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.
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Umaid Bhawan Palace
Enterance fees : Indian Rs.
15 /-
Foreigner : Rs.
50/-
Telephone no. : 0291-510101-12
Timings :
9 AM to 5 PM
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. And Lohapol meaning iron gate has
a moving memorabilia on palm print of the queens of Maharaja Man
Singh who threw themselves on his funeral pyre in an act of sati
[self-immolation]. The palm imprints still attract devotional
attention and are covered by vermilion paste and paper-thin silver
foil.
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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.
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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
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 cenotaphs of earlier
Maharajas and Maharanis are at Mandore. Wives and concubines committed
Sati on Jaswant Funeral pyre. 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
