DESTINATION INDIA

Rajasthan(PART-III)

Jodhpur

 

Sun City, Blue City.

Jodhpur is the second largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was formerly the seat of a princely state of the same name, the capital of the kingdom known as Marwar. Jodhpur is a popular tourist destination, featuring many palaces, forts and temples, set in the stark landscape of the Thar Desert.
The city is known as the "Sun City" for the bright, sunny weather it enjoys all year. It is also referred to as the "Blue City" due to the blue-painted houses around the Mehrangarh Fort. The old city circles the fort and is bounded by a wall with several gates. However, the city has expanded greatly outside the wall over the past several decades. Jodhpur lies near the geographic centre of Rajasthan state, which makes it a convenient base for travel in a region much frequented by tourists.

 Mehrangarh Fort

Mehrangarh Fort, located in Jodhpur city in Rajasthan state, is one of the largest forts in India.The magnificient Mehrangarh or the ‘Sun’ fort was founded by Rao Jodha in 1459 AD., when he sifted his capital from Mandore on the advice of a hermit. The imposing fort perches atop a 125 m. high hill, above the city and overlooks the rugged and rocky terrain.

            The museum in the Mehrangarh fort is one of the most well-stocked museums in Rajasthan. In one section of the fort museum there is a selection of old royal palanquins, including the elaborate domed gilt Mahadol palanquin which was won in a battle from the Governor of Gujarat in 1730. The museum exhibits the heritage of the Rathores in arms, costumes, paintings and decorated period rooms.

Palanquin for royal child

Mehrangarh Fort is also a favorite spot for Bollywood and Hollywood movies. Filming of the last installment of the Batman Series, The Dark Knight Rises, began on May 6, 2011, at Mehrangarh Fort.

 Jaswant Thada

This magnificient white marble memorial was built in 1889, in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The ornately curved cenotaph lies near the Mehrangarh fort and nestles on a low hillock, standing out in complete contrast with its surroundings. Inside the cenotaphs are fine portraits of successive rulers of Marwar and a complete genealogical table of the royal family of Jodhpur.

  Mandore Garden

Mandore is located about 5 miles north of Jodhpur. It was the former capital of Maharajas of Marwar. Later it was abandoned for security concerns regarding the Mehrangarh fort. Its extensive Mandore garden, with high rock terrace, makes it a popular local attraction.
In the Mandore garden, there are the dewals or cenotaphs of Jodhpur's former rulers. Instead of the usual chhatri-shaped cenotaphs typical of Rajasthan, the cenotaphs of the famous Mandore garden of Jodhpur, Rajasthan are built along the lines of a Hindu temple. They are four stories high, with fine columns and an elegant spire, all in red sandstone. These cenotaphs are set in beautiful landscaped gardens. The cenotaphs of the Maharani are set on a rocky outcrop over the hill.

A Rajput folk hero.

Near to the cenotaphs is the hall of heroes. The hall is dedicated to various deities and Rajput folk heroes. The statues of the deities and heroes we are carved out of rock and painted in bright colors. Also in this garden of Jodhpur, is "The Shrine of the Three Hundred Million Gods", filled with brightly colored images of the various Hindu Gods. As you climb up the hill, you come to the ruined city of Mandore, with its old palace.

The garden is open for tourists from 8 am to 8 pm.

Umaid Bhawan

 

Umaid Bhawan Palace, located at Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India, is one of the world's largest private residences. A part of the palace is managed by Taj Hotels. Named after Maharaja Umaid Singh, grandfather of the present owners of the palace, this monument has 347 rooms and serves as the principal residence of the erstwhile Jodhpur royal family.

The present owner of the Palace is Maharaj Gaj Singh. The Palace is divided into three functional parts - a luxury Taj Palace Hotel (in existence since 1972), the residence of the erstwhile royal family, and a Museum focusing on the 20th century history of the Jodhpur Royal Family.

 Ghanta Ghar(Clock Tower)

 Ghanta Ghar was constructed by the Late Shri Sardar Singh Ji of Jodhpur. Beside the tower, there is the Sadar Market that is frequented by tourists on shopping spree. From this market, tourists can purchase Rajasthani textiles, clay figurines, miniature camels and elephants, marble inlay work and classic silver jewellery.

There are many places in Jaipur besides these. I am just trying to share the most beautiful places.