My friends often jokingly ask me why I was lucky enough to have a long internship in Udaipur - a city in the heart of India that is as beautiful as Europe. I think it was partly due to fate. I had never imagined the breathtaking beauty of Udaipur before arriving. Later, when I read more, heard more stories about culture and history, traveled to different cities in India, and then returned to this city for the second time, I was able to feel more of the hidden beauty of Udaipur.
Udaipur city is known as “Venice of the East”.
Udaipur – Venice of the East
I think the main reason is because I stayed in this city longer than other places, so my feelings for this land are also fuller. Or deep inside, because I like the quietness, so I am easily conquered by the romantic and sophisticated atmosphere that Udaipur brings. To me, Udaipur has a lot to say, not simply mentioned because of its proud and attractive appearance as the media calls it "Europe of India" or "Venice of the East".
With the soul of an adventure lover, I think I am also conquered by the simplicity of the people, the silence of nature and the solemnity of the religion here. Another special thing that I always think about is the necessary contrast of an Udaipur in the heart of India. This city still has its own beauty, poetic and romantic, but has never lost the characteristics that can only be found in a strange country like India. I think to mention or describe a city, we can use the city's name as an adjective. That shows its own characteristics, which cannot be mixed with anywhere else.
Like the way we look at a picture and judge that it looks very Hanoi, very Saigon. And to be able to use such an adjective, I think I need a lot of time to really bare my soul, to let the rhythm of life in a new land wash over me, to throw myself into experiences, lessons in different hidden corners of the city. For me, after trips to many cities and different states in India, I can boldly say that Udaipur can completely be seen as an adjective. Udaipur is a beautiful, gentle and charming city located in the state of Rajasthan - northeast of India. Rajasthan is famous for its hot weather because it has many deserts. Udaipur is no exception, most of the area is in the desert so the climate is hot and humid.
A sunset view of Udaipur city in the middle of the river from above.
However, because of the natural favor, surrounded by many lakes and high mountains, the climate here is generally not too harsh. The complex network of lakes has made people always think of Udaipur as the city of lakes. Every weekend, or on holidays, when going out with friends, I am taken to new mountains, or get to see different lakes from the towering temples in Udaipur such as Fateh Sagar or Pichola...
I have often wondered about the peace and quiet of Udaipur when placed in a barren desert like Rajasthan, where hundreds of years ago, people had to fight for survival. But now, looking at that peaceful Udaipur, there is no more correct answer than thinking that it is truly a gift of creation.
Legend has it that this land is dry and harsh because once upon a time, a sage passed by. After meditating, he looked for some water to drink and asked the people around him. But they all refused and treated him rudely. So he cursed this land. Because this place had denied him water, it would never have enough water to drink and would have great difficulty finding it. And since then, the whole of Rajasthan became dry and turned into a desert, paying the price for his previous reckless action.
A quiet place amidst the hustle and bustle of India
Udaipur is also known as the city of palaces. The old city still retains traces of a golden age when Udaipur was the capital of the Mewar kingdom. Most of the palaces, castles in Udaipur or the old architectural works in this city are influenced by the architectural style of the Rajput warrior class in Northwest India, so they all retain their luxury and nobility.
Udaipur is the city of ancient palaces.
In ancient times, the entire Rajasthan region was under the control of Rajput warriors, the old name of Rajasthan was Rajputana, meaning the land of the Rajputs. The Rajput warrior class, along with the Brahmin priests, and the remaining royal families are the ones who hold much of the property and wealth in Udaipur, to this day. In addition, this is also the capital of historical forts, museums, galleries, architectural temples as well as the home of many traditional festivals and fairs. Along the outskirts of Udaipur are towering forts, vestiges of the Mewar kingdom as well as the Rajput warriors. When I returned home, what I always felt was that during the more than two months in Udaipur, I did not spend more time exploring the richness of this land in terms of culture, people, and history.
One of my favorite places in Udaipur is the banks of Lake Pichola, also known as Gangor ghat (Ghat means shore). From the lakeside, you can look across the river to see old hotels and palaces, traces of a land of Rajasthan that was once home to many famous kings. In addition, the lakeside is also a favorite place for Udaipur people on days without rain. At that time, the water near the lakeside will recede, leaving steps for people to sit and chat with each other and admire the lyrical scenery around.
People and tourists stroll on the shore of Lake Pichola
My guide and I spent the afternoon chatting there, recalling the scene of the stairs of knowledge in the painting of the school in Athens during the Renaissance. Once, when I was alone, I stood quietly watching the flock of birds flying across the lake, amazed that the scene at that time was no different from the footage of Europe that I had seen before in the movies.
Land of spirituality and ancient beliefs
The Jagdish Temple behind the river bank is also a place that attracts my curiosity. This is an ancient Hindu temple, the largest and most famous in Udaipur, dedicated to Vishnu, built by King MAHARANA Jagat Singh I in the 17th century. If you happen to walk along the streets or see a friend with the surname Singh, it is possible that they are descendants of the king. The temple has 3 floors and unique towers. This is a typical architectural work of the Indo-Aryan style with each pillar, each wall, and ceiling filled with elaborate carvings of elephants, horses, dancers, musicians, musical instruments, ... each animal represents a different god.
Every time I go to the temple, I usually choose to sit in a corner and watch people worship and perform rituals. I try to do nothing, just look at everything, let everything enter my eyes without reacting. I also did not imagine that after that, it would become my habit every Saturday weekend.
The ancient and sacred Jagdish Temple in Indian culture
After finishing my work, I walked from my workplace to Fatehpura Circle, waited for a tuktuk to pass by, told the central market where I was going, paid exactly 10 rupees, smiled at the people on the bus (because I knew they were curious about me) and leisurely looked around the city. At the bus station, I walked along the small, bustling slopes, then climbed the steps to the temple, where I sat from afternoon until late at night. I heard strange sounds of people, objects, singing and maybe even the voices of gods somewhere. I accepted any food that people gave me, like a piece of cake that had just been offered, or some dry coconut that had just been dropped by people, or a crushed guava.
I sat there, welcoming the stream of people passing by, seeing both the chaos in the bustling crowd and the peace in my soul coming at the same time. Sometimes I forgot the concept of time because I turned off all my phones before entering the temple. Once, I sat there until late at night, my friends had to frantically look for me and only breathed a sigh of relief when they saw me sitting safely in the corner of the temple. Hindu temples are easy to find on the streets of Udaipur, but there could also be Jain temples, another religion in India.
Udaipur people strolling at Fateh Sagar lake
That is when I am alone, but when I go out with friends, I am often invited to Fateh Sagar Lake, a more bustling and crowded place. I go here in the morning to see the palace, the mountains and rivers in the quiet or maybe in the evening to see the hustle and bustle because many people often walk and eat. Fateh Sagar is surrounded by hills and forests, it is also connected to Lake Pichola by a small canal. This is a familiar place for my group of friends in Udaipur for birthdays, meetings, or debates.
In addition to going to see the lake, on many weekends, I also often climb mountains with friends in Udaipur. The mountains in Udaipur are not too difficult for me, they are not steep and require much strength like the mountains I have climbed in Vietnam. Usually, the weekend mountain climbing is simply an opportunity to meet friends, connect with nature simply, not much of an adventure.
A popular spot for trekking is the Badi Lake, another artificial lake built to alleviate the harsh effects of drought in Rajasthan. Especially during the record drought of 1973, Badi Lake was a benefactor to thousands of people in Udaipur. Beyond Udaipur, Badi Lake is also famous throughout India for its clear, blue waters.
Enjoy dinner on top of Lake Baldi.
Another contrast in Udaipur is the contrast between tradition and modernity. Most of the temples, lakes, and palaces are located in the old city, while the developed part is located in the east of the city. I rarely go to the other side of the city, where IT parks, shopping malls, and schools and hospitals are being built every day. Most tourists usually go to the old city, which is famous for its marble markets, famous jewelry, and famous landmarks.
Interestingly, Udaipur is also known as the heaven of cows. Researchers in Udaipur also found that cows, or some other animals, are a symbol of wealth and abundance in this city. And the fact that humans and animals live together even on the streets and residential areas, sharing the use of public areas such as streets, parks, squares, and intersections is truly a unique thing in India that is hard to find anywhere else in the world. The story of cows is long, so let's meet in another epic chapter.
Udaipur has always retained its elegance precisely because of its cozy fit.
The days of wandering here made me feel that what makes Udaipur always elegant is its cozy fit. This is a city that is not as massive and crowded as other places in India. Living slowly has gradually become familiar during my days in India, and requires a lot of adaptation from me. At first, I was a bit uncomfortable, but then because I had no choice, I also learned to find joy in waiting. So leisurely and slowly, the rhythm of Udaipur has blended into my previous hustle and bustle, so that we can leisurely go together during the days there.
Poet Che Lan Vien once wrote in the poem Song of the Ship:
"Remember the misty village, remember the cloudy pass
Wherever I go, my heart does not love?
When we live, it is just a place to live.
When we leave, the land becomes our soul!
After all, “Wherever you go, your heart will love you?” Few people can imagine that the land that they only settle down in for a short time will become a big part of changing their personality, allowing their soul to explore different wonderful horizons. Indeed, living in a city, letting the things that are inherently attached to that city cleanse their personality, is always an interesting thing that I always hope to experience during my years of traveling here and there.
More information:
By plane: Visitors can fly directly to Delhi or Mumbai airport and then fly to Udaipur airport.
Train Experience: Travelers coming to Delhi or Mumbai can also book train tickets online through the IRCTC online booking website. Additionally, travel portals like Cleartrip.com; Makemytrip.com and Yatra.com now also offer online train ticket booking services.
Visa: For tourists, the popular visa type is the Double Entry e-Tourist visa. This visa allows entry into India for a maximum of 2 times. The maximum stay for each entry is 60 days with a processing time of no more than 3 days.
