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Grandeur by the sand dunes - Founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha,
Jodhpur was the capital of the princely state of Marwar, where the Rathor
clan ruled. Set right at the edge of the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is strewn
with forts and palaces that go back to the 15th century. On top of a
hill, at the edge of the town, looms the Mehrangarh Fort, giving it
a touch of medieval majesty.
Mehrangarh Fort - His formidable hilltop fort is one of the most impressive in Rajasthan. A series of gates lead into it, like Jayapol built by Maharaja Man Singh in 1806 and Fatehpol or 'Victory Gate' erected by Maharaja Ajit Singh to celebrate his victory over the Mughals. Inside the fort, see the palaces: Moti Mahal or 'Pearl Palace', Sukh Mahal or 'Pleasure Palace' and Phool Mahal or 'Flower Palace'.
Jaswant Thada - Marble cenotaph built in 1899 as a memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II.
Ummaid Bhawan Palace - Built by Maharaja Ummaid Singh in1943, this marble and sandstone palace is an imposing sight. The museum here has a fascinating collection of antique clocks and miniature paintings.
Shopping - At Mochi Galli. Look for embroidered leather shoes, tie and dye fabrics, lacquer ware, antiques and puppets.
Cuisine - Try makhaniya lassie- a delicious creamy drink. And popular desserts - mawa laddoo, mawa kachori, dhood firni.
Festivals - Marwar festival, A cattle fair in Nagaur, Shitlamata fair
at Kaga, Gangaur Fair at Pipar.
Jaisalmer
The magic of a golden fortress.
Centuries ago, Jaisalmer was on the camel trading route between India and Central Asia. It is a city that rises from the desert like a golden mirage. Dominating the view is the awesome citadel on the hill - a fort built with the golden yellow stone of the area. Jaisalmer is a visual delight. Wander through its lanes and discover the 'Havelis' with delicately carved stone facades
Jaisalmer Fort - Built in golden yellow sandstone, this fairy-tale fortress stands on Tricuta Hill. Still inhabited, there are palaces and bazaars within the fortress.
Havelis - Healthy merchants built these exquisite Havelis, with profusely-carved stone facades. Don't miss Patwon Ki Haveli, Salim Singh Ki Haveli and Nathmal Ki Haveli.
Rishabdeviji Temple, Ashta Padi Mandir & Sambhavnath Temple - Dating from the 12th to 15th century, these three exquisite Jain temples contain a treasure of Jain manuscripts.
Shopping - At Manik Chowk, pick up woven blankets and shawls, mirror-work textiles, silver jewellery and block-printed textiles.
Festivals - Annual Desert Festival
Bikaner
Bikaner the royal fortified city stands on a slightly raised ground
and is circumscribed by a 7 km long embattled wall with five gates.
The magnificent forts and palaces created with delicacy in reddish-pink
sandstone bears testimony to its rich cultural heritage. Bikaner more
popularly called the camel country is renowned for the best riding camels
in the world.
Junagarh Fort - The Junagarh Fort, built by Rai Singh between 1588 and 1593, has a 986-metre-long wall with 37 bastions, a moat and two entrances. Situated at a height of above seven hundred feet above sea level, it towers over the city and can be seen from a distance. The fort and its palaces are profusely decorated with magnificent stone carvings. The major buildings within the fort include the Anup Mahal, Diwan-e-Khas, Hawa Mahal, Badal Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Phool Mahal, Rang Mahal, Dungar Mahal, and Ganga Mahal. The Chandra Mahal has remarkable frescoes. Beautiful mirror work adorns the walls of Phool Mahal while golden pen work decorates the Anup Mahal.
Lalgarh Palace - Built by Maharaja Ganga Singh in memory of his father, the Lalgarh Palace is situated 3 km north of Bikaner city. Designed by Sir Swinton Jacob, the palace is quite imposing with overhanging balconies and delicate latticework. Peacocks and blooming bougainvillea in the garden welcome the visitor to the palace. To promote tourism, the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation has converted a portion of this palace into a hotel.
Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum - One of the best museums in Rajasthan, the Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum has one of the richest collections of terracotta ware, weapons, miniature paintings of Bikaner school and coins dating back to Harappan civilization and Gupta and Kushan era.
Raj Ratan Bihari and Rasik Shiromani Temple - These temples are situated
inside the Ratan Bihari Park on the northern side of KEM road. Built
in early 19th cent by Ratan Singuji and Sardar Singuji. They are of
red sandstone and constructed in a mansion style of architecture.
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