Surrounded by the Aravallis, Udaipur is an exotic destination in the royal land of Rajasthan. The city is epitomised by the panorama of shimmering lakes and magnificent palaces. Udaipur is also considered one of the most romantic cities in the continent. The city was the capital of the Mewar Kingdom. It was built in 1558 by Maharana Udai Singh II. Udaipur serves to be a favourite shooting destination for filmmakers. The city takes pride in having some of the most luxurious hotels and resorts in the country.
Things to do in Udaipur
Enjoy a sunset boat cruise in Lake Pichola and witness the beauty of the majestic palaces and havelis. Go for a heritage tour to the City Palace, Jag Mandir Palace, Bagore Ki Haveli and Sajjan Garh Fort. Watch the Dharohar Dance Show at Bagore Ki Haveli. Pay your homage at Shri Manshapurna Karni Mata temple. To reach the temple, you have to ride a ropeway. Further, take a trip to Sajjangarh Biological Park and Udaipur Zoo. Visit the ancient Eklingji Temple. There are also opportunities for horseback riding and trekking in Udaipur.
Tourist attractions in Udaipur
The major tourist attractions in Udaipur include Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake, City Palace, Sajjan Garh Fort, Eklingji Temple, Jag Mandir Palace, Jaisamand Lake, Vintage Car Museum, Jagdish Temple and Saheliyo ki Bari. One of the largest lakes in Udaipur, Lake Pichola is an artificial lake built in 1362 AD. It is flanked by the Aravalli Ridges, beautiful palaces and ghats. The reflection of the palaces on the lake water during the sunset creates a magical scene.
Places to shop in Udaipur
Udaipur is famous for Rajasthani bandhani print fabrics, traditional clothes, meenakari jewellery, wooden handicrafts and miniature paintings. The prime markets in the city include Haathi Pol Bazaar, Bada Bazaar Chetak Circle, Bapu Bazaar, Lake Palace Road and Maldas Street. Visit Haathi Pol Bazaar and Bada Bazaar to buy intricately-carved wooden artefacts and Kathputlis (hanging puppets of Rajasthan). Haathi Pol Bazaar also has numerous shops selling Rajasthani paintings. Udaipur is also a great place to buy camel-leather items like purses and traditional footwear. The popular shopping malls in the city are Celebration Mall, Lake City Mall and R Kay Mall.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Udaipur is from October to March.
Modes of transport
Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) and private operators operate a good network of buses in the city of Udaipur. Further, auto-rickshaws, taxis and rental cars are convenient means for getting around the city.
Weather in Udaipur
Udaipur experiences hot weather during summers. The temperature soars to 40 degrees Celsius and above. The city gets irregular rainfall in monsoons (July-September). The weather in Udaipur remains quite good in winters (November-February). The minimum temperature during this season hardly ever falls below 10 degrees Celsius.
Airport in Udaipur
Maharana Pratap Airport (IATA: UDR) is located at Dabok, about 22 km east of Udaipur. IndiGo operates daily non-stop flights between Udaipur and cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Jaipur.