Jodhpur is one of the most important stations on Palace on Wheels tour for obvious reasons. Rising majestically over the rocky and rugged terrain is one of Rajasthan's finest forts-the Mehrangarh Fort. It looks down protectively over the fascinating city of Jodhpur.
Famous for its magnificent forts and palaces, Jodhpur is the second largest city of Rajasthan and a major tourist attraction in the country. The city is situated at the edge of the Thar Desert with Jaisalmer on its west, Barmar, Jalor and Pali on its south, Bikaner on its north, and Nagaur on the eastern side.
Jodhpur was founded by the Rajput chief Rao Jodha in 1459. The city was the erstwhile capital of the Marwar state. A 10-km-long wall made of stone and built about a century after the city was founded, surrounds the old city. There are about 100 towers in the city, most of which are surrounded by defensive battlements.
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 metres 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.
Red sandstone stairs led up to the chessboard checked courtyard of the neat white marble cenotaph call Jaswant Thada. Dedicated to Maharaja Jaswant, this memorial was built in 1899. Inside, the reverent ambience is framed with several portraits of Jodhpur royalty. It is a peaked structure from the outside with precise trelliswork and excellent carving.
The beautiful corridors, staircases and hallways preserve in near entirety of Umaid Bhawan rouses the curiosity of adventurous spirits.
A wonderful palace of beige sandstone built by Maharaja Umaid Singh in 1928 and designed by the President of the British Royal Institute of Architects. The Fort is a blend of several styles, merging pleasantly. All the trappings of Raj influence, pre-independence royal living are present. Royal auditorium ballrooms, huge dinning-room, gilded royal furniture, majestic tiger and deerskins on the walls of a gloomy library of old books, crystal chandeliers, stained glass windows, liveried menservants and doormen, swimming pool in basement, various mementoes and old photographs. There is so much to see and discover.
Outside the manicured lush lawn, is splashed with rows of red and white flowering bushes. From the expanse of green grass, the huge central dome of Umaid Bhavan emerges most prominent, with the four corners peaked into columned minarets. Glowing in the late afternoon sun, this is another royal treasure of Rajasthan.
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