Jodhpur Land of Royals . . .

Jodhpur Land of Royals.

Jaipur to Jodhpur is 330 km.  It takes round about 5hr to reach Jaipur to Jodhpur by Train or by Car. The way of Road is From Jaipur to Dudu to Ajmer to Beawar to Jodhpur. It is also connected by Air but flights are not so frequent.  There are some good  5star properties for accommodation but very few good accommodation options for Middle class or Budget Travellers, Same is the Situation when you try to find a decent place to eat. Best Time to Visit Jodhpur is in Winters.

Pink Stone Mines at Jodhpur, In Backdrop Mehrangarh Fort.

Jodhpur is one of the big cites of Rajasthan and it is one of the very big Exporter of handicraft Items. It is also very famous for its Pink Stone at most of the places around Jodhpur you will easily come across many mines. Many people in Jodhpur are directly or indirectly connected to this Stone business. The Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot is also from Jodhpur. . . . . 

Mehrangarh Fort from the Parking of Jaswant Thada.

But Here Comes the But My Friends. . . I went to Jodhpur with High Hopes, but all my hopes were shattered. Except few streets Jodhpur is a dirty place, You can’t even get a decent economical meal easily. All the Historical places are converted into Hotels or Privatised in some way, If you want to see them then you have to pay the high Price by booking the rooms or by having Meal Reservations. Whatever has been left is fighting with illegal Encroachments. Although the Traffic System of entire India is bad but Jodhpur’s Traffic System is worst I had ever seen, I think People here are not even familiar with the word Traffic Rule or System. You can’t even find a Decent Accommodation in decent price. I don’t know at what pace is this place is being Developed? If you are on Budget Travel then I will Straight away say this is not a place for you, But if you have Lot of “Money” Honey then you will really going to enjoy the Royal Treatment here.  Basically according to me Jodhpur is a Good Destination for Rich Tourist.

Sunrise at Jaswant Thada.

I Always like Sunrise and Sunsets from different locations and I started my Jodhpur Sightseeing with a Beautiful Sunrise from Jaswant Thada.

Jaswant Thada.

The Jaswant Thada is an architectural landmark located in Jodhpur. It is a white marble Royal cenotaph built by Sardar Singh in 1899 in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. It is on top of a Small Hill.

Jaswant Thada is an example of architectural brilliance. It is a white marble memorial, built out of carved sheets of marble. These stones are beautifully carved and very well polished. As a result the outside surface of the monument emits a warm glow when the sunrays fall on its surface. You can have view of Jodhpur from the terrace in front of the cenotaph. The main memorial has been built like a temple. To visit the Jaswant Thada you have to go through the rocky hills, there is also a beautiful pond on the way. This also lends a mystic aura to the whole visit. 

Entrance of Mehrangarh Fort

From Jaswant Thada I headed to Mehrangarh Fort which is nearby only, about 1km on the same hill.

Mehrangarh Fort, located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan is one of the largest forts in India. The fort is situated 400 feet above the city on a small hill and is enclosed by imposing thick walls. Inside its boundaries there are several palaces known for their intricate carvings and expansive courtyards.

Rao Jodha (1438–1488), one of Ranmal's 24 sons became the fifteenth Rathore ruler. One year after his accession to the throne, Jodha decided to move his capital to the safer location of Jodhpur as the old Mandore fort was no longer considered to provide sufficient security. The foundation of the fort was laid on May 12, 1459 by Jodha on a rocky hill. This hill was known as Bhaurcheeria, the mountain of birds.

Phool Mahal-The Palace of Flowers was created by Maharaja Abhaya Singh (1724–1749). 

Sheesha Mahal - The Hall Of Mirrors.

Takhat Vilas-Built by Maharaja Takhat Singh (1843–1873).

View of beautiful blue houses of local Brahmins (Brahmapuri area) from Mehrangarh Fort. 

Khwabgah- The palace of dreams.

Beautiful Pink Stone Carving work.

One of the many Royal Guards at Mehrangarh Fort.

Temple at Mehrangarh Fort compound.

Famous Chamunda Devi Temple at Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur.

There are few nice Cafe at Mehrangarh Fort for quick Bites.

Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park.

From Mehrangarh Fort I came to Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park which is also nearby.

Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park was created in 2006 to try and restore the natural ecology of a large, rocky wasteland next to Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur. It is a very nice place and if you will be here in right Season you can view many different kind of flora and fauna. It also have a Backdrop of beautiful Mehrangarh Fort.

View of Mehrangarh Fort from one of the hut of Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park.

Mandore Garden Jodhpur.

From Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park I headed for Mandore Garden which is about 9km drive. Mandore Garden have few very old temple structures which are still intact and it could have become a very good historical site but I have to say that I am disappointed by the way it is maintained.

Temples at Mandore Garden.

Cenotaphs of Mandore.

From Mandore Garden I went for the search of Mandore Gufa (Cave) which was approximately 7km from there. On the way to that cave I saw these Cenotaphs. I don’t know the exact name of these Cenotaphs but they are beautiful. The Mandore Cave was the big disappointment but on the way back Sunset at these Cenotaphs was Great.

Sunset at Cenotaphs of Mandore.

Night Shot of Mehrangarh Fort.

Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur.

Next day I headed for Majestic Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur. Which was once again a very big disappointment cause it was taken by Taj Group of Hotels and very small part is open for public. To view it you have to be the customer at the Hotel.

Pokar Sweets for authentic Jodhpurs Mirchi Vada.

After all these I decided to taste the local Delicacies and after lot of research and Tasting I can Recomend that if you want to enjoy the Famous “Mirchi Vada” of Jodhpur then you should go to Pokar Sweets they still have that authentic taste of Jodhpurs Mirchi Vada. Pokar Sweets are at the Crossing of Nai Sarak Circle on High Court Road.

Gulkand Katli at Jodhpur Sweets.

After the Spicy “Mirchi Vada” its time for something Sweet so I headed for “Jodhpur Sweets”

9th C Road, Sardarpura, Jodhpur. For its famous Gulkand Katli it was nice.

15 A.D. Bakery, Jodhpur.

15 A.D. is a nice bakery on the same 9th C Road, Sardarpura, Jodhpur. So I had decided to get something’s packed for the way back to Jaipur It was a nice decision I recommend this Bakery.

By Manav Singhi