JODHPUR, RAJASTHAN
Jodhpur is the second largest city of the state of Rajasthan (Jaipur being the largest with a population of 1.8 million while Jodhpur has 770,000). Situated on the eastern fringe of the Thar Desert, it is dubbed the "Blue City" after the colour-wash of its old town houses.
The massive Mehrangarh Fort, topping a sheer rocky ridge that rises right in the middle of the town dominates this bustling desert city.
A 10 km-long wall surrounds the old city of Jodhpur with eight gates serving as entrances. The new city is settled around this walled area. From the fort, you can clearly see where the old city ends and the new one begins. It's fascinating to wander around the jumble of winding streets in the old city with the center being the Clock Tower and the Sadar market.
There are a number of places to visit in Jodhpur:
- Mehrangarh Fort: It provides what must be the most authentic surviving taste of the ceaseless round of war, honour and extravagance that characterized Rajputana. With the strategically located cannons on the walls, the fort is spread over an area of 5 square-km at an altitude of about 125 meters. The views from up there over the old city are superb.
- Jaswant Thada: This beautiful memorial in marble, often described as the "Taj Mahal of Marwar", is a shrine built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singhji II of Jodhpur in 1899.
- Umaid Bhawan Palace: This 20th-century built palace was constructed to give employment to the famine-struck population of Jodhpur. This majestic, made of sandstone, building is presently the residence of the former rulers with a part of it running as a hotel and remaining part as a museum.
- Clock Tower and Markets: The clock tower is a popular landmark in the lively old city and a wonderful place to simply ramble around. The vibrant Sadar market is close to the tower and offers a wide range of handicrafts, spices and everything else one can think of.
- Umaid Gardens and Sadar Government Museum: This (dusty) museum houses a collection of weapons, textiles, miniature portraits, local crafts and images of Jain Tirthankars. It is situated in the middle of the Umaid public gardens.
To learn more about my weekend-trip to Jodhpur, read the Online Diary entry of May 19 - 20, 2001.
Below you find some pictures of my trip to Jodhpur.
Delhi | K-97 | Office | Agra | Himachal Pradesh | Jaipur
Rishikesh and the River Ganga | Jodhpur | Kasauli and Shimla
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