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| Rao Jodhaji, founder of Jodhpur |
When you arrive at your new destination, the eternal question playing on your mind is always what are the must things to do and see. Before the trip, Anushka and I searched and read on the Net about Jodhpur and about it's many tourist attractions. We made a rough and flexible itinerary for our three day trip. On the basis of our experience, presenting below a few of the must things to do and see in Jodhpur in no particular order.
Mandore Gardens is a wonderful place for sightseeing situated at a distance of 9 kms from Jodhpur town. We hired an auto-rickshaw to visit the place. Mandore Gardens lies in Mandore which was the former capital of the Maharaja of Marwar. The expansive and well-maintained garden is adorned with exquisite royal cenotaphs of the former rulers and ancient temples. We leisurely took a stroll around the garden as our wanderstruck eyes admired the intricate carvings and architecture of these royal cenotaphs and temples. We were greeted by the sight of many hanuman langurs as we made our entry into Mandore Gardens. They were lounging around the garden. We walked along a winding cemented path behind the garden to check out the remains of Mandore Fort on a hill. Once we reached the top of the hill, we were rewarded with views of the surrounding areas.
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| hanuman langurs lounging around Mandore Gardens |
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| Mandore Gardens |
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| exquisite work of art of Mandore Gardens |
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| cenotaphs of Mandore Gardens |
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| look at the pigeons |
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| one for the memories at Mandore Gardens |
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| cemented path leading to Mandore Fort |
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| remains of a temple in Mandore Fort |
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| remains of Mandore Fort |
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| Anushka at Mandore Fort |
RIFF (Rajasthan International Folk Festival) Anushka and I were lucky to be in the Blue City of Jodhpur at the right time when the RIFF was happening. RIFF is an annual 5-day music festival showcasing the rich cultural folk heritage of Rajasthan. It takes place in the sprawling Mehrangarh Fort. It is held in the month of October. Tickets for the evening musical extravagance was expensive, but Anushka and I wanted to attend and experience it at least once in our life. Taking hold of the prized tickets, we tiptoed in to the music venue. Anushka's friend also joined us. The venue within Mehrangarh Fort was packed with attendees. The three of us found empty seats after quite a search. A number of Rajasthani musicians including a few musicians from abroad regaled the charmed audience with lifting music for close to three hours. We enjoyed the musical night. The announcer had to repeatedly request the audience, "Please sit down. Don't click pictures of the performers with camera flash."
The lit Mehrangarh Fort looks beautiful at night. It towered over us and the town. Not to mention the starry night views of Jodhpur town from the fort. It was an incredible starry sight to behold!
Please excuse the not-so-good night photos of the musical event.
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| evening musical performance during RIFF at Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur |
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| evening musical performance during RIFF at Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur |
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| evening musical performance during RIFF at Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur |
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| audience during the evening musical extravagance |
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| Anushka and me at the evening musical extravagance of RIFF |
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| Mehrangarh Fort lit up during RIFF musical extravagance |
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| Mehrangarh Fort beautifully lit up |
Ziplining With Flying Fox This was the highlight of our Jodhpur trip. We had already done online booking before the trip. On the appointed morning, we arrived early at Mehrangarh Fort since the office is located within the fort's premises. We ran here and there cluelessly looking for the location of the office. After a frantic search, thankfully someone showed us the correct way to the office. We met the receptionist at the Flying Fox office and signed some documents. We waited for others to join the first batch for the day. Once everyone arrived, a brief talk on safety and demonstration on a mini wire was given. It was followed by a practice session for each one of us on a short zip to test our ability. We were already excited. Once the guide/instructor was satisfied, we followed him and his assistant to the starting point of ziplining. Over a period of 90 minutes, each one of us glided through six zip points. These six ziplines are:
- Chokelao Challenge (115m)
- Ranisar Rollercoaster (170m)
- Chhota Wallah (70m)
- Jai Jodha (270m)
- Rajput's Revenge (160m)
- The Magnificent Marwar (300m)
We soared high and glided across two desert lakes, rocky ravine, trekked through Rao Jodha National Eco Park, and were rewarded with great views of the Blue City of Jodhpur and the magnificent 15th century Mehrangarh Fort. Some of us were stucked in the middle while ziplining and we had to manually pull ourselves to the end point.😁 Anushka and I were so pumped with all the adrenaline rush. Overcoming her fear of heights, Anushka decided to go ahead with this thrilling activity. By the end of it, she was a happy girl. Both of us thoroughly enjoyed this adventure. If given a chance, I will do it again. Arguably it was our first try at any adventure related sport activity. We highly recommend this particular activity if you are game for it.
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| Flying Fox office at Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur |
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| as I glided over Zip point 1 |
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| and there Anushka ziplining |
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| one of the two lakes we ziplined over it |
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| that's one long zipline point |
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| immensely proud of ourselves after the task |
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| the first batch of the day for ziplining |
Mehrangarh Fort overlooks the Blue City of Jodhpur from a hilltop. The 15th century Mehrangarh Fort was built by Rao Jodha in 1438. Rao Jodha is also the founder of Jodhpur. This huge fort is the most popular attraction and is visited by hundreds of tourists. It houses many palaces such as
Sheesh Mahal, Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Zenana Deodi, temples such as
Chamunda Mataji Temple, Nagnechiji Temple, and museum.
The well-stocked museum showcases the rich history of the Rathore rulers in the form of paintings, costumes, arms, and ammunitions. The museum also preserves artefacts of the Mughal dynasty. The sprawling courtyard, intricate carvings of the fort, and the other attractions won't disappoint you. And yes, the fort offers bird's eye view of the Blue City of Jodhpur. Wear good walking shoes and you are good to go and explore this sprawling 15th century Mehrangarh Fort. After sunset, the fort is beautifully lit up with lights that truly transforms it.
We were entertained with folk dances and other performances by the artists at the sprawling spaces of the fort as part of the RIFF (Rajasthan International Folk Festival).
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| coloured mirrors of a palace in Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur |
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| cannons at Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur |
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| cannons at Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur |
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| artwork in a palace of Mehrangarh Fort |
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| exquisite interiors of a palace in Mehrangarh Fort |
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| day view of Jodhpur from Mehrangarh Fort |
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| a palanquin on display at Mehrangarh Fort |
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| views from Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur |
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| Mehrangarh Fort beautifully lit up at night |
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| the lit Mehrangarh Fort magically transforms at night |
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| night view of Jodhpur from Mehrangarh Fort |
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| Mehrangarh Fort beautifully lit up |
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| cultural folk performance at Mehrangarh Fort |
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| folk song performance at Mehrangarh Fort |
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| cultural folk performance at Mehrangarh Fort |
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| cultural folk dance performance at Mehrangarh Fort |
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| a young man busy in his musical chore |
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| Mehrangarh Fort reverberated with music |
Visit to a Bishnoi Village There are a couple of Bishnoi villages in and around Jodhpur town. We felt it will be a good experience to get a taste of village life and also to know about the Bishnoi community. Anushka's friend also joined us on this visit to Salawas, one of the Bishnoi villages. We hired a guide in Jodhpur who took us to Salawas in a jeep. Salawas village is around 22 kms from Jodhpur. Upon our arrival at the village, we interacted with the village folk of Bishnoi community. We visited a potter's house who showed us his pottery skills. He taught us how to make small earthen pots. Our not-so-expert fingers made a mess of the soft clay.😁😂 The three of us after a lot of attempts were somehow able to make earthen lamps and save ourselves from further embarrassment infront of the potter. We purchased a few items from his stall.
Thanking the potter for his time, we then made our way to another house to interact with the family members. The lady of the house showed us around her modest hut and, brought some seeds of a few plants to show us, that grew in their garden.
From their household we found ourselves at the house of a dhurrie weaver. Dhurries are a thick flat-woven rugs or carpets used traditionally in India as floor-coverings. The man showed us how a dhurrie is woven on the loom. They sell the handmade durries right at their home. You can buy these beautiful dhurries as souvenirs.
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| a potter giving final touches to the earthen pots |
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| the potter ready for demonstration |
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| Anushka's friend trying her hand in pottery |
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| Anushka and her pottery skills |
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| my clumsy fingers shaping the soft clay |
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| proudly posing with our finished products |
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| pottery souvenirs at the potter's workshop |
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| take your pick of pottery souvenirs |
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| a hut with an open courtyard of a Bishnoi family |
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| the lady showing us pulses growing in her garden |
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| making of dhurrie being shown |
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| take your pick of interestingly designed durries |
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| a hut in Salawas village |
Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) is a popular landmark in the old city. It is a three-storied tower with an English clock on the top floor. Maharaja Sardar Singh built it. After sunset, the tower is lit with bright lights. A bustling market known as Sardar Market, named after the Maharaja, is adjacent to this clock tower. You can wander around the small lanes of the vibrant market and browse the stalls for spices, jewelleries, sarees, and local handicrafts. Or just soak in the hustle and bustle of the market place. Yes, it is crowded and chaotic with people, animals (mostly cows) and vehicles all around.
Please excuse the very badly taken photos.
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| Sardar Market entrance in Jodhpur |
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| Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) in Jodhpur |
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| jewellery at Sardar Market in Jodhpur |
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| Ghanta Ghar all lit up at night |
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| Ghanta Ghar all lit up at night |
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| Mehrangarh Fort seen from Ghanta Ghar and Sardar Market |
Jaswant Thada is a white marble mausoleum. It is a memorial site of a Rajput clan. Set amidst a serene lakeside and well-manicured garden with lush greenary, it is near Mehrangarh Fort. You can wander around the memorials and cenotaphs admiring the intricate carvings or simply laze on the inviting lawns to soak in the peace and serenity of the place away from the hustle and bustle of the town, listening to the chirping of birds or looking at the many squirrels scurrying around on the lawns. You might find 1-2 local Rajasthani musicians belting out folk music at the entrance or on the grounds. Often referred to as the Taj Mahal of Rajasthan, Jaswant Thada is a peaceful escape.
There is a newly built statue of Rao Jodhaji, founder of Jodhpur, at a short distance from Jaswant Thada.
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| Jaswant Thada in Jodhpur |
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| local musicians at Jaswant Thada |
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| one for the memories at Jaswant Thada in Jodhpur |
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| Anushka at Jaswant Thada in Jodhpur |
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| Jaswant Thada from across the garden |
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| white marble mausoleum of Jaswant Thada in Jodhpur |
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| a small lakeside next to Jaswant Thada |
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| statue of Rao Jodha, founder of Jodhpur |
The idea of rushing from one tourist attraction to another did not appeal to Anushka and me. We rather took it slow and explored it at our own sweet languid pace. Obviously due to less time, we couldn't explore rest of the attractions Jodhpur has on offer. I guess that's call for another visit to this Blue City of Jodhpur for some other time.😊
The Blue House homestay located in a quiet lane of the old city had been our abode during our stay here. We found it good and had no complaints. It had a rooftop restaurant which offered amazing views of the 15th century Mehrangarh Fort.
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| The Blue House homestay in Jodhpur |
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| day view of Mehrangarh Fort from the rooftop restaurant of the homestay |
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| night view of Mehrangarh Fort from the rooftop restaurant of the homestay |
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| Rajasthani thali at Jhankar Choti Haveli Restaurant in Jodhpur |
Like many of the visitors to Jodhpur, we were glad to have created travel memories in this beautiful town of many wonders. Rajasthan never fails to amaze. Always made us feel like maharaja or maharani when we come calling to this Indian state.
Until the next travel adventure...
Thank you for stopping by!
Happy Travelling feet!
Travelled on: October 2013
© All contents and images are copyright of Hema Hazarika (thehaflonggirl).
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