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"Mewar Kingdom on Pichola Lake" a Udaipur Travel Page by atufft

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"Mewar Kingdom on Pichola Lake" a Udaipur Travel Page by atufft

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atufft    
California is on the edge of the planet, not the center of the universe


Real Name: Alan
Lives In: Stockton, US
Member Since: Jul 29, 2003
VT Rank: 69

 

Page Views: 2,684            Last Visit to Udaipur: January, 1998      

Mewar Kingdom on Pichola Lake

by atufft - last update: May 4, 2007

Venice of the East

City Palace view of Lake Pichola and Lake Palace
The Rajput Mewar Kingdom has a special reputation for art in general, and the palaces set on Pichola Lake are very compelling support for its reputation as a place of romance. We took an overnight train from Jaipur, sharing a sleeper with another couple, and at the station our driver greeted us to take us to our hotel. Along the way we passed a wedding parade complete with musical band. We didn't spend much time in our hotel because though relatively small, Udaipur nevertheless has plenty to do for tourists. The city palace for starters is a pleasant place to visit, presenting a complex labyrinth of rooms and vistas over the lake. Actually, Pichola Lake is but one of many in the area, several of which are connected by canals. In the middle of Pichola Lake is a lovely princely palace that appears to float on water. Elsewhere in Udaipur are various gardens, most of which have elaborate irrigation from the lake water in this semi-arid region.
Nagda Ghats

Nagda and Eklingi are countryside attractions

Udaipur has good restaurants and evening dance productions at the local outdoor theater. During a second day, we drove up a winding road into the Aravelli Mountains where we visited other lakes, villages, and temple ruins. We visited some very old temples and watched people bathe at the ghats. I practiced my portrait photography with some local village families at their simple slate roofed homes. That night we took a launch out to eat dinner at the lake palace, one of the more expensive places of dining in India (or even the world).
Ranakpur in the Aravalli

Aravelli Range and the Jain Temple at Ranakpur

The VT system doesn't reach outside of Udaipur into the low sem-arid mountains of the Aravalli Range. This region is a wonderful place to see villagers and the ruins of old Hindu temples, many of which we did not have time to explore, and in this region also is the most spectacular of Jain Temples at Ranakpur. In fact, Ranakpur, known as the temple of a thousand columns, is very unique and in many ways equal to any architectural monument in Udaipur itself. Due to its distance away from Udaipur, we visited Ranakpur on our way through the Aravelli Mountains to Jodpur. I have here a great many "off the beaten path" tips, so be persistent in turning the pages. Some of the best of Ranakpur, for example, are far down the list, but in my mind are high up in terms of priority for visitors.

> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]

Pros:"Udaipur is a romatic place to visit without so many crowds"
Cons:"The Lake isn't so clean, so don't look too close"
In A Nutshell:"The Rajput Mewar Palace at Udaipur, Pichola Lake, Ara are Unique."
atufft's Udaipur Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 8 - Photos: 37
 
Restaurants
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
Hotels & Accommodations
 
Nightlife
Tips: 1
Off The Beaten Path
Tips: 18 - Photos: 80
 
Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
Tips: 2 - Photos: 5
 
TransportationLocal Customs
Tips: 5 - Photos: 9
 
Packing ListsShopping
Tips: 1 - Photos: 2
 
Sports TravelGeneral Tips

Comments for atufft about Udaipur
jethanand Tue Aug 12, 2008 00:16 UTC
 Thank you very much for recording your impressions and sharing them with us. What can I say - I must visit !
monina_c Mon Jun 25, 2007 07:26 UTC
 Thanks for sharing this experience.
TheWanderingCamel Tue May 8, 2007 04:43 UTC
 I really must get to India one day. Some amazing places here, thanks for the effort! leyle
calcaf38 Sat May 5, 2007 20:37 UTC
 Beautiful updated page. Than you for alerting me.
See More Comments

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