Tucked away in southern Rajasthan, this place surprised visitors with its Green landscape and scattered river islands.
When I first heard about a city in Rajasthan that is called the City of Hundred Islands, I laughed a little. Rajasthan, I thought, is all about sand dunes, camels, and scorching heat. But a friend from Jaipur told me about Udaipur and its quirky nickname, and I decided to check it out for myself. What I discovered was a completely different side of the state – a place where the air feels cooler, the trees are Greener, and the water is dotted with countless tiny islands that look like little emerald buttons floating on a blue sheet.
First Impressions: Greenery in an Unexpected Land
Arriving in Udaipur, the first thing that struck me was the sudden splash of Green. The city sits on the banks of several lakes, and the streets are lined with palm trees, bougainvillea, and mango orchards that give the whole area a fresh, almost garden‑like vibe. It felt like stepping into a movie set where the desert suddenly turned into a lush oasis. Even the local rickshaw drivers, who usually shout “Bhaiya, pakdiye!” in their booming voices, Greeted me with a friendly smile and a comment about how lucky they are to live in such a Green spot.
Everywhere I looked, there seemed to be a little bit of water – whether it was the big lakes, the slow‑moving river, or tiny ponds hidden behind old havelis. And tucked into that water were more islands than I expected. Some were big enough to host a palace, like the one where Jag Niwas (the famous Lake Palace) stands, while others were just a few meters across, covered in reeds and occasional mango trees.
Why “Hundred Islands”?
Udaipur is not officially listed as having a hundred islands, but the nickname comes from the sheer number of tiny landforms you can spot if you look closely. When you take a boat ride on Lake Pichola or the larger Fateh Sagar Lake, you’ll notice dozens of small islets scattered around the shoreline. Local guides love to point them out, saying things like, “Look, that’s one island, and over there’s another – together they make a hundred!” It’s a bit of a poetic exaggeration, but it captures the feeling of being surrounded by water‑borne mysteries.
Going by a small motorboat, I counted at least thirty distinct patches of land that broke the surface. Some were just patches of sand, others were steep, rock‑covered bits that looked like miniature forts. The impression was enough to make the nickname stick in my mind, and honestly, it feels right – Udaipur really does look like it’s standing on a sea of islands.
Exploring the Islands: A Day on the Water
One of the best ways to truly feel the “hundred islands” vibe is to spend a morning on a boat. I hired a local boatman near the Lake Palace and we set off with a simple plan: glide around the lake, stop at any island that caught our eye, and maybe hop off for a quick stroll. The boatman, a middle‑aged man named Mohan, shared stories about each island. He told me how one tiny island was once a hide‑out for pirates, while another was used for a royal garden centuries ago.
We stopped at a small sandy island that barely rose two feet above the water. Mohan lifted the oar and let the boat drift while we stepped onto the sand. The feeling was surreal – I was standing on a piece of land that seemed to belong to no one, surrounded by water on all sides. A few fishermen were already there, casting their nets, and they Greeted us with a friendly “Namaste”. I watched the ripples spread as the boat moved away, and I could feel the gentle breeze carrying the scent of water lilies and fresh river water.
After a short walk, we headed back and visited another island that had a little shrine dedicated to a local deity. The shrine was simple – a stone altar, a few incense sticks, and a small bell that chimed when the wind passed. It was a humble reminder of how spirituality is woven into the everyday life of Udaipur’s people, even on the tiniest of islands.
Living in a City of Islands: Everyday Scenes
What surprised me most was how the islands are part of daily life for the locals. In the evenings, you’ll see families gathering on the banks of the river, setting up portable grills to roast corn, and children playing games of “catch the turtle” where they pretend to be turtles swimming between islands. On weekends, local schools organize nature walks that include short boat trips to teach kids about the ecosystem of the lake and the importance of preserving those little islands.
Even the market near the main lake is full of vendors selling fresh fish caught just a few meters away from the shore. You can watch them unload their catch onto tiny wooden stalls, and the smell of freshly grilled fish makes you feel like you’re part of a big community feast. Some of the vendors even set up temporary stalls on the bigger islands during festivals, turning those land patches into bustling micro‑markets for a day.
Comparing to the Rest of Rajasthan
Travelers who have explored other parts of Rajasthan often talk about the arid heat of Jaisalmer, the golden sands of the Thar Desert, and the massive forts of Jaipur. When they arrive in Udaipur, the contrast is immediate. The temperature feels milder because the water bodies regulate the climate, and the presence of islands means there’s a cooler micro‑climate near the lakes. People who grew up in Jodhpur or Bikaner often tell me that a day in Udaipur feels like a breath of fresh air after weeks of scorching sun.
For example, my colleague from Jodhpur once said, “In Jodhpur, the sand never stops moving, but in Udaipur, the water moves and the islands stay – it’s a different kind of peace.” That sentiment captures how the city’s geography changes the whole experience of Rajasthan.
Local Cuisine Around the Islands
No travel story about Udaipur is complete without mentioning the food. While the city is famous for its dal baati churma, the lakeside eateries offer a special catch: fish cooked in mustard gravy, known locally as “Machhli ka Jhol”. I tried it at a small shanty on the edge of Fateh Sagar Lake, where the chef used freshly caught fish from the lake itself. The taste was light, tangy, and reminded me of the sea – which made sense because the islands give the impression of a tiny archipelago within Rajasthan.
During a rainy evening, I joined a group of locals for a “bhog” – a traditional dinner served on the banks of the river, complete with kachori, jalebi, and a steaming pot of gajar ka halwa. The setting was magical: the river reflected the flickering lamps, and every now and then, a ripple would pass by a distant island, as if signalling us to keep eating.
Preserving the Islands: Challenges and Efforts
While the islands add charm, they also face challenges. Pollution from nearby settlements sometimes leads to algae growth, and the increase in tourist boats creates a risk of erosion. The local municipal corporation has started a campaign called “Save Udaipur’s Islands”, encouraging both residents and tourists to avoid littering and to use eco‑friendly boat fuels.
Volunteer groups, often formed by college students from the University of Rajasthan, organize clean‑up drives where they collect plastic bottles and other waste from the lake shores and even from the smaller islands. I participated in one such drive on a Saturday morning. We gathered a few bags of trash, and the sense of accomplishment was huge – it felt like we were protecting a piece of our shared heritage.
Seasonal Changes: How the Islands Transform
One thing I learned while staying in Udaipur for a few weeks is that the islands look different depending on the season. During the monsoon, the water level rises, submerging some of the smaller islands and turning them into shallow mudflats. During the dry months, the water recedes, exposing more sand and creating new pathways between islands that people can walk on during low tide.
In the cooler months, the islands become a favorite spot for photographers. The sunrise over Lake Pichola, with the pale orange light hitting the tops of the islands, creates a picture‑perfect scene. Many locals set up their own small camera booths on the larger islands to capture tourists’ smiles, turning a simple stroll into a souvenir‑making session.
Final Thoughts: A City That Defies Expectations
Looking back, describing Udaipur as the City of Hundred Islands feels both accurate and endearing. The city’s blend of Green landscapes, water‑filled charm, and the surprising abundance of tiny islands makes it a unique corner of Rajasthan that many travelers overlook. If you ever think Rajasthan is only about sand, give Udaipur a chance – you’ll discover a side of the state that feels like a hidden oasis, complete with islands that whisper stories of ancient royalty, local fishermen, and everyday families enjoying life by the water.
So the next time you plan a trip, remember that the City of Hundred Islands is not a far‑off exotic location but a place you can reach by a short train ride from Jaipur or Delhi. Pack your camera, bring a sense of curiosity, and get ready to step onto a hundred tiny pieces of land that together create a big, unforgettable memory.
