Have you seen Neha Kakkar and Rohanpreet Singh’s pictures storming the internet? We are already in awe of the couple and they have again given us netizens super cute couple goals! And this time it’s in UDAIPUR!
The uber-romantic couple arrived in the picturesque city of lakes to celebrate their first wedding anniversary and it couldn’t have been grand! Neha Kakkar and Rohanpreet booked the Royal Gangaur Boat for their special day.
The couple celebrated their romantic evening amidst the beautiful lake Pichola and that too in the Royal Barge: The Gangaur Boat with a dreamy sunset. Yes! the boat that’s used by the Royal family of Udaipur; The boat we saw in Yaadein and James Bond’s Octopussy; The boat that is super ecstatic; The boat we all want to ride on and wondered if we can book and fulfill our unspoken desires to feel that royalty.
Don’t worry, we’ve got your back and we’re gonna unveil all the drapes on how to book the Gangaur boat for a special occasion like Neha Kakkar’s.
How To Book The Gangaur Boat For A Special Occasion Like Neha Kakkar’s
The 150-year-old Gangaur boat is now managed by The Taj Lake palace and can be booked from there.
Fixed menu.
Cuisine available: Chef’s recommendation, European & Indian.
The Taj Lake Palace is one of the most romantic hotels in the entire world and no wonder the unsurpassed beauty of this floating palace is one of a kind! But do you know that before it was a luxury hotel, it was the summer palace for the then Maharana of the Udaipur kingdom? This summer palace, now known as Lake Palace is indeed the most sought after destination in the whole world.
Let us read about the legendary palace built on the lake!
Jag Niwas Palace aka Lake Palace
Formerly known as Jag Niwas, the Lake Palace is built on a natural island of around 4 acres. It was built between the years 1743-1746 by the Maharana Jagat Singh II who ruled Mewar from 1734 to 1751 as the 62nd successor to the royal dynasty of Mewar. The Maharana decided to build a palace and named it Jag Niwas after himself. It’s an east facing palace and was built to enjoy summers.
It is said that the Maharana had friendly relations with the Mughal emperors and hence Jag Niwas was inspired by the Mughal art and architecture. As one can avidly see, the palace has a remarkable Mughal architecture blending seamlessly with Mewar’s beauty.
The Lake Palace was once a Refuge to British Families
It was during the Indian Sepoy Mutiny in 1857 that several European families fled from Nimach and sought refuge in the Mewar kingdom. Maharana Swaroop Singh (reigned 1842–1861) helped these families by keeping them safe at the Jag Niwas (Lake Palace) and wiped out all the boats so that the agitators could not reach the families.
The Journey from Jag Niwas to the ‘Taj Lake Palace’
By the end of the 19th century, time and weather had deteriorated Jag Niwas, and the Palace started losing its fame. A French writer described Jag Niwas as – “slowly moldering in damp emanations of the lake.” Even its furniture and interiors started losing its dignity. Broken old chairs, clocks, and abrupt colored glass ornaments made the palace impassive towards foreign tourists. They described the place totally deserted.
In 1961, Maharana Bhagwat Singh decided to convert Jag Niwas Palace to a luxury hotel in Udaipur. An American artist became the interior designer and consultant of the project. He also mentioned in his words that – the palace was deteriorating and turning it into a hotel was only the way to restore and keep it maintained. He termed it as a job of conservation.
In 1971 the Taj group took over the management of Jag Niwas and the new name came out to be the Taj Lake Palace. Taj added another 75 rooms to it. Jamshyd D.F. Lam became the first General Manager of the Taj Lake Palace. Later in the year 2000, another restoration of the hotel was undertaken.
The art and architecture of the Taj Lake Palace
The upper room of the Lake Palace is a perfect sphere of 21 feet in diameter. Its walls, decorated with Arabic designs similar to Taj Mahal of Agra. However, they all are made according to the Hindu religion. The floor is ornamented with the finest quality of black and white marble. The courtyards lined with columns, pillared terraces, fountains, gardens and exquisitely beautiful domes.
Amenities at the Taj Lake Palace
The Taj Lake Palace has a total of 66 rooms and 17 suites namely Bada Mahal, Khush Mahal, Ajjan Niwas, Phool Mahal and Dhola Mahal. These exotic rooms are bejeweled with carved arches, paintings, crystal work, stained glass work, inland stones of pink and green lotus petals.
The rooms and suites give a magnificent look of the Lake Pichola. There are restaurants which serve Indian as well as European cuisines. This hotel is famous for Jiva Spa, outdoor pool, and yoga center. You can go for a boat ride on Lake Pichola provided by the Taj Lake Palace itself.
The Taj Lake Palace is undeniably one of the most luxurious properties across the country. It is invariably featured in the lists of all ‘Most Luxurious’, ‘Most Romantic’, ‘Best heritage Property’ that can give you an idea how travelers across the world praise the property. The palace’s beauty is well-known in the entire world and makes one of the most sought-after sights for travelers visiting Udaipur!
Have you ever been to the Taj Lake Palace? If yes, then share us your views on the most romantic hotel in the world, in the comments below!
Udaipur is undoubtedly city that attracts plenty of tourists throughout the year, so if you are heading to Udaipur, you would want to know about the best areas to stay in the city for accommodation.
Below is a list of different areas suitable for you to stay:
1. Near Jagdish temple (old city):
For every traveler and curious person who loves to explore and wants to know about the culture and heritage of the city, then this is the perfect zone for you to stay. The narrow alleys, colorful shops, and the hustle bustle are an altogether different experience that makes you feel the vibe of the old city of Udaipur. The place has a whole lot of tourist attractions to visit which include City Palace, Jagdish temple, Gangaur Ghat.
Popular Hotels include:
Fateh Prakash Palace, Shiv Nivas Palace.
2. Near Fateh Sagar Lake:
If you are vacationing in Udaipur with family and you haven’t visited Fateh Sagar lake yet, then you are definitely missing out on a lot of things. A much better idea is to find an accommodation somewhere near lake Fateh Sagar. The calm atmosphere and cool breeze soothe your soul. One can enjoy the boat ride and a walk at Fateh Sagar lake.
Popular Lakeside hotels include:
The Lalit Laxmi Vilas, Hotel Lakend, Radisson blu, Hotel Swaroop Vilas Palace etc.
3. In the residential portion of the city (Hiran Magri):
Hiran Magri is the largest residential colony in Udaipur, further divided into sectors and is home to thousands of people. This area is recommended to tourists because it is quite safe, provides easy access to all the necessary things and has some really cheap hotels.
Some popular hotels are:
The Fern Residency (sec-3), Hotel Paras Mahal (sec-11), Meenakshi hotel (sec-5)
4. Near City Railway Station:
For tourists who prefer to travel by train or Bus to Udaipur, need not worry about the accommodation facility as there are enough hotels in that area at affordable prices. The tourist attractions and famous places to visit are also not very far.
Popular hotels include:
Hotel Le Roi, Hotel Vishnupria
5. Hari Das Ji ki Magri, Mulla Talai:
Apart from its exquisite beauty and marvelous history, one thing that attracts tourists from all over the world towards this city is it’s luxurious and larger than life hotels, out of which some of them are located at Hari Das Ji Ki Magri. So, if you want to visit these illustrious hotels and experience their royal hospitality then you must choose your accommodation in this area.
Prominent Hotels include:
The Oberoi Udaivilas, Hotel Chunda Palace, Trident, Hotel Jaisingarh.
6. Near Badi Lake:
Want your stay to be extremely private and peaceful, what better place to stay rather than Lake Badi. Located on the outskirts there are some very beautiful resorts. Some of the handpicked resorts are:
Shouryagarh Resort and Spa, The Royal Retreat, Amantra Shilpi resort, Park Exotica Resort.
7. Near Lake Pichola:
Last but not the least, the most favorite destination of tourists, Lake Pichola is famous for innumerable reasons. Pichola lake area is surrounded by a budget to luxurious, all kinds of accommodation suitable for both domestic and international tourists. One can simply view the sunset, do photography and enjoy a boat ride. Some popular hotels that provide a stunning view of the Pichola lake are:
Jag Mandir Island Palace, Taj Lake Palace, The Leela Palace, Hotel Ambrai, Udai Kothi.
(P.S. Most of these Hotels are always booked, so make sure that you do the respective pre-bookings)
This was our list of popular areas to stay in the city of lakes. Do tell us, what you think about this list? We would love to hear from you.
City Palace was built by Maharana Udai Singh in 1559. It is situated at the eastern bank of Lake Pichhola and has many other palaces built within the City Palace. It is a must visiting place whosoever wishes to travel Udaipur and has a keen interest in the history of Rajasthan.
Impressive Gateways or Poles pave access to the City Palace complex. The different poles of the City Palace include Bara Pole, Tripolia Pole, Toran Pole etc.
The other complexes which are made within the premise of the City Palace are Amar Vilas, Badi Mahal, Chinni Chitrashala, Choti Chitrashali, Dilkhusha Mahal, Darbar Hall, Fateh Prakash, Jagdish Mandir, Krishna Vilas, Laxmi Vilas Chowk, Manak Mahal, Mor Chowk, Rang Bhawan, Sheesh Mahal etc.
The famous Jagdish Temple is only 150 meters away from the Palace. From the Palace, you can have a beautiful view of Lake Palace and Jag Mandir, which are both located in the midst of Pichhola Lake. The City Palace’s major part has been converted into a museum, displaying a diverse range of preserved monuments and armour. The museum exhibits a wide collection of weapons, gears, clothes, furniture etc.
Fateh Prakash Palace
This palace was constructed during the time of Maharana Fateh Singh, who ruled from 1885 to 1935. The purpose of the venue was to serve the esteemed guests during the royal functions. Fateh Prakash Palace has also been converted into a luxury hotel which is now run & managed by the HRH group.
In 1909 the Viceroy of India, Lord Minto, laid down the Darbar Hall’s foundation stone. Henceforth the name was originally called Minto Hall to respect the honour to the Viceroy. The interiors are decorated with royal artefacts, miniature painting, armour etc. which would take you to the legendary historical time of the Mewar dynasty.
The Darbar Hall, Crystal Gallery, Suites and Rooms are decorated with original paintings, furniture of the historical era and would take you on the journey of the authentic heritage of that time. The scenic beauty of Lake Pichhola through the decorative valued windows would soak you in real ecstasy. The Palace offers 21 Decorative Rooms and 45 Decorative Premier Suits. It is equipped with period furniture, portraits and original miniature paintings, private sitting areas and facilities like air-conditioning, international direct dial telephone, satellite TV and a mini-bar.
Taj Lake Palace
Lake Palace, the name is enough to draw a picture of Udaipur and Pichhola Lake. It is another epithet of the Udaipur after the City Palace. To most of us, if asked anything about Lake Palace, the first answer comes out – it is a luxury hotel. Obviously, it is a luxury hotel, but earlier than a luxury hotel, it was a place to relax for the kings and had many different interiors.
Lake Palace was formerly known as Jag Niwas. Lake Palace is built on a natural island of around 4 acres, which was earlier called Jag Niwas Island and surrounded by Lake Pichhola. It was built in the year 1743 to 1746 by the Maharana Jagat Singh II of Udaipur. The Palace was built as a palace to spend summers. It was named after its founder Maharana Jagat Singh and hence was called Jag Niwas.
In 1971 the Taj group took over Lake Palace’s management, and the new name came out to be the Taj Lake Palace. Taj added another 75 rooms to it. Jamshyd D.F. Lam became the first General Manager of the Taj Lake Palace. Later in 2000, another restoration of the hotel was undertaken. Now Taj Lake Palace is certainly a luxury hotel surrounded by Lake Pichhola. The Lake Palace offers Luxury Rooms, Palace Rooms, Royal Suites, Grand Royal Suites and Grand Presidential Suites with all facilities like Spa, Bar, Fine Dinning etc.
Monsoon Palace aka Sajjangarh Fort
An actual jewel in our city, Sajjangarh Fort has been one of the most favourite tourist’s spots, especially in the rainy season when the fort is enveloped by clouds and the mountains are lush green. The Monsoon Palace, formerly known as the Sajjangarh Palace, is a hilltop residence with a scenic view of palaces, lakes, and the surrounding countryside. This palace was designed to keep an eye on the monsoon clouds, as the name implies. The palace, which is located in the Aravalli Hills, glows a golden orange colour in the evening and is a great place to see the sunset. Don’t forget to visit this enchanting palace when in Udaipur!
Jag Mandir Island Palace
This palace, also known as the ‘Lake Garden Palace,’ is undeniably one of Pichola Lake’s most beautiful views. Built on an island, this palace served as a summer retreat and a pleasure palace for holding parties for royal families. Within the palace, the Gul Mahal, Garden Courtyard, Bara Patharon ka Mahal, Zenana Mahal, and Kunwar Pada ka Mahal are must-see attractions. Don’t forget to dine at the Darikhana Restaurant for an exclusive dining experience!
Bagore ki Haveli (Gangaur Ghat)
Head to Bagore ki Haveli to experience the true Rajasthani Folk art and reminisce the beauty and splendour and rich heritage of the city of lakes. In just one hour, you will enjoy a blissful cultural evening of musical dance performances, magic shows, and puppet dances influenced by Rajasthani tradition, all without burning a hole in your pocket! Festivals, weddings, childbirth, and the change of seasons are all included in the show. It’s the ideal location for learning about the Rajput royal lifestyle.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
Kumbhalgarh is 82 kilometres away from Udaipur and lies in Rajsamand District, and it is the birthplace of Maharana Pratap, the great warrior of the Mewar. It was built in the 15th century by Maharana Kumbha. In the late 19th century, the fort was opened for tourists. It is the important fort of Mewar after Chittorgarh.
The fort is accessed through seven different gateways named Aret Pole, Hanuman Pole, Ram Pole, Vijay Pole, Nimboo Pole and Bhairon Pole. All gates lead to the palace complex, and some are built with additional structures at a later stage.
The different palaces built in the fort consist of Kumbha Mahal and Badal Mahal. Various religious temples include Hindu and Jain temples of different periods ranging from the 13th century to later. Various temples built and covered in the fort area consist of Ganesh Temple, Vedi Temple, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Parshvanath Temple, Bawan Devi Temple, and Golerao Group Temples, Mamadeo Temple, Pitalia Dev Temple, Kumbha Palace.
Kumbhalgarh fort also has several memorials like Badva Bund, Lagan Baori, Gardens, Stores, Pleasure Pavilions, and a Dam.
Chittorgarh Fort
Chittorgarh is situated in the southern part of Rajasthan and is 120 kilometres away from Udaipur. It is midway between Delhi and Mumbai on National Highway No 8. At Chittorgarh National Highways 76 and 79 intersect.
Chittorgarh Fort is the largest fort in India. Earlier it was the capital of Mewar. The fort is spread in an area of 690 acres and situated at the height of 590 feet over a hill that lies on the bank of Berach River.
The Mewar Emperors lost the fort thrice to the Mughals in the battles fought in different periods. In 1303 Allauddin Khilji defeated Rana Ratan Singh. Bahadur Shah defeated Bikramjeet Singh in 1535, and Mughal Emperor Akbar defeated Maharana Udai Singh II in 1567, who left and founded Udaipur as his next capital of Mewar. Approximately 13,000 Rajput Ladies committed Jauhar after the successive defeats of Mewar Emperors.
A zigzag hill road of more than 1 kilometres in length from the new town of Chittor leads to the west end main gate of the fort, known as Ram Pol. Within the fort, a circular road provides access to all other gates and monuments. The fort has seven gates or Poles, and they are Padan Pole, Bhairon Pole, Hanuman Pole, Ganesh Pole, Jodla Pole, Laxman Pole and the main gate is known as the Ram Pole. A road within the fort provides access to the numerous monuments, ruined structures, and temples. Once, the fort had 84 water bodies and only 22 are left as of now. It was in the form of ponds, wells, and step wells. These water bodies were filled during the rainfall. The various other historical monuments of interest at the fort include Vijay Stambh, Kirti Stambh.
TripAdvisor – The World Largest Travel Website that helps user to post Travel Reviews, Travel Suggestions in an engaging interactive travel forum and review section has just released its 10th Edition of Travellers’ Choice Awards. To our amazement our Udaipur’s – Taj Lake Palace bagged the No. 1 Hotel in India as well as ASIA. 🙂 This rating was based on the Travelers review.
Few days ago in an Annual meet of LHW(Leading Hotels of World) organized in Mumbai. Udaipur’s Taj Lake Palace was awarded the No. 1 Hotel in Asia and Pacific for its Quality and Commitment.
In the presence of Members of all the Leading Hotel Groups Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur was chosen for this award on behalf of its excellent accommodation, facilities and services. 🙂
Hotel Lake Palace is situated amidst the Lake Pichola and is the center of attraction for all the Tourists coming to Udaipur. This is now operated by Taj Group of Hotels.
After making us proud by winning the title of “4th Safest City in India” our “City Of Lakes” gave us another reason to cheer upon.
The beauty, heritage, hotels and environment of Udaipur has made it win the title of “India’s best Leisure Destination“ Yipppe!! 😀
Also The Best Leisure hotels in India was awarded to : The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur and The Leela Palace, Udaipur. Devi Garh Fort Palace, Udaipur won the Best Boutique hotel in India. ESPA at The Leela Palace, Udaipur also won the Best Spas in India.
Based upon the survey by one of the World’s Leading Travel Magazine ‘Conde Nast Traveller’, Udaipur proved out to be the India’s best Leisure Destination. This award was presented by Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay at a function held in Delhi on Thursday where this award was received by Rajasthan Tourism Minister Bina Kak.
Guidelines For Choosing The Best : (Source: www.cntraveller.in)
HOW OUR QUESTIONNAIRE PRODUCED YOUR ‘BEST OF THE BEST’ LIST
Copies of the June-July 2011 issue of Condé Nast Traveller in India, and simultaneously posted online at www.cntraveller.in for the same period. The replies were collated and analysed by an independent market-research company, Market Management, in the UK. The 24 categories for nominations are listed below, with the criteria by which they were judged. Figures for all criteria are percentages representing overall average levels of satisfaction with the facilities or services.
COUNTRIES Culture • Food/restaurants • People/hospitality • Range of accommodation • Value for money • Variety of attractionsOVERSEAS & INDIAN CITIES Aesthetics/architecture • Child-friendliness • Culture • Food/restaurants • Nightlife • People/hospitality • Range of accommodation • Shopping • Value for money • Variety of attractions
LEISURE DESTINATION—INDIA Aesthetics/architecture • Child-friendliness • Climate & scenery • Culture • Food/restaurants • Nightlife • People/hospitality • Range of accommodation • Shopping • Value for money • Variety of attractions
OVERSEAS & INDIAN EMERGING DESTINATIONS Aesthetics/architecture • Child-friendliness • Climate & scenery • Culture • Food/restaurants • Nightlife • People/hospitality • Range of accommodation • Shopping • Value for money • Variety of attractions
OVERSEAS & INDIA BUSINESS HOTELS Ambience/décor • Business systems/facilities available • Conference facilities • Food/restaurants • Leisure facilities • Location • Service/staff • Standard/comfort of accommodation • Value for money
OVERSEAS LEISURE HOTELS Ambience/décor • Family-friendliness • Food/restaurants • Leisure facilities • Location • Service/staff • Standard/comfort of accommodation • Value for money
INDIA LEISURE HOTELS Ambience/décor • Child-friendliness Food/restaurants •Leisure facilities • Location • Service/staff • Standard/comfort of accommodation • Value for money
OVERSEAS & INDIA NEW HOTELS Ambience/décor • Business facilities • Child-friendliness Food/restaurants • Leisure facilities • Location • Service/staff • Standard/comfort of accommodation • Value for money