Places To Visit

Mehrangarh 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 metres 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, 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.

Umaid Bhawan

The beautiful corridors, staircases and hallways preserve in near entirety of Umaid Bhawan rouses the curiosity of adventurous spirits. A wonderful palace of beige sandstone built by Maharaja Umaid Singh in 1928 and designed by the President of the British Royal Institute of Architects. The Fort is a blend of several styles, merging pleasantly. All the trappings of Raj influence, pre-independence royal living are present. Royal auditorium ballrooms, huge dinning-room, gilded royal furniture, majestic tiger and deerskins on the walls of a gloomy library of old books, crystal chandeliers, stained glass windows, liveried menservants and doormen, swimming pool in basement, various mementoes and old photographs. There is so much to see and discover.

Outside the manicured lush lawn, is splashed with rows of red and white flowering bushes. From the expanse of green grass, the huge central dome of Umaid Bhavan emerges most prominent, with the four corners peaked into columned minarets. Glowing in the late afternoon sun, this is another royal treasure of Rajasthan.

Mandore

Before the foundation of Jodhpur was laid, Mandore was the established capital of the old Marwar Kingdom. Just nine kilometers away, Mandore is a fascinating complex of sprawling gardens, massive cenotaphs, temples, ruins and sculpture. The several cenotaphs in memory of the Jodhpur Maharajas are intricately carved, peaked, temple-like structures, with entirely sculpted facades. Gods, goddesses, animals, lotuses, adorn the walls and pillars of old yellow sandstone. The largest and most noteworthy cenotaph is dedicated to maharaja Ajit Singh.

In a hall are relief sculptures of various deities and rulers, colored bright and mounted on horses. In little corners of temples are rows of beautiful old tiles, excellent ceramic art. Some depicting Lord Rama or Lord Krishna. Then of course, there amongst the temples, figurate, and landscaped vegetation, are the brightly dressed Rajasthani people. The men, proud in their moustaches and turbans with the ladies in shocking pink or green veils, wander about in groups, admiring their heritage. They lent a gaiety to the pleasant late afternoon.

Museum

The Jodhpur Museum exhibits a rich collection of armory, textiles, arts and crafts, miniature paintings, portraits, manuscripts, and images of Jain Tirthankaras.