The Indian state of Rajasthan, known as the land of kings is a fabulous realm of maharajas, majestic forts and lavish palaces. The beautiful city of Udaipur is located on the shores of shimmering Lake Pichola. The lake is surrounded by the ochre and purple ridges of the wooded Aravalli Hills.
Created in 1362, Lake Pichola is an artificial fresh water lake and is named after the nearby Picholi village. It is one of several lakes developed over the last few centuries in and around the famous city.
Towering on the banks of Lake Pichola is the magnificent structure of City Palace which boasts a wonderful blend of Medieval, European and Chinese architecture. It has various towers, domes and arches which add to the special charm of this heritage site. The palace is an assortment of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors and hanging gardens, encircled by fortifications and is built entirely of granite and marble.
Not satisfied with one palace the Maharaja of the time not only built a lake palace but also, high above the city, a monsoon palace. Over the years the place changed from the official summer residences of the Royal family to a museum and in 1963 it was transformed into a hotel. The fabulous Taj Lake Palace hotel lays in its tranquil surroundings with fantastic views of the city.
Back in 1829, Colonel James Todd of the East India Trading Company named Udaipur as the most romantic location on the continent of India. Today the city still holds that magic but the streets built for donkeys are a little congested with tourists and traffic. To escape the crush you should take a tranquil boat ride on the lake to view the panorama from a different angle.
The local markets are a feast of colours with the women in their beautiful saris selling the freshest of fruit and vegetables bought down from the surrounding hills. There are also many vendor carts offering chai, samosas and handicrafts for sale.
Udaipur is famous for textiles with many beautiful examples of the local product. There is a thriving micro industry supported by the royal family who remain influential and in recent decades have been a driving force of Udaipur as a tourist destination.
Udaipur is a must stop in any itinerary to India!
