|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jodhpur
Tourism
This bustling desert city is the second largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur and has landscape dominated by the massive Meherangarh Fort topping a sheer rocky ridge.
The old city is fenced by 10 km long wall with eight Gates leading out of it. The new city is outside the walled city. Rao
Jodha, a chief of the Rathore clan, founded the city in 1459 and it is named after him.
The Afghans drove the Rathores out of their original homeland Kaunaj and they fled to this region around Pali a short distance from present day Jodhpur. A
man oeuvre lead to marriage between Rathore Siahaji and the sister of a local prince that helped the Rathores to establish and strengthen themselves in this region.
|
 |
|
In fact they flourished so well that managed to oust the Pratiharas of
Mandore, just 9 km of present day Jodhpur. By 1459 a need for more secured capital lead to the founding of Meherangarh Fort on its rocky perch and Jodhpur was thus founded by Rao
Jodha. The Rathores enjoyed good relations with the Mughals and Maharaja Jaswant Singh (1678) supported Shah Jahan in the latter's struggle for war of succession. Only problematic relationship they had was with
Aurangzeb. After Aurangzeb's death Maharaja Ajit Singh drove out Mughals from Ajmer and added it to
Marwar.
In the reign of Maharaja Umed Singh Jodhpur grew into a fine modern city.
The quintessence of Jodhpur was its valour and equestrian skill. Polo has been the traditional sport of the Jodhpur nobility since medieval times.
Jodhpur has two railway stations, City and Rai ka Bagh both are outside the walled city. The bus stand is right outside the Rai ka Bagh Station. The High Court is a while from the bus stand after the Umed Gardens, after which is located the tourist reception centre and RTDC Hotel
Ghoomer. Ahead is the main market and entry in to the wall from Sojati Gate. This area also has many hotels. Jodhpur is also military and air force station and has a large cantonment and airbase. |
|
|
|
Jaswant Thada
On the way down from the fort, on left is Jaswant Thada, the graceful marble cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. His son Maharaja Sardar Singhji built the Taj Mahal of Marwar in the memory of Maharaj Jaswant Singhji II of Jodhpur.
The cenotaphs of earlier Maharajas and Maharanis are at Mandore.
Wives and concubines committed Sati on Jaswant Funeral pyre. The main memorial has been built like a temple with intricately carved marble stone that is sculpted by the genius artesian. A visit to this structure is through the rocky hills giving it a secluded and a mystic aura.
|
|
Mandore Garden
MANODRE, inhabited since the time of RAMAYNA, originally Known as Mandavyapur. the King Ravna married to princess Mandodri of Mandavyapur. Late Gupta period 6th - 7the century AD, the ancient capital of Mandorva branch of the PARIHAR rulers. Later became the capital of Marwar, has an extensive and beautiful garden on the slopes of a hill.
Here one may find a charming collection of temples and memorials. the devals(cenotaphs) of Maharaja Jaswant Sing and Maharaja Ajit Sing are housed here.
Its hall of heroes depicting popular Hindu and folk deities, dating back to the 17th - 18th century has 16 figures carved out of a single rock. These are called 330 million Devi and Devtas (Heroes of 330 million people at that time)
Higher up on the plateau is the ruins of Mandore, the antique city of parihars. The Mandore Fort was built in stages. A study of the Mandore Fort, its thick walls and huge ruins show that the fort was a fine piece of architecture.
Many statues and etching on stone and rock found at Manodre now adorn museums. the ruins also indicate the existence of a huge temple inside the fort. The outer wall of the temple depicts finely carved botanical designs, birds, animals and also beautifully carved planetary system...... a reminder of the distant past
Sprawling gardens, a hillside water reservoir, terraced lawns, cenotaphs and memorials, Hall of Heroes dedicated to the legendary figures of this daredevil virility and spiritual devotion, all combine to be the tourist true delight. A winding path to the right of the reservoir cenotaphs dedicated to about 60 Queens bear witness to the historic significance of the spot.
Timings: 8 AM to 8 PM
Conducted tours running by RTDC twice a day for all four places at the rate of Rs. 85/- per person Guda (a Bishnoi Village)
It is the nearest point form Jodhpur to exotic wild life & nature. During the session thousands of birds can be seen here, like domicile Cranes etc. This pond is water-drinking point for the antelopes and black bucks of near by area.
|
|
Mehrangarh Fort
Situated on a steep hill, Mehrangarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India. The fort has been a witness to the splendor of a bygone era. The beauty and the grandeur of numerous palaces in the fort narrates a saga of hard sandstones yielding to the chisels of skilled Jodhpuri sculptures. To enter the Mehrangarh fort, seven gates have to be crossed.
The Mehrangarh Fort encloses many palaces, which are known for their intricate carvings and sprawling courtyards. Moti Mahal or the Pearl Palace has a delicately carved stone screen and treasures the Srinagar Chowki, royal throne of Jodhpur. Umaid Villas displays the Rajput miniature paintings and Ajit Villas exhibits musical instruments and the royal costumes. Both these villas are joined by a beautiful mirror room.
Magnificent Mehrangarh, one of Rajasthan's finest forts, looks down protectively over the city, from the hilltop. The fort is situated at an altitude of about 125 meters and is spread over an area of 5 sq. km with seven gates. One could drive up or walk to the top of the small and not so steep hill. Driving or walking up, the sheer rock face from where emerges the tall and massive sandstone wall of Mehrangarh looks awesome indeed.
Inside the fort, a series of courtyards and palaces greet the visitor. The palace apartments house a splendid collection of the trappings of the Indian royalty. The fort is visited by thousands of tourists every year who come to have a glimpse of the artillery system of the Rajput warriors. One can have a bird's eye view of the city from the fort.
One can experience the royal ambiance during their vacation in Jodhpur. The palace apartments house a splendid collection of the trappings of the Indian royalty. The Mehrangarh Fort is visited by thousands of tourists every year who come to have a glimpse of the artillery system of the Rajput warriors. You may also enjoy a bird's eye view of the Jodhpur city from the Mehrangarh fort.
|
|
Museums
In the middle of the Umaid Public Garden, this museum houses a rich collection of exhibits
armory, textile, local arts and crafts, and miniature paintings.
And even portraits of rulers, manuscripts and images of Jain Tirthankars. Umaid Public Garden houses a zoo and public library. This building and the garden were developed during the time of Maharaj Umaid Singhji.
Govt. Museum, zoo and Umaid Public Park
Entrance fees: Rs 3/-
|
|
Sight Seeing
OSIAN
The ancient town of Thar Desert was a great trading center between 8th to 12th centuries. Today it is desert oasis with 16 Brahamanical and Jain temples, beautifully sculpted and designed, most of which have stood ravages of time. The place is highlighted by its camel ride at the time of the sunset. The tourist's have the liberty to watch the architectural forms during that camel ride and return back to the camps or the resorts followed by drinks and thematic evening of performing arts and a choice of oriental cuisines arranged in the ethnic style of that region. The stay at the camps enriches the feel of the holiday. The camp Thar being the best among the staying facilities.
MACHIYA SAFARI PARK
It lies on the way to Jaisalmer, about 1km from Kailana Lake. The key fauna of the safari park includes, deer, desert fox, monitor lizard, blue bulls rabbits, wild cats, mongoose, monkeys etc. There is also large number of birds, which can seen from an exclusive bird watching point and also nice sunset can seen from the fort of park.
PALI
Pali is named after the Paliwal Brahmins who once inhabited the area. Ancient Pali housed a highly evolved civilization. The land, was leased by the then chief of Mandore (the former capital of Jodhpur district), was cultivated diligently by the Paliwals who abandoned their former priestly profession. The temples of Somnath and Naulakha are very old. Naulakha Jain temple has elaborate carvings while Somnath Shiv temple is known for its handsome bulling having exquisite mouldings.
SOJAT
Sojat city, is situated on the left bank of the Sukri River near Pali town, known as Tamravati in the ancient times, the fort has a big reservoir and several temples like Sejal Mata, Chaturbhuj and much more. The old temple of Chamunda Mata located on the top of one of the hillocks. Dargah of Pir Mastan is the main attraction at the time of Urs- the Muslim festival. One of the major attractions of this city is the plantation of mehandi trees, a herbal plant where the leaves are squashed into a thin paste and applied on the hands and the feet in various attractive designs. This traditional art form is now known all over the world and is internationally adopted in the fashion circuit. Many of the foreign tours who happen to cross this perticuler route towards Udaipur or Mount Abu often takes a break and get there palms and feets decorated by the Mehndi of Sojat as it is very popular across the country.
Another prominent place to be seen are the temple of Ramdeoji near village Biratiya, the fort of Desuri, Kurki the birth place of Mirabai the legendry poetess who dedicated her whole life worshiping lord Krishna and spreading his message all over, that attracted the Mughal rulers too. Following these are few more locals like Jawai bandh, Jain temples of Narlai.
NIMAJ
Nimaj boasts of a temple built in 9th century. It was dedicated to goddess Ma Durga . It also covers a unique art gallery showcasing some masterpieces of sculptural art, adorned within natural surroundings so as to provide an authentic ambience.
NAGAAUR
The Ahhichatragarh Fort is medium sized, which have been built by Mughal Emperors Akbar and Shaha Jahan. A well planned Mughal Garden, which retains its pleasant appearance even today. The city has distinct Muslim influences and a Five Domed Mosque built by Emperor Akbar dominates the landscape. The city is best visited during the Ramdeoji Ka mela and Tejaji ka mela in February and August respectively. Nagaur is approachable by express busses of RSRTC and by taxi.
|
|
Umaid Bhawan Palace
Maharaja Umaid Singhji who built this palace was fascinated with western lifestyles so he marshalled the services of a well-known Edwardian architect, Henry Vaughan Lanchester, a creditable equal of Edward Lutyens (architect of New Delhi) to construct a three hundred and forty seven room ed Umaid Palace.
This was to become India last of the great palaces and the biggest private residence in the world. Spectacular Central Rotunda, the cupola rises to a hundred and five feet high; the Throne Room with its exquisite Ramayana murals; an elegant wood-panelled library, and even a private museum; an indoor swimming pool, a Billiards Room, tennis courts and unique marble squash courts makes Umaid Bhawan Palace is unabashedly the most magnificent.
The palace was also built with superficial intentions of providing employment to famine stricken farmers. The Palace now is a five star deluxe palace hotel.
The museum of the palace is highly recommended for its display of weapons, an array of stuffed leopards, a huge banner presented by Queen Victoria and an incredible collection of clocks.
|
|
|
|
|
