Travelogue of Royal Jodhpur in heart of Desert

My soul was again obstinate for a”Ghummi” (Travelling).This time we decided to live in lap of desert close to nature.

Our first destination was Royal Jodhpur, the second largest city of Rajasthan, the Gateway to the mighty Thar Dessert! Once the capital of the erstwhile princely state of Marwar.

The Marwar region includes the present-day districts of Barmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, Nagaur, and Pali. The people of this region are commonly known as Marwaris, as also the rare breed of horses which are only found in Jodhpur.

The trains to Jodhpur originate from Old Delhi Railway station.Distance between Delhi and Jodhpur is 619 Km. So we hired a taxi from Aligarh to Delhi.

Train arrived on platform in time as it originates from here, we kept our luggage on our reserved births.It was Mandaur express is a super Fast Express Train; it takes about 7 hours night journey upto Jodhpur.

The Blue City Jodhpur.

I wake up early in the morning, the train was passing through barren land, without any green. On the name of green there were dry thorny shrubs.Sun was rising in East, it was morning but sun rays were were turning wild.

My camera was in thirst to click the scenes.I could n’t wait more .The train entered in railway station of Jodhpur. I always prefer to stay in retiring rooms of Indian Railway. I feel here more comfortable than any commercial hotel.We have already got  reserves a deluxe  retiring  room.

It was the day of Holi, so we decided to stay in room till evening. After a shower bath and rest, went to canteen for breakfast .We were surprised to see the well managed, clean and a peacefull atmosphere of canteen hall. Tea and Coffee @Rs.10/= King size bread, Omelette @Rs 30/=and simple lucnch thali @Rs 6o/=

Kaylana Lake

In evening we hired a three wheeler @Rs 500/=to visit the city.Our firsr destination was Kailana Lake.When we reached lake, the angry sun was cool, a soft breeze welcomed us. The lake is spread over an area of 84 sq.km.

Kaylana Lake lies west of Jodhpur at a distance of around 8 km from the city.The artificial lake was constructed in 1872 on the site of two former palaces and gardens. Built by Pratap Singh, the then Prime Minister of Jodhpur.

The area around this lake was once full of wild bears. Owing to this, the area once served as a secured hunting place for the royal members. Here I clicked some good shots.

Masuriya Garden

The most striking feature of this garden is that it is situated at a height from where one can get a breathtaking view of Jodhpur from different corners.

There is a big statue of Veer Durgadas Rathore in Masuriya Garden.He is a famous folk hero of Marwar. Over the hills with the air breezy was awesome to hangout with family friends and kids.The top view of blue city was amazing and the garden too was beautiful !!Sun set is amazing from here.

Here I clicked some beautiful landscape of garden, a part of aerial view of Jodhpur city in lap of silence of sun set.After staying here about one hour we left to next destination in hired three wheeler.

Shastri Circle

He drove us to Shastri circle. It is beautiful local posh market, has many road side food stalls.  This place is  similar to Center point of our Aligarh as related to street food stalls.Many roads pass through here,in the mid of area,there was a  large circular  garden with fountains and colorful magical light with beautiful land escape and garden.

After our dinner, three wheeler left us on railway station, the place of our stay.After a shower, in retiring room, we went to dinning hall and refreshed us with a cup of Coffee.The first day of our journey in Jodhpur was over.

Second Day in Jodhpur.

After refreshing us, and breakfast in dining hall of railway station, we hired an auto rickshaw for Rs.500/= to see places of for tourists attraction. Our first place of visit was Umaid Bhavan.

Umaid Bhawan Palace.

It is located on top of of a high hill .One of the world's largest private residences. A part of the palace is managed by Taj Hotels. Named after Maharaja Umaid Singh.Construction was started in the year 1929 and it was completed in 1943. The 347-roomed massive palace is named one of the largest private residences in the world.

The palace boasts of a combination of Indian and European style of architecture. A part of the palace still serves as a residence to the former royal family, while other two parts of the palace are converted into Taj Palace Hotel and museum.

The Palace was originally envisaged as a drought relief measure and the intention was to provide employment to over 3000 people afflicted by consecutive years of drought.

Mehrangarh Fort.

Beyond question, Mehrangarh Fort tops the list of ‘must visit’ places in Jodhpur. It is one among the largest Indian forts. This invincible fort stands magnificently 400 feet above the city.

Rao Jodha constructed the fort in 1459 AD. Though the attempt to construct the fort was started in 1459, the fort had seen many centuries before it was completed. Hence, you could find that the style of architecture represents various periods.

The grandeur in architecture is awe-inspiring. It offers stunning views of the city. The fort stands as a symbol of power.

Mehrangarh Fort is photographer’s heaven .My camera was hungry for beautiful clicks.I came back with my camera full of memories.

Jaswant Thada Overvie

The Jaswant Thada is an architectural marvel with intricate carvings. Famed as one of the most beautiful white marble cenotaphs, it was built in 1899 by Maharaja Sardar Singh in commemoration of his father Maharaja Jaswant Singh II.

This white marble wonder of Rajasthan is often called the Taj Mahal of Marwar. The splendid edifice is a perfect example of Rajputana style of architecture. Its impeccable design and architecture is symbolic of the fine craftsmanship of the bygone era.

The main memorial is built like a temple, with beautiful domes and finely carved sculptures. Visitors can see here beautiful portraits of the various rulers of Jodhpur. The complex also features a memorial of a peacock that flew into a funeral pyre. Magnificently carved gazebos, an exquisite multi-tiered garden and a small lake surround the cremation ground.

Now it was around 2.00P.M. We were hungry and tired. Asked driver to drop, us for lunch in a good hotel near railway station.We paid his rent and let him free to go.Ordered vegetarian thali meal.

One more Woow to see thali, roti (bread) well socked in pure desi ghee, fry daal, two dry vegetables, shahi paneer, curd, salad, pickles and one sweet. This rajasthani flavored meal thali costed only Rs.100/=.

After lunch we came back in our retiring room for rest.In evening I decided to visit local market.

Walk Around Sardar Bazaar at Ghanta Ghar

Even if you are not into shopping, this place is ideal to soak in the vibrant atmosphere and the rich colors on display.

Clock Tower is a famous landmark in the Old City. It was constructed by Maharaja Sardar Singh during his tenure between 1880 and 1911. The clock tower offers a good view of the fort.

Sardar Market is adjacent to Clock Tower. You can find handicrafts, saris, spices, vegetables and a lot more. There are over 7000 shops and you can have a great shopping experience here.

I was amazed to see that a number of foreigners were walking here with their cameras busy in clicking the vibrant colored local people, road side shops and food vendors.

A walk around Sardar Bazar was really a life time memory for me.I photographed here and captured technicolor atmosphere here.

The End