A short trip to Kohlapur

Kolhapur is the land of magnificent temples. It is situated on the banks of the river Panchganga. It is a historic Maratha city combined with culture and education. This city is been ruled by maratha power (Shivaji Maharaj). As kolhapur is world famous for special kolhapuri chappals, jaggery and equally famous for special kolhapuri misal and tambda/pandhra rassa.
From Mumbai, it is an 8 to 9 hours road journey. Local transport can be taken through Konduskar travels, Neeta travels or Raj travels. My visit to Kolhapur was for 2 days and I completely took advantage of these days to explore not only the Kolhapur city but also the excursion.

So here we start from,

Day 1 activities:

Alluring Mahalaxmi temple of Goddess Ambabai.

Encompassing Tulja Bhavani temple

Engaging Kaneri Math

Jyotiba temple

Pleasant panhala fort

Immensely build new palace (museum).

Day 1 points should start at 9:00am and ends by 7:30pm .

Day 2 activities:

Narsobawadi (Shree Narsimha Saraswati)

Sangli ganpati mandir famous for artistic construction.

Audumbar (datta temple) / Khidrapur temple (lord shankar)

Rankala lake famous for kolhapuri bhel

Finally, back in Kolhapur city for shopping.

Day 2 points starts early in the morning by 8:00am and ends by 7:00pm.
Travels buses are available by 10:00pm onwards for mumbai and various other cities.

Best time to visit kolhapur is from September to April (avoid summer).
Recommended restaurants for authentic kolhapuri veg/non-veg thali are Hotel Dehati, Hotel Manisha (Only Veg), Hotel Opal.

Local transport in the city is weak and time consuming so one can hire the car or can travel through a private vehicle.
So enjoy the trip and don't miss any point mention above.

Day 2 - Udaipur excursion continues....

The wonderful morning of the lake pichola (old udaipur city). Early morning initiated with "Elaichi chai" at Jagdish restaurant with welcoming samosa chaat. At 8.00 am tourist car arrived at hotel gate, we head towards kumbhalgarh and ranakpur (udaipur excursion).

The hotel owner had done the entire schedule for the day. We started our journey with our hired driver cum tour guide. He was quite informative and friendly too. On the way he was informing about the history of Udaipur and the other villages that came across. It took us 2 hours to reach Kumbhalgarh. Reached by 10:30 am . Kumbhalgarh is claimed to be the longest fort in the world after great wall of china. It has seven fortified gateway and 360 temples are within the fort and the vista from the palace top typically extended of kilometers into the Aravalli range (very huge).

Next destination was ranakpur, which is further 1 hour journey from kumbhalgarh. Ranakpur is a collection of Jain temples in their beauty. The build up of temple is of complete marble which is a real stunning beauty. We reached there by 1:00pm and completed the ranakpur passage by 2:30pm. In this mandir the lunch is also served for tourist and devotees from 12:30pm to 1:30pm at the minimum price.

A sunny afternoon after delicious lunch by 2:30 pm, we started our drive towards old Udaipur i.e. lake pichola and reached by 4:00 pm in the hotel. Driver was fast and safe to reach us on time. By then it was time for "Sayonara". Became busy in folding our belongings and ready to check out.

At this note, I would like to thanks the hotel owner and the tour guide for the warm greetings throughout our stay.

Boarded bus at 7:00 pm by Gujarat travels and reached Mumbai by 11:00 am (the next day). Aha! back sweet home gaining with  loads of memories from this short trip , the lavish food of Jaiwana Haveli restaurant & Natraj Thali.

 Welcoming chaats of Jagdish restaurant, 

Sweets and namkeens from JMB sweet shop, the market of bandhanis, silver jewels and dupattas from Silver corner.

Everything was just splendid. A lot is still left to seek udaipur city.

Find the other Udaipur spots below :

1. Monsoon palace : It can be seen from Udaipur city. The palace belong to Mewar royal family until in the hands of government.

2. Udaipur rope way : These red cable cars ferry sightseers are on short trips up the hill from Doodh Talai to Karni mata temple. Do be aware of the lines for buying tickets.

3. Shilpgram : Shilpgram means craftsmen's village located 3 kilometers from Udaipur and set up by the Government. It showcases the rural life of Rajasthan, Gujarat, maharashtra and Goa.

4. Fateh sagar lake : It is situated in the north of lake Pichola. there are 3 small island in these lake, the largest is the nehru park, the second island public park with an impressive jet spray and the third island is Udaipur Solar Observatory.

5. Saheliyon ki bari : It is a major garden and the popular tourist place. It has fountains and kiosks, a lotus pool and marble elephants. the name refer to "Garden of maidens".

Note : Do not avoid to take a boat ride from Lake Pichola which showcase Jag Mandir, City Palace, and cover the rim of the lake . It takes 1 hour to complete the projection of lake.

The overall cost for Day 2 was Rs. 1500 per person (including tips) and my entire weekend trip cost me around Rs. 3000 - 3500.

Do make a plan for Udaipur as its is called "the city of lakes."

A weekend getaway to Udaipur - Day 1

Welcome 2015, definitely a resolution time and many new things around me. New year days were officially superb buzi for my family. So thought of a break and I choose a unique destination to hang around and spend quality time with them. A weekend in Udaipur, a very popular tourist attraction and well known for its rajput era palaces.Quickly did all the arrangements for 2 days .
My journey started from friday evening, an overnight bus journey (neeta travels a/c sleeper). From mumbai journey starts @ 7.00pm and we reached Udaipur bus stand by 11.00 am. ( Rs.1450 per head). For stay I picked up bhanwar vila which was fair priced. (Rs. 850 standard room per day).
Once I reached the lake pichola I was spell bound. Udaipur's beauty belied my imagination. I am much obliged to bhanwar vila for its prime hospitality. Owner.... was quite helpful to recommend about good restaurants for meal, local transport to visit places and not the least the well known shops for shopping authentic stuffs of udaipur.

Day 1:

On the same day we turn up at city palace which took 4 hours of stop. A must visit palace of  Maharana Udai Singh. One can ditch crystal gallery which cost too high for the visit. City palace entry fee is Rs. 150/- per head.

Camera charges is additional. It is a remarkable royal property. City palace is just 3 minutes away from our stay in bhanwar vila. On the same trail we visited Jagdish Temple and continued with high tea in famous Jagdish restaurant. It is just polar to position opposed to the temple. Kachori chat @ Rs. 40/- and special elaichi chai @ Rs. 10/- made my evening cordial.

It was 5.30 pm, we decided to stream walk toward "bhagore ke hawelli" to attend the folk dance show which is performed by the civic people of Udaipur. The show charges is Rs. 60/-  each for 1 hour play.Worth watching this show and to meet the artist too. Best loved time spend @ bhagore ke havelli. Tickets windows are open till 6.00 pm. and the show starts from 7.00pm to 8.00pm......The show rejuvenated me for the holiday which lies ahead. The day was not ended yet. Reached Jaiwana hotel for dinner. The hotel is located at the banks of lake pichola. As beautiful view from the restaurant. I delighted occupying myself on candle lighted dine table and enjoying the night scenic beauty of Udaipur. It was quite gusty too.

I was feeling completely accord with the food - "mushroom soup" "chicken tikka" "lal maas" and ":warq ki roti"...just yummmmm. and not the least "gulab jamun" nicely decorated with rose petals to end the dine of 3 hours with my companion.( Rs. 500/- per head 3 course meal). It realized "Udaipur is a real city of lights". truly remarkable day ...










Overall day spent of Rs. 1500/- per person including travel and stay expense.
Holiday not yet over check Day 2.