Jodhpur : The Blue City

Situated on the eastern edge of the Great Thar Desert, Jodhpur remains as one of India’s prominent destination cities. Host to the immense Mehranghar Fort, an imposing sandstone fortress perched on a large central bluff, this bustling city is also known as “the Blue City” for its multitude of pale blue houses that surround the fort. Strategically located between Dehli and the trade center of Ahmadabad, Jodhpur remains a large marketplace for textiles, agriculture and minerals.  A dynamic industry exists here for the manufacture of such items as glass bangles, cutlery, carpets and marble products. Guests will enjoy not only the notable landmark sights but also an abundance of shopping opportunities.

Mehrangarh Fort:

This immense fort is situated high above the city and contains several individual palaces known for their intricate carvings and expansive courtyards. There are seven gates built by Maharaja Man Singh to commemorate his victories over the armies of Jaipur and Bikaner and the imprints of cannonball hits by the attackers from of Jaipur warriors, we could still watch on the second gate of mehrangarh fort. A narrow and winding road leads up to the fort from the city below but exiting from one of the lesser gates will afford visitors a twisting, yet fascinating, tour through the twisting back streets of the city on the way back down.

Jaswant Thada:

An ornate white marble mausoleum dedicated to Maharajah Jaswant Singh II, this jewel of a structure is located high atop a hill and affords splendid views of the city below. The monument is built entirely out of intricately carved sheets of marble known as jali. These stone panels are so thin and polished that they emit a warm glow when graced by the warm rays of the rising or setting sun.

Umaid Bhawan Palace: This vast and splendid palace is one of the world’s largest private residences. This place has more than 347 rooms and still serves as the main house of the of the former royal family of Jodhpur.