Tourist places in and around Jodhpur
Mehrangarh Fort
Situated at an altitude of about 125 metres, the Mehrangarh Fort of Jodhpur is spread over an area of 5 sq. km in the heart of the city of Jodhpur. Besides being a landmark in Jodhpur Mehrangarh fort is a must visit for all the tourists. The fort has seven gates of which the noted ones are the Jayapol, built by Maharaja Man Singh in 1806; Fatehpol or the Victory Gate built by Maharaja Ajit Singh; and the Lohapol or the Iron Gate.Today, the Mehrangarh Fort stands as a symbol of the wealth and might of the kings who ruled this area. It seems to be a natural extension of the 125 metre high hill, a pedestal of rock that springs out of nowhere in the desert. The battlements and defences are ingenious in design and were made to withstand the craftiest of assaults on the fort.
There is a system of seven concentric gates, and once you are past those, it takes quite a bit of effort to navigate the maze that goes through into the citadel. As you walk past a squadron of menacing cannons, you come upon a number of palaces enclosed within the walls. Built during the 15th and 16th centuries, each vies for the visitors' attentions with its beautifully carved and delicate sandstone latticework. The royal chambers show off the immense luxury of the lives of the kings and noblemen. Mirror work and murals adorn the walls and ambient light strikes fire across the glasswork during the day.
Besides the chambers, there is a museum within the fort that is open to the public. Here the heirlooms of the Rathore dynasty are preserved. You can see the palanquins in which the queens and princesses were once carried. There are paintings and traditional Rajput weaponry that includes a selection of the most menacing-looking daggers and fighting equipment ever seen. The museum also displays a striking collection of colourful turbans - it would seem that this area is famous for a cultural bounty in terms of headgear alone.
The 5 km long majestic fort on a 125-metre high hill is one of the most impressive and formidable structures. Although invincible from the outside, the fort has four gates approached by a winding road. Within the fort are some magnificent palaces withmarvelously careved pnels, latticed windows and evocative names. Not worthy of these are the Moti Mahal, the Phool Mahal, the Sheesh Mahal, the Sileh Khana and the Daulat Khana.
Magnificent Mehrangarh crowning a perpendicular cliff, was built by Rao Jodha in 1459, when he shifted his capital from Mandore. It house a palace intricately adorned withlong carved panels and latticed windows exquisitely wrought from red sandstone. The apartments within have their own magic-the Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace)l Phool Mahal (flower Palce), sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), sileh Khana and Daulat Khana with a rich collection of palanquins, howdas, royal cradles, miniature paintings of various schools, costumes, furniture and an impressive armoury. The display iof cannons on the ramparts is among the rarest in India.
Jaswant Thada
Jaswant Thada in Jodhpur is a white marble memorial built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant II in 1899 A story goes that Maharaja Jaswant succumbed to injuries in this place while fighting the Mughal king Jahangir. This place is a must see while holidaying in Jodhpur This imposing white marble memorial was built in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant singh II, in 1899. It houses portraits of successive Marwar rulers.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.
Umaid Bhawan Palace
Made of marble and pink sandstone, the construction of the Umaid Bhawan of Jodhpur started in 1929 and it took 16 years to complete it. It is believed that the palace was constructed to give employment to the famine-struck population of Jodhpur. This majestic building is presently the residence of the former rulers with a part of it running as hotel and remaining part as a museum. Thus, Umaid Bhawan is not just a place to visit and a place to see in Jodhpur but a place to stay.An awe inspiring magnificent place to visit is the Umaid Bhawan Palace. You could stay here too, for the palace has now been turned into a heritage hotel. The palace once bore the distinction of being the largest private residence in the world. Started in the 1920s, the construction took 15 years to complete and consumed close to a couple of hills-worth of sandstone and marble. You'll find the interiors have a curious European touch.
Maharaja Umaid Singh especially commissioned an artist from Poland to do the interiors. As the gigantic scale of the palace impresses upon everyone, one might wonder how the palace came about in the first place.
Jodhpur was witness to a terrible famine in the 1920s, and the Maharaja, seeing that the famine was not about to go away in a hurry, ordered the construction in order to provide employment to his stricken people. So, till date Umaid Bhawan Palace stands as the most striking example of a drought relief program undertaken anywhere! This is the only 20th century palace built under the famine relief project that gave employment to the famine struck population. The palace was completed in 16 years. This opulent edifice in sandstone is still the residence of the former rulers with a part of it running as hotel and remaining part as a museum.
The beautiful palace built by Maharaja Umid singh (1929-1942) is a splendid example of Indo-Colonial and art deco style of the 30's. the palace has been converted into a luxury hotel and a portion of it remains on view to visitors in form of an excellent museum.
Maharaja Umaid Singhji who built this palace was fascinated with western lifestyles so he marshalled the services of a well-known Edwardian architect, Henry Vaughan Lanchester, a creditable equal of Edward Lutyens (architect of New Delhi) to construct a three hundred and forty seven roomed Umaid Palace. This was to become India last of the great palaces and the biggest private residence in the world.
Girdikot and Sardar Market
These colourful markets with tiny shops dotting the narrow lanes are situated in the heart of the city, and are popular for a wide range of handicrafts, making them the favourite haunt of shoppers.The narrow lanes near clock Tower is dotted with shops selling exquisite Rajasthani handicrafts.
Mandore Gardens
About 9 km from Jodhpur is another place to visit Mandore. This ancient capital of Marwar has cenotaphs of the Jodhpur rulers. The beautiful gardens with high rock terraces make it a popular picnic spot with the tourists to Jodhpur. The garden has a gate known as the Ajitpol, which is decorated with paintings of the gods and goddesses of Indian mythology.Mandore, the ancient capital of Marwar has cenotaphs of the Jodhpur rulers. The hall of heroes has fifteen figuers carved out of the rock on the wall which represent various Hindu deities. Its beautiful gardens with high rock terraces make it a popular picnic spot.
After the dust and noise of town the Mandore Gardens are a haven of peace and lush greenery. Mandore was the capital of Marwar before the building of Jodhpur in 1459. Nothing much remainsof the city, but grand memorials, some more like temples, mark the cremation places of the earlier maharajas. There are fountains, and a temple dedicated to every god in the Hindu pantheon, al 330 million of them. That many images would be a tall order even in India, so you find 16 large, brightly-coloured monolithic statues representing major deities and folk heroes. The gardens are at their best in late afternoon and early evening when peacocks and desert birds fly in to roost. A bazaar and restruants stand outside the gate.
Mandore, the old capital of Marwar is known fo its extensive gardens with high rock terraces. The garden is dotted with ornately carved cenotaphs or "Devals" of Jodhpur rulers set on a high plinth and crowned with souring spires. Another attraction is the "Hall of Heroes" with has sixteen gigantic figures of Hindu and folk deities chiselled out of the one single rock.
Mandore was the former capital of Maharajas of Marwar and is located about 5 miles north of Jodhpur, but was later abandoned for the security of Mehrangarh fort. Here you will find the dewals, or cenotaphs of Jodhpur's former rulers. Unlike the usual chhatri-shaped cenotaphs typical of Rajasthan, they were built along the lines of a Hindu temple, four stories high, with fine columns and an elegant spire, all in red sandstone.
Balsamand Lake and Gardens
This is a pretty lake builtin 1159 A.D. A splendid summer palace stands by the lake side surrounded by beautiful gardens. It is an idyllic sport for excursions.Government Museum and Zoo
The Sardar Government Museum, library and the zoo are located in the pleasant Umaid Gardens of Jodhpur. Museum is the place to visit to see stuffed animals, old weapons and sculptures.It lies in the middle of the Umaid public garden and has a rich collection of armoury, textiles, local arts and crafts, miniature paintings and portraits.
Mahamandir Temple (2 km)
The great temple has 100 pillars ornately carved with designs and figures depicting various postures of Yoga.Kailana Lake (11 km)
Popular picnic site and sunset point.Old Fort Museum
Another place to visit in Jodhpur is the old fort museum. Amongst the must see exhibits are palanquins, lavishly upholstered royal howdahs, a golden throne, shoes with pearls, paintings, mirrors, cribs weapons and a magnificently embroidered royal tent.Balsamand Lake and Gardens
About 5 km from Jodhpur is the Balsamand Lake and Gardens, a splendid spot for excursion. This pretty lake of Jodhpur was built in AD 1159. The lake is a place to be seen in Jodhpur. The beautiful summer palace that stands by the side of the lake is another place worth visiting.Around Jodhpur
Osian (60 km)
About 58 km from Jodhpur on the diversion off the main Jodhpur-Bikaner Highway, is the tourist place of Osian, an oasis in the desert. Fifteen beautifully sculptured Jain and Brahmanical temples dot the landscape of Osian. At Osian the places that must be seen and visited are the Surya or Sun Temple, Kali temple, Sachiya Mata Temple and the main Jain temple dedicated to Lord Mahavira.Osian is an oasis in the desert, situated on the diversion off the main Jodhpur-Bikaner Highway. A drive to this ancient township takes one past the undulating terrain, punctuated by desert stretches and little hamlets. Osian has 15 beautifully sculptured Jain and Brahmanical temples. Of these, the most outstanding ones are the earlier Surya or Sun Temple and the later Kali temple, the Sachiya Mata Temple and the main Jain temple dedicated to Lord Mahavira.
About 65 km away from Jodhpur is the site of 16 outstanding Jain and Hindy temples. These temples date back to the eight and eleventh centuries of these the most impressive is the Mahavira Temple with a superb ceiling and 20 carved pillars holding up the main portico.
The medieval town of Thar was a great trding centre between 8th-12th century. Today, it is a desert oasis with Hindu and Jain temples, beautifully sculpted.
The largest of these are Sachchiya mata temple and Mahavir Jain temple which are both functional. There rows of sand dunes on western end of the village, where one can enjoy loverly sunsets and camel rides.
The ancient town of Thar Desert was a great trading center between 8th to 12th centuries. Today it is desert oasis with 16 Brahamanical and Jain temples, beautifully sculpted and designed, most of which have stood ravages of time. The place is highlighted by its camel ride at the time of the sunset.
Dhawa
Another place to visit for the animal and mature lovers around Jodhpur is the Dhawa wildlife sanctuary. The Dhawa wildlife sanctuary is situated at about 45 kilometres from Jodhpur. Tourists throng the sanctuary to see the Indian antelope.Nagaur
After holidaying at Jodhpur another place to visit is Nagaur. Nagaur is a hundred and thirty-five kilometres from Jodhpur. The imposing fort with beautiful murals of Nagaur is a place to be seen when around Jodhpur. Every year in the month of January-February, a weeklong cattle fair is held at Nagaur.The annual livestock fair at Nagarur (January-February) attracts 80,000 people and 200,000 cattle and camels. Also a large spice market, and still much less commercialized than the Jaisalmer Desert Festival. About 135 kms from Jodhpur Nagaur comes alive with camel races, music and dance during the annual fair.
Accommodation. Rajasthan Tourism arranges tented accommodation.