JODHPUR- SUN CITY

With a prospect of finding colors and varied culture in India, I've ended in the most colorful state in India, Rajasthan. Travelling to the two most beautiful cities, Blue City and the Golden City made my journey really fruitful and enjoyable.

Since having a strong desire of searching for the colors, I boarded a direct express train to Jodhpur from Delhi, I reached Jodhpur Junction railway station at 8 in the morning.

A day excursion to Jodhpur

It is believed that the first sun rays fall into the land of Jodhpur, thats why the city got its name "Sun City". It is the beautiful city built and discovered by Rao Jodha in the year 1459 A.D., hence one of the oldest fort Mehrangarh fort is located here, outside the boundary of the fort there's located the shining blue city where the Brahmins used to live and is considered as the oldest sacred part of the city. Since most of the houses are painted here with blue color, the city got its other name 'Blue City'.

Jodhpur- blue city

My first attraction point in the city is the oldest Mehrangarh Fort situated at 125 metres  on a hill above the city. It is an enormous fort with narrow courtyards which were built with a thought of not letting the rivalries easily entered into the fort. The entry to the fort started with the blessing of Ganesha and with some tiles embarking the glory of the leaders of Rathore clan. The fort consists of seven huge and ancient Pols(entrance gates) embarking the victory of warriors over the armies of other cities.

Mehrangarh Fort built by Rao Jodha in the year 1459 A.D.

It is a magnificent structure of the antiquated time built by using sandstone showcasing the valor and the enormity of ancient culture and heritage of the Rathore leaders. Inside its boundaries, there are various palaces known for their intricate carvings and expensive courtyards.The rulers in Jodhpur are known as Maharajas and thereby, the fort is a lively example, embarking the glories of their lives as it houses the well stocked museum of various antiquities hold or used by them at that time, be it the armors, warriors, the beautiful antique palanquins, hathi howdahs(elephant seats), the swords, the canons, hammocks used to keep the royal babies inside, the Marwar paintings painted with the natural colors depicting the refinement of the artist which is embraced worldwide, all of them are well enough to realise the grandiloquence of the rich heritage of the Rathore Dynasty preserved very well by its heirs. It is really splendid to see such a rich heritage of India at a single point in the various museums of Fort.

Marwar paintings painted by using natural colours with finest drawings

Armors used by the Rathore Clans at ancient times

Hathi Howdah

Daulat-e-Khana

Inside the fort, it hostages the city market where the things like Marwari suits, stalls, pagris, accessories, etc can be purchased at reasonable rates crafted from camel bone, shells and natural colors. 

Seller selling pagris insiide the fort near kuldevi temple at Mehrangarh Fort

Also, the ancient Chamunda Devi temple is located at the corner of the fort. Inside the temple, the idol of goddess is brought from the Mandore(capital of ancient Marwar before Jodhpur was founded) by Rao Jodha. The speciality about the fort is that it is a masterpiece of ages as the entire fort that stands today is contributed or constructed at some parts by the various rulers of Rathore clan till 18th century.  

Chamunda Temple

Walking through the courtyards of the fort, the glimpse of traditional culture of ancient India and a folklore can be experienced. The throngs of the traditional musical instruments, folk music all let you danced on your feet. Check the videos on my page on facebook Apex Shine Travels

After spending my most of the time in embracing the beauty of fort, I headed my journey towards Jaswant Thada, the beautiful marble architecture, carved out delicately and intricately on marble sheets. It is a place of honouring cenotaphs in order to commemorate the valor and courage shown by the various rulers of Rathore clan. It was built by Maharaja Sardar Singh in memory of his father, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II in 18th century and it embarks the glory of the various rulers till date holding the portraits of various Maharajas and things of their importance. The marble sheets are so intricately carved out in its architecture that they illuminate a light when the sun rays fall on it. Earlier the cenotaphs were used to built in Mandore Gardens, but now the magnificent Jaswant Thada is served as a burial ground of the rulers of Rathore clan.

Jaswant Thada

The other places that holds importance in the Jodhpur city  is Umaid Bhawan Palace where the present Maharaja Gaj Singh is used to stay with his family, Ghantaghar Market, Santoshi Mata Mandir, Ganesha Temple at Ratantada, Mandore Gardens will be featured in my next blog "A day excursion to Jodhpur city(contd.)".

I must say, if you are a culture and heritage lover, than this is the place not to be missed out.

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