2 SUNDAY 2 APRIL 2017

travelogue

Jag Mandir on

Not just a city of lakes

NEEHARIKA SATYAVADA To get a real feel of and its old on Jag Niwas was once the Summer Palace Head back to the city to catch the sunset world charm, take a heritage walk along its of the Maharanas, it is today the Taj Lake at the Sajjangarh Palace. This little-known hink and immediately pops winding thoroughfares. Chock-a-bloc with Palace and the one on with its palace in the Sajjangarh Sanctuary was only into your head a picture of undulating beautiful marble palaces, ancient temples, eight marble elephants, is now a heritage recently opened to the public. Here, as the Twaves of sand shimmering golden in bright and colourful havelis with facades of property run by the current royal family. sun begins to set, clouds start streaming in, the sun and a row of women all but hidden intricate jharokas, there is a temple at every A boat ride in this 655-year-old lake and coming at you from all sides. Built in 1884 in their bright twirling lehengas and odha- turn and every house along the way has walls a walk in the old part of nis, walking away with pots of water on their adorned with frescos in the city should com- head as thick silver anklets catch the sun on the miniature painting plete your exploration a hot windy afternoon. But, you style of the region. of the city, but do not couldn't be more There are boards stop there. For the city wrong with Udaipur. everywhere directing has just as interesting Touted to be ’s you to the next point and a historic country- most romantic city, it Udaipur isn’t just about of interest on the side to explore. Less sits hidden among lush lakes and palaces. With walk, be it a ghat, a than an hour’s drive green hills endlessly ancient temples and haveli, a palace or from the city is Nagda, stretching away in every even a museum. Of home to the Sahara direction. historic forts only a few these, the Bahu Temple or the Yes, we do know, hours from the city, Udaipur Ghangaur Ghat Saas Bahu Temple as it Udaipur is the City of could be the next stop for with its imposing has come to be known. Lakes and the Venice of the gateway and Dedicated to the God Saas Bahu Temple in Nagda East, but in Rajasthan, the history and archaeology stunningly white with a thousand arms, colourful desert that is In- enthusiasts alike Jagdish Mandir Lord Vishnu, this 10th- dia’s calling card in the in- are the most strik- century temple is a fine example of archi- on the summit of the Bansdara Mountain it ternational travel circuit, you ing. The city palace is too, in its tectural splendour. The sculptures carved was used by the then royal family as a hunt- don’t really expect to land flamboyance. into not just the walls but also onto the ceil- ing lodge and a . It is said right in the lap of the Aravallis. Surrounded As you walk along the narrow crooked ings are quite exquisite. A short drive from that the Maharana would come here to by thickly wooded hills, silent and stoic in a streets, you will realise just how popular here is the iconic Mandir. Eklingji watch the monsoon clouds go by. green so dark, this city is starkly di�erent Lake Pichola is with tourists. Every other is believed to be the true ruler of and Fact File: There are no direct flights to from the other popular tourist destinations building here proudly proclaiming its the Maharana only his dewan, ruling in his Udaipur from Hyderabad. Take connecting in the state. The cool breeze blowing o� the rooftop restaurant with a view of the lake. name. This sprawling temple complex has flights either from or . Nagda numerous lakes in and around a city - a total All the luxury hotels too, are built in and 108 temples of marble and sandstone, the is around 25 kilometres from the city of of seven lakes no less - is sure to take you by around this lake. In the lake are two islands, brown and white coming together to give an Udaipur and the Eklingji Temple is another a pleasant surprise. Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir. While the palace impression of a pink haze on the structures. 3 kilometres from there.

A view of the Aravallis from the Monsoon Palace