Udaipur: Getting There

If I were asked under what sky the human mind has most fully developed some of its choicest gifts, has most deeply pondered over the greatest problems of life, and has found solutions…, I should point to India.

– Friedrich Max Müller

Udaipur or the “City of Lakes” is a quaint city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Known for its exquisite palaces and picturesque lakes, Udaipur is steeped in history and grandeur. Udaipur’s fame can be traced back to the 16^th century when it was established as the capital of the Mewar kingdom by Maharana Udai Singh II. Prior to this, Chittorgarh used to be the capital before it was besieged by Akbar. For over two centuries afterward, Udaipur continued to be Mewar’s capital.

There are a plethora of reasons to visit Udaipur – its lakes being just one of them. In fact, for its intricate structure of lakes, Udaipur is often referred to as the “Venice of the East”. Of these, Fateh Sagar Lake, Lake Pichola, Swaroop Sagar Lake, Rangsagar, and Doodh Talai Lake are the most famous.

 

Udaipur is about 665 km from New Delhi. The drive up there could take up to 12 hours. The best way to get to Udaipur is the train. A number of trains commute between the two cities every day, and the fastest train, the Chetak Express, gets you there in about 12 hours. Even though the drive takes roughly the same amount of time, I prefer the train as it’s a very convenient overnight journey. This way, you arrive in Udaipur nice and fresh in the morning, rather than groggy and irritable in the evening after a day-long drive through incessant traffic.

Udaipur also has an airport – the Maharana Pratap Airport. Flights start at about INR 2000 and the travel time is just about 1.5 hours. This is a great option too if you’re pressed for time, though flight fares can go up sharply closer to the date.

Rajasthan typically faces hot and arid climate, and so winter is really the best time to visit any city in Rajasthan. September to March offers pleasant conditions to enjoy Udaipur.

Through the rest of the blogs in this series, we’ll talk about where to stay, what to see, and what to eat in Udaipur. Stay tuned!

5 Reasons to Pack Your Bags. Now.

“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.”

–  Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky

We all know the gist – traveling rejuvenates you; it offers a refreshing break from your mundane 9-5 job; it gives you new “adventures”. Dig a little deeper, and there’s a myriad of reasons why everyone must travel.

 

• Reward your hard work: Everyone works for a reason. While you dream of a palatial house by the seaside, your neighbor may be building herself a neat little fund for a new car. Traveling gives you short-term rewards to look forward to. Plan a couple of vacations a year, and it’ll give you the motivation you need to work all year round. Set up a countdown to your next holiday on your desk and drive those Monday morning blues away! On the flipside, traveling gives you enthralling memories that’ll tide you through the tough times.

 

• Appreciate life: Every culture is unique, and experiencing them first hand, gives you a fresh perspective on life. You meet new people, you try new food, you witness new ways of living life. Your 9-5 job may be cushy, but how about that gondolier ferrying tourists across the Grand Canal? Or the tea picker in the Nilgiris? Visiting new places also allows you to look at your life back home from a different perspective. How much do you miss your family? Your comfort food? Your job? Many people “find” themselves when they’re away from home and come back to much happier

 

• Manage your finances: Keeping a track of your expenses and savings is the source of nightmares for many. Planning a vacation is a great way to learn this the fun way! Start with a destination in mind. Find the best time to travel. Look for tickets on a roughly estimated date. You now have an idea of how much a round trip ticket to your dream destination will pinch you. Build a budget in your mind, and find hotels accordingly. Experiences last you a lifetime; but do you really need that fancy candlelight dinner every single night on your vacation? Why not sample the street fare on three nights out of seven?

 

• Become interesting: Building on my earlier point on carrying memories back home that tide you through tough times, traveling also makes you a super fun friend! A lot of people, still, lack the luxury to travel to their dream Instead, they get their thrill from hearing about others’ adventures. Be sure to note down specific details of your trip – how you got there, what you ate, whom you met; weave them all into a gripping story and voila! It’s a sure shot way to appear “worldly” and adventurous in front of your buddies.

 

• Become even more interesting: Let your vacations do more for you by reaping the benefits of your experiences even after you’re back. Savored an interesting dish on your night about town? Find a restaurant serving that specific cuisine back home. Better still, sign up for cooking classes and learn to whip it up for yourself! Walk up to your neighborhood and borrow books about your last (or next) destination for a seamless continuation of your holiday experience. Learn to play the ukulele. Write a travelogue. Bring home your holiday experiences and let them stay on!

 

Convinced? Let us know in the comments.