Udaipur, Rajasthan
Discover Udaipur
Known as the City of Lakes and Venice of the East due to the seven lakes surrounding the city, the shimmering water of Udaipur helps create magical sunsets while the Mediterranean inspired cafes will make you feel like you’re in a completely different time zone. Dubbed “the most romantic spot on the continent of India” by British administrator James Tod, this dreamy and decadent destination made the perfect setting for James Bond’s antics in the 1983 film Octopussy.
As well as hosting fictional Martini-supping lotharios, Udaipur is also famous for its historic forts, temples and palaces, galleries, museums, green spaces and traditional fairs and festivals.
Things to do in Udaipur
- Take a boat ride on Lake Pichola. Rudyard Kipling was so overcome with mesmerising Lake Pichola that he mentioned it in his Letters of Marque (1899): “If the Venetian, owned the Pichola Lake, he might say with justice, see it and die'”. This artificial freshwater lake was originally created for transport purposes, and over the centuries the islands within it have become home to bathing ghats, chabutaras (raised platforms usually within a courtyard), marble temples, mansions and palaces. The shimmering water makes it the perfect setting for a sunset cruise
- Visit the Palace. Standing on the east bank of Lake Pichola is the massive palace built at different times from 1559. Its main entrance is through the triple arched gate – the Tripolia, built in 1725. This gate leads to a series of courtyards, overlapping partitions, terraces, corridors and gardens. The palace now houses a museum with many antique articles, paintings, decorative furniture and utensils from the royal era.
- Explore the Jagdish Temple – You’ll find the Jagdish Temple, a key tourist attraction, in the heart of Udaipur. This large Hindu temple was built by Maharana Jagat Singh I and is a classic example of Māru-Gurjara Architecture, with three stories of ornately The main shrine is reached by climbing 32 marble steps, three stories of hand carved stone, with a steeple nearly 79 feet high and is the largest temple of Udaipur
The best way to see Udaipur
If you would like to visit Udaipur, why not take a look at one of our wonderful ATOL and ABTA protected holidays? Please remember all our private tours are designed to meet your exact requirements, and the tours mentioned are just examples to help inspire you. Contact our travel experts on 01792 315499 or email info@aitholidays.com for more information.
