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 Jodhpur, once
the capital of the former princely state of Marwar, is now the
second largest city of Rajasthan. Flanked on its western side by
the Mehrangarh Fort, and on the eastern side by the stately
sandstone Palace of Umaid Bhawan; the monuments temples and
gardens of Jodhpur depict a multi-faceted grandeur.
Founded in 1459 AD by the Suryavanshi Rao Jodha, Jodhpur
gradually grew around the towering Mehrangarh Fort, built as a
stronghold on the advice of a sage. Alongwith Bikaner and
Jaisalmer, Jodhpur too is situated on the ancient silk route
that linked Central Asia and Northern India with the seaports of
Gujarat. As a result it became a major trading centre in the
16th century. Reminiscent of the bygone years is the fact that
Jodhpur is still the leading centre for cattle, camels, wood,
salt and agricultural crops. The beauty and imagination that has
gone into the making of this monumental city proclaim the
life-springs of creative genius that appear incongurent with the
harshness of this land and its climate.
Mehrangarh Fort - In the
turbulent political times of 1459 AD. Rao Jodha was adviced by a
saint to establish an impregnable head-quarter and so, the
Mehrangarh Fort was built on a steep hill. This formidable hill
top fort is among the best in India with exquisitively latticed
windows in residential apartments within. Carved panels and
porches, elaborately adorned windows and walls of Moti Mahal,
Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Sileh Khana, seem to make the
medieval splendour come alive. A collection of musical
instruments, palanquins, royal costumes, furniture and the
cannons on the fort's ramparts are preserved.
Transportation
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Air : Indian Airlines
connect Jodhpur with Jaipur, Delhi, Udaipur and Bombay.
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Rail : Jodhpur is
connected by rail with Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Jaipur, Delhi,
Ahmedabad, Abu Road, Bombay via Ahmedabad Barmer and
Udaipur via Marwar.
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Road : By road Jodhpur
to Agra 577 kms, Ajmer 198 kms, Barmer 220 kms, Bikaner 240
kms, Bombay 1073 kms, Delhi 592 kms, Jaipur 343 kms,
Jaisalmer 290 kms, Mount Abu 264 kms, Udaipur 275 kms,
Ranakpur 175 kms.
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Bus : Regular bus
services available from Jodhpur to Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Jaipur,
Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Ranakpur and Nathdwara.
What to see
Mehrangarh : One of the most stunning hill forts of
Rajasthan, Mehrangarh appears to rise from the bluff-coloured
sandstone hill itself, so well built into the base that it is
difficult to tell where the hill ends and the walls begin.
Umaid Bhawan Palace : Umaid Bhawan Palace can qualify for
several firsts: the largest private residence in the world, the
finest extant example of art-deco, the only palace to have
painting from the Ramayana painted by a Polish artist, the first
to use air-conditioning, electricity and elevators, and the most
impressive for its size and dimensions.
 Jaswant Thada : A cluster of royal cenotaphs in white
marble built in 1899 A.D. in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh
II. Within the main cenotaph are the portraits of various
Jodhpur rulers.
Government Museum : Located in the Umaid gardens on High
Court Road, it has a large and fairly interesting collection.
Mehrangarh Fort Museum : This is an excellent museum with
rare and interesting artifacts, textiles, paintings, transport
items etc. laid out with utmost care and thought. The Palanquin
Gallery and Howdah Gallery display a superb collection of old
and costly specimens of great historical value.
Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum : Recently the ruling family
of Jodhpur has converted a part of the gigantic Umaid Bhawan
Palace as a Palace Museum.
Government Museum, Mandore: About 8 kms form Jodhpur; Mandore
was the capital of Marwar. This enchanting place having
beautifully carved cenotaphs, halls of heroes, palaces and old
fort, is of immense historical importance.
Excursions
Balsamand Lake and Garden (5 km), Mandore (8 Km), Sadar Samand
Lake (55 Km),
Guda Bishnoi (25 Km), Mahamandir Temple (9 km), Kailana Lake (11
Km), Jhalamand Garh (10 Km), Luni Fort (35 Km)
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