48 hours in Udaipur – Weekend Edition
Udaipur In Less Than 48 Words
Often called the “City of Lakes,” Udaipur takes its place as one of the more seductive cities in India. It was once the historic capital of the Mewar Kingdom, and is best known for its culture, historical sites, and Rajput-era palaces – plus a scenic location.
Worshippers at Ranakpur temples (Photo by Christopher Walker)
First 24 Hours
You can fly to the City of Lakes via the Dabok Airport, which is located 22 kilometers east of Udaipur’s city center. From there, the best way to get to your hotel is a taxi ride into town. If you’re on a budget, you can catch a regular, non-air conditioned taxi for a fare of about INR375. Alternatively, you can opt to ride an air conditioned one for upwards of INR475.
Udaipur is not a particularly large metropolis, so navigating it shouldn’t prove to be too difficult. Besides that, most of its tourist attractions are located close to each other so that you can visit them even on foot. It is also advisable to hire a car with a driver for the day. You will get valuable travel information at the city’s tourist information office (Fateh Memorial, Suraj Pol, 0294/241-1535), which is open during Mondays to Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm.
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Udaipur’s hotels
You can arrange your stay in Udaipur at one of its excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is the Taj Lake Palace Udaipur (Post Box No. 5, Lake Pichola, Udaipur – 313 001, (91-294) 2428800, website). It is a five-star hotel located in the middle of the Lake Pichola, with luxury suites, nice views of the Lake Palace, and excellent service.
Taj Lake Palace Udaipur (Photo by Dee Adams)
You can also try out The Leela Palace Kempinski Udaipur (Lake Pichola, Udaipur 313 001, 022 56911552, website), which is a luxury hotel with lavish rooms at a nice location by the banks of Lake Pichola. A nice alternative is The Oberoi Udaivilas (Udaipur – 313001, Rajasthan, +91 294 2433300, website). It offers spacious rooms, pools, spas, excellent food, and attentive service.
KUMBHALGARH FORT: Visit a fortress
Perhaps one of the most popular tourist attractions in Udaipur is the Kumbhalgarh Fort (90km or 56 miles from Udaipur), an impressive fortress built upon 13 mountain peaks. It dates back to the 15th century, when it was commissioned by Rana Kumbha, and is noted for having been captured by enemy forces only once during its existence. The fort’s massive walls stretch for over 26 kilometers, and are among the longest of its kind in the country.
Kumbhalgarh Fort (Photo by Gordon Stubbs)
Kumbhalgarh Fort is in fact located inside the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, a nature park that covers an area of roughly 578 square kilometers. It has a landscape dominated by forests, and is home to a diverse variety of wildlife, such as wolves, leopards, sloths, jackals, hyenas, chinkaras, hares, and antelopes. You can also find different bird and fish species there.
CITY PALACE: Have a royal experience
You can have a royal experience at the City Palace of Udaipur, which is located by the eastern banks of the Lake Pichola. It is considered as the largest of its kind in the state of Rajasthan, and dates back to 1559, when it was built as the royal residence of the Maharana Udai Singh. The palace has a flamboyant style of architecture, and features elements of the Rajasthani and Mughal influences. The complex itself is made up of around 11 palaces, as well as stone towers that rise up 30 meters into the sky.
City Palace of Udaipur (Photo from Google images)
Today, it functions as a museum, where you can find various collections such as 17th century peacock mosaics, glass and porcelain figures, miniature sculptures, Chinese ceramics, massive chandeliers, Venetian mirrors, and crystal furniture. You can also visit the palace’s Classic Car Collection, which features automobiles once used by the Mewar family. The site is open daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, and admission will cost you INR350.
NATHDWARA: Go to a temple
Temple lovers will definitely cherish a visit to the Shri Nathji Temple in Nathdwara, which is located 48 kilometers from Udaipur. It is considered to be the second-richest temple in India, and is a popular destination for pilgrims, especially during the Holi, Diwali, and Janmashthami festivals. Inside, it houses a sculpture of the Lord Krishna fashioned out of black marble, and is reputed to be around 600 years old. However, the temple’s interior is usually closed to non-Hindus, but those who cannot enter can content themselves with admiring the impressive picchwai paintings (hand-spun cloth painted with scenes from the life of the Lord Krishna) that decorate its façade.
DINNER TIME: Discover Udaipur’s restaurants
Ambrai (Photo by Jacob)
You are guaranteed a delicious dinner at the restaurants available all over the city. One of the best in the city is the Jaiwana Haveli Roof Top Restaurant (14, Lalghat | Jaiwana Haveli, Udaipur 3131001, 0091 294 2411103). It offers an authentic Indian cuisine with dishes such as palak paneer, as well as nice views of the Lake Pichola. A nice alternative is the Ambrai (Hanuman Ghat, Udaipur), which serves delicious delicacies, and has a nice romantic ambience.
Vegetarians can eat to their hearts’ content at 1559 AD (P.P. Singhal Marg, near Fateh Sagar, Udaipur 313001, 0294-2433559, website). It serves continental, Indian, Italian, and vegetarian dishes, plus delicious desserts. You can also try out the Udai Kothi Hotel Rooftop Terrace Restaurant (O/S Chand Pole, Hanuman Ghat Marg, Pichola Lake, Udaipur, 0091-294-2432810/11/12), which offers excellent food, friendly service, and splendid views in a romantic setting.
Next 24 Hours
You can discover Udaipur’s other tourist attractions during your next 24 hours in the city. Let the first be the Eklingji Temple (22km or 14 miles north of Udaipur), which is a temple that was first built in 734 AD by Bappa Rawal. It was mostly rebuilt during the 15th century, and is today a marble complex housing 108 temples. Inside the complex, you’ll find a statue of the Lord Shiva, a four-faced black lingam, and Kama Sutra carvings. The site is open daily from 4:15 am to 7:45 pm.
CHITTAURGARH: Visit a fort again
Chittaurgarh (115km or 71 miles from Udaipur) is another of Udaipur’s historic forts. It dates back to the 7th century, and once served as the center of the Mewar Empire. Covering an area of roughly 280 hectares on a hill 180 meters high, the fort is known for being sacked by enemy forces three times – the first one resulting in a complete wipeout of its inhabitants.
Chittaurgarh (Photo by dflamholc)
Inside the complex, you’ll see its seven massive gates, the Shingara Chauri Mandir temple, a 15th century palace, the Khumba Shyam Temple, the Meera Temple, the Vijay Stambh tower, Padmini’s Palace, the Fateh Prakash Palace, and the Kalika Mata Temple, among others. You can also enjoy nice views of the surrounding area from the Gaumukh Reservoir, which looks unusually like a cow’s mouth. Admission to the site is free.
RANAKPUR TEMPLES: Have a religious visit
Udai Bilas Palace (Photo by Dave Morris)
You can have a religious experience at the Ranakpur Temples (65km or 40 miles from Udaipur, 02934/28-5019), which are among the city’s most popular tourist attractions. It is a temple complex considered as an epitome of Jain architecture, with its ornately-carved temples covered in exquisitely-detailed relief carvings. Inside, you’ll find the Chaumukha Temple, which is known for its 1,444 intricately-carved pillars and 66 shrines. The site is open daily from 11:30 am to 5 pm, and admission will cost you INR50.
PALACES OF DUNGARPUR: Admire architecture
Other noteworthy attractions for tourists in Udaipur are the Palaces of Dungarpur (120km or 75 miles south of Udaipur). Of these, perhaps the most impressive is the Juna Mahal, a 13th century fortress-like building that stands seven stories tall. It is noted for its walls and columns that are draped with impressive frescoes, as well as its mosaics made out of porcelain, glass, and tiles. Its ceilings are adorned with paintings, while its floors are covered with Persian carpets. You can also find the Maharaja’s Suite, which features miniature paintings of Kama Sutra scenes. Admission to the site will cost you INR150.
Nearby is the Udai Bilas Palace (Dungarpur, Rajasthan 314 001, 02964/23-0808, website), which is a scenic building located by the banks of the Gaibsagar Lake. It is a nice place to see Rajput architecture, impressive murals, and Art Deco decorations, as well as more than 122 different bird species.
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