Thursday, 24 April 2014

U for Udaipur

Have you ever dreamed of getting into a rickshaw with James Bond and drive like a maniac through narrow lanes and market places while a bunch of bad guys is chasing you (in another rickshaw) and exited crowds of people are cheering you on (or cursing you)??

007museum.com
Yes? No? If yes, you are a very adventurous person, and today's destination might be your dream come true. If no, then please still come with us for the ride, because I guarantee you - this place has a lot to offer.

You see, last year we went to the Indian state of Rajasthan. We visited Jaipur but then we chose to travel east - to Taj Mahal. No regrets - it was an amazing trip, but aaahhh - it left me with this a-yet-to-visit-dream-destination... Because I had wanted to visit that City of Lakes, Venice of the East in Rajasthan - the city of Udaipur...

Udaipur is known for the many lakes, like Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake, Udai Sagar and Swaroop Sagar. It used to be the historical capital of the kingdom of Mewar. And in addition to its history, culture, and scenic locations, it is also known for its Rajput-era palaces. The Lake Palace, for example, covers an entire island in the Pichola Lake. Many of the palaces have been turned in to luxury hotels.


Lake Palace

So, let us bring back mister James Bond to our story. You see, most of the film Octopussy (from 1983) was shot right here in Udaipur. If you go to Udaipur and want to walk in mister Bond's footsteps, you can for example visit the Monsson Palace (Kamal Khan's house in the film), Lake Palace and Jag Mandir Palace (both as the home of Octopussy herself ) and Shiv Niwas Palace (Bond's hotel).



Aha. Are you still thinking about that rickshaw drive with James Bond? I know you do.. Well, here is your chance, dear reader. Enjooooy!


Did you have a good time? Well, I hope so, and that - whether you enjoyed the rickshaw - drive or not, you found Udaipur as fascinating as I have. And I am dreaming about going there one day, to indulge in history, palaces, culture and those shimmering silver lakes at sunset....

You can check out Rajasthantourism for more info.

So, just as we managed to leave Table Mountain behind yesterday, we will have to bid farewell to Udaipur also, whether we like it or not. But do not despair, dear reader, I promise I will take you somewhere exciting tomorrow when we fly off to V....

1-30 April I participate in the A to Z blogger challenge, and this post is written as a part of that challenge. Check out some amazing participating blogs here. My theme for the challenge is Dream Destinations. I hope you had fun coming along? Please stay tuned for a new destination tomorrow. 

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74 comments:

  1. Jyotsna Bhatia24 April 2014 at 00:30

    Ah yes.. I have been to Udaipur once.. And loved my experience there.. Lakes are awesome.. though sadly I couldnt visit the palace due to some reason..

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 20:26

      Thanks for sharing Jyotsna:-) Happy to see you here

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  2. Jayanta24 April 2014 at 01:28

    This is in my list for this year...Thanks for sharing these beautiful details about Udaipur. And before the visit, I would refresh my memory on Octopussy :-). Thanks again.

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 20:33

      Thank you so much Jayanta:-) That's great - always happy to see you here:-)

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  3. Anonymous24 April 2014 at 01:56

    Superb good time, Eli. WoW! You've been on a travel spree..my bad, never been to Udaipur and now, it's certainly on my mind. Awesome pictures:)

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 22:02

      Thanks a lot Vishal! Always a pleasure to have you here:-)

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  4. Nabanita24 April 2014 at 02:12

    It is truly a beautiful royal city no?
    U for Uncanny-Random Thoughts Naba

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 22:03

      It really is:-) Happy you are following Nabanita:-)

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  5. magiceye24 April 2014 at 07:06

    Udaipur does have a wonderful vibe!

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 22:03

      Yes, it really has:-) Happy to see you here:-)

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  6. Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder24 April 2014 at 09:04

    Dearest Eli,
    Lovely post and very clever find for the 'U'.
    O sure we too enjoyed the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort but I would have loved to travel to these destinations, mentioned here in your post!
    Hugs,
    Mariette
    PS we were consulting and only during weekends or at the very end we got to do some limited sight seeing; not being a full-time tourist!

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 22:04

      Thank you so much dear Mariette:-) Always so happy to see your kind words here, and thanks for sharing. Big hugs your way

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  7. Afshan Shaik24 April 2014 at 10:38

    Wow ! U Know so much about India. Udaipur has always been in my To visit list
    Wish I go some day. The royalty is exuded by every corner of this city :) Mewar's kings and queens come dancing infront of my eyes
    Brilliant write up Eli

    Loving ur theme

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 22:08

      Aaawww- your kind words make me so happy:-) Thank you so much Afshan:-) Hugs your way

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  8. Shailaja V24 April 2014 at 10:59

    I keep telling myself that there are so many beautiful places in India that I haven't visited yet and today's post is a reminder of that :) Isn't it amazing, the palaces, I mean? I can watch them all day long :)

    ~Shailaja's latest A~Z post
    ~Shailaja's Guest post

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 22:09

      They so are, Shailaja! Amazing ! Thanks dear for your kind words:-)

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  9. Dr Paritosh Trivedi24 April 2014 at 11:41

    I have just visited Udaipur in March 2014. You must also visit to Shilpgram to have a close look at Rajasthani life style.

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 22:10

      Great! Thank you so much for the tip:-) Happy to see you here Paritosh:-)

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  10. Unknown24 April 2014 at 12:23

    Oh it looks beautiful and I'd so love to get in a rickshaw with James Bond, but could it be Daniel and not Roger, pretty please.;)
    Maggie@expatbrazil

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 22:11

      Ha ha ha - sure Maggie:-) Great having you here dear:-)

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  11. Suzy24 April 2014 at 12:25

    A trip through Rajasthan is one of my dreams. Imagine I lived in India for 28 years and never did this trip. Thanks for bringing Udaipur to us today. Now I'm homesick for India.

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 22:19

      Thanks. I hope your dream comes true Suzy:-) Maybe I'll see you in Udaipur:-) Hugs

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  12. Seema Chauhan24 April 2014 at 12:27

    U for Udaipur sounds funny. Everybody should visit at least once in while as it is beautiful place to visit in north India.

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 22:20

      Thanks Seema , I so agree:-) Happy to see you here:-)

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  13. Unknown24 April 2014 at 12:45

    I have not been to Udaipur, and want to go desperately. I only have seen stunning photographs of the palace! (http://www.reflectionsenroute.com)

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 22:21

      I hope you get to go Corinne:-) Thanks for following:-)

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  14. Prasanna Rao24 April 2014 at 13:40

    What I love about Rajasthan is the blend of vibrant colors that you get to see everywhere. Such beautiful photos. Udaipur is definitely on my list and since it is within India, maybe I will visit it one day :) Please say that you are taking us to Venice tomorrow. Pretty Please :)

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 22:27

      So true Prasanna. hope you get to go:-) Ha ha ha - did you see my V ..? For Venice of course:-)

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  15. Sunila24 April 2014 at 14:52

    wow Eli, another one on my Dream-list. Udaipur, Boondi, Mewar - the entire Rajasthan itself, so full of history. I want to travel the entire state one winter. These historic places give me goosbumps

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 22:36

      Great Sunila - we share that dream:-) Maybe we'll catch up in Rajasthan somewhere?:-) My kind of places too:-) Big hugs to you dear

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  16. Shail24 April 2014 at 14:53

    It is a a beautiful city and in my travel list. Loved reading your post :)

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 22:43

      Thank you so much for visiting and for your kind words:-)

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  17. Preethi Venugopala24 April 2014 at 15:06

    You made Udaipur a must see destination for me... Wonderful post.
    Hope u too make this trip soon.

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 22:50

      Thank you so much Preethi:-) So happy you liked it:-)

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  18. Vinodini24 April 2014 at 15:17

    I loved the auto rickshaw ride with Bond...what a fantasy Eli?! I've been to Udaipur a couple of times and what I loved the most about the place is the amazing antique silver jewellery you get there..have some amazing stuff I picked up there.

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 22:51

      Ha ha - happy you loved it, fun eh? Thanks for sharing - and for giving me another reason to go to Udaipur:-)

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  19. sulekkha24 April 2014 at 15:46

    I was in Jaipur this New Years Day and had a great time. Udaipur is next, thanks for the lovely introduction to this place.

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 22:53

      Great, I loved Jaipur also. Thanks, so happy you liked it dear Sulekkha:-)

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  20. Mina Menon24 April 2014 at 16:25

    Rajasthan is been in my wish lst for sometime now Eli.....

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  21. Unknown24 April 2014 at 17:18

    I love Udaipur. I was married to a man from the city, so I spent years there off and on. I miss it. I don't miss him.
    Visiting from A to Z. http://iamclothedwithjoy.com/2014/04/24/unwanted/

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 22:56

      Oh Rebecca - happy you loved the city, maybe not the man:-) Hugs to you

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  22. Anonymous24 April 2014 at 17:43

    I was in Rajasthan for quite a few years, but didn't get a chance to visit Udaipur ....and just like you it's on my wish list of dream places.... that excerpt from James Bond was interesting though

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 22:59

      Oh, hope you get to visit too:- ) Always happy to see you here:-)

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  23. Anonymous24 April 2014 at 17:46

    Very beautiful palaces! I'm stuck with dreaming of travel so thanks for the journey.

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 23:00

      Yes, so beautiful:-) Thanks for visiting - happy to see you here:-)

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  24. Unknown24 April 2014 at 18:20

    I have been here and it is a splendid place!!

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 23:06

      Oh great Sri - wanna go even more now:-)

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  25. Rajlakshmi24 April 2014 at 18:31

    ohh the pictures are stunning!! this is the second post I read on Udaipur today... and I really regret not visiting it.

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 23:07

      Thank you so much:-) Happy to see you here as always:-)

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  26. Shilpa Garg24 April 2014 at 18:46

    Udaipur is simply magnificent and beautiful. Love its grand palaces and hotels and food is awesome too!! :)

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  27. Unknown24 April 2014 at 19:49

    Loved the pictures and enjoyed the wild ride on the video immensely!

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 23:09

      Ha ha - happy you enjoyed the wild ride, Kathy:-) Thank you so much:-)

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  28. Unknown24 April 2014 at 21:54

    Great post - I love the link with James Bond. I'm thinking we could almost do a RTW trip following Bond's footsteps from movie to movie - they've been set in countries all over the place :)

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 23:10

      Yes, Calli - probably right:-) Happy you loved it - thank you so much:-)

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  29. Anonymous24 April 2014 at 22:22

    Udaipur is such a beautiful city! But, the Bond movie Octopussy was pretty terrible! :P

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 23:12

      Ha ha ha - great:P Thanks for visiting dear:-)

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  30. Obsessivemom24 April 2014 at 23:03

    Udaipur is so on my wishlist. I loved those pictures. It looks beautiful.

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 23:15

      So, we share that dream, Tulika:-) Thank you for you always so kind words:-)

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  31. Kari Neumeyer25 April 2014 at 00:32

    Lovely photos! I was in India in 2008, but didn't make it to Udaipur.

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 23:16

      Thank you so much:-) Happy to see you here:-)

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  32. Unknown25 April 2014 at 03:53

    Very nicely done. I've been waiting my chance to go to Udaipur forever, and now we have moved to UK! :-( Even tougher now! But someday..... yes.

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 23:19

      Thank you so much and thanks for sharing - I am sure: Some day!!

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  33. Donna Amis Davis25 April 2014 at 08:00

    You are right, those palaces on the lakes are just stunning. Udaipur is very beautiful. I hope to see it someday, too.

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 23:20

      Thank you Donna, hope you will too-) Happy you are visiting:-)

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  34. Beloo Mehra25 April 2014 at 09:47

    Beautiful city indeed. I was there about 24 years ago, time to go back there now :) One of my favourite old hindi songs was shot in Udaipur too....

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moLtGICevDY&feature=kp

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 23:28

      Thanks for sharing Beloo - that sounds great:-) Always happy to see your kind words here dear:-)

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  35. Shesha Chaturvedi25 April 2014 at 13:33

    This is amazing... I also updated on Udaipur yesterday and my update was more about sharing photographs of the place and sharing a general itinerary... You post is more beautiful I must say :)

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    1. Unknown25 April 2014 at 23:29

      Awe, Shesha, that is great:-) Thanks for visiting -. will pop over to see your Udaipur now:-) Happy you stopped by:-)

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  36. Anonymous26 April 2014 at 05:47

    Nice post! Haven't seen that 007 before. That video you shared was hilarious!

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  37. Unknown26 April 2014 at 17:17

    After reading this blog i think i must visit udaipur. U have captured great photos and video also. Great work keep it up.

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  38. Debbie D. 26 April 2014 at 19:58

    I remember that movie well! LOL Would love to visit Udaipur and also the Taj Mahal some day. Thanks for the excellent tour.

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  39. Anonymous1 May 2014 at 04:43

    Thanks for the ride, Eli. Although I've been to Udaipur I wasn't able to visit the Lake Palace. i'd love to go back someday.

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