|
Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur |
|
Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur |
|
Fort Chanwa, Luni |
|
Sardar Samand Palace |
|
Black Bucks in Bishnoi Villages |
Set at the edge
of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales
of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of
the Marwar state , it was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha, chief
of the Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of
Rama - the epic hero of the Ramayana.
The massive 15th
century A.D. Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill,
soaring 125 Mts. Above the plains. The city is encompassed by a
high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions. A
major trade centre of the 16th century A.D. the fortress-city of
Jodhpur is now the second largest city of Rajasthan. While the
graceful palaces, forts and temples strewn throughout the city
bring alive the historic grandeur, exquisite handicrafts, folk
dances music and the brightly attired people lend a romantic aura
to the city. The jumbles of wide winding streets are flanked with
pavement stalls. The lifestyle in Jodhpur is unusually fascinating
with folks wearing lovely multihued costumes, artistically
designed. Women folk wear wide gathered skirts and a hip length
jacket, with three quarter length sleeves, covering the front and
back. The colorful turbans worn by the men folk add more color to
the city. It was from here that the popularity worn baggy - tight,
horse riding trousers- 'Jodhpurs' took their name.
TOP
Ý
PLACES OF INTEREST ARE:
Mehrangarh: One of the most stunning hill forts of
Rajasthan, Mehrangarh appears to rise from the bluff-coloured
sandstone hill itself, so well built into the base that it is
difficult to tell where the hill ends and the walls begin. Founded
in the 15th century by the Rathore Rajputs when they shifted their
capital form nearby Mandore to Jodhpur (or the region known as
Marwar), it is approached by a series of seven gateways set at an
angle so that armies could not charge them with any success. Pass
the gates, the fort-palace take one's breath away. Across form
huge courtyards are set wings of palatial apartments that have
been built over five centuries of bristling history. Today,
managed as a museum by the royal trust that maintains it, only
some of the more spectacular palaces of Mehrangarh are open to
visitors. These consists of Moti Mahal with its pierced screen
windows overlooking the coronation seat where the Rathore rulers
have been ritually appointed to rule, Jhanki Mahal, the Apartment
from where the zenana women would watch ceremonial events; Chandan
Mahal, where affairs of state were discussed; the royal Darbar
Takhat or throne room with its octagonal throne; and the Rang
Mahal where the Maharaja would play Holi with his zenana. Also
noteworthy are Sheesh Mahal, Phool Mahal, Umaid Vials and Maan
Vilas, while a large ten seized from the Mughals in battle is
spread for viewing in what has come to be referred to as the Ten
Room. Mehrangarh from the outside is impressive, and certainly
forbidding. There is a surprising lightness to it though, once
actually within the fort. The builders seemed to want to make up
for the stern austerity of its wall with an overwhelming profusion
of windows and jharokas at the upper ends. The effect seems to
exaggerate its already impressive height.
Umaid Bhawan Palace: Umaid Bhawan Palace can qualify for
several firsts: the largest private residence in the world, the
finest extant example of art-deco, the only palace to have
painting from the Ramayana painted by a Polish artist, the first
to use air-conditioning, electricity and elevators, and the most
impressive for its size and dimensions. Yet, that should be hardly
strange, for the architect, H.V. Lancaster, who planned it, wanted
it to rival the Vice Regal Lodge (now Rashtrapati Bhawan) then
being planned by Sir Edward Lutyens in the new capital at New
Delhi, also then under construction. For starters, Umaid Bhawan is
a formal building that is perfectly symmetrical, and its 347 rooms
offer few concessions to Rajput architecture other than such
devises as concealed corridors and balconies for the women of the
zenana, and the use of courtyards around which the several wings
of the palace are arranged.
Built at the height of the art-deco period, there are several
embellishments o n the outer walls, such as the eagle, carved from
sandstone. All original fittings have been retained. While many of
its accoutrements are in use, others have been placed in a museum
within the premises. Here, you can find out for yourself the fine
chine used by the royal family, trace the history of the clocks
and telephones that were once put to use in the different rooms,
and discover a bit of your own past in a nostalgia-driven journey
through a time not so long ago.
Jaswant Thada: A cluster of royal cenotaphs in white marble
built in 1899 A.D. in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Within
the main cenotaph are the portraits of various Jodhpur rulers.
TOP
Ý
MUSEUMS & ART GALLERIES:
Government Museum: Located in the Umaid gardens on High Court
Road, it has a large and fairly interesting collection. There are
many stuffed animals, including a number of desert birds in two
glass cases, each with a thorn bush. The military section includes
cumbersome wooden biplane models and an extraordinary battleship.
Mehrangarh Fort Museum: This is an excellent museum with
rare and interesting artifacts, textiles, paintings, transport
items etc. laid out with utmost care and thought. The Palanquin
Gallery and Howdah Gallery display a superb collection of old and
costly specimens of great historical value.
Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum: Recently the ruling family of
Jodhpur has converted a part of the gigantic Umaid Bhawan Palace
as a Palace Museum. The items on display include rare collection
of clocks and watches, fine chine, ornate mirrored furniture,
glass and crystal ware, photographs etc. The visitors get access
to the grounds and parts of the Umaid Bhawan Palace, one of the
largest private residences in the world.
Government Museum, Mandore: About 8 kms form Jodhpur;
Mandore was the capital of Marwar. This enchanting place having
beautifully carved cenotaphs, halls of heroes, palaces and old
fort, is of immense historical importance. The Janana Mahal, which
was built for the use of royal ladies by Maharaja Ajit Singh
(1671- 1724 AD) in Mandore Garden, has been developed as a museum.
The Natural History section has an African Bison and a crocodile
of 11 feet. The long Art Gallery exhibits large paintings of
Maharajas of Jodhpur and events in their lives. There is a
complete section of miniature painting on Raga-Raganis. The museum
also has sculptures of gods and goddess, mentionable among them
being the stature of Dancer (12th century AD) and carving of
Krishnaleela on one big stone found from Kiradu. The carving in
Devals, Dalan, Chattris and Ek Thamba tower make the Mandore
museum and example of excellent architecture.
TOP
Ý
EXCURSIONS:
Balsamand Lake and Garden (5 km): A pretty lake built in
1159 A.D. A splendid summer Palace stands by the lake side
surrounded by beautiful gardens. An idyllic spot for excursions.
Mandore (8
Km): The former capital of Marwar, north of Jodhpur. Worth
seeing are the old cenotaphs and caves in the crags, which once
sheltered ascetics. The exquisite landscaped gardens come alive
with peacocks and monkeys and the sprawling greenery of sacred
peepal, banyan, bottle-brush, pomegranate, palm & plantains and
bubbling fountains are a feast for the eyes. Set against a rocky
wall is a pillared compound, housing the "Hall of Heroes" and
"Shrine" of the 330 million gods.
Sadar Samand
Lake (55 Km): Rajasthan's village life comes into view on the
way here. Chinkara and black buck might frisk past to break the
monotony of the drive.
Guda Bishnoi
(25 Km): these are immaculately kept villages of the Bishnoi
community-staunch believers in the sanctity of plant and animal
life. Khejri trees and deer thrive in these village.
Mahamandir
Temple (9 km): Built in 1812 A.D. it is noteworthy temple with
84 carved pillers.
Kailana Lake
(11 Km): The beautiful lake is an ideal picnic spot.
Jhalamand Garh
(10 Km): Barely the 18th century fort has a quiet soothing
ambience, and provides a glimpse of the way a Rajput family lives
in the rural countryside. From the Dari Khana terrace, there is a
breathtaking view of Jodhpur town. The fort has 18 rooms, and
provides Rajasthani and continental cuisine on request.
Luni Fort (35
Km): Now converted into a
heritage hotel, this fort and its
surroundings are worth a visit.
Osian:
Osian, know as Ukeshpur in ancient time, is a land of temples. It
was a Brahamanical centre & later, Jainism also flourished here as
is evident from the remnants of medieval temples. The Oswal trace
their origin from this place. Osian is a major site, containing
monuments spanning five centuries of artistic evolution. There are
several beautiful temples and shrines, oldest amongst them being
the Sun temple. The doorway to this temple is one of the finest to
be seen anywhere in India. The Harihara I temple, dating back to
750 A.D., is a 'panchayatan' temple, which means that a central
shrine is surrounded by four other smaller ones. It stands on a
beautifully decorated terrace with thirteen niches built into its
sides. The main temple carries some excellent early figural
sculptures including the Krishna Leela frieze. The Harihara III
temple was built around 800 A.D. the walls of its rectangular
sanctum carry exuberant decoration, tastefully executed. There is
an open hall, the aisles of which have been provided with a
beautiful sloping ceiling supported by rafters, shaped like 'nagas'.
Harihara III is one of the finest examples in India of exuberance
going hand in hand with architectural strength. Harihar II
adjoining Harihara III is a somewhat less well-finished copy of
Harihara I. Apart from this there is the main Sun Temples such as
Mahavira temple, Vishnu temples III, IV, V, which are also worth
seeing for their ancient architectural beauty. A unique feature of
these temples is that most of them face the west.
TOP
Ý
FAIRS & FESTIVALS:
Marwar Festival: The Marwar festival is held every year in
memory of the heroes of Rajasthan. The festival is held in the
month of Ashwin (Sep.-Oct.) in Jodhpur, for two days during the
full moon of Sharad Poornima. Originally known as the Maand
festival, this festival feature folk music centered on the
romantic lifestyle of Rajasthan's rulers. This festival is devoted
to the music and dance of the Marwar region and offers a good
opportunity to see the folk dancer and singers who assemble here
and provide hours of lively entertainment. These folk artistes
provide a glimpse of the days of yore, of battles and valiant
heroes who still live on in their songs. Other attractions at the
festival are the camel tattoo show and polo. The impressive Umaid
Bhawan Palace, Mandore and Mehrangarh fort, which are symbols of
might and valour, provide the ideal venue for the cultural
extravaganza an integral part of the festival.
SHOPPING:
A Treasure trove for shoppers,
Jodhpur bazaars are teeming with an array of handicrafts. One can
shop for white metal curios, silverware, quilts, tie-and-die
fabrics, leather goods, wooden toys, paintings, embroidered shoes,
Jodhpur breeches or Jodhpuris and a range of souvenirs.
The main shopping areas are Sojati
Gate, Tripolia Bazar, Mochi-ki-Gali and Lakhara Bazar. The
Rajasthan Khadi Sangh is recommended for textiles.
|
