Udaipur, India
Known as the most romantic city in Rajasthan, the lakeside destination of Udaipur is a breathtakingly beautiful place to take an Indian holiday.
Known as the most romantic city in Rajasthan, the lakeside destination of Udaipur is a breathtakingly beautiful place to take an Indian holiday.
Set on the banks of Lake Pichola, all visitors need to get the most out of this city are airline tickets and an open mind.
Traditions and culture in Udaipur
Udaipur has a history dating back to the 1500s and a rich spread of archictural delights to suggest suh a fact.
Founded by Maharaja Udai Singh II, the city rests beside the immense Lake Pichola and legend has it a holy man guided the ruler through building a new capital for the Mewar kingdom.
Interestingly, Udaipur is one of the only cities in Rajasthan to have stayed under Rajput rule - remaining untouched by the Mughals, despite a series of attacks.
People on an Udaipur holiday won't fail to notice the city's obsession with all things Bond. This stems from the films appearance in the 1983 film Octopussy. Roger Moore's face greets tourists from posters and billboards all across the city and many bars and cafes run regular big-screen showings.
Jainism is thought of as the main religion in Udaipur and traditional Rajasthan folk arts prevail. Expect dancing, puppet shows and lots of handicraft.
Recommended in Udaipur
No Udaipur holiday would be complete without a trip by boat to the Lake Palace. Once known as the Jag Niwas, the palace is now a hotel, but is still a pretty awesome sight considering it is made entirely of marble.
And of course, Sajjangarh Fort – also known as Monsoon Palace – is another must. Used as the home of exiled prince Kamal Khan in the Bond film Octopussy, the ancient structure is situate on a hill top just outside of the city and offers stunning views down across the rest of Udaipur and the surrounding jungle.
In town, the Jain Jagdish Temple is another interesting sight, as is the grand City Palace with its mammoth museum full of antique paintings and ornate palanquins giving a glimpse into the life of Rajput rulers.
Weather in Udaipur
With a typically north Indian climate, Udaipur falls foul of the monsoon and visitors should plan ahead to ensure they miss the torrential downpours or preceding heat.
Autumn is usually the best time to visit when the humidity is at a relatively bearable level and most of the rain is over.
It is also worth bearing in mind that during periods of drought, or less than perfect monsoons, the lake has been known to dry up. Although this limits the views, it can lead to cheap hotel rates and very attentive staff.
Due to its proximity to the dessert, nights in Udaipur can be cold, meaning that a couple of jumpers are a must for those visiting November and early February.
Destination checklist for Udaipur
The official currency in Udaipur - as in the rest of India - is the Indian Rupee (INR). Hindi is the official language of India, though English is spoken in almost every city.
India has an international dialling code of +91 and the area code for the Udaipur area is +0294. The city is 5.5 hours ahead of GMT.
Overseas visitors travelling to India will need a valid visa to enter the country.
