Wonders of RajasthanVibrant Rajasthan - Travel to the Land of History, Legends, Valorous Warriors And Heritage Hotels….

Udaipur Tour

Almost all of us love to celebrate occasions in a royal approach, as a friend of mine invited me to the reception party of his marriage at Lake Palace, Udaipur. Being an addict to celebrations and an explorer, I packed my bags and planned a tour to Udaipur – ranked as 2nd best city in Asia and 7th in the world. As the function was organized in the splendid white marble structure of Lake Palace in the middle of Lake Pichola, I started my exploration from there only. This island kind of structure was established in 1746 and was called Jag Niwas. Recently, it has been converted to a luxury hotel under the property of Taj Group of Hotels.

Next morning, I left for other major attractions in Udaipur. This royal city of Rajput Kings of Mewar has a huge 450 year old monument – the City Palace, located alongside the Lake Pichola only. I entered the palace through a triple-arched gate – Tripolia and came across lovely terraces, corridors and gardens. I clicked several wall paintings of Lord Krishna that were displayed in Bhim Vilas. Similarly, the architectural pattern of Dilkhush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Moti Mahal and Krishna Vilas were spellbinding. These grand palaces still retain the age old glory of bygone era in the form of antique articles, paintings, decorative furniture and utensils.

In the evening, I visited Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal for several folk art performances and puppet shows. After a tiring but enjoyable day, my last activity was boating in the splendid Lake Fateh Sagar. For dinner, I was served awesome Dal Bati Churma in my hotel.

Next morning, I planned for a half day tour during which I paid short visits to Maharana Pratap Memorial, Saheliyon ki Bari, Sajjangarh Fort (summer resort of Maharajahs), Jagdish Temple (a perfect example of Indo-Aryan architecture), and Udaipur Solar Observatory (Asia’s only solar observatory).

I had my lunch in Gulab Bagh (rose garden) where small restaurants serve tasty and spicy fast food. The trip was short but crisp. I marked all the untouched attractions for my next visit.

Brimming with royalty and luxury, the heritage hotels of Rajasthan made me feel as if I was traveling to a different world altogether. The opulent palaces, havelis and forts of this land are a heritage of traditions, royalty and luxury beautifully accumulated over the years. My visit to the internationally famed heritage hotels opened up a path for me to slip into the bygone era of Raja-Maharajas. The experience was simply overwhelming!

Some of the Heritage Hotels I Visited :

Lake Palace, Udaipur
Standing tall on the charming lake Pichola, the palace is one of the most

stunning palaces in India. Its foundation was laid in the 17th century by Maharana Jagat Singh II. Attracting even the Hollywood stars like Angelina Jolie and Madonna, the palace is managed by the Taj Group. The palace consists of several opulent chambers such as Phool Mahal, Dhola Mahal, Ajjan Niwas, Khush Mahal and Bada Mahal.

Hotel Ajit Bhawan
Reflecting the grandeur of the bygone era, this palace is India’s first heritage palace resort. From the traditional interiors to the recreational activities, everything has a royal feel to it in this palace.

Umaid Bhawan Palace
With around 347 rooms, this palace is one of the largest palaces in the world.

It is the royal heritage of Maharaja Umed Singh. An interesting fact about the palace is that it always maintains pleasant temperature. It is a luxurious establishment offering kingly experience to its guests. Everything about this hotel is regal.

Devigarh Palace
Located ideally amidst the beautiful Aravalli hills, this palace is a perfect blend of the Medieval, Rajput and European styles of architecture. Built in an impressive style, the interiors of the palace boasts of beautiful semi-precious stones.

Fort Rajwada
Built in yellow sandstone, this heritage hotel sprawls over an area of 20

acres.Done to perfection, the interiors and furnishing of the hotel reflect the royal taste of Rajasthan.

Shiv Niwas Palace
This grand and luxurious hotel bagged several awards such as the ‘Heritage Award for Excellence’ and the ‘National Tourism Award’ for the best heritage hotel for its royalty and hospitality. Offering wonderful views of Lake Pichola, the palace is luxurious to the hilt.