Jodhpur

Saturday, 25 March 2017

Today we flew from Aurangabad to Jodhpur via Mumbai.

The Jodhpur airport looks very colonial.

We had an early evening walk through the Clocktower Market -- the main bazaar in the center of the old town. The clocktower might be very British colonial, but the bazaar is pure India. And we were enticed to purchase some amazing silks.

Pulses and spices for sale.

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Sunday, 26 March 2017

Today we toured Jodphur. First on the itinerary was Mehrangarh Fort.

Mehrangarh Fort sits on a hill 125 m (400 ft) above Jodhpur.

The fort’s palaces rise high above the entrance.

Looking back at the main gate.

As you might imagine, steep walls and small courtyards make for a photographic challenge. Visitors have fallen to their death by not paying attention when taking selfies. This sign is found at numerous locations.

Jodhpur is sometimes called the “Blue City” because so many of its houses are painted with an indigo-dyed wash. The birds in the air are kites. You can also make out the smog layer over Jodhpur.

Inside a palace courtyard.

A connecting doorway.

The Fort is now a museum with many artifacts from the Maharajas. This is the “Phool Mahal” (“flower palace”). The over-the-top bling is typical of public-use rooms in the palace.

A gilded arch and ceiling in the Phool Mahal. I liked the way the colors changed depending upon the viewing angle.

Rajasthani-style window and jalis (screens) typical of this palace. The jalis let women view the courtyard below without being seen.

Near the Fort is the Jaswant Theda. A memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, it is the royal cremation grounds. The building contains the cenotaph of the Maharaja. Cenotaphs of many members of the royal family are on the surrounding grounds.

Jaswant Theda

Our final stop was the Umaid Bhavan Palace. It was created as public works effort to employ townspeople during a famine. Started in 1929, it took 15 years to complete.

The palace is HUGE. Most of the palace has been turned into a 5-star hotel. The Maharaja has a wing as his residence, and other wing has become a museum. Photography is not allowed inside the palace.