I was in Udaipur, Rajasthan for the last 3 days on invitation by a friend and he took me around. On my trip to Udaipur in 2008, I had seen the popular places there including the City Palace of Udaipur, Jag Mandir, Vintage & Classic Cars Museum, Kumbhalgarh Fort & Ranakpur Jain temple. What was left of this trip to see was City Palace in the Night and Haldighati.

Before I write about Udaipur sightseeing let me share this happy moment during the trip. On day 2 of my trip during dinner in The Sunset Terrace restaurant in City Palace, we spotted the Prince of Mewar who kindly agreed to pose for a photograph for us. The Prince holds postgraduate degrees in hospitality and is involved in developing sports activities amongst students of the region – an activity I believe more celebrities should be promoting with their status. Encouraging sports amongst youngsters is the best way to keep away from violent acts & drugs.

From left-Venkatarangan, Prince Prince Mr.Lakshya Raj Singh Mewar, Gaurav Mantri

From left-Venkatarangan, Prince Mr.Lakshya Raj Singh Mewar, Gaurav Mantri


On landing in Udaipur Airport, you are hit how small and hence charming it looks compares to the monstrous airports in Indian metros. The Maharana Pratap Airport, Udaipur is about 30 km away from the city.

Baggage area in Maharana Pratap Airport

Baggage area in Maharana Pratap Airport

Water fountain (that's working) in Airport kerbside

Water fountain (that’s working) at the Airport kerbside

On the evening of day 2 of my trip, we went to see the lighting show in the night with the narration of the Mewar dynasty’s story in the City Palace gardens. This is a must-see activity for anyone visiting Udaipur. The narration by the present Maharana (custodian) starts from the establishment of the Mewar dynasty in the 8th century by Bapa Rawal under his Guru’s guidance of seeking the blessings of Lord Eklingji (Lord Shiva). Mewar rulers never coronated themselves as kings but as custodians to Lord Eklingji, a tradition that continues to this day for they claimed to be the world’s oldest-serving dynasty.

City Palace of Udaipur in night with lights

City Palace of Udaipur at night with lights

Venkatarangan in front of the City Palace of Udaipur at night

Venkatarangan in front of the City Palace of Udaipur at night

In 1303 Chittor (then) capital of Mewar is attacked and plundered by Allauddin Khilji, with Rana Hamir Singh of Mewar recapturing the capital in 1326. Rana Kumbha who ruled from 1433-1468 builds the monumental Kumbhalgarh fort & contributed generously to the construction of the famous Ranakpur Jain temple. Under attack from Sultans of Gujarat in 1535, Chittor witnesses the Jauhar (self-immolation) of 13,000 women led by the Rajmata; but the young prince Udai Singh gets saved due to heroic act by his foster mother, Panna Dai who sacrifices her own son for the life of the prince. Udai Singh becomes the Maharana and founds the city of Udaipur on the shores of Lake Pichola in 1559. Eight years later in 1567, Chittor is besieged by Akbar’s army. It signals the end of Chittor as the seat of power for the Mewar dynasty. 

On June 18, 1576, Maharana Pratap Singh fights a tough battle with the combined forces of Akbar and Rajput states and gets saved due to the sacrifice of his white horse ‘Chetak’ – which earned it a legendary role in Mewar’s history. To this day everywhere you go in Udaipur, you see a Maharana Pratap Singh statue or picture, always riding his horse Chetak. During the reign of Rana Raj Singh I (1653 – 1680) the idols of Lord Shrinathji (God Krishna) and Lord Dwarkadish were given shelter when the wealth of the temples and their disciples were under attack by Aurangzeb’s forces; later the idols found safe haven in Nathdwara and Kankaroli respectively.

The food court at the City Palace of Udaipur

The food court at the City Palace of Udaipur

Garden at the City Palace of Udaipur

Garden at the City Palace of Udaipur

After Indian independence, it was Maharana Bhupal Singh became the first princely state to merge with the Indian Union creating history. The dynasty then sets up, The Maharana Mewar Foundation focusing on social welfare through the income generated in running luxury hotels across its numerous palaces; the establishment of this trust has ensured that the name of Maharana & legacy continues to this day.


On Day 3 of my stay in the morning, we travelled to Maharana Pratap Museum near the Haldigati area, which is about 1-hour drive from Udaipur city. The privately run museum has good audio-visual displays narrating various happenings in the life of Maharana Pratap Singh, his battle in Haldigati, the heroic act of his horse ‘Chetak’ and other stories from Mewar tradition. A good place to go if you have kids, but remember the narration is only in Hindi – my friend helped me, by translating it to English.

Maharana Pratap Singh Museum

Maharana Pratap Singh Museum

Maharana Pratap Singh, his battle in Haldigati, the heroic act of his horse 'Chetak'

Maharana Pratap Singh, his battle in Haldigati, the heroic act of his horse ‘Chetak’

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The museum also had a small heritage village with displays and shops selling local handicraft products.

Venkatarangan in front of the display of a village life

Venkatarangan in front of the display of a village life

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In the shop, I bought myself a multicoloured local turban called Paag and a wooden toy set of a musician playing various instruments.

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Venkatarangan wearing a Paag turban

Musician toyset showing various instruments of mewar region

Musician toy set showing various instruments of Mewar region

The last stop was the mountain pass where Maharana Pratap Singh’s army attacked the Raja Maan Singh (representing the Mughals); called the Battle of Haldighati, named so as the soil in the place looks turmeric (called Haldi in the Hindi language) colour.

Haldighati mountain pass near Udaipur

Haldighati mountain pass near Udaipur

Notice how the soil here is turmeric (yellow) in colour

Notice how the soil here is turmeric (yellow) in colour

Rajasthani Vegetarian cuisines are a must, I thoroughly enjoyed every meal here, and read the post on the food treat.

Rajasthani vegetarian thali

Rajasthani vegetarian thali

Overall, this was a productive and fun trip.

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