A DAY EXCURSION TO JODHPUR CITY(Contd.)

In the earlier post, I mentioned about my day excursion to Jodhpur city , continuing my journey after visiting two of the ancient heritages, I visited Umaid Bhawan Palace where the present Maharaja Gaj Singh used to live with his family, the feeling of going there and see his residence itself made me feel Royale, who knows I might got a chance to see the Maharaja himself, staying positive always helps.

Entering with lots of hopes inside the Palace, I was able to see the lifestyle the Royal kings brought into as the part of the Palace has been turned into the museum exhibiting the heritage owned by their ancestors from 18th century till date , part of it owned by Taj hotels and is used as a hotel with an exorbitant charge 650 USD per night and rest is used by the royal family for a pleasant stay.

Umaid Bhawan Palace View from the Mehrangarh Fort

The Palace is constructed in order to provide employment to thousands of the people during the time of famine in 1929 by Maharaja Umaid Singh. It is also known as Chittar palace since the rocks used to build the entire palace has been brought from the Chittar hill. The entire palace was founded and lavishly architectured by Henry Vaughan Lanchester who build the magnificent structure on the grounds of architectural lines of  New delhi so the palace came up with the theme of domes and columns. Since the palace is brought up at the time of famine, so instead of using mortar, the palace is build by interlocking system in order to save water by the foresight of Maharaja Umaid Singh. I must say what a kind and philanthropist ruler he was...!!

The interior view of Umaid Palace which is turned into a hotel

The palace consist of central dome appearing to touch the sky, the Durbar hall serving as a museum, is being opened for the general public to witness the brilliance of the architecture and to recognise the history behind its construction at the nominal entry fees. Inside the palace cum museum, the paintings of the various scenarios showing the laying of foundation stone, the royal families of the Present Maharaja, the architects, model of the entire Umaid Bhawan Palace, the paintings on the walls by Spanish and Polish painters can be seen and embraced. It is just so exotic to see such an enormous structure known for the world's largest private residence. The paintings in the palace are a perfect edifice of the artists of that time letting you to think about the sharpness of the artist as some of the paintings are able to have a 3 D effect as well.

Spanish painting showing the war b/w Rajput warriors  and Mughals with Mehrangarh Fort in its background

The museum consists of a quirky collection of clocks in windmill and lighthouse shapes, must say, one of my personal favorite place in the palace, it is an antique collection of all the watches till 20th century. The classic vintage cars of the Maharajas are on the display in the garden in front of the museum and can be taken for a ride too, if your pocket is well enough to pay for the rent of the ride....!! If you are a car lover, then your visit to this part of a palace is fruitful as Rolls Royce, BMWs are shining like a beauty here.

The clock gallery

clock with Key Lock system

For an interior art deco lover, the palace holds an unusual household periphernalia that was in vogue and costly and was not available in India at that time, so it must be an unique experience to see that also..!!

Antique Glassware in the museum of Umaid Bhawan Palace

After spending quality time in Maharaja's residence, I headed to the Santoshi Mata Mandir, situated on  a hill, the superstition associated with the temple is that one should not go after eating sour, so being Indian, afraid of Goddess, I controlled my hunger whole day inspite of so many delicious chaat available roadside and especially, when knowing about the delicacies of Rajasthani food, must say, its quite a difficult task for me. Reaching to the pious place in the evening after walking for almost an hour, my myth had been changed positively after talking to the priest who beautifully explained, the sour means the mal thoughts, not the food. He clearly said the goddess itself takes so much sour food, why she would expect her children to come to meet her empty stomach. It is the people who misunderstood her value, she wanted her child to be pure hearted, to be freed from the malicious thoughts, neither she wanted them to take a vow from sour food. Giving her the heartiest prayers and thanking her for the wonderful trip, I reached to the Ganesha temple in Ratantada which is a century old temple.

Outside view of Santoshi Mata Mandir 

I am quite luckiest child of God, firstly because it was the Ganesha Visarjan day, so everywhere I look into the Jodhpur city, the people were in festive mood. Secondly, its the World Tourism day(29 September), so I had not paid for any entry fees of the monuments and camera fees so it saved money for my next trip, yipeee..!! For the first time I realised, that Ganpati Visarjan is not only meant to be celebrated with full boom in Maharashtra, the people in Jodhpur were so excited as well.

Being the true devotee of Ganesha, my happiness didn't know any limits to be a part of the eve. So, I ended my day with the blessings of Ganesha at the Ratantada temple and turned to the Ghantaghar market famous for its clocktower and popular local food and local markets ideal for the shopaholics.

Clock tower view at night

Though, I just chose a day for the city excursion, but there are so many things to explore in the city that the city needs atleast two or more days to feel its beauty.So, if you are planning for the city, spare atleast two days of yours.

Know about the Mandore, the capital of Marwar before the Jodhpur city was founded by Rao Jodha in my next blog "A Trip To Remember - Mandore Gardens".

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