India - Impressions from Jodhpur

After a long bus ride in a local bus we arrived in Jodhpur (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jodhpur for more details). Jodhpur (जोधपुर), is the second largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was formerly the seat of a princely state of the same name, also known as Marwar. Jodhpur is a popular tourist destination, featuring many beautiful palaces, forts and temples, apart from a stark, scenic desert landscape. The city is known as the "Sun City" for the bright, sunny weather it enjoys all year. It is also referred as the Blue City, due to the indigo tinge of the whitewashed houses around the Mehrangarh Fort. Jodhpur is also known for gentleness of its people. Jodhpur lies near the geographic center of Rajasthan state, which makes it a convenient base for travel in a region much frequented by tourists. The old city of Jodhpur is surrounded by a thick stone wall. The wall has six huge gates called Nagauri gate, Merati gate, Sojati gate, Jalori gate, Siwanchi gate and Chand pol. In the center of the old city is a bustling market full of shops for textiles, tailors, spices, soaps, incense sticks and many other goods.

The new Umaid Bhawan Palace of Jodhpur.

The "recycling area" of the market. People collect all kinds of recycles and sell them here on the market.

Spices in many amazing colors .....

The Mehrangarh Fort viewed from the market.

A local store for construction goods and materials I dubbed "Home Depot".

The Jaswant Thada is architectural landmark found in Jodhpur. It is a white marble memorial built in 1899 in memory of Maharja Jaswant Singh II. The monument, in its entirety, is built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. These stones are extremely thin and polished so that they emit a warm glow when the sun's rays dance across their surface. Within this cenotaph, there are also two more tombs.

A small squirrel in one of the gun holes of the outer wall Mehrangarh Fort.

Jodphur is also called the "Blue City" due to the fact that many houses are painted in blue. Originally to indicate that Brahmans lived in the house, but also as a way to keep the house cool, it is supposedly also working as a good insect repellent. Here is a view from the castle.

Another view of the "Blue City".

The Jaswant Thada as seen from the Fort.

The Mehrangarh Fort is one of the most amazing forts or castles I have ever visited. It is wonderfully maintained and houses an awesome museum. It lies at the outskirts of Jodhpur city and is located atop a 125 m high hill. The magnificent Mehrangarh Fort (Jodhpur ka kila) is the most majestic and one of the largest forts in India. It was originally started (c.1459) by Rao Jodha, founder of Jodhpur. However, most of the extant fort dates from the period of Jaswant Singh (1638-78). The walls of the fort are up to 36 m high and 21 m wide; they enclose some exquisite structures.