Enjoy The Capital Of Rajput Kingdom – Best Things To Do In Udaipur!

Hey folks, I am Indrajit Gahlot. I am a student, pursuing environmental engineering. I have always loved travelling and often find myself deeply engrossed in my travel  trips. The most recent one I had been to, was very interesting and exciting.

The city of Udaipur, it was. The small city is much admired for its beautiful palaces and the historic significance of it. And the fact that it was the Rajput capital of Mewaar, makes it all the more tempting.In this blog post, I aim to bring forth a few interesting things to do in Udaipur.

Book Your Tickets And Find Some Exciting Things To Do In Udaipur

Aravalli Mountain Ranges | Image Resource : trekearth.com

The Aravalli Mountain Ranges, surrounding the city of Udaipur,  make trekking a wonderful experience for the tourists. From novice to the expert level, every trekking experience is offered and the villages and the scenic sights along the trek will make an everlasting impression of the place.

Trekking Experience at Udaipur | Image Resource : shouryagarh.com

The Mansapurna Karni Mata Ropeway, is a cable car service  and the altitude at which it moves is an enthralling experience. It connects the Mansaurna Devi Temple, from Pichiola lake to Gulabh Bagh. It induces the necessary adrenaline rush to make the  short trip even more eventful!

Enthralling Experience at Mansapurna Karni Mata Ropeway Udaipur | Image Resource : flickr.com

The Booking For Most Interesting Things In Udaipur Can Be Done Online

The next in line is the Shilpgram in Udaipur. It is a rural arts and craft complex, aimed at selling and promoting indigenously and traditionally made objects. The place deserves a must visit status as it showcases the capability of the  local craftsmen.

Attractions at Shilpagram | Image Resource : rajasthantourismbuzz.wordpress.com

When talking about things to do in Udaipur, the food here deserves a special mention. The food delicacies have  been transferred through generations, by the Maharajas of Rajasthan. A few dishes that invoke unmatched interest include, Ker Sangri, Gatte Ki Sabzi, Papad Ki Sabzi, Kadhi, and Dil Jaani.

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Last but not the least the Udaipur Palaces are world renowned, especially, for their exquisite architecture. The Monsoon Palace, along the Fateh Sagar Lake is an excellent example and must be visited at least once. So, enough procrastinating, enjoy your vacation guys. Cheers!

Fateh Sagar Lake Palace Udaipur | Image Resource : rajasthantourismbuzz.wordpress.com

Monsoon Palace Udaipur |Image Resource : orangetrips.com

Pashan Lake Pune – A Large Manmade Lake for Bird Watchers

From the ISKCON temple NVCC, we headed towards our final destination which was the Pashan Lake. We were a bit sad that our trip had come to an end but felt happy that we would finally be heading towards our respective homes.

Pashan Lake Pune | Image Resource : panoramio.com

It is the name of a beautifully crafted manmade lake located on the outskirts of Pashan which is at a distance of around 12 km from the center of Pune. It came into existence in 1990 with an aim of taking care of the water requirements of the people living in this part of the world.

The lake derives water from Ram Nadi which is a small rivulet controlled by means of a barrage located on the northern side of the lake.

It is spread over a total area of 40 sq. km and accounts for the water requirements of the Pashan village as well as the Governor’s residence. One of the locals told us that the developments near the lake in recent years have resulted in degradation in the quality of water due to which it has become unsuitable for drinking.

Beautiful View of Pashan Lake Pune | Image Resource : mid-day.com

In fact, it was in 1998 that the Pune Municipal Corporation had prohibited the locals from drinking water from this lake. One of the key features of the lake is that it attracts a wide range of migratory birds and is often frequented by bird watchers from different parts of the country.

There is a 300 m long footpath beside the lake called the Natural Trail. In order to protect the lake from the influence of humans and keep it secured for migratory birds, the Pune Municipal Corporation has established a plantation made of bamboo.

The deforestation of the hills has resulted in deposition of heavy silt which in turn has reduced the lake’s depth to a great extent. We felt a bit sad at the present state of the lake. A large portion of the water was covered with ipomea weed which is famous for prohibiting plant growth.

We could also spot many people washing their trucks thereby adding dirt, petrol and oil to the sewage. According to reports, the water, if cleaned properly, can be used for feeding 40,000 people without any major expenses.

ISKCON NVCC Temple Pune Is Ideal For Those Who Are Seek Peace

From the Rajiv Gandhi Park, we headed towards our next destination which was the ISKCON NVCC Temple Pune. Being a resident of Uttar Pradesh, I have always been associated with holy places since my birth. I have travelled to various ISKCON temples located across the country and seriously mesmerized by the calmness they bring. The community of ISKCON is made up of 400 temples along with more than 100 vegetarian restaurants.

ISKCON NVCC Temple Pune | Image Resource : iskcondesiretree.com

The ISKCON New Vedic Cultural Center, just like other ISKCON temples in the country, is dedicated to Radha and Krishna and attracts a large number of Hindu worshippers from various corners of the state. It is located at a place called Kondhwa which is at a distance of around 12 km on the southern side of Pune. If you are looking to spend some peaceful and holy time away from the busy urban life, you can easily travel to this temple located on the city’s fringes.

The Indian Society for Krishna Consciousness NVCC Pune isn’t very old though. It was only during the celebration of Nityananda Tryodshi in the month of February in 2013 that the country’s President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee had inaugurated the temple as well as the Vedic Cultural Centre. On entering the temple, we were really surprised by the serenity of the ambience. We could easily feel the essence of the Lord at every point inside the temple.

Sri Radha Vrindavan Chandra | Image Resource : iskcondesiretree.com

We also went to the massive Matchless Gift Stall in order to buy some items associated with Lord Krishna for my family members. We also spotted a Govinda’s stall and a Govinda’s restaurant which offer all types of sanctified foods such as Chinese, North Indian, South Indian, etc. Another great thing about the temple is that it offers a panoramic view of huge mountains in the backdrop.

The main motive behind the establishment of the ISKCON community is to spread the knowledge of universal principles of God’s consciousness and self realization which help in spiritual peace, unity and understanding. The temple is one of the biggest followers of the Vedic scriptures, believes in eternal religion or sanatana dharma and preaches non sectarian teachings.

Destination of the Week : Rajgad Fort Pune

Rajgad Fort Pune | Image Resource : rajeshivchhatrapati.wordpress.com

Description : The trip to Rajgad Fort was a part of the Lonavala trekking. The fort is situated very high up in the mountains of the Sahyadri Ranges. It turned out to be thrilling because we could experience both history and nature at the same time. The fort offered mesmerizing views of the hills and all the greenery below.

Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park Pune – The Perfect Site for Snake Lovers

We woke up quite early in the next morning as we wanted to devote maximum time in exploring the remaining tourist spots. Moreover, the moment for which I had been waiting had finally arrived as we were going to visit the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park Pune.

I am an avid lover of wildlife and don’t miss out any opportunity of discovering new species. It is situated on the outskirts of the city in Katraj on the Pune Satara Highway close to the Bharati Vidyapeeth. We had hired a six seater auto rickshaw for reaching the park from Swargate.

Entrance of Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park Pune | Image Resource : pebblesii.com

The Rajiv Gandhi Zoo is under the supervision of the Municipal Corporation of Pune and spread over a huge area of 130 acres which has been divided into 3 zones. While the first zone is used as an orphanage for animals, the second one maintains a wide range of snakes collected from different parts of the world. The third zone acts as home to all the remaining animals and is made up of the massive Katraj Lake which has an area of 42 acres.

I was simply fascinated with the wide range of birds, mammals and reptiles that the zoo has on offer. It is home to a male Royal Bengal tiger called Tanaji along with a white one. We could also spot various other mammals in the form of barking deer, elephants, sloth bears, leopard, blackbucks, monkeys, sambhars, etc.

Tigers at Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park | Image Resource : aroundpune.com

The zoo also contained unique birds like peafowl and amphibians like Indian tortoise along with numerous reptiles in the form of Indian crocodiles, Indian rock python, vipers, snakes, cobra, etc. I was extremely overjoyed due to the fact that I could easily capture such fantastic animals with my DSLR.

Russells Viper in Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park | Image Resource : wikimedia.org

The snake park is undoubtedly one of the chief attractions of the zoo thanks to its rare collection of turtles, birds, reptiles and snakes. The snake houses over 150 members comprised of 22 different varieties of snakes and 10 varieties of reptiles.

We came to know that even blind people can access all the information regarding the animals as it was provided in various conventional formats including Braille. One of the members of the zoo told us that the park organizes programs for discouraging misuse of snakes at different occasions such as Nag Panchami.

Pu La Deshpande Udyan Pune Is a Beautifully Crafted Japanse Styled Garden

From the Saras Baug Pune we headed towards our next destination which was the Pu La Deshpande Udyan Pune. However, it was already 2:00 PM and we were extremely hungry. So before reaching the Udyan, we decided to stop at a roadside restaurant and have our lunch. Moreover, we knew that the park would open only after 4:00 PM. Meanwhile, I checked out all the beautiful photos that I had captured by then.

I was extremely fascinated by the manner in which the Marathas had planned the construction of the city. After having our lunch, we went to the Sambhaji Uddan on J. M. Road in order to obtain permit for carrying the camera inside the park. Also known as the Pune Okayama Friendship Garden, the Udyan is actually a garden which is located at a place called Sinhagad Road or Narvir Tanaji Malusare Road.

Pu La Deshpande Udyan Pune | Image Resource : wikimedia.org

The design of the garden was inspired from that of Okayama’s Koraku-en Garden in Japan as it had completed its 300 years of existence by then. The Japanese styled garden is spread over a beautiful area which is ideal for spending a leisurely day. The entire garden was decorated with a wide range of flowers, plants and small sized water bodies.

There is no doubt about the fact that the Pu La Deshpande Udyan is a great spot for those who want to experience nature in its true form. It is one of those few locations in a well built city like Pune where you get to live in the lap of Mother Nature. We had to pay a very nominal entry fee of Rs 10 and the price was even lower for children.

One of the locals told us that the park stays open for the general public throughout the week from 6 in the morning to 8 in the evening with a gap from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM. After spending around one to hours in exploring different parts of the park, we found that it was getting dark. And so we decided to return to our hotel and explore the remaining spots the next day.

Destination of the Week : Sinhagad Fort Pune

Sinhagad Fort Pune | Image Resources : mirchitravels.com

Sinhagad Fort Pune : The Sinhagad fort which is located in Pune is famous because many battles were fought here. I loved my visit here as the place was located away from the city. It can be described as the natural tomb of kings and the soldiers who fought here. We all enjoyed our day out to the fort and I would love to visit again.

Oxford & Country Club Resort Pune Offers Lavish Facilities within Budget

After having a great day spent in exploring various tourist attractions of Pune, we returned back to our hotel which was named as the Oxford & Country Club Resort Pune. Also known as O Golf Resort, it is regarded to be one of the best hotels in the city, especially for those who don’t want to burn a hole in their pocket.

We decided to stay at this hotel as it is situated at a prime spot and very close to the Railway Station as well as the Airport. After having a bath, all of us decided to relax near the swimming pool while sipping a hot cup of coffee at the in-house coffee shop. We also decided to check out the services offered by the spa centre in order to reenergize our bodies.

Oxford & Country Club Resort Pune | Image Resource : oxfordgolfandcountryclub.com

The resort is close to some of the city’s major tourist spots such as Pashan Lake, Katraj Snake Park, Lord Ayyappa Temple, St. Mary’s Church, etc. We were extremely overjoyed with the different types of services offered by the hotel.

Apart from the spa and salon services, the Oxford & Country Club Resort Pune is equipped with meeting rooms, banquet halls and state of the art equipments so that you don’t have any problem in cracking important business deals. We also came to know that the banquet halls can be hired by the local people for organizing various corporate and social events. Some of the basic features come in the form of laundry, valet parking, travel desk, doctor on call, etc.

Oxford & Country Club Resort Rooms | Image Resource : oxfordgolfandcountryclub.com

As the name indicates, the Oxford & Country Club Resort Pune has a beautiful looking golf course on offer. In addition to that, we could spot facilities for various other spots such as squash and tennis.

There are three restaurants inside the hotel so that guests can be served with some of the most exquisite delicacies of the world. While Addah has carved out a niche for itself in terms of Indian dishes, Harajuku is known for serving delicious Japanese food. There is another restaurant called Kitsch which stays open throughout the day. We also spotted a number of tents which have been designed to offer all the facilities of a luxurious accommodation.

Destination of the Week : Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum Pune

Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum Pune | Image Resource : zipmytravel.com

Description : The Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum in Pune is a building which is dedicated to the Raja, who happened to be the only son of Dinkar Kelkar. It houses many artifacts which were made in the days of the 14th century. There is a chess set made of the finest ivory and most items on display are priceless.

Saras Baug Pune Is A Place of Beauty and Worship

After being disappointed with the pathetic nature of the Vishrambaug Pune, we moved on towards our next destination which was the Saras Baug. It is considered to be one of the major landmarks of the city and has been created above a small lake which had dried up. It is situated at a distance of around 1 km from the main Swargate bus stand and around 6 km from the main Railway Station. The complex is extremely big and covers a total area of 10 hectares.

Saras Baug Pune | Image Resource : propertydirection.com

The main attraction of the Saras Baug is the Ganesh Temple known as Talyatla Ganpati. We came to know that the temple’s construction began in 1750 after a decision made by Mahadji Shinde and Sawai Madhavrao Peshwa from Maratha Confederacy. It took around 34 years to complete the temple’s construction with the establishment of the idol. It was built along a lake close to the Parvati Temple which also acted as the main residence for the chief of Maratha Confederacy.

Ganesh Temple at Saras Baug | Image Resource : flickr.com

We came to know that the Saras Baug Pune has witnessed renovations a number of times over the last 200 years of existence. Even the East India Company had carried out renovations in 1842 during their rule in India. One of the locals told us that it was under the supervision of Anandrao Mane and Mahadev Kumthekar that the last significant renovation was organized in the year 1969. It was due to this renovation that the 25 acre area of the Baug was extended by the Peshwe Park, a zoo.

Beautiful View of Saras Baug Pune | Image Resource : sachinkgupta.com

We did visit the area where the zoo was located but couldn’t find any animal. This is due to the fact that all the animals belonging to the zoo had been transferred to the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park during the period between 1999 and 2005. We were happy that the garden was maintained very properly and the main reason for doing so was definitely the Ganesh Temple. We also visited the small museum which had several hundred idols of Ganesha on display. The museum was established in the year 1995 and attracts a large number of devotees who come to worship at the temple.