Jodhpur has a rich architectural and
historical legacy. The exquisiteness of the Jodhpur
forts and monuments is sure to enchant the tourists.
There are number of famous palaces of Jodhpur, Rajasthan
that are worth seeing. Their preservation is the result
of the combined efforts of the tourism department of
the Rajasthan Government and the royal families of Jodhpur.
Dotting the city and its landscape are various forts
and monuments. There are several places to see in Jodhpur,
India during your tour to this region. Some of the popular
tourist attractions of Jodhpur are:
The Mehrangarh Fort
The Jaswant Thada
The Umaid Bhawan Palace
The Rai ka Baag Palace
Each of these places has some history attached to it.
You will find it very interesting to take a tour of
these places and discover about them. So, make sure
to visit these places on your trip to Jodhpur. Without
a visit to these forts and monuments, your trip to Jodhpur
will be incomplete.
Mehrangarh Fort
Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur is one of the largest forts in
forts. It is also the most magnificent fort in Jodhpur,
infact, in the whole Rajasthan. The fort is amongst the
popular tourist places in India. It is situated on a 150
m high hill. It was founded by Rao Jodha in 1459. The
Mehrangarh Fort can be reached from the city, 5 kms below,
through a circular road.
Read on to know more information on The Mehrangarh
Fort, India:
Seven gates have to be crossed to reach the fort. The
gates still bear the marks of the various battles fought
in the bygone era. Its second gate still stands witness
to canon ball hits by attacking armies of Jaipur during
wars. One of the gates is Jayapol, meaning victory.
It was built by Maharaja Man Singh to commemorate his
victories over Jaipur and Bikaner armies. Another gate,
Fattehpol, again meaning victory, was built by Maharaja
Ajit Singh as a celebration for defeating the Mughals.
Other attractions of Mehrangarh Fort, Rajasthan include
several palaces inside the fort, with their sprawling
and huge courtyards. One of the fort's palaces, The
Moti Mahal or the Pearl Palace, has the royal throne
of Jodhpur, the Sringar Chowki. The fort also has galleries,
temples, etc. To the left of the Mehrangarh Fort is
the Chhatri of a soldier, Kirat Singh Soda. It is the
spot where he fell while defending the fort against
the armies of Amber.
The Mehrangarh Fort, with its beauty, is the living
proof of the hard work and skill of the Jodhpuri sculptors.
Jaswant Thada
To the left of the Mehrangarh Fort complex is the Jaswant
Thada of Jodhpur, Rajasthan. It is a 19th century royal
cenotaph built in commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant
Singh II, the 33rd Rathore ruler of Jodhpur. The son
of Maharaja Jaswant Singh, Maharaja Sardar Singh, in
the memory of his father, built the Jaswant Thada. The
cenotaph has two more tombs within it. Near to this
are the royal crematorium and three other cenotaphs.
Famous Jaswant Thada in Jodhpur, India is an example
of architectural brilliance in India. It is a white
marble memorial, built out of intricately carved sheets
of marble. The carving shows the genius of the sculptors.
These stones are extremely thin and polished. As a result,
the outside surface of the monument emits a warm glow
when the sunrays fall on its surface. There is also
beautiful marble jali work on the cenotaph. You can
have some nice views from the terrace in front of the
cenotaph.
The cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh displays portraits
of the rulers and Maharajas of Jodhpur. The main memorial
has been built like a temple. To visit the Thada you
have to go through the rocky hills. This also lends
a mystic aura to the whole visit. Do make sure to visit
this architectural delight while on a tour to Jodhpur,
Rajasthan.
Umaid Bhavan Palace
Umaid Bhavan Palace in Jodhpur, India is one of India's
most imposing and recent palaces. Umaid Bhavan palace
of Jodhpur, Rajasthan was built by Maharaja Umaid Singh.
It is named after him only. He utilized the services
of a well-known Edwardian architect, Henry Vaughan Lanchester
for the construction of this palace. It contains three
hundred and forty seven rooms.
Jodhpur's Umaid Bhawan Palace was actually built for
the welfare of the people. The purpose was to give employment
to the people of Jodhpur during a long period of drought
and famine. The construction of the palace utilized
approximately one million square feet (90,000 m²).
Another special feature of the palace is the use of
a special type of sandstone, called Chittar sandstone,
giving it a special appearance. Umaid Bhavan palace
of Jodhpur is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture.
Over three thousand artisans were employed in the construction
of this palace.
The Umaid Bhavan palace was converted into a heritage
hotel in 1977. The Palace is now segmented into the
Royal residence, the Heritage Hotel and the Museum.
In a part of the palace the royal family of Jodhpur
still lives. In another part of the palace is a well-maintained
museum. India's Umaid Bhavan palace has an amazing Central
Rotunda, the cupola rising to a hundred and five feet
high. There is also the Throne Room with its exquisite
Ramayana murals, a library, a private museum, an indoor
swimming pool, a Billiards Room, tennis courts and unique
marble squash courts.
Rai ka Bag Palace
The Rai ka Bag Palace of Jodhpur, Rajasthan is another
tourist spot for you to visit on your trip to Jodhpur.
The queen of Maharaja Jaswant Singh-I, Hadiji, built
this palace. It is situated near the Raika Bag palace
railway station. Famous Rai Ka Bag palace in Jodhpur,
India was constructed in 1663. It was amongst the favorite
palaces of King Jaswant Singh-II. Most of the time he
stayed in the octagonal bungalow of Rai Ka Bag palace.
In 1883, Swami Dayanand Saraswati came to Jodhpur.
The arrangements for his public audience were made in
the public ground of this palace only. He gave his sermons
there itself. Even Jaswant Singh used to listen to Swami
Dayanand in this palace only. At present the palace
houses the income-tax office. |
