Jodhpur: The Blue Gemstone

       (Inside Mehrangarh fort, Jodhpur)

Jodhpur is the blue gemstone of Rajasthan. A city known for its blue houses, fort and magically beautiful handicraft. We reached jodhpur via train. There are many cheap and nice hotels near the railway station to stay. We had however already booked our home stay from Airbnb (It was a first). But trust me, this was one of the best decision we took on this journey. Our home stay was situated in the old parts of city and from our room we had a magnificent view of the Mehrangarh fort. The fort glows a beautiful orange in the night. We had reached jodhpur in the late hours so we couldn’t explore anything that day. Since our home stay was situated at the backside of the fort, next morning we started for the Mehrangarh fort on foot. The journey to the fort was an uphill walk of around 15 minutes.

(A miniature of Mehrangarh fort)

Like all forts in India, Mehrangarh fort also has a very interesting legend associated with it. It is said that when Maharaja Rao Jodha started the construction of the fort he evacuated everyone residing at the hill. But one sage named Cheeriawale Baba refused to vacate his land and cursed that should the king continue to build his fort his region will experience continuous droughts and will never thrive. The king was scared by the curse, he asked for Baba’s forgiveness but Baba said that he can’t take his words back. There is only one way to put an end to his curse that is someone should be buried alive as a sacrifice. When king failed to find anyone for the sacrifice one of his noble men Rajaram Mehwal came forward to lay his life for the good of the kingdom. Rajaram Mehwal was buried alive and thus began the construction of the fort. There is a memorial of Rajaram Mehwal at the fort.

Mehrangarh fort is a beautiful piece of architecture, it houses a museum depicting the colorful history of Marwar. The fort also offers a beautiful view of the blue city. Though we are not so good with photographs but still you can get a glimpse of it here.

(View of the blue city from Mehrangarh fort)

While visiting the fort should you get famished, there is a government canteen that offers mouth watering trademark rajasthani mirch pakoday and a motley of other amazing snacks. Also to add a vibrant charm to your visit you will find various local folk artist singing songs with their traditional instruments at different places in the fort. The view of majestic medieval fort along with background music is just the customized Bollywood style tour you would dream of having. Rajasthan sure knows how to take tourism to great heights.

(Mehrangarh fort architecture)

Just outside of Mehrangarh fort there are two more sights to visit, Jaswant Thada and Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park. Both the sites are at a 10 minutes walk from Mehrangarh fort. Desert rock park is ecologically restored desert. If you love nature walks the place is best for you, but prefer visiting it in the evening as the day will be too hot to handle .

 Jaswant Thada is a beautiful site made of white marbel, it is also known as Mewar Taj Mahal. It is a memorial  built by Maharaja Sardar Singh of Jodhpur for his father. There goes a story that during the funeral ceremony of the king a peacock fell on the pyre and died. There is a memorial also for the peacock. The place had big gardens decorated with flowers and nicely manicured lawn. It’s a nice place to relax your taxing muscles after hours of walk in the heat in fort and Desert Park.

(Inside of Jaswant Thada)

Our next destination of the city was Mandore Garden. The place is known as the birth place of Ravana’s wife Mandodari. Mandore Garden houses the remains of temples, memorials, chhatris(cenotaphs) of many Jodhpur rulers. The gardens are well kept with rows of flowers adding colors to the site. We spent hours lazing on the cold stones of the temples.

(Temple architecture at Mandore Garden)

We found ourselves a nice place to relax and devour the beauty of the place under a tree, courtesy to our dearest employer “Bank of Baroda”.

(Mandore Garden)

Last we visited one of the most talked about places of Jodhpur, “The Umaid Bhavan Palace”. The glamour palace where various celeb weddings of our country has taken place. The Palace is indeed Grand, the royals still reside in it and only a portion of it is open for visitors. A part of the palace also works a hotel.  

(Umaid Bhawan Palace)

The grandeur and charm of the place is unmatchable. If Mehrangarh fort offers you a walk in the medieval past then umaid bhavan palace offers you a view into the royal luxury.

Shopping

The visit to the city is incomplete if you don’t go back home with suitcases full of wall hangings, bandani suits and sarees, hand made bags and lot many handicraft items. The best place to buy it all is the National Handloom Shop and if you want to explore the local streets than Ganta Ghar Market and Tripolia Market is your destination.

Do visit the city for culture, forts, scenic views and shopping.