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JODHPUR
Jodhpur is the second largest city in the
Indian state of Rajasthan. Formerly the seat of a princely state of the same
name, also known as Marwar, Jodhpur was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, a Rajput
chief of the Rathore clan. According to Rathore tradition, the clan traces its
origins back to the Hindu god, Rama, hero of the epic Ramayana, and thence to
the sun. So the Rathore's belong to the Suryavansha (solar race) branch of the
Kshatriyas, the warrior caste of Hindus.
Dominated by one of India's mightiest
fortresses, the capital of the warrior Rathores has played hostess to kings and
emperors and tsars; to humble saints and celebrated soldiers; to many a
distinguished statesman of our times and of times gone by. Not the richest,
though perhaps the most charming, Jodhpur, the gate-way to the Great Indian
Thar Desert, stands alone as the cultural and spiritual capital of this, the
Land of Kings.
Jodhpur is a popular tourist destination,
featuring many beautiful palaces, forts and temples, apart from a stark, scenic
desert landscape. The city is known as the Sun City for the bright, sunny
weather it enjoys all year. It is also referred as the Blue City, due to the indigo tinge of the whitewashed houses around the Mehrangarh Fort. The blue
houses were originally for Brahmins but non-Brahmins soon joined in, as the
colour was said to deflect the heat and keep mosquitoes away. Jodhpur lies near
the geographic center of Rajasthan state, which makes it a convenient base for
travel in a region much frequented by tourists. The old city of Jodhpur is surrounded by a thick stone wall. The wall has six huge gates called Nagauri
gate, Merati gate, Sojati gate, Jalori gate, Siwanchi gate and Chand pol.
Jodhpur is a veritable shopper's paradise.
There are so many markets to fulfill your thrust of shopping viz. Tripolia
bazaar, Sarafa bazar, Sardarpura Market, Sojati Gate. Jodhpur is home to many
talented and skilled craftsmen like textile dyers, metal engravers and
die-makers, and probably the last of the tailors of the classic 'Jodhpur' breeches. Specially Jodhpuri suit gives you a royal identity to your dressing.
ATTRACTIONS
Umaid Bhawan Palace -
The Umaid Bhawan Palace is not only one of India's most imposing palaces but also among its most recent. This lavish art deco monument
to royal living had an improbable conception: it was built as a public relief
and employment project during a long period of drought. Over one million square
feet (90,000 m²) of the finest marble was used in the construction of the palace.
A special type of sandstone, called Chittar sandstone, has been used in
constructing the palace and this gives it a special effect. For this reason, it
is also referred to as Chittar Palace by the locals. Its style of construction,
with beautiful balconies, charming courtyards, green gardens and stately rooms,
makes it a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. The project employed
three thousand artisans over a period of 15 years (1929-1943). The palace is
named after its builder, Maharaja Umaid Singh (1876-1947), who was incidentally
the president of the British Royal Institute of Architects. In 1977, the palace
was segmented into the royal residence, the Heritage Hotel and a museum. The
royal family of Jodhpur still lives in a part of the palace. Another part of
the palace houses a well-maintained museum, displaying an amazing array of
items belonging to the Maharaja and the royal family - weapons, antiques &
fascinating clocks, crockery and trophies. Its 98 air-conditioned rooms are
elegantly decorated with antique furniture as well as all the other amenities
of a five star hotel.
Mehrangarh
Fort -
The Mehrangarh Fort lies at the outskirts
of Jodhpur city and is located atop a 125 m high perpendicular hill. One of the
largest forts in India, the beauty and the grandeur of numerous palaces in the
fort narrates a saga of hard sandstones yielding to the chisels of skilled
Jodhpuri sculptures. Spreading over 5 km and looking down 125 meters, it
presents a majestic view on city horizon. It was built on advice of a saint in
1459 to establish an impregnable head-quarter. This Fort is one of the best in India with its exquisitely latticed windows, carved panels, elaborately adorned windows and
walls of Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal. A collection of musical
instruments, palanquins, royal costumes, furniture and the cannons on the
fort's ramparts are well preserved.
Jaswant
Thada -
The Jaswant Thada is architectural landmark
found in Jodhpur. Close to the fort complex, it is a white marble memorial built
in 1899 in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The monument, in its entirety,
is built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. These stones are extremely
thin and polished so that they emit a warm glow when the sun's rays dance
across their surface. Within this cenotaph, there are also two more tombs. A
visit inside the cenotaphs, with some villagers of the region, would bring
forward the reverence they still hold for their brave kings.
Mandore–
Towards the north of Jodhpur is the ancient
capital of Marwar, Mandore. It is just 8 Kms from the city. Main attractions of
the place are hall of Heroes where sixteen huge figures which have been carved
out of a single rock, the shrine of 330 million Gods and the royal cenotaphs.
This area is of immense historical importance but what makes it worthy of a
visit is the Hall of Heroes. Sixteen gigantic figures carved out of a single
rock depicting popular Hindu and folk deities stand there in bright colours and
are well maintained. But one can not miss the caves in crags and the sprawling
gardens, which are now shelter place for monkeys and peacocks. Greenery of the
place makes Mandore, in true sense, an oasis.
Ossian
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65 Kms from Jodhpur, lies ruins of an
ancient city called Ossian. This city is famous for Brahmanical and Jain
temples, which belong to 8th and 11th century. Surya or Sun temple and the
Sachiya temples are famous for their beauty. The shikhar of Sachiya temple is
clustered by two rows of turrets, an ambulatory and a large assembly hall with
an elaborate ceiling. This town which was once a great trading centre is an
oasis and houses an abundance of peacocks. The largest of the 16 Jain and
Brahmanical temples is dedicated to Mahavira, the last of the Jain tirthankars.
In the same area the Surya temple has fascinating images of Durga, Surya and
Ganesh. The sculptural intricacy of the Osian temples rival that of any of the
famous temples of the country, be it the Sun Temple of Konark, or the Hoysala
temples of Karnataka.
Guda Bishnoi Villages & Jeep Safari –
Scattered around the city of Jodhpur, there are various villages inhabitated by the Bishnoi community - a community of
nature worshippers in the state. They are staunch believers in the sanctity of
plant and animal life. It is because of their protection that in Bishnoi
dominated areas, deer and antelope(such as blue bulls, black bucks, chinkaras
and chowsinghas) are seen grazing peacefully in their fields. Villages are
marked by Khejri trees and deers which thrive.
Bishnois are known to be very violent and
aggressive in protecting trees and wildlife. It is said that if you are a
hunter, then the worst thing that could happen to you is to be caught hunting
by a Bishnoi. Unlike most Hindu communities, Bishnois bury their dead instead
of cremating them. This is because of the strict prohibition on the felling of
trees, the wood of which is required for cremation.
A Jeep Safari through these villages is a
major attraction and of immense interest.
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