Culture Week in Udaipur, India

This is great for those looking to explore, learn about the culture and settle in a bit before a volunteer program. It is a great way to learn about local life and the activities the locals do on a daily basis. 

• Accommodation
• 3 meals p/day weekdays / 2 meals p/day weekends
• Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
• Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
• 1 day orientation
• Daily transportation to project
• In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
• Fundraising support
• University course credits (where applicable)
• Certificate of Completion

• Airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Tours, Souvenirs & spending money

Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.

A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR). You must arrive between Sunday 06:00 to 24:00 on Sunday.

If arriving outside the pickup times we charge an additional fee for any extra night’s accommodation before your program, and another fee for a private transfer.

Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).

From the airport to accommodation, it takes 45 minutes by road.  

Monday

• We commence the day with a short introduction to the history of India, followed by a crash course in Hindi. These language learning sessions will enable you to communicate with common words & basic sentences that will be important in your journey in Udaipur and through India.
• Tea is an integral part of Indian customs & occupies a very special place in Indian daily routines. Try your hand at concocting a traditional “masala chai.”.

• We travel into the heart of Udaipur and visit the City Palace, Jagdish Temple and a cultural program unique to Rajasthan.

• We explore the City Palace, a stunning window to the times of the Mewar kingdom & the era of kings in India. Housed in the palace museum are exhibits representing a heritage & tradition spanning  7th to 20th centuries. These exhibits will take you back in time.

• Jagdish temple is a three-story structure with exquisite structure & remarkable pieces of architecture that comprise skillfully carved pillars, decorated ceilings with beautiful halls, and intricate carvings that are very special.
• Venture out for a heritage walk of old city parts of Udaipur to uncover the magic housed in this city. Cultural oddities ,murals, shrines, stores, & people that are hard to uncover with the untrained eye.

Tuesday

• Today starts with an introduction to Pranayama basics of yoga, ancient wisdom from yogis, based on breathing & meditation that translates into your well being both physically & mentally.
• Pranayama is basically a set of breathing techniques used for  mental focus, rejuvenation, and healing. Prana means “life force energy,” and Yama means “control or mastery of.
• Enhance your culinary skills with guidance provided for whipping up a gourmet meal. The dishes will be vegetarian, as are the majority of people that live in Udaipur.

• Ingredients will be sourced by you from the local market, housing a dazzling combination of produce along with smells & sights that will translate into experiencing a typical Indian market.
• In the evening, we will embark on a short hike to witness panoramic views from the Karni Mata Temple. A trek of about 2.1 km takes around 50-60 minutes on a back trail that is moderately challenging. Find yourself with a birds eye view of beautiful Udaipur.
• The evening is topped with  traditional folk dances & puppetry, , a view into a myriad of tradition, heritage  & cultures that Rajasthan is blessed with

Wednesday

• Your next session of pranayama practice involves breathing exercises and patterns that can be practiced anywhere. Pranayama is combined with other practices like physical postures (asanas) and meditation (dhyana) to complete yoga.
• Try your hand at a pottery wheel with guidance from artisans with skills passed down through generations. A pottery session will teach you the traditional techniques for clay works that will add to your creativity, followed by an opportunity to try at the potter’s wheel with all necessary equipment and guidance.

• It’s time to experience  ‘Shilpgram’ which means ‘village of art’. Shilpgram is exactly a village of art. It is a centre devoted to preserving and promoting traditional art. Showcasing the culture of Rajasthan along with adjoining states, it has been created  as a living museum showcasing the unique lifestyles of the folk and tribal people.
• An ideal centre wherein you can immerse yourself in a vibrant and authentic cultural experience to discover a plethora of traditional arts and crafts of the region. From traditional textiles to intricate handicrafts, this complex is filled with exceptional skills and craftsmanship.

Thursday

• Your last day of yoga commences. It has been taught for centuries that pranayama has the power to bring awareness to the body and elevate the mind and spirit. Modern day  science validates awareness that breathing can directly affect your health and quality of life. These small learnings could be translated into daily practice & further exploration of this time tested model for a comprehensive health routine.

• A short drive from Udaipur is Eklingji Temple, a temple devoted to Lord Shiva. We get to experience this superb architecture, carving, and design, and  is one of the most important temples in Rajasthan. This ancient temple dates back to the 8th century.
• Another landmark is the Saas Bahu Temple, which is an ancient collection of shrines built in the 11th century & is very close to Eklingji Temple. This shrine is dedicated to Lord Vishnu & is another temple that will take you back in time.
•  Be a part of the ancient tradition of Mehndi, or Henna. Mehndi designs on skin are mainly used in celebration of special occasions such as weddings and birthdays in the joyous gathering of people. Henna designs are not tattoos, as henna is just a temporary dye from the henna plant that sits on the skin’s surface.
• We then get into a session of traditional painting techniques of Rajasthani passed down through generations & now in your domain to experience.
• India or  Bollywood is an industry that churns out more movies every year than Hollywood. It is a quintessential part of modern Indian culture. From tearjerkers to comedy, romance, and action thrillers, Bollywood has it all. We get to see one of them this evening.

Friday

• Off the well-worn tourist trail, visit a rural Indian village and be part of their life for a day in the real heart of India, witnessing firsthand life as it is lived by the majority of Indians. This is an original way to unearth real Indian life in a manner that benefits both the visitor and the host. This is not just visiting – it is interacting .
• On the road less traveled, there is a cultural richness & vibrancy that will guarantee to rival the palaces and opulence with a tranquility that will stay with you.

• Getting up close to the daily Aarti is a spiritual & religious ritual offered to God, the deities, and the whole universe.
• This ritual is a mesmerising spectacle, with the chanting of ancient texts and oil lamps moving in unison.

***This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.***

*Schedule possible to change due to the project and community needs at the time. Volunteer flexibility and adaptability is important to a positive volunteering experience. 

Here are some must-do activities in Udaipur:

Visit City Palace
Explore the magnificent City Palace, a complex of palaces with stunning architecture, beautiful courtyards, and fascinating museums. Don’t miss the panoramic view of the city and Lake Pichola from here.

Lake Pichola Boat Ride
Take a boat ride on Lake Pichola, especially during sunset, to enjoy the serene waters and breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and palaces, including the famous Lake Palace.

Jag Mandir
Visit Jag Mandir, an island palace on Lake Pichola. This stunning structure is rich in history and offers splendid views of the lake.

Jagdish Temple
Admire the intricate carvings and architecture of Jagdish Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is one of the most important temples in Udaipur.

Saheliyon Ki Bari
Stroll through Saheliyon Ki Bari, a beautiful garden adorned with fountains, kiosks, marble elephants, and a delightful lotus pool. It was designed for the royal ladies to relax and enjoy.

Fateh Sagar Lake
Spend time at Fateh Sagar Lake, a picturesque artificial lake. You can take a boat ride, enjoy a walk along the promenade, or visit Nehru Park on one of the islands.

Bagore Ki Haveli
Explore Bagore Ki Haveli, an ancient mansion with over a hundred rooms, showcasing traditional costumes, artifacts, and an impressive puppet gallery. Attend the evening cultural show for a taste of Rajasthani folk dance and music.

Monsoon Palace (Sajjangarh Palace)
Visit the Monsoon Palace, perched on a hilltop, for a panoramic view of Udaipur, its lakes, and the surrounding countryside. The sunset view from here is particularly spectacular.

Shilpgram
Discover Shilpgram, a rural arts and crafts complex that showcases the culture and traditions of Rajasthan. It’s a great place to buy traditional handicrafts and see folk performances.

Vintage Car Museum
For car enthusiasts, the Vintage Car Museum is a must-visit. It houses a collection of classic and rare cars owned by the Maharajas of Udaipur.

Cooking Classes
Take a cooking class to learn how to make traditional Rajasthani dishes. Many local chefs offer classes where you can get hands-on experience.

Yoga and Meditation
Join a yoga or meditation session to relax and rejuvenate. Many hotels and wellness centers offer classes in tranquil settings.

Local Markets
Wander through local markets like Hathi Pol and Bada Bazaar to shop for traditional Rajasthani handicrafts, jewelry, textiles, and souvenirs.

Additional Requirements

• Participants below the age of 18 should have parental consent.
• Participants above the age of 65 should have medical clearance.

India is an eclectic and intoxicating cultural experience like no other! Home of the famous Taj Mahal, the Himalayas, the sacred Ganges river, and over 1 billion people of varying languages, cultures and beleifs, India is sure to push you to the boundaries of your comfort zone.

IVI is focused on establishing sustainable employment and education through volunteering efforts in India. Children in some of the regions we service have not had basic nutritional background. Over 950,000 newborns per year in India die from infections. Education about health for families provides a strong foundation for self-care in the communities we service in India.

India’s climte ranges from tropical down south to alpine up in the northern mountain regions. 

From April until the start of October is summer, and in most places in India, is very hot. In June the monsoon rains start in Kerala down south, and move inland. Further north and in the rural areas of Rajasthan, it can get pretty cold from December to January- sometimes as low at minus 5 degrees!

Be prepared for some hot temperatures but if in the Sikkim region, bring along some warmer clothing as it can get cold in the mountains. 

India is a country FULL of culture! From the beautiful colours, different religions, ancient traditions and the smells of spices- India is a country like no other.  It’s the the second most populous nation after China, with over 1.2 billion people. 

The most prominant religions are Hinduism and Buddhism and around 13% of the popualrtion are Muslim. Because there are so many religions, India celebrates a large number of festivals throughout the year. Some of these include Diwali, Holi, Eid and Good Friday. 

In India, the cow is considered to be a Holy animal and you will see cars either driving around, or simply waiting if a cow is in the road holding up traffic! In some parts of India it is forbidden to eat meat or drink alcohol. 

You will see many temples in India, as well as colourful clothing, particually the sari’s that the local women wear, and many cultural dance shows and activities. 

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