Royal Reveries: Srinivas’ Family Journey to Udaipur with Thrillophilia
It all started with an old photo album.
One lazy Sunday afternoon, while tidying up the storeroom, I came across a dusty leather-bound album tucked away in a forgotten corner. Curious, I wiped it clean and flipped it open, and it revealed photographs of my parents on a trip to Rajasthan decades ago.
There they were, standing proudly in front of the tall gates of Amer Fort. Another photo showed them at the banks of Lake Pichola, where their smiles reflected the joy of the moment.
“Papa, is that Dadaji?” my daughter asked, peeking over my shoulder. She looked amazed as if discovering a secret treasure. My wife joined us, holding steaming cups of chai, and we sat on the floor flipping through the pages together.
“Those were the days,” my father said in a nostalgic voice. “Rajasthan is unlike any place in the world, especially Udaipur– the forts, the palaces… there is magic in every corner.”
“Why don’t we go?” my daughter added, her eyes lighting up. “We have never been to Rajasthan, and Dadaji and Dadi can show us all these places!”
My wife looked at me. “It has been a while since we travelled together. Maybe it is time to create our own memories.”
That was it.
The seed of our journey was planted right there, amidst the echoes of the past and the promise of new adventures. A family trip to Rajasthan was not just about seeing a new place. It was about reconnecting with each other, reliving old stories, and weaving new ones into the fabric of our lives.
A Warm Welcome in Udaipur
Our first stop was Udaipur - the City of Lakes, where history and romance come alive in the shimmering waters of Pichola and the grandeur of its palaces. As we checked into the Bhairava Garg Palace, my mother’s face lit up at the sight of the intricately carved balconies and the expansive view of the Aravalli hills. “This reminds me of our stay at a haveli years ago,” she thought aloud.
We spent our first evening at Sahelion-ki-Bari, where we walked through its lush lawns and fountains. My father recounted how he had visited the same garden with my mother all those years ago. “This place has not changed a bit,” he said, pointing to a fountain shaped like a lotus. “It still feels timeless.”
Our boat ride on Lake Pichola was nothing short of magical. As we glided across the tranquil water, the iconic palaces of the city shimmered in the fading light. “This feels like a painting,” my wife whispered, leaning against me. My daughter excitedly asked a hundred questions about the history of the palaces, and my parents answered with anecdotes that brought the past to life.
Enjoying the Splendour of the City Palace
The next morning, we set out to explore the grandeur of the City Palace. As we entered its gates, my daughter tugged at my arm, her eyes wide.
“Papa, do you think the kings really walked here?”
“Not just kings,” I replied, smiling. “Queens, ministers, and maybe even young princesses just like you.”
The palace was a maze of courtyards, balconies, and intricately designed halls. Each corner seemed to hold a whisper of history, and my mother could not help but marvel at the craftsmanship.
“This place does not just show you history,” she said. “It makes you feel it.”
The Crystal Gallery was surprising with its sparkling collection of crystal furniture and artefacts. My wife was particularly taken by a crystal chandelier as its brilliance reflected in her eyes.
“Imagine having this in our living room,” she joked, and we all burst into laughter.
A Retreat in the Hills of Mount Abu
Leaving the regal charm of Udaipur behind, we travelled to Mount Abu. The road wound through lush greenery, and the air grew cooler as we ascended. At the Serlings Hotel, the view of the hills was so mesmerizing that my father spent the entire evening on the balcony, sipping tea and soaking it all in.
Our exploration began at Sunset Point, where nature arranged a breathtaking finale to the day. The sun dipped slowly behind the hills, and my daughter whispered, “It looks like the sky is on fire.”
Toad Rock was next, and it brought out the adventurer in all of us. Climbing the quirky rock formation, my daughter declared, “I am the queen of Mount Abu!”
The serene beauty of Nakki Lake was the perfect way to wind down. We strolled along its banks, the cool breeze carrying the scent of flowers. My wife took my hand and said, “This trip has been perfect so far, hasn’t it?”
I nodded as I was grateful for the moments of togetherness that felt like gifts.
Journey Etched in Hearts Forever
As our trip came to an end, we could not resist one last visit to a local cafe in Udaipur before heading home. Over steaming cups of chai and plates of crispy pakoras, we recounted our favourite moments from the journey.
For my daughter, it was the boat ride on Lake Pichola. “I felt like a princess in a fairy tale,” she declared. For my wife, it was the peaceful walks through Mount Abu. “It was the perfect escape,” she said with a smile. My parents, ever nostalgic, spoke of revisiting old haunts and seeing them through our eyes.
For me, it was not just one moment but the sum of them all - watching my family laugh, bond, and create memories together.
As we boarded the flight back home, I looked out of the window and the golden sands of Rajasthan faded into the horizon. My heart was full of the shared moments that would forever be a part of our family’s story.
Read more: Thrillophilia Udaipur Reviews