JODHPUR

JODHPUR

Jodhpur is known as blue city. Once upon a time it was the capital of Marwar. Apart from lots of historical places this city is also famous for tie and die print and shoes. It was founded in 1459 by Rathore Rajput Rao Jodha.

LANDSCAPE:

Jodhpur is situated on sand stone hills. Its height is about 236m.

WEATHER:

The temperature is 36.6°C – 42.2°C in summer and 15.5°C – 27.5°C in winter. Average rainfall is 12 mm.

FAVOURABLE SEASON:

From October to March.

PLACES OF INTEREST:

Meherengarh Fort, Moti Mahal, Jaswant Thada, Ummaid Bhawan Palace, Railway Carriage, Government Museum, Balsamand Lake, Mandor, Hall of Heros.

MEHERANGARH FORT

This fort is situated on a 121m high basalt rock and surrounded by 9.5km long, 6m to 36m high and 3m to 21m wide wall. This fort is 457m long and 228m wide. There were 121 round or quadrangular domes in the wall of the fort in past. Tourists get a royal welcome with music in this fort. It has seven pole or gates (Fateh pole, Gopal pole, Bhairo pole, Toti pole, Dodhkangra pole, Jai pole and Iron pole made by various kings as the symbol of their victory).

Temple of Nagchenji is inside the fort at Singer chowk after crossing Suraj pole. A museum is also there.

There are a lot of halls(mahals) in the fort where tourists can see (1) stone made karonation throne in Moti Mahal, (2) design of flowers of gold in gold pillars, curve of arches and roof of Flower Mahal made by Maharaja Abhay Singh with 80kg of gold metal, (3)dresses of warriors and exhibition of weapons, paintings, (4) locks weights 17.5kg, (5) gifts of Shah Jahan wrapped by silk worked with gold, (6) Royal Harem, (7) Cradle, (8) silver made seat enclosed with elephant, (9) sandal wood ceiling, (10) mirror wall, (11) palace of tents of Shah Jahan, musical instruments etc.

There are two ponds(Talaw) in the fort --- Sagar and Gulab. At the south rampart of the fort there are collection of cannons and Temple of Devi Chamunda. 360 types of lattice works in the windows make this fort very beautiful.

Time : 9am – 5pm

Entry fee : Rs.35, Camera charge extra, Elevator is free.

JASWANT THADA

It is the memorial of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II and is made by his widow in 1899. In the past sunlight passed into it through delicate stone. Time : 9am – 7pm, Entry fee : Rs.10.

UMMAID BHAWAN PALACE

This pink Italian Architecture is made by Last Ummaid Singhji in 1942. It started in 1929 with engagement of 3000 labors. It is made by marble and red sandstone. H V Lanchester and J R Lodge planned this joint less interlocking system to make this 347 room palace. Interiors are done by Julius Stephen Norblin. In the museum inside the palace, there are Dewan-e-Aam, throne room, library, collection of watches --- watches on ring, tiara, birds cooing, model aeroplane, weapons, furniture etc.

The 195x103m central dome is 32m high. Ummaid Bhawan Palace Hotel has been started in one portion of this palace in recent past. You can have lunch there. Time : 9am – 5pm, Palace entry fee : Rs.120, Museum entry fee : Rs.20.

RAILWAY CARRIAGE

Evolution of rail of Jodhpur can be seen here. Tourists can also see silver plate fittings and personal railway compertment of Mahabaja here. The first train of Jodhpur, which was startedin 1836 was camel run train. Stream engine came in 1924 and the rail line extended to 2400km.

SADAR GOVERNMENT MUSEUM

This museum is inside the Ummaid Public Garden at High Court Road. There is a collection of local craft, rock salt curving, stuffed animals, wingless desert bird (camel) and archeological objects. There is also a zoo inside Ummaid Public Garden .Museum Time : 10am – 4.30pm, Zoo Time : 9am – 6pm.

BALSAMAND LAKE

This garden surrounded lake was dug in1159. Summer palace was made in the barrage of lake in 1936.

MAHA TEMPLE

The shrine here is Ld. Shiva. The temple is on 84 sculptured pillars which displays various forms of Yoga.

KAILANA LAKE

This 84 sq. km extended lake was dug by Sir Pratap Singh in1872 and is an ideal picnic spot.

The water supply of the city comes from big Pratap Sagar Lake. Irrigation Bunglow is situated on its bank.

MANDOR

It was the capital of Parihar Rajputas and Rathore Raj Chauhan. Chattis has been made in temple style with red sand stone curved with beautiful sculptures. There are also temples, fountains,museum and the sculpture of 33crores of Hindu gods and goddesses curved in one single stone of 18th century i.e. Hall of Heroes. Marwar festival starts here in October.