Udaipur

Udaipur’s biggest charm lies, not in its lakes, but in its location, at the foot of the Aravalis. They ring the city protectively, gifting it breathtaking views of rolling, green hills that rise and fall, like the city’s breath.

That said, the lakes themselves are lovely, imbuing Udaipur’s sunsets and sunrises with a special quality of their own. The evenings by the lakes are balmy and breezy, enjoyed from its myriad rooftops restaurants. The palaces glimmer in this light, turning from white to soft golden to crimson, all in one evening, but showing you sights you will never forget.

Udaipur has often been called the most romantic city of India; the city is definitely the most serene of all. Its narrow, winding lanes go up and down, flanked by old, white havelis and the lake which is visible around every turn. The people are friendly without being overbearing, curious without being intrusive.

They talk to you willingly, and unlike most tourist places, they do not try to fleece you. The people of Udaipur also have an inherent sense of respecting the visitors, following the Indian mantra of 'Atithi Devo Bhavah' (Guest is God); and so outsiders who come to Udaipur hoping to make a quick buck by selling the exotic side of India, by smearing their bodies with ash and pronouncing your fate, are quickly ousted by the locals.

Erstwhile capital of the Sisodias of Mewar, the city was founded by Udai Singh II in 1559. The heritage of the city lies in its stunning palaces, some of which are still occupied by royalty, long after they have stopped ruling, but still revered by the population. Its Lake Palace has to be one of the most photographed monument of Rajasthan and it is beautiful, adorning Lake Pichola like a lone, white lotus, and at night, like a ghost ship with tempting lights. The rooms of the palaces preserve the old way of living, complete with antique furniture and ivory inlaid thick doors.

Udaipur is the kind of place where you come for two days and end up staying for a week, drinking in its quiet pace, its colourful bazaars, its dappling waters and its jagged outline of hills.