Palace On Wheels

Jodhpur ( Day 4 )

About
From Jaisalmer the Palace-On-Wheels chugs on to yet another desert kingdom of Jodhpur Famous for its magnificent forts and palaces, Jodhpur is the second largest city of Rajasthan and a major tourist attraction in the country. Jodhpur city is situated at the edge of the Thar Desert with Jaisalmer on its west, Barmar, Jalor and Pali on its south, Bikaner on its north, and Nagaur on the eastern side. The Rajput chief Rao Jodha founded Jodhpur in 1459. The city was the erstwhile capital of the Marwar state. A 10-km-long wall made of stone and built about a century after the city was founded, surrounds the old city.

There are approximately 100 towers in the city, most of which are surrounded by defensive battlements. You can spend the morning at Mehrangarh Fort that towers over the city like an eagle's eyrie and then come downhill to lunch at Umaid Bhawan Palace, the largest art-deco residence in the world and now home to the head of the royal family, museum and luxury hotel. Departure, after unwinding and relaxing at the palace.

Attractions of Jaisalmer
Mehrangarh Fort
Situated at an altitude of about 125 meters, the Mehrangarh Fort is spread over an area of 5 sq. km in the heart of the city. The fort has seven gates of which the noted ones are the Jayapol, built by Maharaja Man Singh in 1806. Inside the fort, a series of courtyards and palaces greet the visitor. The palace apartments house a splendid collection of the trappings of the Indian royalty. The fort is visited by thousands of tourists every year who come to have a glimpse of the artillery system of the Rajput warriors. One can have a bird's eye view of the city from the fort.

Magnificent Mehrangarh, one of Rajasthan's finest forts, looks down protectively over the city, from the hilltop. The fort is situated at an altitude of about 125 meters and is spread over an area of 5 sq. km with seven gates. One could drive up or walk to the top of the small and not so steep hill. Driving or walking up, the sheer rock face from where emerges the tall and massive sandstone wall of Mehrangarh looks awesome indeed.

Jaswant Thada
Red sandstone stairs led up to the chessboard checked courtyard of the neat white marble cenotaph. Dedicated to Maharaja Jaswant, II of Jodhpur (1873-1895) by his on Maharaja Sardar Singhji (1895-1911). This memorial was built in 1899. Inside, the reverent ambience is framed with several portraits of Jodhpur royalty. It is a peaked structure from the outside with precise trelliswork and excellent carving. Owing to its beauty the memorial in Marble, often described as the "Taj Mahal of Marwar". Earlier the last rites of the Rulers of Jodhpur were performed at Mandore, the old capital of Marwar.

After the demise of Maharaja Jaswant Singh they were performed at Jodhpur itself. Besides the cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh, there are smaller cenotaphs to the east. Beautiful marble jali (lattice) work has been done on them. Jaswant Thada is a short distance from the fort road. There is a water-body on the west of the complex, still used by the Royal Family for ritual bathing after a cremation; it is referred to as the Dev-Kund.

Shopping Attractions at Jodhpur
Antiques
Jodhpur is an antique hunter's paradise. Many of these are made-as-old artifacts from Jodhpur and the Shekhawati region. You will found old furniture, chests, cabinets, sculptures, doors, windows, carved lintels, old pictures, memorabilia, and rare, first-edition books. Prices are not high but further bargaining is difficult. Most such shops are located at the foothill of Umaid Bhawan.

Bandhini
At Kapra Bazaar, look out for bandhini and lahariya (hand-dyed) fabrics worn by the locals. Tie-dyed in small motifs or in wavelike strips, on cotton, chiffon or silk, these are available as sarees , Jodhpuri coats, Rajasthani dresses, salwar-kameez sets, yardages used for turbans. At Mehar Collection you will found all types of bandhini in a very suitable prices.

Footwear
If you want to give a royal touch in your dresses Visit Mochi Bazaar in the walled city and Jutti Corner on Station Road for Jodhpuri footwear, or finely embroidered mojris. A pair should cost about Rs 450-500, though those with less embroidery & larger stitches is half that.

Other Markets
Jodhpur is a veritable shopper's paradise. There are so many markets to fulfill your thrust of shopping viz. Tripolia bazaar, Sarafa bazar, Sardarpura Market, Sojati Gate, National Handloom is most popular departmental shop where you will found all type of accessories and cloths situated in Nai Sarak and if you are tired with shopping take Jodhpur speciality- Mrichi bada and some sweets available near this shop. Jodhpur is home to many talented and skilled craftsmen like textile dyers, metal engravers and'die-makers, and probably the last of the tailors of the classic 'Jodhpur' breeches. Specially Jodhpuri suit gives you a royal identity to your dressing.

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