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JODHPUR

Rao Jodha, a Rathore ruler, founded Jodhpur stands at the edge of the Thar Desert, in 459. The old city surrounded by a wall, 10 km long, having eight gates.

Places of Interest :

Mahrangarh Fort : Rao Jodha founded this fort in 1459 A. D. when the ancient capital Mandore was lost to the enemy. There are series of courtyards and palaces inside the fort. Moti Mahal or Pearl Palace, Sukh Mahal or Pleasure Palace, Phool Mahal or Flower Palace, Sheesh Mahal or The Glass Palace, Sileh Khana and Daulat Khana. They houses a fantastic collection of the trappings of Indian the royalty, elephant howhas miniature paintings, folk music instruments, armory, palanquins, furniture and costumes. There is a collection of old cannons at the southern end of the fort. The gates, the Jaypol build by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1806 the Fatehpol erected by Maharaja Ajit Singh in 1707 and Lohapol beside which there are 15 hand prints, the sati marks of widows of the Maharajas, six of them alone are widows or Maharaja Man Singh who threw themselves upon his funeral pyre in 1843. Open from 9.00 to 17.00 hours. Entry fee : Rs.5/- per head with guide.

Jaswant Thada : Just off the fort road, is the white marble memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The cenotaph was built in 1899 and three later cenotaphs are near to it. Inside there is a collection of portraits of the various Jodhpur rulers.

Umaid Gardens & Museum : On high Court Road, the museum is within the gardens and has a variety of exhibits including paintings, portraits of the Jodhpur rulers, manuscripts, armory, local arts and crafts.

Open from 10.00 to 17.00 hours.

Umaid Bhavan Palace : Constructed of marble and red sandstone, designed by the president of the British Royal Institute of Architecture built by Maharaja Umaid Singh between 1928-43. Today, some part of the palace has been converted in to hotel. There is a swimming pool in \the basement. The Palace is open from 9.00 to 17.00 hours. Entry fee : Rs.2/-. Swimming pool fee : Rs.10/-.

Clock tower & Markets : Clock tower is inside the old city, Sadar Market closed to clock tower, shops of textiles, silver, handicrafts.

Excursions :

Mandore : Ancient capital of Marwar, Mandore, 8 km from Jodhpur, was abandoned for strategic reasons. At the foot of the hills, amidst gardens the Hall of Heroes, which houses sixteen gigantic figures, chiseled out of one single rock. The statues are either of popular Hindu deities or famous folk deities. Devals or Royal cenotaph in the form of temples was built in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh and Maharaja Ajit Singh. Perched on a high plinth crowned with soaring spires, they are ornate with exquisite sculpture that reflects the glory of the Marwar epoch.

Osian : 65 km from Jodhpur, this ancient town of the Thar Desert, has sixteen ruined Brahmanical and Jain temples dating from 8th to 11th century. The earlier temples are spectacular in their originality of composition and sculptural elegance. The vase and flower moti carved on pillars are best seen here. An 8th century Surya or Sun temple with carved pillars supports a conical roof and an image of Durga. The 12th century Sachiya Mata temple has a large a assembly hall with elaborately carved ceilings and exquisitely sculptured figures of several Gods. The Mahavir Jain temple \stands on a wide terrace with a three-tiered roof and a torana gateway. It is supposed to have been built by Vatsaraja of the Pratihara dynasty.

Naguar : 135 km from Jodhpur. An impregnable fort and a grand palace can be seen here. The palace is rich in murals of Nagaur style within. Nagaur is especially famous for it's annul cattle fair held in January/February. The village folk gather here at this time of the year to barter or buy cattle. One can see special breeds of bullocks and camels here from all over India.
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