41 ~ Keep turning right - Self guided walkabout : Udaipur

Was told that was it for the organized part of seeing Udaipur so back to the hotel to relax. This got to me as I didn’t come to India to "relax" in a hotel. Despite telling Sunil my local guide at the outset that I had wanted to see the local veggie market. Told that I would have to take a tuk tuk myself and given very vague directions.

Plus, I asked him for a suggestion for a local restaurant and again his directions was non-existent.

It was 12.30pm / 12:30 when I was dropped only a block further from the hotel towards town being told that the car could not go any further. All I would say that this was incorrect …

So off I walked back towards the old town.

By asking around, found Raas Leela. It was next to The Leela Palace. It was certainly nowhere near I had thought it was.

Armed with my map crossing the Daiji Bridge / Chand Pole Puliya Silawatwari Pedestrian Bridge, I went towards the Clock Tower. Got there at 2pm / 14:00.

It was then a case of follow my nose and thoroughly enjoyed what I came across in the next couple of hours.

Down Hathipod Rd with shops on either side.

The one in black is called "Kala (black) Jamun" and the bright orange one is "Gulab (Rose) Jamun".

It is like a doughnut dessert, but it’s made up of milk solids called Khova / Khoya which is kneaded into a soft but stiff dough, rolled into balls and then deep fried in ghee (clarified butter). As soon as they are fried, they are drowned into Sugar Syrup which is flavoured with Cardamom (elaichi) and Saffron (kesar).

At the bottom Hathipole is a popular market for shopping of traditional handicraft items, traditional Rajasthani clothing and shoes, and antique articles.

A local got talking with me and I brought a fresh juice.

Seeing many Muslims walking out of a side road, decided to see where they were coming from. (Rasoolpura Masjid)

“Gajar halwa" also known as Carrot Halwa made out of grated carrots which is sautéed and cooked in clarified butter with milk and then dried fruits such as roasted cashews, raisins, almonds and saffron is added onto it. Eaten specially in winters. I was to have some later in Jodhpur.

As long as I keep on turning right I can’t be wrong in finding my way out of this maze of narrow roads and alleyways. Sure enough, I came out directly opposite Jagdish Mandir (Shree Jagdish Temple). It was now 4.20pm / 16:20 so the last 2.5 hours was great with the diverse “street photography”.

Time to head down to Gangaur Ghat with the flying rats - pigeons.

Along to cross back on Daiji Bridge to see Gangaur Ghat from Hari Ghat on the other side. This pedestrian only bridge while gives walkers respite from the crazy traffic in Udaipur, though not from the cows, dogs, beggars and busking musicians.

Back to the same point overlooking Lake Pichola as last night for sunset.

Met a couple of fellow photographers. Asked Kaushik to join me for dinner at Raas Leela right on the lake edge with Taj Lake Palace all lit up in the background.

Dinner = Non-vegetarian platter - chef’s choice of four non-vegetable starters 450 rupees / NZ$9.10 / US$6.30.
Dal bati churma = traditional Rajasthani dish served with lentils 450 rupees / NZ$9.10 / US$6.30.
Maki ki roti = indian bread made with yellow corn flour cooked on a griddle 75 rupees / NZ$1.50 / US$1.
Plus GST and a tip came to 1,200 rupees / NZ$25 / US$16.90.

https://www.raasleela.in/

Walking back to the hotel came across this rather noisy wedding procession.

The groom is on the horse with sehra - made out of flowers - white and red roses.