I woke up to the cold January weather of Rishikesh caught in between wanting to stay snuggled under my blanket or start my exploration early. Half-dazed, I forced myself to saunter across the room feeling the iciness of the bathroom floor hurrying to find comfort from a hot shower. 

By this time, after making our way from Jaipur and Jodphur, the golden-colored terrain of the vast Rajasthan desert appears as common as the blue skies above. The contrast in hue reigning in this part of India made this part of our journey extra visually more astonishing. We also have developed a routine comprising of bazaar hopping, street food exploration and stepping inside centuries-old palaces and gigantic forts. Despite that, my sense of wonder and chase of the oddity lit up as we were about to approach the City Palace of Udaipur on foot. Massive in scale and rich in architectural details, I immediately felt a tinge of royal vibe as we enter the 'Badi Pol' (Great Gate) leading to the Palace's first of many courtyards.

The Facade of the City Temple looks more like a typical Rajasthan Fort