15 REASONS WHY UDAIPUR IS THE MOST ROMANTIC PLACE IN INDIA

The lavish palaces and cobblestone streets of this luxurious lakeside city offer visitors a tantalizing taste of the region's glorious past.  Udaipur is like a mirage on the edge of the desert. It's the richest kingdom of Rajasthan and feels it. Within the old city walls, the streets overflow with artisans, jewellers, and craftsmen. In a country less known for its romantic getaways, Udaipur offers tranquil nights, splendid strolls, and an exotic seduction that's hard to resist.

1 EDGE OF THE DESERT –

While downtown Udaipur boasts elegant shops and riverside cafes, just five miles outside of the city you'll find untouched wilderness in the Aravalli Hills. Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary, which surrounds the Monsoon Palace overlooking Udaipur City, provides jaw-dropping views of town and a chance to see panthers, sambars, blue bulls, hyenas and a variety of birds and reptiles. Head a little further north and you can go on a safari through the Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. Head south and you can laze away along the world famous Jaisamand Lake in Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary.

2 ARCHITECTURAL MARVELS –

Not only is Udaipur home to India's second largest palace, City Palace, but it boasts the oft-photographed Lake Palace and the luxurious Fateh Prakash Palace. Scattered about the town, you can also find the dazzling Havelis of the noble elite. Because of a marble quarry nearby, much of Udaipur is built like a fairytale city; the white glistens under the desert's spitting sun, dancing from roof to roof around the sky blue lake.

3 RAJASTHANI FOOD –

Rajasthan is a land of sweets and spices - and you may need the sweet to cool off your mouth after the spice. Sweets are never called desserts in Rajasthan because they're had before, after and during the meal. The streets of Udaipur are full of small sweet shops selling fudge-like treats. The spice content of Rajasthani meals is even hotter than that of other Indian regions. Luckily, it's slightly cooled down by the cooking method. Most dishes are cooked with milk, buttermilk, and butter. Even better than the food is the setting in which you eat it. The skyline of Udaipur is capped with numerous rooftop restaurants offering stunning views of the lakeside city below.

4 LAKEFRONT SETTING –

It is known as the Venice of the East, which encircles the blue waters of Lake Pichola. The lake reflects the delicate marble architecture of the buildings above, which themselves sits below one of the world's oldest mountain ranges, the Aravelli Hills. Within the lake are two palace-covered islands, Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir. Lake Pichola, which is thrillingly out of place in this desert landscape, was artificially created in 1362. It's now one of several contiguous lakes developed over the past few centuries in and around Udaipur, each of which make lovely backdrops for a sunset stroll.

5 YOGA –

Going to India and not doing yoga is like going to Italy and not trying the pasta. Whether you're a novice or a master, start each day off right with some of the best Yoga instructors in India. A great studio is never far away and you'll find classes from sun up to sun down. From the roof of a palace, to the edge of the lake, there's no better place on Earth to stretch, relax, and salute the sun!

6 HISTORIES –

Formerly known as Mewar, Udaipur was founded in 1559 when Maharaja Udai Singh I took flight from the final sacking of the fort at Chittor by the notorious Mughal emperor Akbar. As Udai Singh and his followers resisted Muslim might, the city grew a reputation for patriotism and independence. The city has a proud heritage and boasts the longest lineage of any modern ruler. A walk through the streets of Udaipur reveals countless of ways to explore the legendary history.

7 ART –

The Maru-Gurjar painting style of Rajasthan began in the 5th century and, under royal patronage, various forms developed. Arts in Rajasthan reached their pinnacle between the 15th and 17th centuries. The major style practiced in Udaipur today is miniature painting, which captures in small scale much of what makes the place so harsh and enchanting. If you want to have a mural painted on your fingernails or your name on a piece of rice, there is, perhaps, nowhere better on earth than Udaipur. Traditionally, miniature artists use paint that's made naturally, mixed from minerals and vegetables found in the area - ochre for red, coal for black, aventurine for green. The style of paintings found in Rajasthan, miniature or otherwise, are typical of what many Westerners imagine when they think of Indian art.

8 THEATRES –

Drawing upon the rich culture of Rajasthani art, music, and dance, performance is a big part of the culture in Rajasthan. Today, actors and dancers no longer perform for royal audiences, but share their talents for all to see. Many like the Bopa and Kalbellya Gypsies were born into the craft and carry on a longstanding family tradition of dancing with fire, handling marionettes, and twirling around while balancing an unthinkable amount of bowls on their heads.

9 MUSIC –

Rajasthani folk music is some of the most haunting, romantic, and heart-wrenching music on the planet. It's believed that gypsy music has its origins in Rajasthan, India. While little is known about the culture that generated the Gypsies, linguists and historians believe that the Gypsies were originally from North Central India and began their great migration around 300 BC. It's said that the Gypsies entered south Eastern Europe in the end of the 13th century. Because they were assumed to be from Egypt, Europeans began calling them Gyptians and then simply Gypsies. The Gypsy tradition is very much alive and well in Rajasthan and it's not uncommon for a musician to sit down next to you on the street and begin playing the Sarangi.

10 THE WEATHER –

Udaipur is blessed with a moderate weather; it is never too hot, rainy, humid or cold in the city of lakes. The Monsoons of Udaipur serve as an ideal weather for romancing with your loved one; you can watch the monsoon clouds together and adore the monsoon beauty of the city. Talking about winters, winters are considered as the on-season for tourists in Udaipur. Udaipur experiences most number of tourist visitors in the winter season; whereas summers are considered as an off-season and cheap for tourists.

11 PALACES –

Everyone adores the royal touch; you can have your own Mewar royal touch by visiting the grand palaces built by the late rulers of the city. Palaces in Udaipur include City Palace, Monsoon Palace, Fateh Prakash Palace and Lake Palace. City Palace and Monsoon Palace (Sajjangarh) are transformed into a public tourist location whereas Lake Palace and Fateh Prakash Palace are converted into 5-star hotels by the present Mewar Custodian.

12 A SHOPPING DESTINATION –

If your partner and you enjoy shopping, this city has a lot to offer. Variety of things to buy in Udaipur are available, you can shop either the famous handicrafts or your favourite brands from various stores. The handicrafts shopping can be executed near the City Palace in several parts of old city, whereas other branded products can be bought from malls in Udaipur including Celebration Mall, Lakecity Mall etc.

13 SUNSETS –

Watch the sun immersing in the lakes along with your partner, they say Rajasthan’s sunsets are extremely enchanting, experience it yourself. Suggested locations to enjoy sunsets: Moti Magri (The Pearl Hill), Monsoon Palace (Sajjangarh), Rani Road, City Palace, Fateh Sagar Lake, Lakeside restaurants, Ambrai Ghat, Gangaur Ghat, Pratap Park, Rajiv Gandhi Park, Badi Lake, Peepliya Ji, Chandani Village, etc.

14 OLD CITY –

To understand the intricacies of culture, heritage and architecture of Udaipur, one must take a walk on the famous Palace Road which displays handmade fine art paintings, mojdis, handmade leather goods, beautiful pieces of silver and stone jewellery, interesting traditional Rajasthani clothes, bed sheets, upholstery, etc. alongside old havelis and many historic temples.

15 SHILPGRAM –

The village depicts lifestyle, traditions, customs and folk arts of the rural and tribal people of Rajasthan. Several huts are constructed in the traditional architectural style using mud and local building material. The rural artisans and folk artists reside here. A must visit time is from  December 23rd to   January 1st  for the yearly Shilpgram Utsav which attracts more than a lakh visitors every year to its rural market fair and festival of live performances by folk artists from different parts of the country.