jetjunkies

Day 6, Jodhpur

This is our second day in Jodhpur, ancient trade cente for opium, copper, silk, sandals, date palm and coffee. The city was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha a clan chieftain.  Our day was packed with sightseeing, starting with Jaswant a white marble memorial built in 1899 for Maharaja-Jaswant Singh II (featured photo, and no we aren’t starting to dress alike, this is a one off). This royal family is still living in Jodhpur and are currently living in a 365 room palace that has been partially converted to an exclusive hotel.

Our second stop was the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort, which was built by Maharajah Man Singh in 1808 following his defeat of invading forces from Jaipur.  The fort is in Trust and run by the Jodhpur royal family.  Although the fort is carved from sandstone, it is so finely done as to resemble sandalwood in the intricate latticework windows.

The Takhat Vilas was the bedchamber of the deprived Maharaja Takhat, who had just 30 maharanis and many concubines.  The maharanis lived in the zenana and were able to view the world through the carved lattice windows.  Currently the zenana is used to display the royal cradles.

This gated entrance was an access and processional road for elephants and horses entering and leaving the fort.  The gate is studded with long metal spikes to keep the elephants of invading forces from gaining entry. The zenana can be seen in the upper left of the photo.

This ornate hall was the meditation room. I had a hard time imagining meditation in such busy and distracting surroundings.

 

The fort has been undergoing restoration since 1972.  The gentleman below is restoring a royal palanquin (a spoil of war).

Jodhpur is famous for it’s artists of miniature paintings.  The fort had some of the finest examples on display. This is Ambika being praised by the gods for defeating the usurper monkey demon.

Jodhpur is known as the blue city.  With this view from the fort, the reason for the name became apparent.

Suzanne and I are still adjusting to the time and temperature change.  By the time we finished lunch and headed to Mandore Garden temperature was over 90 degrees.  The Mandore Garden has some of the earliest royal memorial buildings in Jodhpur.

Tomorrow we are off to the old clock tower and city bazaar.