March 29: Jodhpur

Take a ride across the desert to Rajasthan's second-largest city, the busy and chaotic Jodhpur (approx 6 hrs). Jodhpur is known for its antique shops and the best lassi in India. And yes, it is where those famous trousers come from. Explore the colossal Mehrangarh Fort and take in the great views from its ramparts, which dominate the city's skyline. Visit India's last great palace, the Umaid Bhawan Palace, which was constructed between 1929 and 1944. Named after the late Maharaja Umaid Singhji, the palace is still the residence of his successors. (brochure)

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Although the ride to Jodhpur was long, we stopped a couple of times for potty breaks and lunch. We arrived at Jodhpur around 2 PM.....once again another beautiful surprise.....not just a Fort but the colossal Mehrangarh Fort overlooking the city. It is immense and reminds me of  Scotland's Edinburgh Castle as it dominates the skyline. Rather than a guide, we each received a "whisper", headphones/recorder, that directed us through the amazing maze of sites and an introduction on the history of this Fort. The orange picture of "hand-prints of Dedication" were made by the wives of the dead maharajah who sat on his funeral  pyre where they sacrificed their lives to honor him. The pictures tell the story of the Mehrangarh Fort...

Walled Fort from Afar

Vantage Views Overlooking the City

King's Conveyance

Strategic Viewing Entrance Gate

Hand-prints of Dedication

Royals Bedroom

Overlooking Inner Courtyard

One of Many Sitting Rooms

Impregnable Walls

After spending abut 2 hours at the Fort, we walked down the hill to the old portion of Jodhpur. Although we didn't spend much time in the "old city", it would be one of the cities that would be worthwhile revisiting.

Dinner and to bed early....another long drive to our final Rajasthan destination, Udaipur.