Exploring The Blue City and Mehrangarh Fort of Jodhpur

The mesmerizing Sun City of Jodhpur is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Rajasthan and has such a joyous vibe. Blessed by the sun, year-round sunshine the royal city got its name. Everything is so colourful & vibrant and the people are so generous and humble. Also, not to forget the flavorful food which is rich in spices and tasty and the markets full of variety.

We took a bus to Jodhpur for a 2 day trip and chose to visit Mehrangarh Fort first. We spotted the grand fort from far and couldn’t keep our eyes off as we drew closer and closer.

I love visiting heritage sites because they remind me of our country’s culture, history and traditions. Mehrangarh Fort is one of them. And no visit to Jodhpur is complete without a visit to this gigantic fort to witness this architectural masterpiece. It sits atop an uphill road far away from the bustling city of Jodhpur, best for seeing the sunset and the Blue city.

This volcanic-rock fortress was built by the Rajput royalty in 15th century and still stands strong, with magnificent temples and palaces inside of it. The highlights are its seven imposing entrances, which include the famous Jai Pol (victory gate) and Fateh Pol. 

What struck me first about this Jodhpur Fort is just how huge it is! It’s built at a height of 150 meters on a perpendicular cliff! I wonder how they managed to build this way back in the 15th century. I was bewitched by the architectural beauty.

Mehrangarh Fort is related to Rao Jodha. He became the fifteenth Rathore ruler in 1458. One year after his accession, Jodha was advised to move his capital to a safer place. The one thousand years old Mandore fort was slowly and gradually deteriorating. This led to the foundation of Mehrangarh Fort.

The Fort and its palaces were built over period of 500 years following the foundation in the mid-15th century. As a result, the varied building styles of many different periods are represented, including the 20th century. The abrupt transition from one era to another, as you progress through the buildings, is one feature that makes a visit so remarkable. 

Many blockbuster movies were also shot at this magnificent fort. The famous Hollywood movie “The Dark Knight Rises” has its significant scenes shot here. Bollywood is not too far behind! Movies such as “Awarapan”, “Hum Saath Saath Hain”, “Shudh Desi Romance” and “Holiday- A Soldier Is Never Off Duty”, are amongst the few Bollywood flicks that have been shot at Mehrangarh Fort.

The fort still bears the prints of cannonball attacks. A large part of the Mehrangarh Fort has been converted into a heritage museum, which is one of the finest museums across the country. The three-storey Daulat Khana Gallery houses treasured artifacts related to Rathores.

From the inside, it gives you a real royal feel, the exquisite architecture and stone works make you wonder the amount of manpower that was required to achieve this feat of fine artistry. The fort is known for its exquisite latticed windows, carved panels, decorated windows and magnificent walls of Sheesh Mahal, Phool Mahal and Takhat Vilas Mahal.

Sheesh Mahal : The elaborate glass and mirror work is what gave its name.  The chamber is not open to visitors directly and one can see the beautifully carved interiors through a small enclosure. The walls of the palace are adorned by beautiful flower motifs and paintings from the Indian mythology.

Takhat Vilas Mahal: It was built by Maharaja Takhat Singh. He was the last ruler who lived in the fort. Many traditional styles were used in order to decorate the palace. The walls of the palace have pictures which were painted with the help of wet plaster.

The beautiful paintings on the walls and on the wooden beams of the ceiling, scenes from the religious Krishna Leela to the Rathore sport of pig sticking, are still in good condition.

Phool Mahal: With its delicate colours, golden sheen, ornate ceiling and stained glass windows and screens, the Phool Mahal is undoubtedly the grandest period room in Mehrangarh. It is believed that the Phool Mahal was a private and exclusive chamber of pleasure. Dancing girls are believed to perform here for the pleasure of the Maharajas

Finally we reached the spot we were waiting for since we entered the fort.

As India is all about colours, Jodhpur is about blue. The paranomic view from here of the Blue City was one of a kind and the best. We stayed for some time and enjoyed it with the breeze and warmth from the sun. The blue is derived from limestone and indigo mixed together and painted all over the houses’ walls. The locals say that the cool blue is perfect for the extreme summer heat and indigo acts as a mosquito repellent. 

After exploring the Magnificent Mehrangarh Fort, we headed to Kaylana Lake for some relaxation and to enjoy the sunset.

Owing to its scenic beauty, a number of people come to this artificial lake to seek respite from the hubbub of the city. We did boating, bird watching and enjoyed the sunset sitting in the boat itself. It was a great experience with such a lovely view.

Next on the list was Clock Tower, also known as Ghanta Ghar , because we wanted to explore the messy streets of the city and Ghanta Ghar is an important landmark . The mighty ruler Maharaja Sardar Singh built this colossal clock tower, in proximity to the popular Sadar Bazar. This few-storey tower is beautifully lit in the evening, which adds to its overall appeal.

Who can skip shopping in Jodhpur while vacationing in this heritage city? I just couldn’t resist and headed to the market.

The Clock Tower Market or Ghanta Ghar is one of the popular places to shop in Jodhpur where you’ll find plenty of street vendors encroaching the entire area around the clock tower. You’ll find the finest variety of spices, handicrafts, flavored teas, hand-embroidered fabrics, and antiques here.

Close to this is Nai Sadak market where you can shop for other stuff like clothes, shoes, luggage and souvenirs etc. at very reasonable rates.

You can also visit Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jaswant Thada, Mandore Garden, Bal Samand Lake, Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park , etc.

BEST TIME TO VISIT:

Mid-October to mid-March is a pleasant time to visit Mehrangarh Fort and all places nearby. 

Mehrangarh Fort Entrance Fee: INR 50 – 100

Mehrangarh Fort Restaurant timings: 9 AM – 5 PM (open all days)

Mehrangarh Fort Timing: 9AM – 5PM (Daily)

HOW TO REACH:

By Air

The Civil Airport Jodhpur has direct flights flying in from and out to New Delhi and Mumbai. The airfare is not too high, as the travel duration is very less.

By Train

Traveling by train is undoubtedly the cheapest and most affordable option for commuting till Jodhpur. Trains from Jodhpur run to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. The trains run all round the year, usually on all days of the week. Schedules of trains from Jodhpur to Delhi and other places are listed out on various websites and seats for the same can also be booked online.

By Road

It is always a good idea to go on a road trip, so if you decide to embark on a trip to Jodhpur by road, rest assured. All roads in Jodhpur have been well-constructed and connected.