The Blue City, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Posted on by

Jodhpur was our next stop after Pushkar. We met a friendly rickshaw driver at the bus stop and he took us to our hostel, a really lovely quaint place which had some views of the Mehrangarh Fort. We had lunch and decided to wander around by foot to the old city and markets. It was an interesting walk, plenty of narrow streets filled with colourful houses, children giggling and shouting hellos to us, stalls selling sweets and sarees. The old city was centred around a clocktower with the Fort looming in the background. We walked around the markets which were very local, we didn’t spot too many tourists around.

The following day, we had breakfast at a stall in the old town famed for their omelettes (after spending a fair bit of time trying to figure which was, in fact the correct stall). I had a plain omelette (was still recovering from stomach issues) but have to admit, it was pretty good. We then walked up along a winding road to the Fort (located 122 metres above the city) for a visit. The weather was warm and while it was a long, sweltering walk, it was worth it.

Travis with the towering blue walls of Jodhpur alleywaysThe blue walls of JodhpurThe blue alleyways of Jodhpur
Entrance to a Hindu temple in the heart of JodhpurThe inner courtyard of a Hindu temple in the heart of JodhpurBrightly yellow painted entrance door of a Hindu temple
Sardar Market entrance gate at JodhpurJodhpur clock towerThe supposedly real Jodhpur Omelette Shop

thydzikgooglemap(http://sonyaandtravis.com/maps/jodhpur-rajasthan-india-blue-city.xml,s)

Mehrangarh Fort

The Mehrangarh Fort was one of the most spectacular forts I’d visited, filled with brilliant palaces. The view from the top of the fort to the surrounding city is marvellous and allows you to understand why Jodhpur is known as the Blue City.

Mehrangarh Fort seen over the Gulab SagarImposing thick walls of Mehrangarh FortOne of the many paintings at the Jaipol entrance to Mehrangarh Fort
The Jaipol entrance to Mehrangarh FortShaded undercover area outside the main gateThe main exterior wall of Mehrangarh Fort
Canon ball holes visible in the Mehrangarh Fort wallsSonya walking through the main multi gates of Dodh Kangra Pol entrance to Mehrangarh FortConstruction of the fort was begun by Maharaja Rao Jodha in 1459
Hindu script with a Marigold wreath found at the Mehrangarh Fort wall16th-century Imritiapol entry gate at Mehrangarh FortLoha Pol with iron spikes to deter enemy elephants
Sati (self-immolation) marks of royal widows who threw themselves on their maharajas funeral pyresSurajpol gate providing access to a museumWhite marble stone throne
Entrance to Singhar chowk inside Mehrangarh FortSinghar chowk inside Mehrangarh FortDaulat Khana Chowk inside Mehrangarh Fort
Daulat Khana Chowk inside Mehrangarh FortDecorative metal doors of the Daulat KhanaSonya resting at the Daulat Khana Chowk
Indian man peering out a windowExterior stairs leading from one of the roomsLooking north towards Lalji Maharaj Ashram and Geeta Ashram
Pigeons roosting on the red stone carvings of the Mehrangarh FortZenana with latticed windows from which the women could watch the goings-on in the courtyardsSonya with the blue city in the background
Mehrangarh Fort with the blue city in the backgroundRooms of the Mehrangarh Fort with the blue city in the backgroundMehrangarh Fort with Jodhpur the blue city in the background
Jodhpur , the Blue CityWindows of the Salim CotIntricate stone carvings of the Salim Cot
The beautiful Salim Cot inside the Mehrangarh FortTravis with DSLS, GPS, audio guide and backpackLooking west over the blue city

thydzikgooglemap(http://sonyaandtravis.com/maps/jodhpur-rajasthan-india-mehrangarh-fort.xml,s)

Treasures of Mehrangarh Museum

Throughout the Mehrangarh Fort there are many galleries displaying priceless treasures including elephant’s howdahs, palanquins, armoury and paintings.

Elephant Howdah, wooden frame with silver sheet metalElephant Howdah and umbrellaTwo lions on the back of the Elephant Howdah with the umbrella seen in the background
A collection of Elephant Howdah, carriages for elephantsA royal palanquin, transportation by peopleAncient hookah (shisha) and other smoking paraphernalia
Decorative plateMakara cannon found in the Mehrangarh MuseumVery old woven blinds
Two ancient swords with decorative handlesHelmet with gold decorationAntique shisha found at the Mehrangarh Museum
Four identical carpet weightsGold leafed royal palaquinGarden and Cosmos, the Royal Paintings of Jodhpur
Painting of king on throne smoking a hookah pipePainting of the demon and monster hordePainting of royals receiving offerings
Phul Mahal (Flower Palace)Phul Mahal (Flower Palace), whose 19th-century wall paintings depict the 36 moods of classical ragasHorse head pommel of a sword
Dragon headed dagger handleTakhat Vilas, the bedchamber of Maharaja Takhat SinghVeer durgas das rathor, Durgadas Rathore credited for preserving the rule of the Rathore dynasty
Colourful painted corniceGold leafed throne with painting on Ganesha in the centreGold leafed throne

Related posts:

  1. The Pink City, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
  2. City of Lakes, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
  3. The Paris of India, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
  4. Venice of the East, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
  5. Dharohar – culture and heritage concert of Rajasthan, India