Udaipur
Udaipur, Bagheera’s Place of Birth
The Orient’s answer to Venice and Kipling’s choice as the birthplace of Bagheera, Udaipur is a city one should not ignore when visiting India. This is a magical place where tourists can avail of royal treatment and even live in literal palaces.
Udaipur once served as the capital to one of India’s great kingdoms, and this has left a mark on it. Testament to its historical glory are numerous royal complexes and palatial structures still standing in the city. In fact, these are among the most well-known of its tourist offerings. Some have even been converted into luxury hotels for visitors to stay in.
Udaipur is known too for its scenic lakes. Some are man-made, crafted under the orders of the city’s former rulers, and they are often fringed by carefully-planned gardens demonstrating the old imperial love of beauteous balance. Fountains and symmetrical geometry abound, as do ghats dedicated to various purposes. And many of its other attractions sit in the middle of its lakes, like Asia’s one solar observatory and the gorgeous Lake Palace.
This is also a place worth coming to if you are in the market for great souvenirs. Udaipur’s cultural treasures permeate every part of the city, from its monuments to its markets. Some of the most beautiful handcrafted souvenirs in the entire region can be found here, from traditionally-created terracotta sculptures and pottery to local-style paintings and artwork (Nathdwara and its pichhwai paintings are just a little ways off, after all).
Udaipur’s proximity to so many of the country’s other great tourist attractions renders it an especially appealing stop for any tourist. Consider the proximity of sites like Jasiamand Lake, crocodile parks, the Mewar Eklingji marble temple complex, Khumbalgarh, and Chittorgarh, for instance. All of these sites only add to the attraction of coming to the sightseer’s paradise known as Udaipur.
