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Jodhpur
Travel Guide
Jodhpur Travel Guide
A valiant sentinel in the desert, on the eastern fringe of the Thar desert
has the distinction of neither being a part of the Thar desert nor out of
it.
At best it is a doorway to the wonderland of sand dunes and
shrubs, rocky terrain and thorny trees. The home of the Rathroes - the
awesome princely state of Rajasthan. They conquered Marwar or Maroodesh,
land of the sand after the fall of Delhi and Kannauj.
In 1459
AD, Rao Jodha, chief of Rathore clan of Rajputs, who claimed descent from
Rama, the epic here of the Ramayana, laid the foundation of Jodhpur. A high
stone wall protects the well-fortified city. The wall is nearly 10km in
length and has eight gates facing various directions.
Within, stands an imposing fort on a low range of sandstone hills,
about 125m above the surrounding plains. Invincible! And dauntless in its
league with time! The city lies at the foot of the hills. The clear
distinction between the old and the new city is visible from the ramparts of
the fort.
On the other side of the city, facing the fort is the
Umaid Bhawan Palace. One of the most spacious, sprawling and well-planned
palaces in India. And from here, as you look at fort, a tantalizing view
rises before your eyes at sunset.
The peculiar slant of the
sunset lends the desert landscape an awe-inspiring glow and the people, a
chivalry undaunted.
Places
to See 
Mehrangarh Fort
Mehrangarh fort is about 5km from Jodhpur Town.
Guarding the city below, crowning a perpendicular cliff, the fort was
founded by Rao Jodha in 1459 AD when he shifted his capital from Mandore.
Standing sentinel to the city below, it over looks the rugged
and rocky terrain and houses a palace intricately adorned with long carved
panels and latticed windows exquisitely wrought from red sandstone.
The apartments within, have their own magic -the Moti mahal (Pearl
Palace), Phool Mahal (Flower Palace), Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), Sileh
Khana and Daulat Khana with a rich varied collection of palanquins, howdas,
royal cradles, miniature paintings of various schools, folk music,
instruments, costumes, furniture and an impressive armoury.
The
display of cannons on the ramparts near Chamunda temple is among the rarest
in India. As you climb up, folk musicians revive the grandeur of a bygone
era.
Jaswant Thada Built in the memory of Maharaja
Jaswant Singh II , in 1899 , the imposing white marble memorial marks the
site of a royal crematorium. The cenotaph houses portraits of successive
rulers. These four cenotaphs commemorate notable acts of bravery, generosity
of the four successive rulers.
Timings 0900 to 1700 hrs.
Umaid Bhawan Palace Built by Maharaja Umaid Singh (1929 -1942)
and named after him, this exquisite palace is also known as Chittar Palace
because of the local chittar sandstone used.
It is a splendid
example, of Indo-colonial and art deco style of the 30s.
A
unique feature of this palace is the fact that the hand chiseled sandstone
blocks have been put together in a special system of interlocking, there is
not mortar binding.
A portion of the palace has been converted
into a hotel, the other remains on view to visitors in form of excellent
museum which houses model airplanes, weapons, antique clocks and bob
watches, priceless crockery, and hunting trophies. Both sections retain the
ambience of royal splendor .
Timings: 0900 to 1700 hrs.
Government Museum Nestling in the middle of the Umaid Public
Garden, this museum houses a rich collection of exhibits - armoury,
textiles, local arts and crafts, miniature paintings. Portraits of rulers,
manuscripts and images of Jain Tirthankars. Umaid Public Garden houses a zoo
also. Timing : 1000 to 1630 hrs (Friday closed).
Girdikot &
Sardarkot Market Throbbing with activity, the colourful bazaar,
near Clock tower, has narrow lanes dotted with tiny shops selling exquisite
Rajashani textiles, handicrafts, clay figurines of camels and elephants,
marble curios with inlay work and exquisite Rajasthani silver jewelry.
Maha Mandir Temple Leterally, the great temple, a place
where sacred glory reigns in a peaceful tranquility. Situated on Mandore
road, the temple is an architectural splendor, supported by 84 pillars and
ornamented with detailed designs and figures depicting various postures of
Yoga. The entire structure is marked by a unique and original style.
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