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. 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. To the left is
chhatri of Kirat Singh Soda, a soldier who fell on the spot while defending
the fort against the armies of Amber. There are seven gates, which include
Jayapol meaning victory built by Maharaja Man Singh to commemorate his
victories over Jaipur and Bikaner armies. Fattehpol also meaning victory
gate was built by Maharaja Ajit Singh to mark the defeat of Mughals. The
palm imprints still attract devotional attention and are covered by
vermilion paste and paper-thin silver foil.
Situated on a steep
hill, Mehrangarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India. The fort has
been a witness to the splendour 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. Some of these gates still bear marks of many
a siege that this fort has withstood. Its very hard to imagine how any
invader even thought of conquering this fort, which at places has 17 feet
thick and 68 feet high walls. 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 Sringar 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.
| » Other
Attractions in Jodhpur |
Fort Museum : This is one of the finest museums
in Rajasthan and certainly the best layed out. In the palanquin section of
the fort museum, you can see an interesting collection of old royal
palanquins including the elaborate domed gilt Mahadol palanquin, which was
won in a battle from the Governor of Gujarat in 1730. The museum exhibits
the heritage of the Rathores in arms, costumes, paintings and decorated
period rooms.
Phool Mahal : The grandest of
Mehrangarh's period rooms, the Phool Mahal was in all likely hood a private
and exclusive chamber of pleasure dancing girls once swooned in exhaustion
here under a ceiling rich in gold filigree. The Phool Mahal was created by
Maharaja Abhaya Singh (1724-1749) and the gold came from Ahmedabad in
Gujarat as war booty after his famous victory over the rebellious Mughal
governor, Sarbuland Khan. The paintings, royal portraits and the
ever-popular raga mala, came much later, in the reign of Jaswant Singh II.
Jhanki Mahal : The Jhanki Mahal, from where
the royal ladies watched the official proceedings, in the courtyard, today
houses a rich collection of the royal cradles. The cradles are decorated
with gilt mirrors and figures of fairies, elephant and birds.
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 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.
| » Places to
Stay in Jodhpur |
There are several budget hotels and paying guest accommodations
available in Jodhpur.
Air : Jodhpur is connected to Delhi, Jaipur, and
Udaipur with flights of state owned Indian Airlines and its subsidiary
Alliance Air. The airport is located 5 km south of the city.
Rail : Rails connections are available to Jaisalmer,
Jaipur, Kota, Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Bikaner. Tourist quota is also available
and the office is located at the railway station itself.
Road : Jodhpur is the major transportation center for
onward journey to the desert town of Jaisalmer and other places in Udaipur.
Buses are available for Udaipur, Jaipur, Ajmer, Jaisalmer, Ahmedabad, and
Delhi.
The city of Jodhpur has a typical desert climate, dry and hot.
November and March are the best time for a journey to Jodhpur with pleasant
and sunny days. Jodhpur receives 359.5 mm of rain every year, most of it
during the monsoon (July/August). Maximum temperature in Jodhpur during the
summers remains in the range of 40ºC while in the winters the minimum
average temperature is 11ºC.
Mehrangarh Fort
