We started our 2008 vacation of Rajasthan from the Venice of East… “Udaipur”.

We landed in Udaipur at 5-30 AM. The travel time of 80 Minutes, was very short for us Mumbaites to get used to the nippy December mornings of Rajasthan. Udaipur is the historic capital of the former kingdom of Mewar in Rajputana Agency and is famous for its heritage buildings and palaces, including the famed Lake Palace.

This photograph was taken at the gates of The Udaipur City Palace. The official tourist route starts at this huge red wall which inscribes bloodline of the former Mewar Kingdom. For me this is about the fascination and awe that we have for the lives and times of Royalty. This interest transcends boundaries and is present in easterners and westerners alike. Here, the stories of a local guide were consumed with much interest by his American clients. I could not stop myself from capturing this moment.

I will be posting some of the photographs from our 2008 Rajasthan vacation in coming days.

Selling the blue bloodline