Wandering Around the City Palace, Pichola Lake, and the Evening Markets

Greetings of the day,

When I reached Udaipur, the first thing I felt was peace. No loud horns, no sounds of running around, just the gentle breeze of the lake and the temple bells. It seemed as if the city was not speaking, just breathing. I was standing on the banks of Lake Pichola, and the walls of the City Palace were spread far in front, shining in the golden sunlight, as if it was a story from an old time.

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Most of the first day was spent in the City Palace. The streets were very narrow, with small shops and colorful clothes hanging on both sides. Some people were giving camel rides, some were getting photographs taken. When I reached the main gate of the palace, I remained silent for a few moments after seeing its height. This palace made of stone and marble looked as beautiful as a picture.

As soon as I stepped inside, I felt coolness. There were old paintings on the walls such as kings riding elephants, war scenes, and windows decorated with stained glass. As soon as the sunlight came in through those glasses, red-yellow-blue colors would scatter on the floor. For a few moments I just stood there watching that scene. Every wall, every door seemed to be a part of a story.

When I went to the upper floor and looked out through the window, Lake Pichola was spread out in front. The wind was blowing slowly and the reflection of the palace in the water was moving as if in a dream. The white Lake Palace seemed to be floating in the middle of the lake – so calm, so still that it was hard to believe it was real. I just kept watching for several minutes. Sometimes to water, sometimes to sky. That moment was so quiet that all the surrounding sounds seemed to disappear.

By the time we came down from the palace, it was beginning to become evening. The color of the sun had now become light orange and its rays were falling on the walls as if they were coated with gold. As soon as I came out, I thought of going to the lake shore. There were many small shops along the way which sold wooden idols, colorful Bandhani clothes and hand-made paintings. Something new was being seen from every shop.

When we reached the ghat of the lake, there was coolness in the air. The water was lapping against the shore and faint sounds of boats could be heard. People were just sitting and watching the view. Some silently, some talking. The walls of the City Palace in front slowly started bathing in light. When the lights came on, the entire palace started shining in the lake as if someone had built a golden fort in the water. I did not capture that moment in the camera. I thought this picture would remain more beautiful in my mind.

Kept sitting there on the ghat till night. Someone was playing the guitar nearby, the sound of puja was coming from somewhere, and in between there was the wind which was connecting everything. There is some magic in the evenings of Udaipur that slowly creeps in. There is a crowd, but no noise. Everything moves in a rhythm – slow, but deep.

Next morning I again set out in the same direction. This time the city looked different. The streets were almost empty, the shutters of the shops half open, and the lake calmer than ever. There were just a few waves in the water which were being created by the boat. The sound of Aarti was echoing from the temple, and the fragrance of sandalwood was in the air. Sitting by the lake, doing nothing for a long time – just watching, listening, and feeling.

After some time I again turned towards the palace. The sun was up, but the light was soft now. Peering through the windows of the palace, it seemed as if he recognized me, as if saying, “You have come again.” The crowd had started increasing now, but I didn't care.

Leaving the palace, I decided to head towards the nearby local market. There was now a loud noise in the streets; shopkeepers were calling customers, children were playing, and in some places camel bells could be heard. At a shop, an elderly artist was painting very detailed work, so much so that it seemed as if he was painting while holding his breath. When I asked him how long has he been doing this, he smiled and said, “Son, since childhood, this is the life now.” The soul of the entire city was hidden in that one sentence, its simplicity and familiarity.

By evening I again turned towards the ghat. Now the sky was filled with pink and orange colors. The boats were sailing slowly, and the reflection of the palace on the water would break and rejoin in the waves. A faint sound of music was coming from some dhaba in the distance, and the fragrance of roses was present in the air.

Slowly the lights started coming on. The City Palace shines in light again. This time I saw him from across the lake. His reflection in the middle of the water seemed like a dream that did not end even when he closed his eyes.

Nearby an old man was selling puppets. I bought a little puppet. He said smilingly, “Those who come to Udaipur definitely come again.” I also smiled after listening to him. Perhaps he was right in saying that this city settles in the heart and never leaves it completely.

The night was beginning to deepen. I then went to the lake and saw that glow for the last time. Both the moon and the palace were shining together in the water. The air was cold, but there was a strange warmth in the heart as if some incomplete thing had now been completed.

When he started returning, he looked back once again. The City Palace stood still, as if it had been watching for centuries; people come and go, but its stories remain the same.

I had only two days, but the feelings that Udaipur gave me cannot be expressed in words. This city does not make noise, it just slowly enters the heart. And perhaps this is its biggest beauty.