride Chetak has been constructed by GOI. One can also visit the Maharana Pratap Museum, founded, and owned by Mohan Shrimali, provides best possible information about the Great Legend Maharana Pratap. Events related to the Maharana life has been depicted by means of model displays & animation movie.
Tips: For temple visit, leave leather belts, purses, mobile phones etc in Car or locker. Negotiate with a middleman at Nathdwara for speedy Darshan to avoid long queues.
Day 6 – Departure
It is time to bid farewell to your amazing sojourn in Udaipur, the city of lakes, Palaces & Forts. You carry an immersive experience, a memory and story trails of legends-Valor, People & culture and Cuisine- A time immemorial.
Depending on your individual interest, one can drop the places of not so much interest.