Udaipur-
city of Asian Venice
I reached Udaipur in the morning
4.30 a.m. I quickly searched internet for a place to stay even though auto drivers
were murmuring like bee line. I opened the website - https://www.booking.com/
and found a very nice hostel - "Bunkyard" and I got bed in
"REGGAE" for INR 300 per day inclusive of all taxes. Well, hostel was
near to city palace and just 5 mins walk from Jagdish temple and Bagore Ki
Havelli.
When I woke, it was all
amusement, cheer and happiness blowing around me. People were enjoying the
ambiance and planning their days ahead after all it was December month when
corporate allow them to breathe a bit. I finally realized I am on holiday! A
long needed one. I found that bed will be vacated around 11 so I thought to
take a view of hostel till then and prepare my small itinerary. I realized that
they had put up flags of several nations up-down which many of foreign guest
were liking.
I
found all over the walls there were spaghetti which will lit up the heart and
make you smile. I peeked outside the hall and I don’t think I had ever seen
such a nice view in my life. A white marble made Castle standing in the middle
of lake with tiny mountain (hills) overhead kissing the horizon. I went up the
kitchen which was small but amazingly maintained and neat. In the evening, I
had my dinner there and cheese cottage vegetable mix was a delight for me. I
went down and I saw that front desk is nicely maintained with all the details a
tourist need. They are very happy to inform you the places to visit, food,
market, specialty and they also organize tours based on your preference at
request at reasonable price. I all I can say it was just what I wanted-
beginning of nice holiday and I had it.
I gathered all the information and took bike on rent from
hostel for Rs. 500 per day with petrol on me and started for the day. I started
passing through the streets lined up with handcraft stores, mini painting
gallery’s lined up all around with people in joyful mood. Within 2 minutes I
reached the City palace but then I realized better I go other places as it will
take time inside and hiring the bike will be wasteful as I can come there
tomorrow.
I switched the self-start and was off to my next
destination- Shilpagram- one of the beautifully maintained and planned
handicraft market. One will find place to eat the local cuisine side by side
enjoying the local dance, shops lined up showcasing local artwork, artists and
painters displaying their work. I found that there are several dance forms
which are practised in the Rajputana and that’s precisely makes Incredible
India!
I found out that the entry fees was merely Rs. 40 whereas
for watching similar delight at Chowki Dhani I would have needed to cough out INR 900. At
the entrance, there was one troupe performing the tribal dance and nearby
camels and elephant rides were available for small price of INR 30-60.
Oh ghost! I almost forgot to tell you what happened when
I was on way to the Shilpagram. I was passing through small overbridge of a
lake and there I saw an old gentle man passing with his camel. He must be more
than 70 year old which shoulder and back bent forward, reminded me of my great
grandmother. I parked my bike in a corner at the end of the bridge and I ran
towards him for a camel ride. He happily obliged me without any expectation. I
paid him INR 200 for his camel’s feed as I did not want to hurt his feeling by
paying him for his generosity. He was so patient and calm, which befitted such
beautiful ambience all around Udaipur.
At shilpagram, I realized it’s almost a glimpse of
several villages which had been modelled for a tourist to feel the India. Govt
had also organized an event in that week and had tried to boost the tourism. I
saw small huts lining up a lane and to its opposite were shops selling handicraft
work. On the other lace, one can see a group of people enjoying their hookah
and laughing together. At every corner, there were dance troupes performing
their specialities which was completely different from other troupes. It took
almost 3 hours for me to take one round but it was more than worth it.
I bid adieu to Shilpagram and kicked in my active towards
Sajjangarh Fort. I passed through Fatehsagar lake. I couldn’t believe India is
so beautiful yet Indian travel abroad. At the lake front, several small
eateries selling pav bhaji, khulad wali chai, pizza, burger, chole bhatore are
lined up offering at minimal cost. I ate pav bhajji and malai rabri and I realy
relished its taste.
I reached fort where I got to know I had just missed the
annual bird festival by a day (generally conducted in December month) and there
was wildlife sanctuary around it. Fort looks amazingly beautiful from the other
parts of the city and on reaching there I got to know first-hand experience of
my ancestor’s architecture.
At the corner of the entrance, one will find an open
restaurant where troupes of monkey play beside people enjoying the scenery.
Mountains running parallel to each other can be seen from here. On the other
side of the fort, I could easily see the entire city. City was beautifully
constructed without giving any impression that it was not unplanned city rather
a planned one. People are very careful about their surroundings and environment
and do not delve deep in greed.
When I entered the fort I saw a splendid 2 storey landscape
zooming the zenith of cloud. Fort was built with marble, with windows, gates
all around it and nicely carved local sculptures. Top of the fort was a round
arch with floral design at the base of it. Behind the fort, sight of tiny
mountains enthralled me and I was left mesmerised. Inside the fort, there were
several windows depicting local architecture pattern. At the time of leaving
the fort, I saw 2 young kids jumping at the gate and I felt it’s like I am
seeing a younger self in them which I could not resist to capture.
While exiting the fort, I noted the view of lake from top
which was pure and serene and nothing else. Small building of white marble at
the middle of lake surrounded by the blue water which dominated its landscape
of the building not the concrete.
I reached the Sajjangarh wildlife
sanctuary. I noted from google that this sanctuary has distinction
of hosting few birds which are not found
anywhere in Indi. I could not walk more than half a km but I got a glimpse of
what it beholds inside. I got few clicks of birds chirping around. From the sanctuary,
fort looked so small. I waited for half an hour for birds to come at still
position so I could capture them.
It was late evening and I
thought of making my way back to hostel. I passed through lake pichkola where
buildings in lake were glittering and shinning like star in sky surrounded by
blue water. It was nothing but mesmerizing for the eyes. On my way I learnt that
Karni Mata temple is nearby where white mouse are kept. I took a turn of bike
towards the temple. I saw that temple was at least 300 steps up. I parked my
bike and started scaling the ladders. On reaching there I was laughing- there
was rope tram available. I went directly inside the temple and prayed. I saw
white mouse kept there. Mouse were kept very nicely, fed always and clean
environment. It was not turn to come down again 300 steps. I looked on the lake
front and heaved a sigh of relief that it was walking down. I saw the
Sajjangarh Fort glittering like a tiny star in the air and buildings in middle
of lakes nothing but a moon in sky. Only surrounding they shared were blue
water and blue sky.
I got call from hostel to
return the bike as it was time. I hurried myself way back to hostel. I again
traversed through lake pichkola. Never mind, Udaipur is small city and Lake
Pichkola and Lake Fatehsagar are same just opposite fronts.
I reached hostel and
returned the bike with an apologies for getting late. People at hostel were
very nice who readily accepted the apologies. I headed towards the bed and I
went straight to rest. It was 7.30 in evening, I hear a tune of Rajasthan song
and dance playing out nearby. I ran to the window on the hall and I realized it
was next door. I walked down and enquired at the entry where people informed me
it’s Bagore ki Haweli. I ran towards the Haveli to buy a ticket to entrance but
to my dismay it was full not only for today but also for tomorrow. I tried a bit
but I realized that it’s not gonna work. I went back and sat near the window of
hall to enjoy it. Song was pretty beautiful and can be clearly heard but I
could not enjoy the dance. In another hour, concert was over and I was starving.
I went to terrace kitchen
and I asked for menu. From menu, I chose Paneer curry and roti and it was
really beautiful meal at low cost. I sat there, gossiped with the cook, manager
and others. I liked the simplicity and straightforwardness of people. It was 11
pm and time to sleep.
Day 2-
I was late, I got up at 11
am. I hurriedly took off to city palace. Palace has entry fees of INR 200 appx.
but parking facility is bit costly. At the entrance, I saw two small guns with
3 gates overhanging lamp is enthralling. Palace is huge and need at least 4-5
hours to enjoy it completely. Way to Mann Mandir is also through the Palace.
I entered through the gate
where a huge auspicious Torana was overhanging. I recalled in my community, at
the time of marriage, groom has to perform a ritual on similar Torana which of
course is miniature version. Beside the Torana, a huge sculpture of god Sun has
been engraved. Even the lamp overhanging the main entry to Palace was antique.
Management and security of Palace was quite extraordinary. On the right side to
entry, there is display of all arms and armouries from the time of King
Maharana Pratap to last king. Portraits on the wall depicts the war scenes
highlighting the glory of Kingdom of Mewar (ancient name). From top floor, I
could see the entire city at one go and it was nothing but amazing.
I entered one way and exited
another way to find more items on display. Items ranging from antique chair,
table, fan, artwork to arms armouries were at display. I could imagine the
glory of my ancestors.
Window panes were adorned
with the Zali of different patterns (mosaic) and could be seen all around the
palace. I could view the scenes around the fort easily and can capture them. At
one corner, one person at charge of INR 20 showing all the high places of the
city. I saw Sajjangarh fort, Mann Mandir from it quite clearly.
All the lakes, forts, city,
town and buildings can be seen and identified easily. It reminded me how the
Sentry at that time easily kept a watchful eyes on the town. One such scene
captured my eyes where a pink coloured buildings were lining the lake front and
mountains overlooking them. It was scenic beauty and nothing else. Across the
hills, one can see easily buildings there and identify them.
It was 4’o clock in the
evening I made my way out of the Palace towards the Jagdish temple. It was
serene and simple temple constructed on elevated land. Passed through the city towards bus stand and city as other day was glittering in light, red orangish sort of. With this I signed off
to Jaipur.
