I will be going to Jaipur for five days then be spending a couple of days in Udaipur. I would also like to go to Jodhpur which is about a 4 hours drive from Udaipur. If we do go it would only be a day trip to Jodhpur and head back to Jaipur via going to Ajmer as we don't have enough days. As the Jodhpur trip would only be a day, we would only be limited to see one place along with the dunes. I need some suggestions on what place to visit in Jodhpur.
Hi there, welcome to the forum! Jodhpur is synonymous with the sand dunes and this is probably the main reason why tourists visit the city. But for me, a visit to Jodhpur won't be complete without exploring the Mehrangarh Fort. Situated at a hillock, a few kilometres away from the city centre, the Mehrangarh Fort looks as if it grew out of the soil. Its red bricked facade, imposing thick walls and high towers are hard to miss even from a distance. Just from the outside, you know that this fort has witnessed a lot of battles, stories and even tragedies. If you only have time to visit one attraction in Jodhpur, then it has to be the Mehrangarh Fort. It was Rao Jodha who built the fort in the later 14th century. To build the fort, he had to evict the sole occupant of it, a man named Chidiyawale Baba. Of course Chidiyawale didn't leave without a fight and in the end, he cursed the king and the hillock, saying that droughts would happen within it. The mighty Rao Jodha was stricken by this curse and begged for forgiveness. But only a selfless sacrifice can stop the curse from happening, that is someone needs to be buried in the hillock. Luckily for Rao Jodha, a man by the name of Rajaram Meghwal volunteered for the sacrifice, so long as his family would be looked upon by the royals even after his death. And so the sacrifice was done and by 1459, the foundation for the fort was laid by Rao Jodha himself. If you're not convinced by the story, there's an evidence at the fort, a memorial plaque dedicated to Rajaram Meghwal. The brave man who sacrificed himself for the welfare of his family and the kingdom of Rao Jodha. So let's move on from this depressing story and learn more about the Mehrangarh Fort itself. Although the foundation for the fort was laid by Rao Jodha, the Mehrangarh Fort was built over 500 years by different rulers. There are several palaces and other structures within the fort that showcase the different architectural styles of various rulers. This is what makes the Mehrangarh Fort unique out of all the other forts in the state. To enter the fort, you have to pass through the Jai Pol, one of its seven gates, built by Maharaja Man Singh in the 18th century. Just nearby the main gate, there's the Memorial for Kirat Singh Soda, who died defending the fort from intruders. Do visit the other gates though like the Fateh Gate which has spikes and the Dedh Kamgra Gate which has holes as evidences of cannon attacks on it. Yet another must visit gate is the Loha Gate where you can see the handprints of the royal wives who committed sati when their husbands died. After passing through the other gates, you'd reach the first courtyard of the fort, named the Shringar Chowk. This is the so-called anointment courtyard where new kings were crowned. It is also here where they make their first speech after being crowned. At the middle of the courtyard, there's a white marble throne, quite exquisite in design. Then, you also have to visit the Exhibits at the Mehrangarh Fort. Here, all the treasures of the royal family are displayed. You can find various howdahs and palanquins of different designs and styles here. Other displays here are of weaponries and armouries used by the royals as well. Little trinkets like jewelries and jewellery boxes are also displayed in here. Visits to the royal chambers like the Sheesh Mahal, the Phool Mahal and the Moti Mahal are also recommended. These chambers would give you a glimpse of the lives of the royals during their rule in the region. All the chambers or palaces are elaborately designed, with quite elegant motifs. The Mehrangarh Fort is a bustling attraction in the city. There are numerous activities that you can do here aside from touring the fort. You can opt for an adventure activity like zip lining across the fort itself. Or maybe having your palm read, or learning how to tie a turban. There are also some stalls here selling souvenir items for guests. Thus, to get a glimpse of the rich history of Jodhpur, include the Mehrangarh Fort in your itinerary. As soon as you leave the fort, you'd take with you the memories and things you have learned from it. I hope this helps you!
