Day 7 - Udaipur

This place is very much a ‘must see’ on the tourist trail, and sitting beside 2 lakes, has some similarities to the Italian Lakes with its swanky hotels. Some of the hotels do not publish their prices - if you need to ask, you probably can’t afford it!

Today I did another palace, and probably won’t do any more. Udaipur was founded in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II, the ruler of the kingdom of Mewar. It seems about 36 clans ruled Rajasthan, each with their own lands, fort, palace, army…. I’m sure you get the picture by now. Amongst these treasures, is the world’s largest single collection of lead crystal. Back in 1877, the Maharana commissioned a firm in Birmingham to make items to his design. The number of items isn’t declared, but over 10,000. Glasses, plates, chandelier, chairs, tables, a bed, lights, lamps….. I’m sure some UK stately home was funded by it! Photos were not permitted…😕. Just before the shipment arrived, the Maharana died, so the items were left in their crates. 110 years later, they were opened and discovered! Crazy.

I’ve mooched around, used the pool, drank tea. Cocktail later and dinner on a terrace. I have a train tomorrow at 0545 (only 2 trains a day…😳) to get to Bundi, the wedding venue.Read more