I got so influenced by the solace and warmth of old town streets which is holding so many beautiful stories of the city and alongside the divine Lake Pichola which offers a panoramic breathtaking view.
Forthwith I launched the collection "DILKHUSH" at HERAT, involved soft satiny silk sarees which are unpattern or plain in five colors- coral almond, double cream, rust, gothic olive and lava smoke. Explore the collection.
Rewind } } } } } } } } } } } now the Journey is started.
I was always wondering that how close I used to stay by Udaipur but I never explored it, as my native place is Neemuch which is just 128 km. away from Udaipur.
But some time it had to happen. So I suddenly made a plan to visit and traverse this magnificent beauty of Rajasthan or "The city of lakes", which is surrounded by seven notable lakes which is included under (NLCP) of the Government of India.
It was the best time to visit in august which is the ending of rains and the start of fall, so that I was sure to get full pleasure of all pleasing views and recreational activities while my tour. The lakes were brimful of water under the smoky blue sky and were full of black headed ibis and other birds which migrate mostly the Mewar region between these times.
I was also so excited to explore old city markets as I heard a lot about this and which is very famous for their vintage style shops and boutiques, narrow cryptic streets which are full of antiques, silver jewellery, textile and other handicrafts.
My diary was also full with the names of cafes and restaurants at the lake side which are very famous for their picturesque views and appetizing food. I am so sure that whoever would ever visit will definitely feel that our Udaipur is more beautiful than any other lake city in the world.
Thus far I was so anxious to visit the huge prodigious stately home of Royal family of Mewar “The City Palace” where I had to stride into the narrow vertical openings, but I was so excited to see all the tranquillizing views of the Lake Pichola through the windows of the palace.
It was so heavily raining when I was leaving for Udaipur from Neemuch. So I was scared about bookings I made for dinners and lunches at the lake side. At the time I entered into the city I took a sneak peak at shimmering blue water between the streets.
As soon as I checked at the hotel "Ram-Vilas", which was just one km away from the old city besides the Udai-Vilas. The owner took me at the terrace to show me unimaginable three layered scenic view. At the bottom Udai-Vilas chhatris, then serene Lake Pichola and Jal Mahal and at the top the City Palace.
I was stunned; it took my breath away for a minute to absorb so much of prime beauty of the city at a glance.
I was not able to believe my eyes that how it’s possible to see so much of aesthetic pleasure at a single sight.
It was around 5 pm I left the hotel. The same day I had a booking for dinner at scintillating palace ‘Jag Mandir’ or ‘The Lake Garden Palace’, which is built on an island at Lake Pichola and which is also witnesses enormous grand weddings of bollywood celebrities.
To reach out the Jag Mandir Palace I had to take a boat which was personally arranged by the Palace for their each and every guest from the Bansi Ghat Jetty besides the City Palace. Likewise the Jag Mandir I was also so excited to see one of the most beautiful sunsets on Lake Pichola I ever viewed.
However I missed the sunset as I got entangled in the topsy-turvy streets to reach out on time. It is always a good idea to take a rikshaw rather than drive a car to reach on time.
But whatever happens happens for the good. As I got bit late I experienced crisp drizzle in cozy stormy night where the lake was gloomy dark and the Palace was sparkling in the center. Straight away I was getting closer and closer to the Palace on boat, I started filming the stunning views where all the surrounded historical buildings were reflecting at the water so was the Palace too.
It was a very regal welcome at entrance; I was convinced with warmth of the princely Mewar traditional style hospitality.
There was an extended trail inside the Palace to the restaurant surrounded by gleaming lamp shades. All at once I was started making videos and clicking pictures, and their staff was also very humble to help me out.
There was a buffet with so many delightful appetizing dishes and desserts. It was a pleasing experience to have a dinner in the middle of a lake at an honorable place. It was a life time experience.
Please note it is recommended to get a prior booking for dinner at the Jag Mandir Palace, hence it is not a temple but it is a very glorious Palace to visit in Udaipur which can’t be missed out.
The very next morning along with the tea in my room at hotel, I planned my whole day to be spent at old city market. It was on the top to visit ‘Jheel Ginger Café’ which is famous for its spectacular views by the lake side at old city. It is recommended to take a table on top floor at the café and it is also recommended to take a local conveyance to reach out by time anywhere. Hence the best way to explore old city is to take a walk but don’t forget to take an umbrella or wear a hat and comfortable shoes.
I was wandering over the old town streets which is one of the most flabbergasting things to do in Udaipur where you have to keep on exploring more and more. You never know where you find old crafts or some secret medieval style architectural stores. It was a never ending route for me which I enjoyed after my brunch I took at the Café Jheel Ginger.
While strolling out old city streets, I reached at the City Palace main entrance gate which was gigantic. At the ticket counter I asked all the countless questions about the Palace, café inside the Palace and the walkway to reach out behind the Palace which was the best part undoubtedly beside the lake.
I knew I would not be able to stop myself or to leap a single corner at the palace. And same thing happened; I told my guide that not to skip a single room or courtyard of the palace. ‘Let me see whole palace, all the galleries, museums, rooms and porches’. I was so lucky that I found a conscientious and well-informed guide. It was a good idea to keep a guide in the palace who will tell you all the stories, all the major events which are celebrated into the palace throughout the year in which we can also participate.
He also explained me very pridefully about the artifacts and the articles which are very prodigiously kept in the palace. He explained all the techniques and materials used and about the great artists and historic innovators who have invented extraordinary mechanism at that time.
The Dilkhusha Mahal, Durbar Hall, Fateprakash Palace, Jagdish Mandir, Krishna Vilas, Laxmi Vilas Chowk, Manak Mahal, Mor Chowk , Rang Bhawan, Sheesh Mahal and a museum. The Palace from inside is so vibrantly decorated with paintings, foil work, engravings and mirror inlay work. This is the best way to perceive sensational artistry in pictures rather than words so as I did.
I am having a bounce to the back side of the Palace rather than talking much about palace interior details. Behind the Palace by Exit as I already mentioned above, the divine Lake Pichola which offers a panoramic breathtaking view was waiting for me.
I took a walk under smoky cloudy weather after having a cup of coffee at the café which is situated inside the Palace courtyard. It was raining, even so I enjoyed the onshore breeze besides the City Palace huge walls. It was a fabulous experience, the lake was so settled down and calm. People were running here and there, but I took a shelter for a moment at the Palace’s authoritative official building. It was a feel at ease to feast my eyes by the Taj Lake Palace at Lake Pichola through a small vintage door of the office.
At that time I decided to come over here again before I leave Udaipur. It was a sound-less musical moment which was tacitly tingling in my ears the sound of rain over the lake.
I was also half-starved so I decided to take an escape for some food.
For dinner I had a booking at "Ambrai", a lake-side must visit open air restaurant. As a consequence of rainy weather I had to cancel my booking and got a chance to visit this city and this restaurant again for this superlative diner.
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