Mehran Garh Fort ( Jodhpur )
Situated on a steep hill, Mehrangarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India. Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur bult by Rathore Rajputs, is a magnificent and imposing structure with an altitude of about 125 mts. and is spread over an area of 5 sq. km with seven gates. The palaces in the fort were constructed by Rao Jodha Singh from 1459 onwards in an informal pattern over several centuries and have its own architectural features, such as narrow staircases leading to the royal residence, carved panels and porches, elaborately adorned walls and brilliant stained glass windows, that create vibrant mosaics on the floors with the play of light. The various buildings inside the fort now serve as Mehrangarh museum now which hosts a well preserved collection of musical instruments, palanquins, furniture and cannons on the fort's ramparts. To enter the fort, seven gates have to be crossed.
Architecture:
The fort has seven gates of which the noted ones are the Jayapol, built by Maharaja Man Singh in 1806; Fatehpol or the Victory Gate built by Maharaja Ajit Singh; and the Lohapol or the Iron Gate. The 15 handprints, the sati marks of Maharaja Man Singh's widows who threw themselves upon his funeral pyre in 1843, can be seen beside the Lohapol. On the wall, one can see the strategically located cannons.
The Mehrangarh Fort encloses many palaces, which are known for their intricate carvings and sprawling courtyards. These are as follows :
Phool Mahal or 'Flower Palace' The Jodhpur Coat of Arms is kept in the Phool Mahal. Walls of this Flower Palace is covered with paintings depicting various musical moods.
Sukh Mahal or 'Pleasure Palace' This is a magnificient summer palace on the Sukh Mahal Lake surrounded by lush beautiful gardens.It is believed that an underground tunnel runs from the Sukh Mahal to the old palace.
Moti Mahal or the Pearl Palace has a delicately carved stone screen and treasures the Sringar Chowki, royal throne of Jodhpur Exquisitely decorated ceilings and walls, with delicate latticework on the windows. Large and unusual wooden statues, painted bright, adorned a palace section amongst an assortment of princely cradles. It is a labyrinth of wonders, not knowing what the next doorway might lead to. These palaces have fabulous collection of trappings of Indian royalty including a superb collection of palanquins, elephant howdahs, miniature paintings of various schools, musical instruments, costumes and furniture.
Main Attractions:
Maan Villas displays Rathore armoury and the ' Tent room'. This tent room is an imperial Mughal campaign tent, used by Shahjahan but wrested by Jaswant Singh from Aurangzeb in a battle. Made of red velvet and embroidered with gold thread, it gives some idea of the grandeur with which the Mughals approached even their battles.
Umaid Bhawan Palace The only 20th century palace built under the famine relief project that gave employment to famine struck population. The palace was completed in 16 years 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. 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.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.
Girdikot and Sardar Market These colourful markets with tiny shops dotting the narrow lanes are situated in the heart of the city and are popular for a wide range of handicrafts, making them the favourite haunt of shoppers.
Government Museum Jodhpur This museum has a rich collection of weapons, textiles, miniature portraits, local crafts and images of Jain Tirthankars. It is situated in the middle of the Umaid public gardens.
Mandore (8 kms.) The ancient capital of Marwar has cenotaphs of the Jodhpur rulers. Just nine kilometers away, Mandore is a fascinating complex of sprawling gardens, massive cenotaphs, temples, ruins and sculpture. Gods, goddesses, animals, lotuses, adorn the walls and pillars of old yellow sandstone. 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.
Jaswant Thada A cluster of royal cenotaphs in white marble built in 1899 A.D. in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Within the main cenotaph are the portraits of various Jodhpur rulers.
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