Explore things to do in Udaipur
Lake Pichola predates Udaipur itself. It was dammed in 1362 by a Banjara grain trader, and almost two centuries later, Maharana Udai Singh II established his capital around the lake. Much of what visitors come to experience in Udaipur grew from that decision: City Palace along the waterfront, boat rides to Jag Mandir, the ghats and the many spots around the lake for watching the sunset.
But the city’s traditions extend well beyond the waterfront. In workshops across Udaipur, artists continue to work on crafts that have been passed down through generations. You might find a Pichwai painter building up a painting layer by layer over several weeks, or a stone carver creating the intricate screens found in traditional architecture. Rajasthan Studio works directly with these artisans, many of whom teach from the same workshops where they practise their craft.
- Udaipur
- 3 Hours
₹5782/Person
Art and craft workshops in Udaipur
Temple art and traditional stonework, taught by artisans who continue to practise these crafts.
Pichwai painting is closely associated with the Shrinathji temple in Nathdwara. The temple is around 48 km from Udaipur. When the Shrinathji idol was moved there in the 1670s, artists began creating cloth paintings for the temple that changed according to the festival calendar. Pichwai paintings are built up in layers, with time needed for each layer to dry. A large painting can take around three weeks to complete.
Phad painting is traditionally made on long cloth scrolls and was used by Bhopa priest-singers to tell stories. During performances, the scroll was gradually unrolled while Bhopa sang the story, accompanied by the ravanhatha. The paintings therefore served both as artwork and as a visual guide for the performance.
Jal Sanjhi is one of the rarer traditions featured in these workshops. The artist creates a stencil and uses it to arrange coloured powder on the surface of still water. The finished image lasts only briefly, making the process particularly unusual to watch and try.
Koftgiri involves setting gold or silver wire into a cross-hatched steel surface. The technique was traditionally used to decorate armour and weapons and is now also found in decorative objects and jewellery.
Other experiences in Udaipur include sea foam stone carving, miniature painting and tie and dye. Miniature painting and tie and dye are good starting points if you’re new to traditional Indian crafts, while the more specialised techniques offer an opportunity to learn about less commonly practised traditions.
The workshops are led by practising artisans in their own workspaces. You can see the tools and materials they use every day and, where the craft allows, try the technique yourself under their guidance.
City and food walks in Udaipur
Explore Udaipur’s ghats, courtyards and old lanes with a local who knows the neighbourhood well.
The Udaipur city walk takes you through places such as Saheliyon Ki Bari, where the fountains use a gravity-fed water system connected to Fateh Sagar, as well as old havelis, waterfront streets and local markets. The route finishes at the ghats, giving you a chance to see one of the city’s most familiar public spaces as locals use it.
Our walk hosts grew up in or around these neighbourhoods and can adapt the walk based on what interests you. Along the way, you’ll hear about the history of the buildings and also how the spaces are used today. It is a more local view of Udaipur, with plenty of time to stop, ask questions and explore the streets on foot.
A city built around water
Udai Singh II founded Udaipur in 1559, choosing a valley in the Aravalli hills surrounded by lakes for his new capital. After Chittorgarh fell to Akbar in 1568, Udaipur became the capital of Mewar. The lakes went on to shape much of the city’s architecture, from courtyards and gardens designed around views of the water to neighbourhoods that developed along the shorelines.
The City Palace was built and expanded over nearly four centuries, with successive rulers adding new sections to the existing complex. This is why the palace contains a mix of architectural styles and courtyards from different periods. Jag Mandir, located on an island in Lake Pichola, is also linked to Mughal history. Prince Khurram, who later became Shah Jahan, stayed there in 1623 while rebelling against his father, Emperor Jahangir.
Udaipur’s craft traditions are closely connected to its temples and former royal court. Pichwai painting, for example, was developed for religious use and is traditionally created according to the requirements of the temple rather than simply as wall art. Many of these skills continue to be taught through family and artisan workshops in the region.
Food is another part of Udaipur’s Mewari heritage. Laal maas, a spicy mutton curry traditionally made with dried red chillies, is one of the region’s best-known dishes. Gatte ki sabzi, made with gram-flour dumplings in a yoghurt-based curry, is another staple found on Mewari thalis. Around Bapu Bazaar and Hathi Pol, you’ll find evening stalls serving kachori and mirchi bada, while restaurants around Lake Pichola offer views of the palace alongside dishes such as dal baati churma.
Why explore Udaipur with Rajasthan Studio
Many of the artisans we work with do not run regular classes or workshops in Udaipur. Rajasthan Studio arranges these sessions directly with them, based on their availability, so you get to meet the artist in the same place where they normally work.
Our experiences in Udaipur take place in the artisans’ own studios and homes. You’ll see unfinished pieces and ongoing commissions around you, along with the tools and materials they use in their daily work. This gives you a better understanding of how the craft is actually practised beyond a workshop setting.
Groups are kept small, with workshops available for individuals and small groups. This gives you time to work directly with the artisan and ask questions throughout the session. City and heritage walks are capped at ten participants.
Rajasthan Studio has received Gold at the Global Responsible Tourism Awards 2024, organised by ICRT Global in London, and at the ICRT India and Subcontinent Awards 2024 for its work in championing cultural diversity. The Ministry of Tourism has also included Rajasthan Studio in its 75 Best Sustainable Case Studies of India. In Udaipur, this approach is particularly relevant for crafts that are now practised by only a small number of artisans.
Planning your time in Udaipur
Two days are enough to visit the City Palace, explore the markets and take a boat ride on Lake Pichola. With three days, you can add a craft workshop and a city walk in your Udaipur itinerary without having to rush through either experience.
Best time to visit: October to March is generally the most comfortable period for walking around the ghats and joining workshops in open or naturally ventilated spaces. April to June can be hot, although Udaipur’s lakes and surrounding hills make the weather somewhat more moderate than in Rajasthan’s desert cities. July to September brings the monsoon, with fuller lakes, greener surroundings and fewer visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions for Things to do in Udaipur
What are the best things to do in Udaipur?
The boat on Pichola and the City Palace are worth an afternoon. After that, the city is more interesting in the workshops and on foot. We run a city walk and a food walk in Udaipur, plus workshops in Pichwai, Phad, Jal Sanjhi, Koftgiri, sea foam carving, miniature painting and tie and dye.
Which craft workshop in Udaipur should I start with?
Pichwai and tie and dye, if this is your first time doing anything hands-on. Sea foam carving and Koftgiri, if you want something almost nobody else will have done, though both are slower and less forgiving.
Do I need any prior experience to join any of these activities?
No. Each of our experiences in Udaipur starts from zero, and the artist works next to you rather than demonstrating from the front.
What should I wear for a city walk or food walk?
Shoes you can walk on wet, uneven stone on, because the ghats and garden paths are both. Shoulders and knees covered for temple and haveli stops.
Are these experiences in Udaipur good for solo travellers and families?
Yes. Groups are small by design, which works for solo travellers, couples and families with children.
Which Udaipur crafts are the rarest?
Jal Sanjhi, by a distance. Koftgiri comes next, surviving through a handful of families in the region. Sea foam carving is rare for a different reason: the craft began as something of a hobby around six decades ago, and over the years, a select group of artisans have taken it up and kept the tradition alive.
