I remember the sky that evening!
A poignant shade of blue and pink against the setting sun.
Twilight zone.
As we zipped through the highway from Ahmedabad to the most written about, most travelled to, rich in heritage state of Rajasthan.
The bougainvillea bushes added color on the ground… brilliant fuchsia, mellow orange to soft pink.
Soon it became dark.
Pitch dark.
There was no light on the streets
Our white Innova shining on a moonless black night.
Till up ahead lights twinkled.
Warm golden lights.
Everywhere
The breeze was cool.
Quite cool.
But the twinkling golden hue rang out a welcome.
All at once … it felt like Diwali.
UDAIPUR
We had reached Udaipur
Late into the evening.
As the wind blew across the lakes
Udaipur, transports you to a feeling of being a part of history afloat on the lakes .
Vibrant yet soft
Beautiful yet strong
This city wears a dreamlike look.
But even as dreamy as it appears this City is mighty.
Photo credits: Chittorgarh – transindiatravels.com & fabhotels.com
Udaipur was founded in 1553 by Maharana Udai Singh of the Sisodia clan of Rajput, when he shifted his capital from the city of Chittorgarh to Udaipur. The city was established as the new capital of the Mewar kingdom. To protect Udaipur from external attacks, Maharana Udai Singh built a six kilometer long city wall, with seven gates. The area within these walls and gates is still known as the old city or the walled city.
Udaipur remained the capital of the state, which became a princely state of British India in 1818
Photo Credits: Lake Pichola – transindiatravels.com City palace – en.wikipedia.org
Also Known as the City of Lakes Udaipur originally consisted of five beautiful namely Fateh Sagar Lake, Pichola Lake, Swaroop Sagar Lake, Rangsagar and Doodh Talai Lake.
Most popular among them being the first two.
Famous for the City Palace, which was built over 400 years, with contributions from several rulers of the Mewar dynasty. The series of palaces in the city palace complex, hosts exquisite riches that belonged to its famed sons through the centuries.
The Palace is a delightful trove of history architecture and royal treasures.
Photo Credits: sahelion ki bari – udaipurtourism.co.in; Sahelion ki bari – udaipurtourism.co.in
Another beautiful place to visit would be Saheliyon-ki-Bari a garden with beautiful fountains and kiosks, a lotus pool and marble elephants. It was built by Rana Sangram Singh. Sahelion Ki Bari was laid for a group of forty-eight young women attendants who accompanied a princess to Udaipur as part of her dowry.
But over and above all are the lakes
Forever flowing
Through history
Forever it will carry
Century old secrets
Forever it will be a beautiful mystery
What made Udaipur even more special was where we stayed.
Photo Credits: luxury tents – exquisitetravelcollection.com & rediff.com
An absolutely quaint set of luxury tents type cottages on the banks of Lake Pichola.
You could step out of your tent cottage walk across the patch of green, bend over the embankment and touch the water.
If you seam 15 minutes you would reach City Palace, if you seam 25 you would reach Lake Palace.
The mornings would be mist covered and the evenings would be candlelit.
Even more fascinating was the narrow lanes and by-lanes that one had to contend with to reach this place.
This journey through the lanes is a journey into a different world altogether. Every house had exquisitely painted walls with elephant, horse, camel or peacock patterns. Every door was ornate. Every inhabitant was a virtual tourist guide. Art, Artefacts And the aroma of local food wafted by, even as one bumped into people from all nationalities at every twist and every turn of these century-old gullies.
Almost like the world had come together on these narrow lanes leading to the ethereal lakes to revel in a charm so unique so vibrant and so welcoming
Colors
Beauty
And the ember glow of a zillion lamps.
Photo credits: Banner Left – traveltriangle.com; Banner Center – transindiatravels.com Banner Right – themaharajaexpress.org
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