MehrangarhThe sun fort

THE MEHRAN FORT

• Crowns a hill which is 400ft above the ground.

• Over 5 centuries – the headquarters of Rathore.

• Rao Jodha – led its foundation in the mid C15th.

• Below which Jodhpur was formed.

• In reference to the clans mythical descent from the sun god ‘Surya’.

Contd..• Current Head - Maharaja Gaj Singh.• Military base• Palace for the rulers and their wives.• The centre of patronage for art, music and literature.• A place of worship for temples and shrines.

JAI POL

• Entrance to the fort.• Seems to grow out of the hill.• Made of -reddish brown

sandstone.• Built in 19th century by

Maharaja Man Singh.• To the left, a small shrine of

silvered Ganesha image.

Out work:

• Space where the Jaipur forces attacked.

• Has Pustak Prakash & Chhatri (modern guard rooms) .

• Leads to the 2nd door.

Lakhan Pol / Dedh Kangura Pol

• “One and a half merlons.” • Has a lintel no arch.

• Doors just stand against the wall, not mounted.

• Followed by an ascent ramp.

AMRITI POL & LOHA POL

• Leading to Amriti pol.• Stilted and pointed arches .• It has small guard rooms, • It steeply rises at the top

ramp is the Loha pol. • The Loha pol leads to Naqqar

Khana – • Announce Maharaja’s arrival

or departure (now a café).

Commemorating satisPalace apartments above Amriti pol.

SURAJ POL

• Grand entrance has 2 entrances.

• 1 to the Zenana or woman’s quarters.

• The other to Suraj pol nearer one at lower level - less imposing.

• Leading to the public parts of the palace.

Palace Apartments

• 1st courtyard - the Shrinagar Chowk.

• The Raj Tilak (enthroning ceremony)

• A modest marble seat.• Many different

patterns of perforations for the breeze to flow through.

The galleries

• Hawda Khana(s) displays C18th and C19th Howdahs with fine silver works.

• On the east similar arrangement of Palki Khana, red and silver striped velvet covering for women in Purdah.

Daulat khana

2nd court yard:• Most prestigious royal

apartment..• The floor being the

audience hall or main reception room personnel apartment and sleeping chamber

• Terrace with pavilions – a place for recreation.

Shastra Khana

• One apartment was used as a Bhojan Shale offer feasts to this nobles (Thakurs or Pandits)

• Now enclosed to convert it into a museum space – the Armoury.

• Koft gari – decorative inlay

• Prominence of weapons – military basis of Rajput.

Sheesh Mahal

• Bed chamber of the rulers

• Decorated with mirrors.

Phul mahal

• Over the amoury,, private audience hall, perform personal rituals.

• Elaborate jaali work blaustered.

Takhat Vilas:

• All surface is painted. • Windows have colored

glass planes.

• Model on local folk art.

• Ceiling are wooden beams.

Jhanki Mahal• Jaalis & small window.• Allow to get a glimpse

without being noticed.• Cradles and Jhulas are

seen here.

Moti Mahal

• Has five alcoves leading onto hidden balconies.

• The throne is placed centrally.

• White painted stone Jaali work.

Zenana

Gun Terrace

• Made in the C19th.

• Some are from the 1st world war.

• It has a Arabic inscriptions.

Chamudi temple

• Isht devi of the royal family.

• Dusshera celebrations.

• Gangor ki puja.

How to reach ??

• Jodhpur is well connected by road, rail and air to all major cities and towns.

By air-• Indian(Indian airlines) operates

daily flights to Jodhpur from Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and Udaipur.

• Jet Airways operates daily flights from Delhi and Mumbai.

• Kingfisher airlines operates daily flights from Delhi, Udaipur and Jaipur.

By Train

• Well connected by direct trains from all metros and major cities in India.

• The taxi stand and auto-rickshaw stand are located near the exit of the railway station.

By road

Approximate road distances from various destinations are

• Agra -580 km • Ajmer -200 km • Bikaner -240 km • Jaipur -345 km • Mumbai -1075 km • New Delhi -590 km • Udaipur -275 km

By bus

• Jodhpur can be reached by RSRTC (Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation).

• Buses and private luxury buses which operate from all major towns and cities in Rajasthan Ahmedabad and Delhi.

Getting aroundMeans of transport include: • Tourist cabs (taxis) – Ply on a minimum

distance per hour per day basis.• Mini Buses – Public transport is available

but chaotic and not advisable except when on a shoestring budget.

• Car rental – There are many car rental companies around.

• Auto Rickshaw(unmetered) – Negotiate before you board on.

• Tonga – A good way to move around.

Where to stay???

• Jodhpur Heritage Hotels

• Ajit Bhawan• Balsamand Lake Palace• Devi Bhawan• Haveli Inn pal• Madho Niwas• Megh Niwas• Pal Haveli• Polo Heritage• Ratan Vilas

Jodhpur Luxury Hotels

• The Gateway Hotel

• Park Plaza Jodhpur

• Taj Hari Mahal

• Umaid Bhawan Palace

Jodhpur Deluxe Hotels

• Mapple Abhay• Chandra Inn• Hotel Kalinga• Lake View & Resort• Maru Garh• Niky International• Rajputana Palace• Shree Ram International

Jodhpur Economy Hotels

• Inn Season• Hotel Ratnawali• Residency Palace• RTDC Hotel Ghoomar• Shri Ram Excellency

Jodhpur Guest Houses

• Haveli Guest House

• Mandore Guest House

• Newtons Manor

• Surya Kunj

SpecialityLEHRIABANDHINI

Food

DHANYAWAD…