Impressive Exteriors of Mehrangarh Fort

In many Asian countries you get an overdose of temples.  In India, what you get to see as a prime tourist attraction in most places are forts.  Easily the best among the many forts that I saw in India is the Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur.  Its exteriors are impressive, interiors are beautiful, and the views of the city from the fort are incredible.

The staff of Mehrangarh Fort are also very courteous and helpful.  As part of the admission fee that I paid I was provided with an audio guide which was supposed to be returned at another exit area of the Fort.  But I ended up exiting at the same place where I entered the fort.  But the staff were so nice that they offered to return the audio guide to the designated area and retrieve my identification card instead of me walking a long away to the correct exit area.  First time that some kindness was showed to me by locals and this was very much appreciated!

Mehrangarh Fort: Night and Day

Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur is not only the largest fort in Rajasthan but the best as well.  Sitting on top of a 150m hill, it magnificently stands guard over the Blue City of Jodphur.  Its facade is an awesome sight, night and day!

We arrived around  8pm in Jodhpur after a seven hour train ride from Jaipur and I was dead tired. But when I was greeted by the incredible view of the Mehrangarh Fort from our hotel's rooftop restaurant, I knew that I was in the right place!   The sight of the Fort held a promise of a truly delightful stay in Jodhpur!

Jaswant Thada: Memorial in Marble

Located next door to Jodhpur's prime attraction the Mehrangarh Fort, is the marble memorial Jaswant Thada.  It is actually a royal cenotaph, a tomb of a dead person but the actual remains are buried elsewhere.

Since the memorial is entirely made of marble, it is cool inside.  This works well in a country which has a really hot climate. Visit Jaswant Thada and marvel at its beautifully hand carved marble walls and ceilings.

Umaid Bhawan: Jodhpur's Magnificent Palace

Umaid Bhawan is the last great palace built in India. It was completed in 1944 and  presently operates as a luxury hotel.  There is a museum and  a collection of vintage cars on display.

Not much to see here but the Palace is magnificent and is worth a visit.

Jodhpur: The Blue and the Beautiful

 Jodhpur was not really part of my itinerary in India.  I intended only to visit the golden triangle (i.e. New Delhi, Jaipur and Agra) the most popular tourist route in India.  But I had two extra days so I asked a friend who has traveled extensively what was the best place he visited in India and he declared Jodphur and so Jodhpur became part of my travel plan.

It took a seven hour train ride from Jaipur to reach Jodhpur and got there around 8pm.  It was a good time to arrive because the hotel where we were staying had a spectacular view of  Jodhpur's prime attraction, the Mehrangarh Fort which was beautifully lighted at night.

Unlike Jaipur which is billed as the Pink City but did not really have a lot of pink structures, Jodhpur lives up to its fame as the Blue City.  The panoramic view of the old city of Jodhpur from Mehrangarh Fort is an awesome sight with all of the city's houses and buildings painted in blue.  Jodhpur was truly blue and beautiful!

Jantar Mantar: If You Are Into Astronomy...

If your are into astronomy, you will most likely have a great time in Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory.  This Unescco World heritage site observatory has fourteen major geometric devices for measuring time, tracking stars, ascertaining declinations of planets, etc.

However, if you visit expecting to see impressive structures, then you will be in for a disappointment.  The observatory structures are not awesome, and paint on its walls are faded and peeling off.

City Palace: Fine Architecture in the Old City

Imposing in its presence in Jaipur's Old City is the City Palace.  Done in traditional Indian architecture the palace complex is divided into courtyards, gardens and buildings.

Do not miss out on this beautiful  Palace which is well maintained inside and out.