Udaipur

GENERAL INTRODUCTION :

Udaipur is often called 'Venice of the East’. It is also the 'city of lakes’. The Lake Palace (Jag Niwas) located in the middle of Pichola Lake is the finest example of architectural and cultural marvel. The grand City Palace on the banks of the lake along with the Monsoon Palace (Sajjan Garh) on the hill above enhances the beauty of this magnificent city. Udaipur is also the centre for performing arts, crafts and its famed miniature paintings. The city built by Maharana Udai Singh in the year 1568 curebtly boasts a lot of historical significance and is also major attraction for tourists. Apart from the above mentioned places the scenic beauty of the place is also a great attraction for tourists. The large number of forts, palaces and museums provides a thoroughly enjoyable experience to the tourists. The city is also surrounded by mountains and hills offer a breathtaking beauty.

Other Udaipur Tourist Attractions include the Pichola Lake. Built by the Maharaja Jagat Singh as a summer palace in the year 1743, it is a great palace to visit. The summer palace is currently transformed into five star hotel.

HOW TO REACH :

Air: Dabok Airport is 24 km. from Udaipur city. Linked by daily Air Service from New Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad, Aurangabad and Mumbai.

Train: Udaipur is connected to and from Chittaurgarh, Ajmer, Jaipur and Delhi.

Road: A wide network of bus services link Udaipur with various destinations like Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Delhi, Jaipur, Chittaurgarh, Indore, Kota, Mount Abu and Mumbai.

Udaipur is: 406 km from Jaipur, 275 km from Jodhpur, 115 km from Chittorgarh, 630 km from Agra, 670 km from Delhi.

SHOPPING & AROUND :

The street of Udaipur comes to life with the advent of dusk. As the sun sets on the distant Aravali hill ranges creating a play of lights and the streets of Udaipur become vibrant with locals and tourists who venture out to shopping. Udaipur is mostly known for its lakes and temples. Being a part of Rajasthan, it has the tints of bright colors and one can certainly find these colors in its lively markets. It has myriad number of small shops, big showrooms and roadside stalls that would offer an extensive variety to choose. The markets present an assortment of items covering handicrafts, pottery, jewelry, wooden toys, puppets, antique items and paintings. One would trace many articles that can make part of their wardrobe and lifestyle too.

Places like Hathi Pol, Bada Bazaar, Chetak Circle, and Palace Road are some of the popular street shopping arcades of Udaipur. Rajasthali and Sadhna are two government emporiums that offer variety of handicraft products under a single roof at a fixed price.

Street shopping in Udaipur is a real charm for shopaholics. It is the best way to remove the stress, enjoy the evening and get a chance to know the old City by meeting directly the localites of this magnificent city.

Clock Tower: Udaipur's Clock Tower is one of the top landmarks in the old town center where there are excellent shopping options. It is one of typical winding alleys where all manner of exotic goods can be had, including gold and silver items. Copper goods churned out by master coppersmiths are particularly good and it is nice to shop here at night when the clock is lit up.

Lake Palace Road: Lake Palace Road is good for picking up all types of textiles, including embroidered and woven items. It is also good for wooden statues of Hindu gods. You will find loads of stores and gift shops either side of the street although it is best avoided during prominent religious festivals due to crowds.

Jagdish Temple Street: Jagdish Temple Street is known for its bustling shopping bazaar, which sells an array of local handicrafts. Prices here are among the most competitive anywhere in the city and it is also good for jewelry. Be sure to haggle.

Ghanta Ghar: Ghanta Ghar Road has the widest selection of fabrics in Udaipur. There are oodles of shops along here, and while it is a bit of a squeeze, it has bags of appeal and every color and style of fabric imaginable.

Ganjaur Ghat: The eastern side of Ganjaur Ghat is the best bet for shopping as it comes with several bazaars that stem out from the Clock Tower. Ganjaur Ghat is especially good for carpets, pottery, paintings, and anything made with cane and tends to be popular with locals. The earlier in the day you get here the better.

Shilpgram Museum : The Shilpgram Museum is a popular crafts village a few kilometers from the town center. It sits on the west bank of Lake Fateh Sagar and is easily visited by rickshaw. Handicrafts abound and there is a popular crafts fair held every December here. The other main attraction is the traditional Indian mud huts, many of which have been beautifully decorated inside.

RESTAURANTS :

1559 AD: Named after the year when Udaipur was founded, 1559 occupies an elegant colonial bungalow, with the option of dining alfresco in the large garden. The interior is romantically lighted, and the food ranges from Rajasthani game birds (farmed, not hunted), prepared in traditional Indian and European styles, to salmon, rack of lamb, and baby back ribs. Indian meat dishes like laal maas (hot mutton curry) or keema matar (minced meat with peas) are among the favourites. There's a café with an authentic espresso machine and a bar with a decent selection of wines. Location: P.P. Singhal Marg, near Fateh Sagar, Udaipur - 313001, Rajasthan.

Natraj Restaurant: A massive three storey structure that houses two floors of a dining hall and one floor for ala carte, the Natraj Restaurant is famous among tourists and residents alike. The Rajasthani or Gujarati Thali here are authentic local delights. Location: Bapu Bazaar near Railway Station Udaipur, Rajasthan.

Rainbow Restaurant: Popular with younger tourists and backpackers, this family-run restaurant is a great place for real Espresso coffee (Lavazza capsules) and superior juices—the menu has an incredibly long list of fresh fruit juices and funky "mocktails." The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and Tandoori food is the favourite—try the chicken palak (chicken cooked curry style in spinach sauce), served with high-quality basmati rice. It's also a good spot from which to gaze over Lake Pichola and the Lake Palace as the sun goes down. Location: 27 - 28 Lal Ghat, Lake Pichola Udaipur - 313001, Rajasthan.

Garden Palace Restaurant: Housed in the erstwhile Garden Palace, this restaurant still lives in its old world ambiance. With options for both ala carte and buffet thali, this is the place to head to if you want to try local cuisine which isn't very spicy. The Vintage Car Museum is located a short walk from here and makes for an excellent place to digest your food while strolling down the courtyard. Please See: The Gulab Jamuns served here are simply divine! Location: Garden Palace Hotel, Near Gulab Bagh, Suraj Pol, Udaipur, Rajasthan

Bawarchi Restaurant: Serving three forms of the all-you-can-eat thali, this restaurant gives you the power to choose from Rajasthani, Jaini and Gujarati delights. The best part of This restaurant is one hundred percent vegetarian. Location: Delhi Gate, Udaipur, Rajasthan.

Ambrai Restaurant: On the shore of Lake Pichola opposite Lal Ghat, this pleasant and popular outdoor restaurant with a bar has a hidden approach via narrow lanes, the restaurant has stunning views of the City Palace complex and the Lake Palace. It serves good Indian fare: standards include paneer do piaza (soft white cheese in onion gravy) and mutton Rajputana (spicy, Mewari-style) along with decent continental and Chinese dishes. There's a pleasant bar, and the restaurant is open for all three meals. If you're here at dinner, Location: Udaipur, Rajasthan.

Savage garden: This Mediterranean-style, three-story restaurant is tucked away in the heart of Udaipur's Old City, and there is seating inside and out. Service may not be great, but the food makes up for it—even the menu, just a page long, is a refreshing change from the sheaves of standard Indian, Chinese, and continental options elsewhere. Owned by a German expat, the restaurant specializes in homemade pastas, some with an Indian twist, and all dishes are prepared with filtered water. Beer and wine are available, as is free Internet, and a selection of unusual locally made cutlery is also sold here. Location: Udaipur, Rajasthan.