Thursday, October 28, 2010

Meharangarh Fort, Jodhpur

The Fort of Jodhpur (State: Rajasthan) looms on the top of a rocky hill, and it rises 125 mts, above the plains. Built in the 15th century by the Rathore Rajputs, the architecture is such that, one can not separate the fort from bluff-colored sandstone hill on which it is constructed.

The fort is built on the hill in such a way that it is very difficult to identify where the hill ends and the fort walls begin. The fort at several places has 17 feet thick and 68 feet high walls.



It is approached by a series of 7 gateways set at an angle so that armies could not charge them with any success. Past the gates, the fort-palace takes one's breath away.



Across from huge courtyards are the palatial apartments that have been built over five centuries of bristling history. The beauty and the grandeur of numerous palaces in the fort narrates a saga of hard sandstones yielding to the chisels of skilled craftsmanship. Only some of the spectacular palaces of the fort are open to the visitors.

These consists of Moti Mahal with its pierced screen windows overlooking the coronation seat where the Rathore ruler have been ritually anointed to rule; Jhanki Mahal, the apartment from where the zenana women would watch ceremonial events; Chandan Mahal, where affairs of state were discussed; the royal Darbar Takhat or throne room with its octagonal throne.

63 comments:

LifeRamblings said...

Amazing architecture. love all the intricate details involved.

Zuzana said...

Wow, this is truly stunning, an architectural art. The second image is breath taking, I love the composition and the view and the flying bird gives it a feel of perspective and accentuates the feel of height.
xoxo

Sudhir R said...

This is magnificient, Never heard of a fort built in such a fasion. Fantastic post, Rajesh

giorno26 ¸¸.•*¨*•. said...

Buongiorno Raj :)
Belle queste foto... i palazzi sono grandiosi... cerco di immaginarmi lo sforzo di migliaia di scalpellini che hanno dovuto fare questi capolavori.
Chissà a cosa pensavano mentre stavano lavorando !
Buona giornata :)
Myriam

Phivos Nicolaides said...

Stunning monument, great history, excellent architecture and rich culture!

Al said...

Simply spectacular. It must be amazing to be able to see things like this, there's nothing like it in my country.

Kcalpesh said...

Beautiful structure!!


Pixellicious Photos

clairz said...

Amazing how the buildings seem to grow out of the rocks in the first photo. Thank you for sharing.

Sylvia K said...

Fantastic captures, magnificent temple and lovely skies! Doesn't get any better, Rajesh! Hope you and your family have a wonderful weekend.

Sylvia

Pearl Maple said...

Most amazing views, have always wanted to travel and see this, thanks for sharing with Sky Watch Friday.

EG CameraGirl said...

I always enjoy the magnificent buildings you show us.

Rune - Norway said...

Nice pictures you share with us, Happy SWF:)

indicaspecies said...

Wow, this is a fascinating Fort, thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

another gem that you feature.

joo said...

Rajesh, every time I see your post I'm amazed and impressed! You live in such a beautiful country!

Diane AZ said...

From one side it looks like the fort grew up out of the hill it as blends so well. The other side is very impressive as well. I really enjoy these pictures, thank you!

Anonymous said...

wow..imposing one. It is so beautiful. We have studied of Moti Mahal. Thank you for showing it..

George said...

From the exterior this fort looks impregnable. Although the exterior is impressive, it gives no hint of the beauty the fort contains. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Carver said...

These are all beautiful shots of the fort and I love the one where you also caught a bird in flight.

Indrani said...

Reminds me of my trip.
Great post Rajesh.

SandyCarlson said...

In the first shot, this beautiful structure seems to grow out of the rock. Amazing.

Kavita Saharia said...

Magnificent structures !

Kay L. Davies said...

That fort is absolutely amazing, Rajesh, the way it is built on the hill, apparently seamlessly. And it is difficult for us in North America to imagine a fort large enough to contain several castles. The castles are beautiful, outside and inside. Wonderful!!

Tammie Lee said...

these look like they were built on the rocks or part of the rocks. Wonderful to see, the old is so appealing.

magiceye said...

very impressivew!

alicesg said...

Wow not easy task of building the amazing fort up above the cliff during the 15th century. Very amazing and rich history of the building. Thanks for sharing.

Randi said...

Great shots and spectacular architectures.

Dani said...

Wonderful post.

Thank you.Have a nice weekend

Arija said...

A beautiful fort built on solid rock. The sky is muted through the thickness of the air.

eileeninmd said...

It is a cool looking fort and an amazing structure. I like how it blends in with the hill.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

wonder if they had cranes to build the fort.

Shirley said...

I enjoy architectural photos and these are great! Great commentary too.

Karine said...

What an impressive place!

Ash said...

Marvellous architecture and photographs!

Mridula said...

Lovely view of the fort, have not been there till now.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Wow! magnificent place!

YOSEE said...

This is one Fort I'm aching to visit, especially after my son raved about it. These awesome pictures fuel the desire more.

Su-sieee! Mac said...

You've got me wanting to know more: how long it took? how many people did it take to build it? how did they do it? why so high?....thanks for sharing.
Su-sieee! Mac
This and That. Here and There. Now, Sometimes Then.

Maude Lynn said...

It looks like it grew out of the rocks. Amazing!

DeniseinVA said...

Magnificent architecture and your photographs show its great beauty.

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Absolutely majestic!

Anonymous said...

Wow - that's majestic and beautiful! Love the way the fort and rocks look as if they are the same..

Arpana said...

Magnificently built architecture brilliantly clicked!

Trotter said...

Hi Rajesh! This one is awesome and I hope I'll have the chance to visit in person... many of the other beauties you show, I'll see them only through your eyes... ;)

Recovering from the flu and other viruses, Blogtrotter Two is looking at views, palaces and gardens in Algiers... Enjoy and have a great weekend!

eden said...

These are stunning architectures. Great shots. Thank you for sharing.

Lowell said...

This is breathtaking! What a place! Love the way it's built into the rocky wall!

Pietro Brosio said...

Fantastic Fort, with such a complex and magnificent architecture! Nice post!

Jeevan said...

Very interesting and looks like unique to other fort palaces. Amazing!!

Unknown said...

This is my favourite fort. Love it!

Rajesh said...

Thanks to all appreciating this wonderful fort and palace.

Liz said...

Amazing architecture.

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Cafe au lait said...

Beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing.

Francisca said...

Another awesome place, Rajesh. You live in a culturally rich world, indeed.

Kim, USA said...

Wow this temple is build at the edge of a mountain? This is amazing Rajesh, I just wonder who build this?
Trick or Treat
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Rajesh said...

Thanks to all for the appreciation of the fort.

Teamgsquare said...

just great .

я не мэгги! said...

Индия - для меня загадочная страна.. экзотическая.

Arti said...

One of the forts that I am still to visit in Rajasthan... Very beautiful and grand!!

Dr. Pratibha Singh said...

magnificent fort.

Geeta Singh said...

simply great!!

Purba said...

The Mehrangarh fort is one of the most majestic forts of India.

S.R.Ayyangar said...

The third photo is very nice to look at.

Rajesh said...

Thanks to all for the appreciation of this massive fort.