Jodhpur - Palace on Wheels

From Jaisalmer the Palace On Wheels chugs on to yet another desert kingdom of Jodhpur on Saturday and arrives at 08.00 hrs. Famous for its magnificent forts and palaces, Jodhpur is the second largest city of Rajasthan and a major tourist attraction in the country. Jodhpur city is situated at the edge of the Thar Desert with Jaisalmer on its west, Barmar, Jalor and Pali on its south, Bikaner on its north, and Nagaur on the eastern side. The Rajput chief Rao Jodha founded Jodhpur in 1459. The city was the erstwhile capital of the Marwar state. A 10-km-long wall made of stone and built about a century after the city was founded, surrounds the old city.

There are approximately 100 towers in the city, most of which are surrounded by defensive battlements. You can spend the morning at Mehrangarh Fort that towers over the city like an eagle's eyrie and then come downhill to lunch at Umaid Bhawan Palace, the largest art-deco residence in the world and now home to the head of the royal family, museum and luxury hotel. Departure, after unwinding and relaxing at the palace, is at 15.30 hrs.

Mehrangarh Fort

Magnificent Mehrangarh, one of Rajasthan's finest forts, looks down protectively over the city, from the hilltop. The fort is situated at an altitude of about 125 meters and is spread over an area of 5 sq. km with seven gates. One could drive up or walk to the top of the small and not so steep hill. Driving or walking up, the sheer rock face from where emerges the tall and massive sandstone wall of Mehrangarh looks awesome indeed.   more...

Jaswant Thada

Red sandstone stairs led up to the chessboard checked courtyard of the neat white marble cenotaph. Dedicated to Maharaja Jaswant, this memorial was built in 1899. Inside, the reverent ambience is framed with several portraits of Jodhpur royalty. It is a peaked structure from the outside with precise trelliswork and excellent carving.   more...

Umaid Bhawan

A wonderful palace of beige sandstone built by Maharaja Umaid Singh in 1928 and designed by the President of the British Royal Institute of Architects. The Fort is a blend of several styles, merging pleasantly. All the trappings of Raj influence, pre-independence royal living are present. Royal auditorium ballrooms, huge dinning-room, gilded royal furniture, majestic tiger and deerskins on the walls of a gloomy library of old books, crystal chandeliers, stained glass windows, liveried menservants and doormen, swimming pool in basement, various mementoes and old photographs. There is so much to see and discover.   more...