Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Jodhpur, Blue City

Next day we left Jaisalmer in the early morning and reached our next destination Jodhpur in the afternoon. We stayed for 1 night in this place. We could not not spend more time here due to the schedule we had sketched. Another extra half day would have really helped. 



Once a major trade center of the 16th century A.D. it is now the second largest city of Rajasthan. While the graceful palaces, forts and temples strewn throughout the city bring alive the historic grandeur, exquisite handicrafts, folk dances music and the brightly attired people lend a romantic aura to the city. The jumble of wide winding streets are flanked with pavement stalls. It is also referred as the Blue City due to the indigo tinge of the whitewashed houses around the Mehrangarh Fort.

The major attractions in the city are given below:


Mehrangarh Fort

Mehrangarh Fort was built in 15th century by the Rathore Rajputs when they shifted their capital from nearby Mandore to Jodhpur. The architecture is such that, one can not separate the fort from bluff-colored sandstone hill on which it is constructed. Past the gates, the fort-palace takes one's breath away.



Situated on a steep hill, Mehrangarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India. To enter the fort, seven gates have to be crossed. The fort encloses many palaces, which are known for their intricate carvings and sprawling courtyards.
Jaswant Thada




The Jaswant Thada, is located on the long road that takes one to the fort. It is the traditional cremation ground of the rulers of Jodhpur. 

Umaid Bhawan Palace

We reached this place at 6 p.m and the gates were closed for us. The snap here is from my friend. If one wishes to visit this place be here before 5 p.m. After 5 p.m the gates are closed for visitors and they are allowed nowhere near the gates.

From Jodhpur we traveled to Ranakpur, the temple town of Rajasthan.

Distance: Jodhpur ---> Ranakpur 180 kms

P.S: December is the month when lot of tourists land in Rajasthan. So if you really want all the arrangements to be done properly this has to be done before October end.



53 comments:

Unknown said...

Great writeup, felt like just been there!!

Rajesh said...

Thank You. This encourages me to write more about the place that I have visited.

Slogan Murugan said...

Lovely report. Would love to go there. Nice blog man!

RAJI MUTHUKRISHNAN said...

Very, very nice. The last picture is fantastic.

Rajesh said...

Murugan: Thanks, this is a nice place to visit.

Raji: Thanks for the appreciation.

pavi said...

Beautiful fort and palace. Nice architecture.

The Good Life in Virginia said...

the architecture and where these buildings are built is always interesting. and as you said it is difficult to distinguish between the natural mountain material and the manmade edifice. lovely commentary and captures as always.

Photo Cache said...

simply fascinating. i'm speechless.

www.ewok1993.wordpress.com

Sylvia K said...

Stunning, beautiful architecture, fascinating history and lovely skies! Fantastic post for the day, Rajesh! Hope you have a great weekend!

Sylvia

eden said...

What a beautiful place! Thanks for sharing.

joo said...

Fascinating and really impressive place! Fabulous post!
greetings:)

Jossie said...

Your pictures are marvellous again. Wonderful description too!

Maria said...

Fantastic and breathtaking buildings ~ what work it must have been to build such architectural beauties!
Great Skywatch photos!
Take Care!
~Maria

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Rajesh: What a wonderful fort to base your SWF about.

Eaglesbrother said...

Great narrative..felt like a guided tour of the Castle...good job!!

LadyFi said...

Magnificent buildings! So huge and impressive.

Pearl Maple said...

Great photos, I had heard of this one but it looks all more interesting with the story behind it.

penny said...

Your photos tell a wonderful story of the beautiful architecture in your country.
Thanks for sharing. Have a lovely day, Rajesh.

Diane AZ said...

I am fascinated by the fine details of the architecture, beautiful post!

Mridula said...

Great skies.

Tara R. said...

Stunning shots! The architecture and detail is amazing as is the history behind these gorgeous venues.

Carver said...

You live in such a beautiful part of the world with such a rich history. Great post.

Cloudia said...

wonderful post




Aloha, Friend!


Comfort Spiral

Robin said...

What an amazing place, you make me long to visit.

Kcalpesh said...

Nice place and interesting shots Rajesh :-)

Pixellicious Photos

Carolyn Ford said...

Those who live in India have such grand history surrounding them in their daily lives. Thank you for bringing those lessons to us in far away places. Your photographs are beautiful to match your writing.

Carletta said...

Awesome architecture!

Kim, USA said...

Wow this is an amazing place! Thanks for sharing!

My red shoes

Ralph said...

Although I have not been there, the feeling in all these buildings says 'India'. There is architecture that is of the country, but I find the scallops and other details of the arches to be a look of its own. These are wonderful images, the look that has lasted for many centuries!

EJ said...

wow look at that majestic structure.

Our Mini Date

Rajesh said...

Thanks to all for the appreciation.

Deepa Gopal said...

Magnificinet place...wonderful descriptions, Rajesh. WOuld love to visit all these places sometime:)

Chapters From My Life said...

I have been checking you out on indiblogger and planned on visiting your blog.. My first visit today has been amazing. Never expected such elaborately planned good blog......
I thought you are newcomer.. ooopppsss.
Loved visiting your site
Pics are amazing.

SmilingSally said...

Interesting. Happy Blue Monday.

LV said...

Always enjoy taking the tours and trips with you through your lens.

Rajesh said...

Farila: Thanks. Travelling in India is my passion.

deepazartz, Sally, LV: Thanks for the appreciation.

Sally in WA said...

Very interesting place. I enjoyed your description and pictures.

Have a good weekend!

Jeannette StG said...

Did not realize that the building styles in India were already so much developed in the 15th century!

Elisa said...

Great place... great landscape

DeLi said...

beautiful view

Crafty Green Poet said...

interesting post with lovely photos!

Rajesh said...

Thanks to all for appreciating this beautiful place.

Shobha said...

Nice picture and thanks for sharing the information. I love the beautiful palace cities of Rajasthan...

♫ Melody ♫ said...

NIce picture.... i like the reflection!

Rajlakshmi said...

wow you seem to have been to a lot of places...
thanks for sharing the info... the palace looks majestic.


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Rajesh said...

Thanks to all for appreciating this beautiful place.

Sebab said...

Beautiful Blog and I always wanted to visit Jodhpur.

Aakash Kokz said...

Beautifully written, the pics are amazing :-)

The Fallen Poet said...

Its amazing...i am from Jodhpur, and i definitely saw my city from your eyes...very vivid and beautiful....

btw...Did you teach in Jodhpur anytime?? i mean around 10 years ago..in school called Lucky bal niketan?? If yes, then i was your student there...
If no, then thanks for listening to me...

sheril benedict said...

hmmm interesting ..nxt month i m going there and i m too much excited !!

Rajesh said...

Thank you all for appreciation.

Poet: I am not from Jodhpur.

Sheril: I am sure you will enjoy every moment there. Have a very good trip.

Ashwani said...

really a nice place...i love to visit this kind of places.. I had my last visit to ireland, and it really looks like ireland..pretty intereting...

spicenflavors said...

Good description and photos of the place,very nice...