THE SUN CITY- JODHPUR

The imperial city, replete with amazing legends of romance and heroism. A land where the past thrives still. This is the fortified city of Jodhpur, standing on a wary sentinel to the great Thar Desert. Beckoning out to the wilderness of fascinating dunes, rocky terrain and thorny vegetation. The city is encompassed by a high wall, 10 km long with eight gates. Within the city atop a rocky hill, stands the massive fort, 120 mtrs above the plains.

Packed with history, art and culture, this princely state is a treasure-trove of some exquisite palaces, forts, temples and havelis-standing a testimony to the imperial grandeur. But what entices the most in Jodhpur is the traditional lifestyles, festivity and smiling people.

PRIME SITES:

Mehrangarh Fort: One of the largest forts in India, it is unsurpassed in beauty and grandeur. Innumerable palaces in the fort, interspersed with sprawling courtyards, are intricately carved. Various folk musicians and bands gather here on important occasions and perform against the magical backdrop of the fort-reviving the regal splendour of a bygone era.

Jaswant Thada: The 19th century royal cenotaph, a creation in white marble was built in commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II and displays some rare portraits of Jodhpur's rulers.

Umaid Bhavan Palace: The only palace built in the 20th century as a famine relief project, which gave employment to hundreds of people for 16 years. Its sculpted lawns with sandstone pavements and bouquets of bougainvillea bushes, offer a lovely sight. The palace now runs a hotel with a part of it retained as a museum.

Mandore(8 km) : The capital of ancient Marwar, it is truely an oasis in the desert with its beautifully laid out gardens. The sprawling greenery of peepal, banyan, palms and plantains alongwith swirling and lovely peacocks make Mandore a visual treat. The main attraction is the 'Hall of Heroes' housing sixteen gigantic figures chiselled out of a single rock and the cenotaphs of the former maharajas of Jodhpur.

Clock Tower and Sardar Market: One can go shopping for Jodhpur tie-and-dye textile, embroidered leather shoes, lacquerware, antiques, carpets and puppets, amidst the setting of traditional haat bazar at the well planned Sardar Market near the Clock Tower.

Mahamandir Temple: This is an old walled town with few hundred houses. The temple with 84 beautifully carved pillars is an architectural wonder.

Kailana Lake: An artificial lake on the Jaisalmer road. An idyllic picnic spot with spectacular sunset.

Balasamand Lake and Palace: A picturesque artificial lake with a summer palace on its banks. There are lush orchards of mango, guava and other fruits.

CELEBRATING TIME:

Marwar Festival (Oct): An annual festival of dance and music, celebrating the classical 'Maand' style of folk music. The festival brings alive the legend, folklore and romantic lifestyle of Rajasthan's rulers.

Sardar Samand Lake and Palace (55 km): As you drive to the lake, the picturesque countryside with lovely villages and smiling folks on the way, offer a spectacular sight. A rendezvous with chinkara and black buck might add more fun to the drive.

Osian (65km): An ancient town of Thar desert, renowned for a cluster of ruined Brahmanical and Jain temples dating from 8th to 11th century. The most important temples are Surya or Sun temple and the Sachiya Mata temple.The latter has a 'shikhar' clustered by a row of tarrets, an ambulatory and a large assembly hall with an elaborate ceiling.

Guda Bishnoi (25 km): These are immaculately kept villages of Bishnoi community-staunch believers in the sanctity of plant and animal life. Khejri trees and varieties of deer are the attractions of the villages.

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