I've always wondered what Udaipur had to offer that Jaipur didn't already have since getting to Jaipur from Delhi always posed to be nearer and much much easier, but this time after jaipur and pushkar .... We did a 2 night stop over in Udaipur....
The drive was a pleasant one and we had such jovial driver that made the trip even more pleasant for us. It took us around 4 hours from pushkar to Udaipur. On the way I saw lots of dessert and lots of camels.... But it was a pretty sight.
We reached Aaram Bagh which just off the highway reaching towards the city centre but the place in the evening looked spectacular ..... There was these chalet type buildings on hilly kind of area and its surroundings were just the Forrest and the aravali terrace.... I couldn't see much of it as it was getting dark but from what little I could see I was really mesmerized....
I suddenly felt all adventurous ... I don't know why! I think it was the care taker that made me feel this way... Because he came running in to greet us and very fast told us that he spotted the panther roaming in the hills .... It took me a second to register what he said before I repeated after him... "Panther" are u kidding me? Everyone around me at go we're telling me stories of how there's a few panthers always lurking around but never coming towards the resort grounds but can be spotted from a distance... Yadaa yadaa... In my head I was like yeah ok what ever.. Panther or no panther ( cos I half believed that there was a panther) I was still gonna explore the hills, waterfalls and nature that was before my very eye!!
I tried very hard to wake before sunrise to take some pictures but my body was just too tired... I woke just after 7 which was too late, I had the resort manager Uttam and his collegue Ajith take me around the grounds and the little forest park that was maintained by the resort. The view was spectacular!!! I was soooo in love!
I never truly understood the beauty of the hills, mountains and desserts before this ... If anyone asked me to choose I would always choose the beach.... Always. However that changed for me! I was in awe .... It was gorgeous, nature has its way in surprising you really! The hills were alive.... I heard ladies singing and their voice echoing while water trickled from the waterfall.... I saw the eagles soaring and peacocks showing off their mane, n most of all I could hear me! Breathing,... There were times that there was just pin drop silence.
Uttam told me the next day about a Shiv temple right at the tip of the hill and if I wanted to check it out... And I said hey ... Why not ... Me being girlie and all I was not prepared for a hiking expedition! But what choice did I have....
We were both a little scared to venture further thinking just maybe the panther would be waiting at the top so we chickened out and headed back. :)
On the way down we did a pit stop at a home of of the villagers on the hill. It was an amazing experience. They were so warm and friendly and to my astonishment the place was spotless. It was so clean and their smiles were as warm as the sunshine it was a feel good feeling for sure.
Udaipur is famous for its gardens and palaces and there are so many nice places to explore, one being of course the lake palace managed by the Taj Group it was a master piece from the minute you arrive you are treated like proper royals! What more could you ask for right?
With all the sight seeing .... we had time to stop for street delicacy ... The Kachori! A bit skeptical at 1st but one bite in and it was heaven! :)
The Sahelion ki bari known as the court yard for the maidens was a picturesque garden indeed. The history told to us by the guide was very entertaining otherwise its just another pretty garden.
The Fateh Sagar lake is obviously a highlight of the city itself and as you sit by the pave and watch the sun set on the waters of the lake it gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling of how pretty this whole place is.
I enjoyed a tour of the city palace was built by Maharaja Udai Singh but now its open to the public to view, still maintained extremely well you can literally see the entire city from a certain angle.
Udaipur was a experience of a life time for me especially my stay at Aaram Bagh if you truely want to experience the dessert and nature against a peaceful back drop this is the palace... oopps i mean place... ;)
I was overwhelmed and satisfied and thought how blessed i was to be able to experience the finest in life....
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Location:Udaipur , Rajasthan , India
