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Ropeway in Udaipur | Photo Essay of Udaipur from Top | Video of Lake Pichola

This time my Destination was Karni Mata Mandir atop a mountain in Udaipur. I had to go there by Ropeway which was happening in my life for first time and excitement was quite obvious. Ropeway in Udaipur was something which i had never expected in Udaipur..

Rope way , trolley coming to pick us
Ropeway , trolley coming to pick us

Just had to give Rs 200 i think if i am remembering right for a separate Trolley.

Majestic City palace of Udaipur from the rope way
Majestic City palace of Udaipur from the rope way

Now was the time to look at the Majestic City Palace of Udaipur from the top. Thanks to the newly bought Nikon Telephoto zoom lens i could capture the best of shot.

Lake Palace in Lake pichola from the top
Lake Palace in Lake pichola from the top

Lake Palace Hotel view from the top , standing at Karni mata mandir.


A video made by me , from Karni Mata Mandir. Lake Pichola and Lake palace Hotel, an eye catching view of Udaipur from the top. Thanks to the Monsoon , who blessed it with such a lush green scenery.

Jagmandir Temple
Jagmandir Temple

The famous Jagmandir Temple of Udaipur. Saw one guy standing there with binoculars and saying everybody the same line ” see thats Jagmandir temple where Raveena Tandon’s marriage was held , thats Lake Palace Hotel where James Bond Octopussy movie was shot , thats Udai Vilas and City Palace of Udaipur where Ranbir Kapoor’s Yeh Jawani hai Deewani was shot “. In front of me he said repeated exact line to atleast 5-6 people without a single error.

Trolley coming back to pick us.
Trolley coming back to pick us

 

City Palace of Udaipur
City Palace of Udaipur

While going back from the Rope Way point happen to get this view of City Palace Udaipur. One of my best shots of City Palace of Udaipur.

Wish i could have stayed a bit longer, to view Udaipur from there at night time is the best shot of Udaipur. At night one could see Sajjangarh fort (Monsoon Palace) lighting up and giving a feel like it is hanging in the air.

 

 

 

 

Sunset from Sajjangarh Fort Udaipur… Monsoon Palace…Udaipur from top in video

Sunset from Fatehsagar lake was something which was the most amazing thing happening to me till now in this trip. Never had seen that beautiful view which i saw there.

Sitting on Fateh sagar lake after the sunset one can see a building lighting up on top of the mountain, ask anybody and answer would come, its the monsoon palace , Sajjangarh Fort Udaipur.

Automatically it was added into my next day schedule but had to wait for it till the evening , my driver had told me watch sunset from their and you will forget Sunset of Fateh sagar Lake.

We left from the plains to the mountain at 5.30pm , at bottom of the mountain again had to buy ticket for entry where i felt inferior in front of my car, car parking was Rs 100 and for per person i had to pay only Rs 30 per person.

Majestic Sajjan Garh Fort , Monsoon Palace , Udaipur
Majestic Sajjangarh Fort , Monsoon Palace , Udaipur

Going there was a nostalgic feeling , as i could remember my childhood days and was recalling Octopussy movie of James Bond which was shot in Udaipur and whose villian Kamal Khan used to live in Monsoon Palace , Sajjangarh fort Udaipur where i was going.

Udaipur from Tallest Mountain of Udaipur
Udaipur from Tallest Mountain of Udaipur

I had reached to the tallest mountain of the Udaipur , where this monsoon palace had been built. It was obvious why this palace is called Monsoon Palace. There was no rain in some days now but still i could feel the cool breeze , and it was obvious rain is surely going to touch this mountain maximum as this is the tallest mountain of Udaipur area , and its basic geography Rain clouds bless a place only when they are stopped by a tall guard or can say mountain.

Langur at Sajjan Garh fort
Langur at Sajjangarh fort Udaipur

Except the beautiful and magnificient view of Udaipur and these Langur’s there was hardly anything else to see at this palace. For me it was nothing just a leisure palace for Kings at their times , one open bathroom with fountains and some 2-3 rooms there was nothing much to see in this fort , which was something very disappointing for me. But i was there for something else , Sunset view and that moment was now not that far.

 

Sun again going down
Sun again going down
Birds have started for their way back
Birds have started for their way back
My wife enjoying the Sunset from Sajjan Garh Fort
My wife enjoying the Sunset from Sajjan Garh Fort

Sun was going down and i was loving this moment , specially because of the reason i was busy with my camera and it was the best thing for me , till the sun went down i had clicked some 51 clicks of sun.

My favourite and best click of the Sun from Sajjan Garh fort , Udaipur
My favourite and best click of the Sun from Sajjangarh fort , Udaipur

This shot is my favourite from all those 51 clicks, though i had some 5-6 near to same of this but posting all here wont do the justice to all.

Trust me , Sunset from Fateh Sagar Lake is still in the list of my best moments of life , and this too added in it but i would say both had their own unique place. Just loved the each moment i spent there watching sun going down and enjoying the cool breeze.

 

 

 

 

 

Sunset Point at Udaipur… Fateh sagar Lake

My day was going awesome. I had visited my first destination, City Palace of Jaipur and had covered the market of Udaipur. Day was becoming tiring for me, my energy had exhausted after a night long train journey and then my idea of giving my legs a dose of walking had taken out my all energy.

Came back to my home away from home , Shree Vilas Orchid for a short nap.

In the evening i had planned for Fateh Sagar Lake , as udaipur is city of lakes and Fateh Sagar lake is another biggest of lake of Udaipur and is the main spot for all the locals and tourist in the evening. I was suggested by a good friend of mine to reach Fateh Sagar Lake before sunset as i would get to see an amazing sunset view from there.

I reached there by 5.30 pm , i think 1hr early. But to see the perfect sunset view i had take a boat ride to Nehru Park which is located in the middle of the Fateh Sagar Lake , a small island park situated in the middle of the Fateh Sagar Lake.

Boat ride at fateh Sagar Lake
Boat ride at fateh Sagar Lake

Just had to shell out some Rs 30 per person for to and fro boat ride to Nehru Park. Though if one wants to have adventure can go for for a speed boat ride for Rs 200 per person. But my purpose was solved with Rs 30 only.

Sunset from Nehru park  at Fateh Sagar Lake
Sunset from Nehru park at Fateh Sagar Lake

This was my first view of sun going down. For sunset it was still some 20min left so though of clicking from other places as well and the best shot came from the fountain.

Fountain between me and sun
Fountain between me and sun

And atlast it was the time to click the last one of the row

Sun has kissed the mountain
Sun has kissed the mountain

It was my first time when i was watching these serene scene. Just an amazing experience , watching sun going down in front of my eyes , could feel his movement.

 

 

 

 

Shree Vilas Orchid Udaipur…. Lake Facing…Best resort to stay at Udaipur

Very rare it happens that one changes his own trend , but this do happen sometimes and the driving force behind it has to be something very special or something which has impressed you a lot. Same is happening with me here , this trip of Udaipur has left some very special memories on my heart which has forced me to change my trend.

On all the previous occasions i have maintained to write a blog on the Hotel in which i stayed at the end, but this time my stay at Shree Vilas Orchid  Udaipur has forced me to slide it upwards on the list.

From Railway station it took me only some 15min to reach to my hotel Shree Vilas Orchid in which that time is also included when i had to leave my car some distance away from Hotel.

Way to Shree vilas Orchid
Way to Shree vilas Orchid

It is a very common thing at Udaipur , not many hotels are there where car could reach direct at the entry of the hotel. Same was here , i had to leave my car some 300 mts away from the hotel , but thanks to the management staff they have arranged their own Auto rikshaw to take the visitors to the hotel.

Entering the Tent area or can say rooms
Entering the Tent area or can say rooms

It just took 2 min for us to reach to the hotel by auto.

I had seen the website of the Shree Vilas Orchid and i had some idea of the ambience but still it was going to be a surprise for me.

This above pic was the my first view of the hotel and i was sure in a second that i have chosen the best stay in Udaipur. I did the need full formalities while checking in which was quite speedy enough for me.

my room facing garden,swimming pool and lake pichola
my room facing garden,swimming pool and lake pichola

I was given the corner most room (Room 101), thanks to the owner Mr. Rajeev Kalra who made it possible for me and gave me the best room with the best of view.

Lake facing tents of shree vilas orchid
Lake facing tents of shree vilas orchid

But i would surely add this, on looking at all the 17 tents it is seriously very hard to say which room has got the best location. For me all the room’s have the perfect view of Lake Pichola as this hotel is right on the bank of Lake Pichola.

By the word Tent i would sure like to explain this thing and dont want to confuse all that they are not the perfect tents. i would call them as the conglomeration of Room and Tent both. This concept, i was watching for first time, i have never loved the stay of tent , had some bad experiences on my trip to Nainital. But here i was much relieved , walls of the tents have been constucted like a normal brick wall and the roof of tent has been added to them giving both the feeling of a tent and room. And with the help of concrete walls i can say air condition was also able to cool the room perfectly which i have noticed in my previous stays that air conditions doesnt cool when one is staying in a perfect tent. Hats off to the management and concept curator to come up with the idea.

View of Lake Pichola from the Restaurant of Shree Vilas Orchid
View of Lake Pichola from the Restaurant of Shree Vilas Orchid

Sitting in the restaurant,sipping a hot cup of tea and on one side it is a lush green garden of Shree Vilas Orchid udaipur and on the other side is Lake Pichola , it was like i was watching flow of diamonds rather than flow of water. What else a view one wants.

View of Lake Pichola From my room Window
View of Lake Pichola From my room Window

Over night train journey , then a visit to the City Palace of Jaipur and the Market of Udaipur. It was becoming very tiring for me , i decided to come back to the room and take a short nap and then move for my next destination.

This is what i had decided, but suddenly what struck in my mind and opened the window curtain and saw this view from my room window. What else to expect , forgot everything and my camera was back On and i spent again some 30min capturing the beautiful moments from room and outside. This was heaven for me, Lake Pichola was just some meters away from my room, just come out and i could feel the cool breeze and feel the sound a splashes. It was amazing.

She gave me a hard look.. may be camera consious
She gave me a hard look.. may be camera concious
Kingfisher Bird... Sitting just outside my room
Kingfisher Bird… Sitting just outside my room

Staying at Shree Vilas Orchid udaipur was the best stay of my trip for me and my camera was also loving it. View of these birds , View of sunset from the room only , water showing his diamond flow…. All these are a treat for any photographer and i was loving it.

Thanks and kudos to the Shree Vilas Orchid udaipur, for coming up with this concept and above all selecting this perfect location for it.

 

 

 

 

 

Udaipur The Venice of the East…. First glimpse of it…City Palace of Udaipur

I had arrived in Udaipur The Venice of the East. Train was right on time and i had reached my hotel Shree Vilas Orchid. As usual i had charted out all my activites and there was not much of time for me to start unchecking my bucket list.

It took only an hour or so to freshen me up and make myself ready to start my second journey of Rajasthan , till now it was just a plan but first move was about to take. My car was with me but i decided to give it a rest and give my feets some dose of walking and have a glance of the city.

My first destination was City Palace of Udaipur, considered as the largest Royal Palace in Rajasthan and is replete with history. Maharanas of Mewar lived and administered their kingdom from this palace , as Udaipur was the Capital of Mewar at that time , so for me it was like a magnet which was attracting me from the far. I had a glimpse of it while coming from the Railway station to my hotel and that very short glimpse was more than enough to compel me to start the day from this Majestic Palace.

City Palace of Udaipur
City Palace of Udaipur

This was my first view of City Palace of Udaipur and i was amazed to see its grand structure. I had been to City Palace of Jaipur on my previous Rajasthan Trip but on seeing this my first words were “This is the best example of word Grand and it is much bigger, better , royal and above all well maintained “.

Majestic City Palace,Udaipur, from the front.
Majestic City Palace,Udaipur, from the front

Built with a fusion of the Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles, built on a hill top that gives a panoramic view of the city and its surrounding. Its grand structure had appealed me the most, though going inside and having a look of it from inside was still left. My camera was clicking on its own like he has also started loving the architecture of this majestic City Palace of Udaipur , and why not my camera would love to click afterall i paid hefty Rs 225 just to be able to take my camera inside and click pictures otherwise one is not allowed , but atleast i was happy that it is allowed which was not the case in City palace of Jaipur.

Near 25Kg iron armour worn by Maharana Pratap
Near 25Kg iron armour worn by Maharana Pratap

 

Maharana Pratap's Horse CHETAK''S statue with elephant Nose
Maharana Pratap’s Horse CHETAK’S statue with elephant Nose

City Palace of Udaipur is an agglomeration of structures, including 11 small separate palaces. The unique aspect of this conglomeration is that the architectural design has been borrowed from many architecturel marvels of that and present era, it structure is a rich blend of Rajasthani, Mughal, Medieval,Europeon and Chinese architecture, and is distinctly homogeneous and eye catching. The palace complex has been built entirely in granite and marble. The interiors of the palace complex with its balconies, towers and cupolas exhibit delicate mirror-work, marble-work, murals, wall paintings, silver-work, inlay-work and leftover of coloured glass. The complex provides a fine view of the lake and the Udaipur city from its upper terraces.

Most impressive for me were the Paintings hanging on the walls and the statues like the above pics standing in every showcased room.

Haldighati war was the most famous folk lore for them and for the guides also , may be for that reason there was majority of statues and painting of that war, and every guide to whom i came across though i dint hired one but it is very common when one is visiting a historical monument one would over hear other guide’s words. Here every other guide was describing about how Maharana Pratap fought in Haldighati with Akbar and how Akbar had trained his elephants to fight with sword and to win over this situation Maharana Pratap made his Horse to wear an artificial nose of Elephant to look like a kid Elephant.

These folk lores are very common with every era, though every has his own appeal and same was with this.

Top view of Udaipur from City Palace
Top view of Udaipur from City Palace

 

Lake Palace from City Palace
Lake Palace from City Palace

Keeping an eye on the whole city from a single point has always been the main purpose of palace’s and fort’s built in the past and this doesnt confine to Rajasthan only, almost every fort or palace in India has been built like this only and for this purpose only.

Same was happening here , i could have a bird eye view of whole Udaipur city and the main places of it whether that would be Lake Palace (Jal Mahal) , Jag Mandir or the one sitting on the top of mountain very famously called Monsoon Palace that is Sajjan Garh Fort , but dont get confused i have clicked these pics with the full zoom of my new Telephoto zoom lens which was on his maiden trip.

It took me some 2 Hrs to have a whole round of this palace , it is not possible to roam around whole palace as still the Royal Family of Udaipur lives in the half portion of City Palace, and if one is lucky enough one can find prince of Udaipur Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar very stylishly walking and talking to the staff of City Palace of Udaipur.

Though i found one thing very unfair, one would have to shell out again the same amount if one wants to go pass the Royal Family portion only from outside and reach to the Lake Pichola. I gave it a skip as i had planned to visit Fatehsagar Lake at the sunset time and Lake Pichola was just some steps away from my room at Shree Vilas Orchid.

So i came out and bought a lemonade from the lemonade stall just outside the main entrance gate of the City Palace , do try it if one visits, it was amazing.

Plan your Visit to Udaipur