Where to go for your autumn adventure
Autumn travel is for colour, culture and smaller crowds – as these six destinations prove. When Britain’s summertime ebbs away to autumn,
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Set on the shores of Lake Pichola and surrounded by hills, Udaipur is possibly the most picturesque city in Rajasthan. As capital of the old Mewar state, it was the only Rajput stronghold to uphold its Hindu allegiance in the face of Muslim invasion. From the late 16th century, peace brought about an era of renaissance in the arts and encouraged the building of beautiful palaces around the lake. Walking the winding roads in the old city is fascinating – the people and the quaint merchant houses and shops ensure there is something to draw your attention at every turn.
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There is an incredible amount of diverse and imaginative creativity found in Rajasthan, and the city of Udaipur is an excellent place to see this first hand. One of the most extroadinary art forms found in the city is a painting on water technique known as jal sanjhi, where coloured pigment stencils are used to create designs that are then skilfully lifted form the water. You can also see miniature painting and the art of koftgari, a technique for decorating arms and weaponry.
Explore the rural landscapes of Udaipur on a gentle guided bike ride to Lake Badi, passing local villages and the spectacle of the Monsoon Palace en route. This 2- to 3-hour tour unveils tranquil landscapes, brightly clad women and thriving farming communities. Look out for kingfishers, cows, goats and peacocks along the way before stopping to visit a local family for a cup of masala chai.
Devastated and plundered by several invaders over the centuries, 72 miles out of Udaipur lies Chittorgarh, the capital of Mewar. The finest of Hindu medieval forts, Chittorgarh has some well-known landmarks of Indian history including the Vijay Stambha, or ‘Victory Tower’. You will leave Udaipur early this morning and return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Explore beyond the 'city of lakes'. A 3.5-hour trek in the area surrounding Udaipur takes you across arid terrain, rugged hills, sparkling lakes and charming agricultural fields. Visit a tribal village, where you will meet and interact with locals and learn about their unhurried lifestyle and experience their warm hospitality. Later, enjoy a picnic beside the tranquil Badi lake, built by Maharana Raj Singh I to help counter famine.
Udaipur's sights are best visited on foot with the most impressive being the City Palace, Jagdish Temple and the gardens of Saheliyon ki Bari. The City Palace is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, comprising several buildings added to throughout the centuries by subsequent maharajas. Perhaps the most beautiful are the Moti Mahal, with its mirror inlay, and the Chini Mahal with its iridescent tilework. At the nearby Jagdish Temple there is an impressively carved image of Lord Vishnu, to whom the temple is dedicated. Udaipur is also famous for its traditional miniature paintings depicting incidents from Rajput or Mughal history and legends from the Hindu Puranas. A visit to a miniature painting studio offers the opportunity to see several fine examples of these works of art. A walk through the colourful sprawling markets in the Old City showcases shops selling a myriad of wares including embroidered and block printed fabrics, jewellery and carved wooden artefacts.
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