Drunk with the beauty of Jodhpur palaces 10/2023 (Stop 10)

10-11, October 2023, Jodhpur, India

From Udaipur, I headed north to Jodhpur, another city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. 

At my guesthouse, which was at a foothill, the towering Mehrangarh Fort rose in the sky, like a monstrous structure. Sitting on a rocky hill, in the same pinkish-brown color, it looked like a seamless extension of the hill it rested on. As I climbed the slope to the fort, small windows adorned its walls at the top. Behind these walls, in the interior, was a big showoff! The unabashed display of the intricate carving of its facade was masterly. I would gaze at these and marvel – painstaking and passionate works indeed. 

Hiking in the Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park was a fantastic way to complete the appreciation of the fort. It took me around the bushes and ponds at the foothills. The fort always loomed large within shouting distance. 

In a busy intersection in the city center was Jaswant Thada, a white and beautiful cenotaph. The historic Clock Tower was directing the busy traffic that swirled around her. Also in the city center was Toorjika Jhalra, a stepwell. It was not just a hole dug in the ground. It had steps so the people could step to the water. Such a giant hole in the city center is really quite extraordinary and a curious sight.

On the second day, I took the rickshaw to go to Umaid Bhawan. Unfortunately, only a small part was accessible. The major part of it is now a hotel, only for those with money to waste. The Mandore Garden was more generous and welcoming. It featured some tomblike monuments in a garden. Some remnants of old forts remained on the low hilltops, with some poor inhabitants and a few dogs that did not bother to bark. I went to the tops and found myself alone. I enjoyed being alone.

To go to the next Stop, click the link below:

The best living fort and jaw-dropping havelis in desert Jaisalmer, India – 10/2023 (Stop 11)

Click here to see all the stops on this trip

Route map for this trip:

My itinerary from The Maldives, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal:

• The Maldives
• Sri Lanka – Sigiriya
• Sri Lanka – Anuradhapura
• Sri Lanka – Trincomalee
• Sri Lanka – Kandy
• Sri Lanka – Ella
• Sri Lanka – Merissa
• India – Mumbai
• India – Ahmedabad
• India – Udaipur
• India – Jodhpur
• India – Jaisalmer
• India – Jaipur
• India – Agra
• India – New Delhi
• India – Varanasi
• Nepal – Pokhara
• Nepal – Kathmandu