Jodhpur Travel Tour Guide

Jodhpur India

The Mehrangarh fort is one of finest forts of Rajasthan situated at a hilltop over the city. This magnificent fort is spread over an area of 5 sq. km with seven gates. The fort was founded by the Rathore Rajputs in 15th century. Today it is managed and maintained by the royal trust as a museum and the spectacular palaces open to the visitors are Moti Mahal, Jhanki Mahal, Chandan Mahal, the royal Darbar Takhat or throne room with its octagonal throne and the Rang Mahal, Sheesh Mahal , Phool Mahal , Umaid Vilas and Maan Vilas.

The Jaswant Thada, dedicated to Maharaja Jaswant, was built in 1899 and is located half way up the interminably long road that climbs onwards to the fort. Inside the main hall are royal portraits and other possessions.

Umaid Bhawan, another royal treasure of Rajasthan, is built of marble and pink sandstone which was designed by president of the British Royal Institute of Architects for Maharaja Umaid Singh. It is also known as the Chhittar Palace because it uses local Chittar sandstone. Maharaja Umaid Singh died in 1948, four years after the completion of the palace. Maharaja Gaj Singh II, the current Maharaja, still lives in part of the palace and rest of the building has been converted into a hotel.

The grand Umaid Bhawan is a wonderful piece of art created with beige sandstone. The palace presents a blend of several styles, and all the trappings of Raj influence, pre-independence royal living are present in it. The places of interest are the 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 are rows of red and white flowering bushes outside a lush green lawn.The huge central dome of Umaid Bhavan is the most prominent and spectacular part of the palace which emerges with four corners peaked into columned minarets.