22.10.2022
Day 23
Our next destination Jodhpur, is the second largest city in Rajasthan, about 460 kms and 8 1/2 hours on our tracker.
We started at 7.15 am and took NH 552 passing Tonk, which was a princely state situated on the banks of Banas river and continued on NH 52 towards Deoli and finally Ajmer-Kota road to NH 48 and SH 61 taking us to Jodhpur. We see several trucks laden with marble and sandstones boulders, indicating many quarries nearby.
We arrived in Jodhpur at 3.15 pm. Since the two landmarks we wanted to visit - Mehrangarh Fort and Umaid Bhawan Palace - would close by 5.00 pm, we had a difficult choice. In the end we decided to visit Mehrangarh Fort. The complex constructed in 1459 by Rajput ruler Rao Jodha, is located on a hilltop and a winding road leads to and from the city.
Inside the complex there are several palaces known for their intricate carvings and expansive courtyards, as well as a museum housing various relics. Birds view of Jodhpur city from the fort, has houses painted blue which gives the city it’s name “blue city”.
The fort is well maintained and they even provide elevator to top floor for a small price!
We engaged a guide who took us through the various courtyards and relics (few of them are explained below and photos attached) and gave us an insight of the items on display.
Howdahs - a kind of two compartment wooden seat for the Kings use during travel.
Palanquins - means of travel for ladies of royalty
Daulat Khana - treasury house
Sheesh mahal - a decorative mirror
Mehrangarh Fort is a must visit.
We checked in at Club Mahindra - Pratap Niwas for the night. The magnificent property developed only about 9 years ago, has the old world charm with modern amenities iset in royal style.
Post dinner, we hired a cab to do a city tour. We drove up to Umaid Palace, but could not get close enough for a night view. Jodhpur seems a well laden city, wide roads and general sense of cleanliness.
End of day twenty three - 7851 kms on our tracker.
#fulltankers
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