Udaipur : Day 2
WHY I WOKE UP TWICE
Inspired by my parents, I woke up at the crack of dawn to get ready for the day. I befriended a squirrel. The adorable fellow just followed me along wherever I went on the terrace of the hostel. However the friendship came to a test when I ordered food. I had to look into those adorable beady little eyes and convey with regret that I don’t have anything to offer in this friendship except some company. The squirrel went nuts. I shall never forget the look of betrayal and disgust. It haunts me to this very day. Nothing is permanent, just because the friendship ended, it doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth beginning.
Having proven to the world (read: parents) that I can wake up early, I went back to sleep. The morning heat had set in. The sun went from pleasantly warm to scorching in the blink of an eye. That’s when I came up with the strategy that would prove to be really effective. I decided that on a sunny day, I’d step out in the afternoon post lunch, visit the places on my checklist that are mostly indoors like forts, palaces and museums and head out to watch the sunset once the temperature becomes bearable.
CITY PALACE and the lost ARTISTS
So I set out, towards Udaipur’s City Palace. Set on a small hill by the edge of the lake, this was the spot that convinced the Mewars to move from Chittorgarh. While it started out in a much more humble state, over 400 years, they kept adding and expanding the palace to bring it to the state it is today. As you enter through the first gate, you realize why they named it a palace and not a fort in spite of it’s towering walls. Once you get through the gates, you see the magnificent facade of the palace. Once you enter the palace, even with the signs, you will feel lost inside the corridors and pathways that were designed to confuse any intruders. Adorning the walls are several artworks that show the distinct style that the era. Unfortunately, even though these were commissioned by the royal family, these artists remain unnamed unlike their European contemporaries.
Heavenly Sunsets
After spending a good 3 hours at City Palace, I headed out towards Karni Mata Temple. Situated on a hill, it is known for the breath taking view of Lake Pichola and Old Udaipur. As I was waiting for the ropeway, and I saw the temple and the view point and knew I was in for a good time. I made a conscious choice to not face the lake as we were going up and only see it once I reach the view point. Finally, at 6 PM, I reached there, just in time for sunset finally saw Udaipur. I really don’t know how to describe it except just showing the photos to you below. The sky soon turned from blue to orange to purple and finally, once it got black, I started going down and headed back to the hostel to finish the day.
