Kanika Manekshaw
This beautiful city of Walls lies in the East of the Thar Desert. This City
also called the Blue City, is the second most beautiful city of Rajasthan.
The city is lively throughout the year with muslim dye makers, puppet
makers, spice makers and the famous bandhini makers. Apart from the entire
city draped in blue color with its cubid roof is a photographers dream.
Apart from this Indias Largest Fort
Mehrangardh
Fort welcomes people from all its counts. It was in 1459, Rao Jodha of
Rathore clan moved the Capital of Marwar state and named the new Capital
after his name itself which thereupon came to be known as Jodhpur. The
Mughals then keen to take over the city, came to negotiate peacefully after
the marriage of Udai Singhs sister and
Akbar
in 1561. The last Maharajah of Jodhpur – Umaid Singh is solmenized by
his immense
Umaid
Bhawan Palace. Umaid Singh set 3000 citizens to work for 16 years to
work on the Palace. It was also a bit of his part to alleviate femine which
took in this period, thus by creating employment.
Life in Jodhpur focuses very much around the Fort. The bazars of the old
city are gathered around the tall clock tower with the different areas
assigned to different trades. Jalori Gate and Sojati Gate are especially
famous for the Bandhni Work. Bandhni Work can be found both in cotton cloth
and
silk.
Mehrangardh Fort is a scenery of war, honour and extravaganza. All of these
can be seen in the various scenes depicted in the walls of the Fort. The
walk from the old city to the fort passes through the busy bazars which have
all the colors of Rajasthan. Inside you can see the Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal,
Jhanki Mahal. All of these depict the different views of the Fort.
On the southwest side of the city is the Umaid Bhawan Palace, a Indo
Sarcenic pile commissioned by Maharajah Umaid Singh. With 947 rooms, cinema
hall and indoor swimming, today one – third of the palace is occupied
by the Maharajah of the
Palace. The rest of the
Palace is given to a luxury where tourists can come and stay.
Near Jodhpur is the place called Osian. Osian is the largest group of early
Jain and Hindu Temples, 64 kms north of Jodhpur. Near Jodhpur is also a
place called the Bishnoi Village. A tour to this village will make you
acquainted with the traditional food of Rajasthan, learn about
herbal remedies and village
crafts like spinning and carpet making.
Jodhpur is 320 kms from Jaipur and 300 kms from Jaisalmer. A city with a
population of about 1.5 million, is worth a visit.
