Jodhpur Travel
Guide by Vinay Chaubey
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, also known as
Marwar. Jodhpur is a popular tourist destination, featuring many
beautiful palaces, forts and temples, apart from a stark, scenic desert
landscape. The city is known as the "Sun City" for the bright,
sunny weather it enjoys all year. It is also referred as the Blue City,
due to the indigo tinge of the whitewashed houses around the Mehrangarh
Fort. Jodhpur is also known for gentleness of its people.
Jodhpur
lies near the geographic center of Rajasthan state, which makes it a
convenient base for travel in a region much frequented by tourists. The
old city of Jodhpur is surrounded by a thick stone wall. The wall has six
huge gates called Nagauri gate, Merati gate, Sojati gate, Jalori gate,
Siwanchi gate and Chand pol.
Places
to See in Jodhpur
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Forts and Palaces:
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 roomed Umaid Palace.
Mehrangarh
Fort
Perched
on a 150 m high hill its sprawl is the most formidable and magnificent
fort in Rajasthan. Rao Jodha founded it in 1459 but subsequent rulers
of Jodhpur have also added to it over the centuries.
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A
meandering road leads to the from the city 5 kms below. Battle scars of
canon ball hit by attacking armies of Jaipur can still be seen on the
second gate.
Museums
of Jodhpur
Mehrangarh
Fort Museum
In the
middle of the Umaid Public Garden, this museum houses a rich collection
of exhibits armoury, 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.
Umaid
Bhawan Palace Museum
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
roomed Umaid Palace. This was to become India last of the great palaces
and the biggest private residence in the world.
Parks
in Jodhpur
Mandore
Garden
Mandore
was the former capital of Maharajas of Marwar and is located about 5
miles north of Jodhpur, but was later abandoned for the security of
Mehrangarh fort. Here you will find the dewals, or cenotaphs of Jodhpur's
former rulers. Unlike the usual chhatri-shaped cenotaphs typical of
Rajasthan, they were built along the lines of a Hindu temple, four
stories high, with fine columns and an elegant spire, all in red
sandstone. The most impressive is the dewal of Maharaja Ajit Singh
(reigned 1678-1724). These cenotaphs are set in beautiful landscaped
gardens.
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Fairs & Festivals of
Jodhpur
Nagaur
Fair
This
eight days fair held every year during the month of Jan-Feb, is
popularly known as the Cattle fair and is the second largest in
Rajasthan. Nagaur Town is the most picturesque of Rajput townships.
Nagaur is a sea of animals, trading over 70,000 bullocks, camels and
horses every year. The bullocks are known for their fleetness. Not only
are the animals lavishly decorated, even their owners flaunt wearing
colourful turbans and long moustaches.
Makar
Sankranti
The
festival is celebrated on the 14th of January every year. This has now
become the festival of kite-flying which does not spare the soaring spirits
of anyone in Jaipur.
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The
devoted ones, however, take a holy dip in the kund at Galtaji. The
traditional sweet associated with it is Phirni, made in abundance by the
halwais of Jaipur.
Elephant
Festival
This
festival is held on the day of Holi, the festival of colours, at the
Chaughan stadium. Beautifully decorated and caparisoned elephants assemble
to participate in the royal procession. Elephant polo, elephant
race,elephant tug-of-war with a few tourist and holi on elephant back are
some of the exciting events.
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About
the Author: Vinay Chaubey SEO Manager For more details on Places of
Interest in Jodhpur visit www.times2travel.com
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