I was enjoying my sound sleep from last night thinking about Lake Pichola’s view and the lighting around it. All of a sudden my beautiful dream was becoming more and more blurred as a loud call from my mom in my ears started disturbing me. She was getting ready for the day and at the same time calling me out, “LAVKAR UTH, KITI ZOPSHIL? TUJHYA MULE SAGLE LATE HOTIL” (Wake-up. How much will you sleep? We’re getting late because of you). I pulled over my blanket, took a long breath, and stretched my arms and legs till horizon. But a fraction of seconds was enough to give my spine and bones a quick shiver as it was a freezing morning. I was about to cover myself with the blanket but a butterfly in my stomach slew me out of my bed, the reason was “SHOPPING”. Since we were running short on time, I decided to skip my bath for the day as it was very cold outside. Let me make this very clear to all of you that I never step outside without bathing, but had to make an exception that day. I got ready in a  moment and joined my fellow travellers and the restaurant for a super-fast and heavy South Indian breakfast. Upon having the breakfast I was discussing with my dad that the South Indian food here was more tasty than what we had in actual South India. We headed towards RTDC’s (Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation) Shilp Kala Kendra. While we were on our way, my mom asked me, “Why was I smiling constantly?” to which I replied nothing but deep in my mind I was thanking those twinkling stars from previous nights for giving me an unfaded smile. 

As my driver was faster than my thoughts today, we reached our destination in no time. Upon entering the shopping center or I should call it as Shilp Kala Kendra, I was completely mesmerized deep down to my senses. I couldn’t say anything but WOW. I along with all my ladies jumped into the sea by saying “AAJ TOH SAB KHARID LEGE”.(Let’s buy everything.) Down the line I got to know that the Rajasthan Government had set up this center to promote local art and craftsmanship simultaneously boosting the local economy for the welfare of such talented artists. Anything inside the emporium didn’t go unnoticed, be it the jewellery, textile, handicrafts and many more such things. After spending a lot of money and a couple of hours we decided to take an exit from there and proceed to our next destination named “SAHELIYON KI BADI”.

Udaipur city’s most tranquil spot was built by the king with uttermost attention to provide all the facilities and magnifice his queen “SAHELIYON KI BADI”, welcoming us with a great aroma of flowers. The flowerbeds in there just looked like they were sprinkling joy from their ambience. Each plant was sown into pots of different different shapes and sizes like butterflies, pyramids etc. Now it was our moment to enter the main court, the first thing I did was, took a bow to appreciate the beauty of the main fountain. The center piece looked like a dancing peacock and enjoying its own rain by spurting out water from its beak. It captivated me so much as if I had caught a sight of a real peacock dancing in the rainy season. 

Moving on in another courtyard, had reserved a beautiful sight of four marble sculptured elephants sprinkling water from their trunks into the water pool beneath. During my entire visit to this magnificent garden, I found out that there are around 2000 crystallized fountains, various animal sculptures, traditionally designed kiosks and a variety of flowers all in one place to soothe and relax the mind. One can easily imagine what pleasure the royal people did get with this grandeur in medieval times.

After visiting the places of leisure and pleasure, it was the time to hear about the valour of the most sung and courageous hero of Rajasthani folklore. He was none other than “MAHARANA PRATAP”. So we headed towards Maharana Pratap Memorial located on the hill named Moti Mangri(Pearl Hill). The Maharana Pratap Memorial is built-in the memory of king Maharana Pratap’s brave, fearless, sacrifice and courageous acts. In his memory, a life-sized bronze statue of Maharana Pratap along with his loyal horse Chetak of about 11 feet has been built. And exactly in front of the statue, there’s an India’s National Flag waving proudly. The butterflies in my stomach which flew me for shopping and fun towards now march pasting inside my stomach out of respect for the bravery and courage of Maharana Pratap and his warriors and the soldiers of India as well. Standing in between the statue of Maharana Pratap and Indian National Flag gave me countless goosebumps as one cannot forget their sacrifices of Maharana for the freedom of his motherland. 

A glimpse of Lake Fateh Sagar can also be experienced from the Memorial. And a museum is built in its premises. A vast collection of paintings, fort sculptures, weapons, etc defines the rich history of Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh and Haldighati battles in the museum. In front of the museum premises, there are few statues of Dhil Raja, Bhamashah, Jhalman Hakim Sur etc with Maharana Pratap.

Then we further came down to enjoy the view of “LAKE FATEH SAGAR” with some snacks. One gets lured with the composure of lake water. Sitting on the banks of the lake around the hills, murmuring birds in the sky with the amazing floras around and having your favourite snacks in cold ambience is like having snacks in nature’s laps. 

After moving further for a few  kilometres we reached “PRATAP GAURAV KENDRA” which welcomes by around 57 feet a bronze statue of Maharana Pratap on the hill. After getting inside the gate of Pratap Gaurav Kendra there are statues of Maharana Pratap on his loyal horse Chetak, few animals like cow, tiger, monkey, also Lord Hanuman, Meera Bai, etc decorated with some flower pots and butterflies around them. 

Then the instructor took us inside a hall where statues play a skit of the Haldighati battle fought by Maharana Pratap. The effect of sound, lighting and statues make us feel as if the battle is happening in front of us. 

Then there’s a courtyard where statues of Kings who ruled Udaipur, some Ministers and Soldiers who always supported and helped the King, saints, Queen Padmini, Meera Bai, etc are displayed. But what made me stop and made me stare was the statue of “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj”. It brings so many butterflies in the stomach when you visit as a tourist in some other city and get to watch the statue of the warrior king who fought so much for the well being from where you come. That touched my heart and made me more proud of where I came from. The air over there wasn’t a normal one, it was all about bravery, valour, fearless, boldness and love for the kingdom.

Moving further the instructor took us to watch nine skits of Haldighati battle, Rani Padmini, Meera Bai, Sati, Panna Dhai etc. The moving statues, lights, sounds etc are made as if it’s theater. Then the instructor guided us to the temple which is of ancient modernism architecture and idol crafts temple of Bhakti Dham. Along with Eklingji there are idols of Riddhi Siddhi Vinayak, Shrinathji, Charbhuja Nath and Shri Dwarkadhish Ji are built in the same premises. And lastly they took us to the play of  “Bharat Darshan”. Where they showed stories of temples and brave fighters of mother India. Moving from one gallery to another there are various beautiful paintings of the people who fought in history for the welfare of the country and the people of the country. And exit the Kendra with more butterflies of bravery in mind as the exit way is decorated with statues of India’s freedom fighters,saints, etc and gives an inspiration to achieve something for the welfare of the country. I’m amazed by the idea that they preserved the lessons for the youth by providing not only books but also short skits, statues, paintings, etc of dauntless people.

After completing our visit for the day we were then invited by Bhavnesh uncle and Devahuti aunt for an evening tea at their residence. A warm tea in cool weather with tons of gossips recharged all of us so we headed that to shopping as we still had a few hours left for the dinner.