Incredible India - Rajasthan Route : Jodhpur Day 2

View of the Mehrangarh Fort from the hotel rooftop.


We start our city tour by visiting the Mehrangarh Fort.



Blue houses on the way up to the Fort. It is said that the buildings are painted blue because the color blue absorbs very little of the sun’s heat and this keeps the houses cool (but just wonder why Jodhpur is the only city in this secret that no other cities around aren't).

Walking up to the Fort requires a lot of "fit and firm", so I decide that a sunset city view from the Fort on a postcard would be enough.

Painting on the gate wall.

When we reach the Fort, my curiosity picks up when we see these ladies lining up and are told that they are waiting for the Jodhpur Maharaja to visit and pray on his birthday. So we all wait to see him.

Mehrangarh Fort 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. A part of the palace has now been converted into a hotel and a museum.

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.

Inside the Fort

View of the Blue city from the fort.

As always there are souvenir shops at the exit and always that we stop to shop, just one or two pieces. The silk scarf from this shop is very beautiful, not to say that the owner is kind enough to make the hat from my cotton scarf! (actually, this style hat is for man, not woman)

With a new style hat and a new scarf in the blue city.

After visiting the fort and having lunch, some of us take a very brief nap since the weather is so hot before taking an automatic rickshaw (Tuk-Tuk) to the Jaswant Thada.





JASWANT THADA

The graceful white marble cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. His son Maharaja Sardar Singh built this monument known as the Taj Mahal of Marwar in the memory of Maharaj Jaswant Singh II of Jodhpur. The main memorial has been built like a temple with intricately carved marble stone. A visit to this structure is through the rocky hills giving it a secluded and a mystic aura.

We go to the market in the evening, just to look around.

Wanna dye your clothe?

Very green Vaseline?

Any bangle?