Mehrangarh Fort |
|
 Situated on a steep hill, Mehrangarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India. The fort has been a witness to the splendour of a bygone era. The beauty and the grandeur of numerous palaces in the fort narrates a saga of hard sandstones yielding to the chisels of skilled Jodhpuri sculptures. To enter the Mehrangarh fort, seven gates have to be crossed.
Some of these gates still bear marks of many a siege that this fort has withstood. Its very hard to imagine how any invader even thought of conquering this fort, which at places has 17 feet thick and 68 feet high walls.
The Mehrangarh Fort encloses many palaces, which are known for their intricate carvings and sprawling courtyards. Moti Mahal or the Pearl Palace has a delicately carved stone screen and treasures the Sringar Chowki, royal throne of Jodhpur. Umaid Villas displays the Rajput miniature paintings and Ajit Villas exhibits musical instruments and the royal costumes. Both these villas are joined by a beautiful mirror room.
|
Umaid Bhawan Palace |
Top^ |
 Umaid Bhawan Palace, located at Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India, is one of the world's largest private residences. A part of the palace is managed by Taj Hotels. Named after Maharaja Umaid Singh, grandfather of the present owners of the palace, this monument has 347 rooms and serves as the principal residence of the erstwhile Jodhpur royal family.
Umaid Bhawan Palace was called Chittar Palace during its construction due to its location on Chittar Hill, the highest point in Jodhpur. Ground for the foundations of the building was broken on 18 November 1929 by Maharaja Umaid Singh and the construction work was completed in 1943.
Built on the Chittar Hill in southeastern area of the Jodhpur, construction employed more than 5000 men for fifteen years. The building does not use mortar or cement to bind stones together; all of its pieces are carved stones joined together by a system of carved, interlocking positive and negative pieces. A specially constructed train line was used to transport these large blocks of stone. Umaid Bhavan is designed in such a manner that it always maintains the temperature at approximately 23 degrees Celsius.
|
Jaswant Thada |
Top^ |
 To the left of the Mehrangarh Fort complex is the Jaswant Thada of Jodhpur, Rajasthan. It is a 19th century royal cenotaph built in commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, the 33rd Rathore ruler of Jodhpur. The son of Maharaja Jaswant Singh, Maharaja Sardar Singh, in the memory of his father, built the Jaswant Thada. The cenotaph has two more tombs within it. Near to this are the royal crematorium and three other cenotaphs.
Famous Jaswant Thada in Jodhpur, India is an example of architectural brilliance in India. It is a white marble memorial, built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. The carving shows the genius of the sculptors. These stones are extremely thin and polished. As a result, the outside surface of the monument emits a warm glow when the sunrays fall on its surface. There is also beautiful marble jali work on the cenotaph. You can have some nice views from the terrace in front of the cenotaph.
|
Balsamand Lake and Palace |
Top^ |
 A stone's throw away from the ancient capital of Marwar, Mandore, and only 8 km from the city-center of Jodhpur, Balsamand Palace is a world away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. The lake was engineered in the 12th Century but the exquisite red sand-stone palace came later; it was built by Maharaja Jaswant Singh I of Jodhpur in the 17th Century, at the very zenith of Rathore Rule under the umbrella of the Mughal Empire. Set in a private estate of over 60 Acres, with sprawling orchards of lime and pomegranate and landscaped gardens criss-crossed by elegant waterways and even a aqueduct, the palace with its lovely promenade on the lake, was always more than just a residence; a pleasure palace in the finest Mughal tradition of the picnic. In more recent times a tradition has developed with the Royal Family celebrating the first rains in Balsamand; a custom that has led to the palace being referred to as a Monsoon Palace. But today, after the successful completion of an ambitious restoration and modernization program Balsamand is the palace for all seasons; a world class Heritage Hotel with modern amenities and an Ayurvedic Health Spa of renown.
The Balsamand Palace houses nine exclusive suites in all, and suites alone. Each is tastefully and luxuriously appointed in authentic Jodhpur style, with traditional seating, dining alcoves, chaise longues by the window and enormous jacuzzi baths. The gracious interiors are matched only by the spectacular views of the pristine lake and the splendid gardens.
|
Government Museum |
Top^ |
 Government Museum of Jodhpur, Rajasthan is situated on the High Court Road. It stands in the middle of the Umaid public gardens. The museum building and the garden were developed during the time of Maharaja Umaid Singhji. It encompasses a wide collection of weapons, textiles, miniature portraits and local arts and crafts. Also displayed in the museum are, portraits of rulers and the manuscripts and images of Jain Tirthankars.
Rajasthan's popular Government Museum also has a public library and a zoo, located in the pleasant Umaid Gardens. The museum holds a special attraction for kids. Children get very excited by the sight of stuffed animals, including a number of desert birds in two glass cases, each with a thorn bush. There is also a military section, exhibiting cumbersome wooden biplane models and an extraordinary brass battleship.
|
|
Top^ |
|
|
