Mahindra Homestays » Udaipur

The romantic Lake Palace, Udaipur

Mahindra Homestays — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:00:14 +0000

Visitors might remember the romantic Lake Place set amidst the calm waters of Lake Pichola in Udaipur from the classic Bond movie, Octopussy. Now a luxury hotel it is a must see on every visitors itinerary.

Lake Palace, Udaipur
The famous Lake Palace of Udaipur, now a luxury hotel, resonates with the royal grandeur and magnificence that Rajasthan stands for. If visiting Udaipur, the Lake Palace is a must on the itinerary.

The Jag Niwas, as the palace was named, was once the architectural muse for the Maharani of Udaipur, served as the summer palace to the Mewar dynasty. The Maharana of Jaipur, along with his devoted affection for Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan also let the friendship reap an inspiration for this palace, from the incomparable architectural prowess buildings in Agra.

About the Palace
The Lake Palace has a series of courtyards that are aligned with numerous columns, terraces, beautiful fountains and well laid gardens.

The east facing palace was made in such a manner that the inhabitants could pray to the Sun God early in the morning. With its vantage position in the middle of the lake, it also served as a cool haven in the summers. Till date, the palace exhibits a grand impression with its exquisite patterns, sculptures, large columns and ornamental roof.

The inaccessibility with the vast Lake Pichola spread about it, adds to the charm of the structure.

Even though Udaipur is known as the City of Lakes, with five prominent lakes in the city, the Lake Palace has made the Pichola Lake the most famous destination. The other lakes to see are Fateh Sagar Lake, Rangsagar Lake, Swaroopsagar Lake and Dudh Talai Lake.

In the beginning of the 19th century, the weathered condition of the Lake Palace and the ardous upkeep began to show. This was true not only for this structure but the other lake based buildings too. This is when the palace went under a restoration process to bring back its former glory.

Lake Palace is now a luxury hotel, part of the Taj Hotels chain, consisting of 83 rooms and suites.

Sightseeing
Non-guests are able to sometimes experience the magic of the palace during the quieter season when the hotel sometimes accepts outside reservations for lunch and dinner. The best way to get close to appreciate it’s glory is with a boat ride on Lake Pichola, a fantastic experience in itself. Boat rides depart hourly from Rameshwar Chat in the City Palace Gardens (adult/child Rs.200/100 or 30 minutues or Rs.300/150 for 1 hour). Please note prices are given as a guide only and are liable to change.

How to get there
Udaipur is well connected from the capital city of Delhi by train and flights. The airport is situated about 20 kms outside the city. The city lies on the Golden Quadrilateral National Highway and is well connected by road too. Once you are at the edge of the Lake Pichola, to take a boat to reach Lake Palace in Udaipur.

Best Time to Go
Though any season is made comfortable for a visitor, if you are planning to head out to other tourist destinations of Udaipur, the period of October to February is the best. It is worth coinciding your visit with the Shilpgram Festival which takes place in December, organised to promote art and craft of Rajasthan.

Don’t Miss
Other enticing sites to visit are Jag Mandir, Kumbalgarh Sanctuary, Bagore Ki Haveli, Shilpgram Museum, Ahar Museum, City Palace and Saheliyon Ki Bari.

Where to Stay
The premium price of actually staying at the Lake Palace may be beyond the reach of most travellers but the beauty of the lake and it’s surrounds can be enjoyed by all. Balunda House in Udaipur has four spacious suites, a lush lawn and two common areas for guests to enjoy and can help arrange sightseeing around the city.

Udaipur Voted World’s Best City 2009

Mahindra Homestays — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:57:19 +0000

Congratulations Udaipur, voted by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine as the world’s best city for travellers.

We love the Rajasthan jewel too, and recently we published our 9 Things To Do And See In Historical Udaipur picking out the very best of the ‘City of Lakes’ for visitors to enjoy.

Currently we have three unique homestays in Udaipur, all with knowledgeable and friendly hosts ready to welcome you to the city and ensure you get the most out of it.

This video of a homestay in Udaipur will give you an idea of what awaits you.

The news that travellers like Udaipur best has caused a lot of coverage online, such as this feature in the well-regarded Huffington Post.

So, are you tempted to see what all the fuss is about for yourself? Go to our main site and find out more about Mahindra Homestays and book your Udaipur homestay in minutes.

Video – Homestay in Udaipur

Mahindra Homestays — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 03:08:33 +0000

Preview: Latest India Homestays

Mahindra Homestays — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:42:13 +0000

We’ve added a fresh batch of delightful Homestays to the Mahindra Homestays site, with full details and a handful of photos of each one. Here’s a brief overview of them all. Click the individual links to find out more about the ones that interest you most.

New Connoor Homestays
Eden Garden

Antique lovers Jose and Sindhuso named their property ‘Eden Garden’ because they felt it is nothing short of paradise on earth. A short drive from Coonoor, the beautiful hill station in Tamil Nadu. You are surrounded by lush foliage and your neighbours include bison, boars, monkeys and several exotic species of birds. Three double bedrooms.

Bougainvillaea

True to its name, ‘Bougainvillaea’ is surrounded by a riot of colour, sparking and strewn on carpets of emerald green around the house. Majestic views of the Western Ghats. Bonfire night and dinner on the lawns. Holistic spa close by.

Ekanth

Heritage bungalow, surrounded by two acres of lush foliage, flowering plants, and a variety of trees, birds and butterflies. Laze on the open air balcony and watch the remarkable sunsets. Learn new recipes and cooking techniques with Gajender and his charming wife, Vimla.

New Ooty Homestays
Aarani Cottage

Hosts Ravi and Bobby hail from the ancient and proud Badaga race have a fascinating knowledge of the Badaga culture, cuisine and traditions. The Homestay’s accommodation has a separate entrance and occupies the first floor of Aarani. Five minutes from the main Ooty town. Own lounge, dining area and kitchen, plus verandah.

New Delhi Homestays
Haree Shankar

A peaceful haven from the hustle and bustle. Impeccably maintained home, with four luxurious guest bedrooms. Hosts Mr & Mrs Singh go out of their way to organise meditation, yoga, cooking and pickle-making sessions, as well as Kerala massages, astrological readings and tarot sessions.

Jain Niwas

A welcoming two-storey home in the heart of South Delhi, the dynamic and affluent area of the capital. Minutes away from famous tourist attractions like Qutab Minar, Ahmisa Sthal and Lodhi Gardens. Three guest bedrooms, with housekeeping services, and every morning freshly prepared vegetarian delicacies are served on the spacious terrace.

Darshan

A sun-lit home full of period furniture, some of which used to be owned by Majors of the East India Company. Has a garden and a well-stocked library. Air conditioned rooms. Sumptuous cooking. Pick up and drop from airport and train station available.

New Jaipur Homestays
Malhotra’s Villa

One of the few homestays in Jaipur that provides apartments. The two apartments are identical in architecture and ideal for small families as well as couples travelling together. Terrace and garden for common use. Away from hectic main city.

Naindivi

Central location close to Jaipur’s tourist spots and also pubs, discos and malls. Five guest rooms spread over two floors, a large terrace which offers a 360 degree view of the city and three spacious common rooms. Immaculately managed Homestay.

New Udaipur Homestays
Balunda House

Narendra Singh and his wife Pavnesh manage Balunda House, where a modern lifestyle comes together with a spirit of warm hospitality. Mr. Singh is a virtual encyclopaedia on Udaipur. Beauticians and henna artists can be called to the home. Four spacious suites, a lush lawn and two common areas.

New Coorg Homestays
Honeypot

Modern facilities and comfort in the middle of a coffee plantation. There are three cottages for the guests, each with a small balcony attached. Every cottage has a spacious bedroom on ground floor with an attached bathroom.

B B Estate

Found 6 kms away from the beautiful town of Madikeri, B B Estate offers scenic view of misty clouds spread over the plantations. Two suites with attached bathrooms and a dining area for the guests. For big group visitors who enjoy privacy there is also an option of staying in a nearby ancestral 3 bedroom house.

Nakoor Volkot

Set amidst beautiful coffee, pepper and orange plantations, this secluded independent Homestay has views of a small pond and scenic greenery. Two bedrooms with attached bathrooms. Satellite television. Cuisine offered includes local, European, North and South Indian.

Elephant Corridor

Ever heard of a house even elephants like visiting? You might just see one drinking water from the garden pool of the house as you laze on the hammock next to your room. Three spacious rooms. Treks the hills, walk the estate and enjoy an evening bonfire after a delicious dinner.

Book your India accommodation through the Mahindra Homestays main site.

9 Things To Do And See In Historical Udaipur

Mahindra Homestays — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:06:00 +0000

Main photo credit: Creative Commons

For centuries, Udaipur has been the seat of Indian royalty.

Here we bring you nine ways to enjoy the regal city at its red carpet best.

1. Re-live history

Udaipur’s City Palace is arguably one of the most majestic palaces in India. Here, one after the other, you come across splendid quarters bedecked with exquisite architecture and mirror-work. The Surya Chopar, Rajya Angan, Manak Mahal, Moti Mahal (pearl palace), Chini Mahal (ceramic palace) are just a few of its treasures. The unending palace towers above beautiful Lake Pichola, which can be seen from its countless balconies and jharokhas. With breathtaking views of the lake and marvellous architecture, the palace is not just a popular tourist destination, but also a coveted location for private events hosted by the world’s who’s who.

2. Sleep to the sound of water

The city’s famous Lake Palace sits proudly on the Jag Niwas Island in the middle of Lake Pichola. Originally, the palace served as a summer retreat for the royal family, but now it stands as one of India’s most celebrated hotels. Its incredible location, ambiance and enviable reputation draw people from all over the world. A lovely boat-ride on Lake Pichola is the only way to reach the palace. But boats that take you to Jag Mandir and around the lake are also available every hour.

3. Chase a golden lining

Five kilometres from Udaipur is the Monsoon Palace. The palace is set at a height of 340m and provides an exceptional view of the city. But it’s most popular offering is nature’s very own light show. From the palace, you can see the sun as it sets over the city, turning the blue sky into magical shades of orange, pink and gold. On a cloudy day a brilliant golden outline peaks from the dark clouds, a sight that is known for bringing out romance.

4. Follow your faith

Some of Rajasthan’s most beautiful temples can be found just a short drive from Udaipur. Ranakpur, Nathdwara and Eklingji are all revered amongst locals but are rapidly gaining popularity outside Rajasthan as well. The Ranakpur temple is a peaceful house of worship and a beautiful example of traditional Jain architecture. Here, guests can also enjoy a communal lunch, where an array of rich vegetarian dishes is served for just 20 rupees! On the way back to Udaipur is the usually-packed Krishna temple, Nathdwara and Eklingji, a composition of 108 temples.

5. Find a hill station in the desert

Mount Abu is Rajasthan’s only hill station. It is popular amongst families and young couples looking for a quiet getaway or escaping from Rajasthan’s scorching sun. Here, people usually spend their time boating on Nakki lake or visiting Dilwara temple. Abu’s popularity has been heightened by the fact that a smooth highway has recently connected it directly with Udaipur. Now, even day tours to the hill station from Udaipur are easily available.

6. Fall in love with vintage cars

Within the Garden Hotel, you can enjoy a traditional lunch followed by a stroll through the classic cars museum. Here you can admire and pose with vintage cars that once belonged to the Maharajahs of Udaipur but were later donated by His Royal Highness to the museum for public viewing. The collection is frequently updated and some cars are still used in escorting exclusive guests of the royal family.

7. Hunt for a bargain

It’s hard not to fall for the vibrant handicrafts produced and sold in Udaipur. While they are sold all over the city, their quality and price varies from one place to another. Hathipole is one of the places recommended for bargain-hunters. But if one is looking for a lot of variety and superior quality, not to mention steeper prices, the city center should suffice.

8. Experience cultural shock and awe

Enigmatic cultural shows and quirky puppet-performers: that’s entertainment, the Rajasthani way. On a cool evening, puppets amuse you with magic shows and folklore. They’re followed by dancers from the hinterland, who will introduce you to joyful local dances and then astonish you by dancing on broken glass – all the while balancing up to nine pots on their heads.

9. Visit a village

Shilpgram (Craftsman’s Village) is a functional complex depicting India’s diversity through arts and crafts. The 70-acre village is set amongst the foothills of the Aravalis. Here, visitors can shop for traditionally produced goods and also learn about an average Indian villager’s life. In winters, a vivacious crafts’ festival fills the village with joy and gaiety.

Practical Information
Mahindra Homestays offers a range of beautiful Udaipur Homestays.

Highways, punctual trains and domestic airlines connect Udaipur with all major cities in India.

It is advised to cover your head before entering temples.

If possible, leave you mobile phones and bags in your cab. Because they are not allowed inside some places.

Visiting Udaipur between late March and July is extremely ill-advised as the summers are harsh and unforgiving.

A boat ride of Lake Pichola costs Rs. 300 for adults and Rs. 150 for children. The boats operates from 9 am to 5 pm (Timings subject to change).

Some of the important distances are:
Agra – 630 km
Ahmedabad – 262 km
Jaipur – 406 km
Jodhpur – 275 km
Mount Abu – 185 km

Chittorgarh Fort is approximately 90 minutes by car from Udaipur. And en-route to Ajmer.

Shilgram is 3 kms from Udaipur.

Eklingji is 22 kms from Udaipur.

Liked this Things To Do India article? We’ve got lots more – see our updated list.