Destinations Magazine

The Blue City, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

By Sonyaandtravis @sonyaandtravis

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 omelet (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 alleyways
The blue walls of Jodhpur
The blue alleyways of Jodhpur

Entrance to a Hindu temple in the heart of Jodhpur
The inner courtyard of a Hindu temple in the heart of Jodhpur
Brightly yellow painted entrance door of a Hindu temple

Sardar Market entrance gate at Jodhpur
Jodhpur clock tower
The supposedly real Jodhpur Omelette Shop

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 marvelous and allows you to understand why Jodhpur is known as the Blue City.

Mehrangarh Fort seen over the Gulab Sagar
Imposing thick walls of Mehrangarh Fort
One of the many paintings at the Jaipol entrance to Mehrangarh Fort

The Jaipol entrance to Mehrangarh Fort
Shaded undercover area outside the main gate
The main exterior wall of Mehrangarh Fort

Canon ball holes visible in the Mehrangarh Fort walls
Sonya walking through the main multi gates of Dodh Kangra Pol entrance to Mehrangarh Fort
Construction of the fort was begun by Maharaja Rao Jodha in 1459

Hindu script with a Marigold wreath found at the Mehrangarh Fort wall
16th-century Imritiapol entry gate at Mehrangarh Fort
Loha Pol with iron spikes to deter enemy elephants

Sati (self-immolation) marks of royal widows who threw themselves on their maharajas funeral pyres
Surajpol gate providing access to a museum
White marble stone throne

Entrance to Singhar chowk inside Mehrangarh Fort
Singhar chowk inside Mehrangarh Fort
Daulat Khana Chowk inside Mehrangarh Fort

Daulat Khana Chowk inside Mehrangarh Fort
Decorative metal doors of the Daulat Khana
Sonya resting at the Daulat Khana Chowk

Indian man peering out a window
Exterior stairs leading from one of the rooms
Looking north towards Lalji Maharaj Ashram and Geeta Ashram

Pigeons roosting on the red stone carvings of the Mehrangarh Fort
Zenana with latticed windows from which the women could watch the goings-on in the courtyards
Sonya with the blue city in the background

Mehrangarh Fort with the blue city in the background
Rooms of the Mehrangarh Fort with the blue city in the background
Mehrangarh Fort with Jodhpur the blue city in the background

Jodhpur , the Blue City
Windows of the Salim Cot
Intricate stone carvings of the Salim Cot

The beautiful Salim Cot inside the Mehrangarh Fort
Travis with DSLS, GPS, audio guide and backpack
Looking west over the blue city

Treasures of Mehrangarh Museum

Elephant Howdah, wooden frame with silver sheet metal
Elephant Howdah and umbrella
Two lions on the back of the Elephant Howdah with the umbrella seen in the background

A collection of Elephant Howdah, carriages for elephants
A royal palanquin, transportation by people
Ancient hookah (shisha) and other smoking paraphernalia

Decorative plate
Makara cannon found in the Mehrangarh Museum
Very old woven blinds

Two ancient swords with decorative handles
Helmet with gold decoration
Antique shisha found at the Mehrangarh Museum

Four identical carpet weights
Gold leafed royal palaquin
Garden and Cosmos, the Royal Paintings of Jodhpur

Painting of king on throne smoking a hookah pipe
Painting of the demon and monster horde
Painting of royals receiving offerings

Phul Mahal (Flower Palace)
Phul Mahal (Flower Palace), whose 19th-century wall paintings depict the 36 moods of classical ragas
Horse head pommel of a sword

Dragon headed dagger handle
Takhat Vilas, the bedchamber of Maharaja Takhat Singh
Veer durgas das rathor, Durgadas Rathore credited for preserving the rule of the Rathore dynasty

Colourful painted cornice
Gold leafed throne with painting on Ganesha in the centre
Gold leafed throne


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