Jodhpur

Jodhpur, once the capital of the former princely state of Marwar, is now the second largest city of Rajasthan. Flanked on its western side by the Mehrangarh Fort, and on the eastern side by the stately sandstone Umaid Bhawan Palace; the monuments, temples and gardens of Jodhpur depict its multi-faceted grandeur.

Founded in 1459 CE by Suryavanshi Rao Jodha, Jodhpur gradually grew around the towering Mehrangarh Fort, built as a stronghold on the advice of a sage. Along with Bikaner and Jaisalmer, Jodhpur too is situated on the ancient silk route that linked Central Asia and Northern India with the seaports of Gujarat. As a result it became a major trading center in the sixteenth century. Jodhpur is still one of the leading centers for cattle, camels, wood, salt and agricultural crops, reminiscent of the bygone days of the silk route

Mehrangarh Fort - In the turbulent political times of 1459 CE a saint advised Rao Jodha to establish an impregnable seat of power. Following the sage’s advice the Mehrangarh Fort was built on a steep hill. This formidable hill top fort is among the best preserved in India with beautifully carved latticed windows in the residential apartments within. Carved panels and porches, elaborately adorned windows and walls of Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal and Sileh Khana, seem to make the medieval splendor come alive. A collection of musical instruments, palanquins, royal costumes, furniture and the cannons on the fort's ramparts is preserved inside this fort.

Main Attractions:

Mehrangarh Fort Museum: This is an excellent museum with rare and interesting artifacts, textiles, paintings, transport items etc. laid out with utmost care and thought. The Palanquin Gallery and Howdah (Elephant Seat) Gallery display a superb collection of old and precious specimens of great historical value. Because of the same color one cannot discern where the ramparts of the fort begin and where the rocks of the hill end.

Umaid Bhawan Palace: Umaid Bhawan Palace can qualify for several firsts: the largest private residence in the world, the finest extant example of art-deco, the only palace to have painting from the Ramayana painted by a Polish artist, the first to use air-conditioning, electricity and elevators, and the most impressive for its size and dimensions. Most of this palace was converted in to a luxury heritage hotel and is managed by the Taj Group of Hotels. In one part of the palace the former royal family still lives.

Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum: Recently the ruling family of Jodhpur has converted a part of the gigantic Umaid Bhawan Palace as a Palace Museum.

Government Museum, Mandore: About 5 miles form Jodhpur, Mandore was the ancient capital of Marwar. This enchanting place has beautifully carved cenotaphs, halls of heroes, palaces and the old fort that are of immense historical importance.

Government Museum: Located in the Umaid gardens on High Court Road, it has a large and fairly interesting collection of artifacts from the entire region surrounding Jodhpur.

Jaswant Thada: A cluster of royal cenotaphs in white marble were built in 1899 CE in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Within the main cenotaph are the portraits of various Jodhpur rulers.

Maharajas of Jodhpur, Marwar:

1400-1438: Man Singh
1438-1488: Rao Jodha
1488-1491: Satal
1491-1515: Suja
1515-1515: Ganga I
1515-1531: Ganga II
1531-1583: Rao Maldeo Rathore
1583-1594: Raja Udai Singh
1594-1619: Raja Sura Singh
1619-1637: Raja Gaj Singh
1637-1680: Maharaja Jaswant Singh
1680-1724: Raja Ajit Singh
1724-1749: Maharaja Abhi Singh
1749-1750: Maharaja Rama Singh
1750-1752: Maharaja Bhakta Singh
1752-1792: Maharaja Bijej Singh
1792-1803: Maharaja Bhim Singh
1803-1817: Maharaja Man Singh
1817-1818: Maharaja Chatar Singh
1818-1843: Maharaja Man Singh
1843-1873: Maharaja Takht Singh
1873-1895: Maharaja Jaswant Singh
1895-1911: Maharaja Sardar Singh
1911-1918: Maharaja Sumer Singh
1918-1947: Maharaja Ummed Singh
1947-1953: Maharaja Hanumant Singh
1953-present: Maharaja Gaj Singh

5-star hotels:

Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace Hotel – 98 rooms
Taj Hari Palace Hotel – 93 rooms

4-star hotels:

Ajit Bhawan Palace Hotel – 51 rooms

3-star hotels:

Ranbanka Hotel – 26 rooms & 5 suites
Karni Bhawan – 32 rooms
Hotel Suncity International – 33 rooms
Ratanada Palace Hotel – 50 rooms
Park Plaza Hotel – 45 rooms
Days Inn Abhaya Hotel – 72 rooms
Sardar Samand Palace – 19 rooms
Mandore Guest House – 12 rooms
Manvar Resort & Camp – 21 rooms
Balsamand Lake Palace – 36 rooms
Fort Khanwa Luni Hotel – 31 rooms
Fortune Umaid Jodhpur – 88 rooms
Ratan Vilas Heritage Hotel – 12 rooms

Distance from Jodhpur in Kilometers and Miles:

Balsamand Lake: 5 Kilometers or 3 Miles
Mahamandir Temple: 10 Kilometers or 6 Miles
Mandore: 8 Kilometers or 5 Miles
Jhalamand Garh: 10 Kilometers or 6 Miles
Kailana Lake: 11 Kilometers or 7 Miles
Guda Bishnoi: 26 Kilometers or 16 Miles
Luni Fort: 36 Kilometers or 22 Miles
Sardar Samand Lake: 56 Kilometers or 35 Miles
Rohetgarh: 40 Kilometers or 25 Miles
Ajmer: 200 Kilometers or 124 Miles
Jaipur: 331 Kilometers or 206 Miles
Jaisalmer: 308 Kilometers or 191 Miles
Bikaner: 243 Kilometers or 151 Miles
Udaipur 266 Kilometers or 165 Miles
Ranakpur: 180 Kilometers or 112 Miles
Mount Abu: 336 Kilometers or 209 Miles
Deogarh: 170 Kilometers or 106 Miles
Sardargarh: 210 Kilometers or 130 Miles