Romancing the lakes in Udaipur, India 10/2023 (Stop 9)

8-9, October 2023, Udaipur, India

From Ahmedabad, I continued northward by train. 6 hours later, I reached Udaipur.

This part of India was getting into late summer and becoming cooler. I did not realize I was further away from the equator – a pleasant surprise.

The streets were cleaner than Mumbai and Ahmedabad. More Western tourists were seen roaming the streets. The streets have to be swept, I was told, because these Westerners, unlike the locals, couldn’t put up with rubbish too well.

The City Palace was the most prominent. It now sat atop a hill, a few stories high and of a commanding stature, overlooking Lake Pichola below. Its majesty, regality, and grandeur, were wrapped in one color. It did not need any embellishment. I spent at least a couple of hours exploring its many chambers and looking out its many high windows. The views within and without were spectacular.

Jagdish Temple, Udaipur — City Palace, Udaipur

A few historic palaces were built on the islands in the lakes. I took a boat to Jagmandir on Lake Pichola. Another one, Lake Palace, was not accessible because it had been converted into a hotel for people who could afford the stay there.

Jagmandir Palace, on an island in the Lake Pichola.

Jagmandir Palace, on an island in the Lake Pichola.

The narrow streets often became so congested that cars, rickshaws, motorbikes, and pedestrians all got stuck in the narrow lanes. Udaipur’s numerous artificial lakes, big and small, were built in the old days to meet the people’s water needs. I visited a few, including Pichola, Fateh Sagar, and Dodh Talai. Today they provide the space to breathe easier, to sit on the steps at the water’s edge and dip your toes, and a place for romance by the lake.

When I asked for help, they made sure I was taken care of. They treated me well. They dressed decently and modestly – they did not try to attract undue attention. Udaipur is a great place with decent people.