Karni Mata Temple Sunset
I’ve landed in Rajasthan and plan to stay here for a couple of weeks (self-imposed). My initial trip included Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer. I’m now adding Bundi, Pushkar, and Bikaner to my travels.
Udaipur is beautiful and deserves its nickname, the “Venice of the East”—I completely agree with whoever coined that phrase. It’s like the Fairfield County or Orange County of India: extremely pleasant and gorgeous. The city is so stunning that I want to photograph every tiny detail in the morning and at night.
I’ve taken a full day to compose myself, do some editing, and plan the next couple of days. If you’re reading this, I highly recommend the most beautiful sunset spot I’ve ever visited—I’m serious. It was at the top of Udaipur at Karni Mata Temple.
Your main concern is timing the sunset perfectly, so focus on the ropeway (it’s just a gondola or tram). I was alone, so the staff let me skip two hours of lines, but groups might have a different experience. In January, Udaipur sunsets are around 5:30 PM. I made it through the wait, up the ropeway, and to the top of the temple by 4:30 PM.
At the top of the ropeway, you get a 360-degree view of the City of Lakes—it’s a very spread-out city. I thought the romantic shimmer might be fancy editing, but no, the city really glows unlike anywhere else I’ve seen.
Do yourself a favor and speak up. All the Indian tourists up there are after the same thing you are: that perfect golden-hour view. Anyone sightseeing up here is just like you. Indians are extremely happy to help you navigate the best spots once you’re there. It’s funny being up there—some tourists have been before and some haven’t. Some camp out in a favorite spot waiting for the sun to drop, while others roam around. I roamed the whole time and asked people for help. There are hidden paths that stray from the ropeway and Karni Mata Temple that are worth exploring. You’ll access different viewpoints and observation areas. Don’t get stuck in one spot. Give the whole plateau a chance and decide which view you like best.
There’s also a footpath that opens up before the ropeway for temple devotees and I haven’t done it yet.
It’s the day before Republic Day in India and the city feels very festive. Decorations are up and I’m so excited to negotiate a boat ride or two to add to my sunrise/sunset recommendations. Some places on our planet just hit and feel different and Udaipur is one of those places. The city is ancient, but also screams modernity. As a foreigner you won’t skip a beat.
More articles coming soon- thank you for reading!
