Udaipur Hotels

Unbelievable Udaipur

With all the splendour of ancient India and the self-confidence of a Bond film, Udaipur lures up-market Westerners like mosquitoes to the lights of City Palace. It provided the backdrop for 1983’s Octopussy, but Udaipur’s inhabitants probably couldn’t care less about Fleming’s fictional spy. Simple and friendly, they are far more concerned with valour, chivalry and their city’s heroic past. ... Read more »

Your experience of the ‘City of Lakes’ (and of palaces, gardens, forts, temples and mountains) is somewhat determined by weather. Little Swaroop Sagar Lake can look more like a muddy quarry when monsoons are sparse, but the Aravalli Range and Jagat and Ranakpur temples don’t rely on massive rains for their majestic appearance. Whatever time of year you visit, you won’t wonder why Udaipur has been called the ‘Venice of the East’. Most good romances take a little work, but this one is pretty smooth sailing.

Udaipur’s Top 10

10. Udaipur Solar Observatory There’s enough to see on the ground in Udaipur, but this is the best solar observing site in Asia.	5. Bagore Ki Haveli A small museum explaining Indian life through dance, music and even scenes from the Kama Sutra. The mosquitoes and bats are all part of the experience.
9. Monsoon Palace After the 4km (2.5mi) hike up to this ancient castle and lookout, you’ll understand why they serve cold coffee at the top.	4. Jain Temple Finding your way out of this labyrinthine temple is made harder by the fact that none of its 1,444 white ivory columns are carved the same way.
8. Lake Pichola Some of the peripheral areas are rather dry, but seen from the balcony of a nearby restaurant at night it’s everything you imagined it would be.	3. Sashi’s Cooking Classes After joining Sashi for a delicious culinary experience in her home, you’ll never eat takeaway butter chicken again.
7. Eklingji Temple Over 1,300 years old and still in use. It’s worth running the unsettling gauntlet of beggars for.	2. Fateh Sagar Lake This artificial lake with its three inner islands looks amazing – and provides jobs to 60 per cent of the population.
6. Machla Magra Skip the overpriced tuk-tuk ride and hike to the bottom of the cable car that will whisk you up to unmatched views.	1. Udaipur City Palace This wonder features majestic interiors as packed with inner courts and palaces as Udaipur is with rich Westerners.

Udaipur History

Bagore ki Haveli – Fantastic old restored mansion that displays exhibition materials and a guide to explain the story.
City Palace of Udaipur – This palace consists of museums and lots of rooms, courtyards, old furnitur, and other exhibits.
Eklingi Temple – About 1,300 years old, this Shiva temple of Mewar Ranas still retains the old-world charms.
Sajjan Garh – This beautiful monsoon palace has a little wildlife and you get a majestic view of the city from the hilltop.
Saas-Bahu Temple – The old and dilapidated temple features many carvings of the kama sutra.

Udaipur Art & Culture

Sushma’s Cooking Classes – The free classes impart training in the preparation of Indian cuisine.
Jagdish Temple – A small and ornate temple in Udaipur, you can see a lively spot with people worshipping, praying and chanting.
Shilpgram – Showcases art, culture and traditions of India with local artists at work.
Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal – You can see traditional folk dances and puppet shows here.
Car Museum – Kids and adults will love the vintage car collections that can also be rented for ceremonial occasions.

Udaipur Shopping

Rajasthali – Government emporium that offers a large variety of products under a single roof.
Sadhna – A government emporium in Udaipur where you will find quality products at fixed price.
Red Rose – This is the place to shop for traditional Rajasthani Bandhej Saris and conventional Indian dresses.
Su-Sa Crockery and Gift – You can find more than a thousand varieties of crockery, crystal, glassware, plasticware, vases and bone china.
The Pages – This is the place for books, CDs, toys and games.

Gay & Lesbian Udaipur

Jheel View Restaurant – This restaurant on the edge of Lake Pichola holds terrace parties at night.
Hotel Kajri Bar – Visit this place to enjoy your drink in a quiet ambiance.
Lifesyle Pub – Finest pub in town with all major branded beverages, a discotheque and DJ arrangements for private parties.
Pool Bar – This is the first night club of Udaipur.
Taj Lake Palace Hotel – The hotel offers grand facilities, including a bar and nightclub.

Udaipur Events

Spring is welcomed with religious fervour at the Mewar Festival, a two-day celebration of dance, music and fireworks in March/April.

In April, Udaipur’s women play dress-ups with the idols of Gangaur before placing them in boats and sailing them into the sea.

May’s Mount Abu Festival is marked by traditional music and dance, plus a boat race over Nakki Lake.

Westerners love the hand-woven clothes and camel-leather items at Shilpgram Crafts Fair in November/December.

As if City Palace wasn’t already drenched in enough lights, the three-day festival of Diwali illuminates it with an extravagant fireworks display in October/November.

When To Go

Udaipur in summer is hot and humid.
The monsoon period lasts from late-July through to September, though rainfall is rarely excessive.
In winter, daytime temperatures still stay well above 22°C (72°F).

Getting Around

Most of the main sites around Lake Pichola can be explored by foot. Auto rickshaw is another option – just be careful if you’re female and travelling to distant locations alone.
Taxis are needed to visit further-flung places like Monsoon Palace. Rates depend on levels of luxury.
Bicycles are common in Udaipur and can be hired all over the city.

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