Before your next Europe trip, Anand Mahindra wants you to discover Rajasthan's historic Indian city

Europe's medieval towns may be a favourite among travellers looking for old-world charm, but Anand Mahindra believes Indians may be overlooking something closer to home. The industrialist recently drew attention to Udaipur's Old City, praising its narrow lanes, cleanliness and historic character. Founded in 1553, the city's heritage and architecture, according to Mahindra, deserve far greater attention from travellers. His post also carried a simple travel reminder: sometimes, discovering something extraordinary does not require crossing international borders.

Anand Mahindra praises Udaipur's Old City

Anand Mahindra took to X to share his thoughts on Udaipur's Old City, describing it as a place filled with narrow lanes and a clean, quaint and charming atmosphere. The historic area dates back to 1550s, when Maharana Udai Singh II founded Udaipur. For Mahindra, its age and character make it comparable to the medieval towns that attract visitors across Europe.

He questioned why Udaipur's Old City should draw fewer visitors than those European destinations, stressing that there was no obvious reason for the difference.

Udaipur's old-world charm deserves more attention

Mahindra's post focused on the kind of experience that often draws tourists to historic European towns. The Old City's narrow streets and traditional character offer visitors a chance to experience Udaipur's history at a slower pace. Rather than presenting the city simply as another tourist destination, Mahindra highlighted the atmosphere and charm that make its historic core worth exploring. His comparison with Europe's medieval towns also raises an interesting question about how travellers view heritage destinations in India compared with those overseas.

Anand Mahindra's message to travellers

The post was also less about comparing India with Europe and more about encouraging people to look at familiar places differently. Mahindra noted that people often travel long distances in search of new experiences. Yet, he suggested, discovery can sometimes begin much closer to home. His observation that “sometimes the discovery begins closer home” serves as a reminder that historic and culturally rich destinations may exist within India's own cities, even for travellers who have visited them before.

Why Udaipur remains a popular heritage destination

According to Rajasthan Tourism, Udaipur, popularly known as the ‘Venice of the East’, is the City of Lakes, surrounded by the lush green Aravalli hills and dotted with azure waters. The city is home to iconic attractions such as the Lake Palace in Lake Pichola, the majestic City Palace and Sajjangarh, also known as the Monsoon Palace.

Rajasthan Tourism notes that Udaipur is also home to Jaisamand Lake, considered the second-largest artificial freshwater lake in Asia. Lake Fateh Sagar houses India's only island-based solar observatory, modelled on the Big Bear Solar Observatory in Southern California. The city is also known for its marble and zinc resources and hosts the annual Shilpgram Festival from December 21 to 30, attracting visitors interested in traditional arts and crafts.

Udaipur was founded in 1553 by Maharana Udai Singh II as the new capital of the Mewar Kingdom. It lies in the fertile, circular Girwa Valley, southwest of Nagda, the former capital of Mewar.