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Rajasthan Travel Guide » Jodhpur Travel
Jodhpur Sightseeings
UMAID BHAWAN PALACE

Maharaja Umaid Singhji who built this palace was fascinated with western
lifestyles so he marshalled the services of a well-known Edwardian architect,
Henry Vaughan Lanchester, a creditable equal of Edward Lutyens (architect
of New Delhi) to construct a three hundred and forty seven roomed Umaid
Palace. This was to become India last of the great palaces and the biggest
private residence in the world. Spectacular Central Rotunda, the cupola
rises to a hundred and five feet high; the Throne Room with its exquisite
Ramayana murals; an elegant wood-panelled library, and even a private museum;
an indoor swimming pool, a Billiards Room, tennis courts and unique marble
squash courts makes Umaid Bhawan Palace is unabashedly the most magnificent.
The palace was also built with superficial intentions of providing employment
to famine stricken farmers. The Palace now is a five star deluxe palace
hotel. The museum of the palace is highly recommended for its display of
weapons, an array of stuffed leopards, a huge banner presented by Queen
Victoria and an incredible collection of clocks.
MEHRANGARH FORT
Perched on a 150 m high hill its sprawl is the most formidable and magnificent
fort in Rajasthan. Rao Jodha founded it in 1459 but subsequent rulers of
Jodhpur have also added to it over the centuries. A meandering road leads
to the from the city 5 kms below. Battle scars of canon ball hit by attacking
armies of Jaipur can still be seen on the second gate. To the left is chhatri
of Kirat Singh Soda, a soldier who fell on the spot while defending the
fort against the armies of Amber. There are seven gates, which include Jayapol
meaning victory built by Maharaja Man Singh to commemorate his victories
over Jaipur and Bikaner armies. Fattehpol also meaning victory gate was
built by Maharaja Ajit Singh to mark the defeat of Mughals. The palm imprints
still attract devotional attention and are covered by vermilion paste and
paper-thin silver foil.
FORT MUSEUM
This is one of the finest museums in Rajasthan and certainly the best layed
out. In the palanquin section of the fort museum, you can see an interesting
collection of old royal palanquins including the elaborate domed gilt Mahadol
palanquin, which was won in a battle from the Governor of Gujarat in 1730.
The museum exhibits the heritage of the Rathores in arms, costumes, paintings
and decorated period rooms.
PHOOL MAHAL
The grandest of Mehrangarh's period rooms, the Phool Mahal was in all likely
hood a private and exclusive chamber of pleasure dancing girls once swooned
in exhaustion here under a ceiling rich in gold filigree. The Phool Mahal
was created by Maharaja Abhaya Singh (1724-1749) and the gold came from
Ahmedabad in Gujarat as war booty after his famous victory over the rebellious
Mughal governor, Sarbuland Khan. The paintings, royal portraits and the
ever-popular raga mala, came much later, in the reign of Jaswant Singh II.
JHANKI MAHAL
The Jhanki Mahal, from where the royal ladies watched the official proceedings,
in the courtyard, today houses a rich collection of the royal cradles. The
cradles are decorated with gilt mirrors and figures of fairies, elephant
and birds
Entrance fees : Rs 200/- (including camera, with audio guide)
Telephone No. 0291-2548790
Camera Fees: Video Camera Rs. 200/-
JASWANT THADA 
On the way down from the fort, on left is Jaswant Thada, the graceful marble
cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. His son Maharaja Sardar Singhji built
the Taj Mahal of Marwar in the memory of Maharaj Jaswant Singhji II of Jodhpur.
The main memorial has been built like a temple with intricately carved marble
stone that is sculpted by the genius artesian. A visit to this structure
is through the rocky hills giving it a secluded and a mystic aura.
Entrance fees: Indian Rs. 5/-
Foreigner Rs.10/-
Camera Fees: Rs.200/-
Movie Rs.50/-
Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM
SARDAR GOVT. MUSEUM, ZOO AND UMAID PUBLIC PARK
In the middle of the Umaid Public Garden, this museum houses a rich collection
of exhibits armoury, textile, local arts and crafts, and miniature paintings.
And even portraits of rulers, manuscripts and images of Jain Tirthankars.
Umaid Public Garden houses a zoo and public library. This building and the
garden were developed during the time of Maharaj Umaid Singhji.
Govt. Museum, zoo and Umaid Public Park
Entrance fees: Rs 3/-
MANDORE GARDEN
The beautiful garden has few Cenotaphs of Jodhpur's former rulers and
small temples.
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