Udaipur - city of lakes, known as the Venice of the east. A small town of approximately 500k people in a mountainous region with seven man-made lakes.
Met our guide for the day; first stop was to the east bank of Lake Pichola to visit the Maharana’s Palace. (the complex is a massive series of palaces built at different times from 1559) We actually saw the Maharana who was driving out as we were driving in through the gates. The guards on the gates stood to attention with a salute; there I was thinking that it was for our benefit but alas not. The Palace uses the same model as the one in Jodhpur, divided into 3 parts, museum, hotel and the residence of the current Maharana’s family. The location was stunning, overlooking the lake on one side and the city on the other. Located opposite in the lake was the Hotel Taj Lake Palace used in the James Bond movie Octopussy. It was one of the better museums visited, interesting, well preserved art effects with lovely gardens.
Next up was a walk through the narrow lanes of the old city where one had to be mindfull of the pedestrians, bicycles and Tuk Tuks - who flow through the lanes like the blood through the veins; as we made our way to the famous Jagdish Temple, which enshrines an image of Lord Vishnu. Couldn’t help but think of my parents on entering the temple to say my prayers, full of emotion.
Next up, went to the Garden of Maidens, a tranquil oasis from the hustle bustle of street life in the Udaipur. Ursi got sucked in by a group of local women for a photo with them for a small tip.
Followed by another Tuk Tuk ride to the Amba Mata’s Temple. Every Hindu family has a god or goddess (reincarnation) Amba Mata is the Tank family’s goddess. I remember my mum praying to Amba twice a day in the little temple set up in all the homes that we lived in. Very emotional time for me.
Back into another Tuk Tuk and off to Lake Pichola for a boat ride. Met some lovely people from Denmark, Iceland, England, Germany and Americans from Utah (not mormons as they were quick to bring to our attention and extended apologies for unleashing Trump on the world). Gave me an opportunity to pump the Danish folks on tips for our cycling trip in Denmark next year. Lovely boat ride with a stop on an island for a very hot masala chai which was returned for the first time in India as it wasn’t hot enough for my taste.
Ended the day with another Tuk Tuk ride (no city tour would be complete without a ride in one of these) back to our hotel and a visit to the adjacent mall, which just doesn’t work here. Hopefully, the photos will do justice to this lovely town which is one of our favourites.
Met our guide for the day; first stop was to the east bank of Lake Pichola to visit the Maharana’s Palace. (the complex is a massive series of palaces built at different times from 1559) We actually saw the Maharana who was driving out as we were driving in through the gates. The guards on the gates stood to attention with a salute; there I was thinking that it was for our benefit but alas not. The Palace uses the same model as the one in Jodhpur, divided into 3 parts, museum, hotel and the residence of the current Maharana’s family. The location was stunning, overlooking the lake on one side and the city on the other. Located opposite in the lake was the Hotel Taj Lake Palace used in the James Bond movie Octopussy. It was one of the better museums visited, interesting, well preserved art effects with lovely gardens.
Next up was a walk through the narrow lanes of the old city where one had to be mindfull of the pedestrians, bicycles and Tuk Tuks - who flow through the lanes like the blood through the veins; as we made our way to the famous Jagdish Temple, which enshrines an image of Lord Vishnu. Couldn’t help but think of my parents on entering the temple to say my prayers, full of emotion.
Next up, went to the Garden of Maidens, a tranquil oasis from the hustle bustle of street life in the Udaipur. Ursi got sucked in by a group of local women for a photo with them for a small tip.
Followed by another Tuk Tuk ride to the Amba Mata’s Temple. Every Hindu family has a god or goddess (reincarnation) Amba Mata is the Tank family’s goddess. I remember my mum praying to Amba twice a day in the little temple set up in all the homes that we lived in. Very emotional time for me.
Back into another Tuk Tuk and off to Lake Pichola for a boat ride. Met some lovely people from Denmark, Iceland, England, Germany and Americans from Utah (not mormons as they were quick to bring to our attention and extended apologies for unleashing Trump on the world). Gave me an opportunity to pump the Danish folks on tips for our cycling trip in Denmark next year. Lovely boat ride with a stop on an island for a very hot masala chai which was returned for the first time in India as it wasn’t hot enough for my taste.
Ended the day with another Tuk Tuk ride (no city tour would be complete without a ride in one of these) back to our hotel and a visit to the adjacent mall, which just doesn’t work here. Hopefully, the photos will do justice to this lovely town which is one of our favourites.
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