Friday, April 1, 2011

Jodhpur जोधाणा Citidel of the sun.

From our desert oasis at Manvar Camp we drove 2 hours to Jodhpur. If this name seems familiar it is because a hundred years or so ago a Maharaja was invited to go to England to play polo and he had some trousers made for the occasion. These trousers, baggy down to the knees and then tight down to the ankles, so impressed the English that they are now worn by all horse riders and yes, they are called Jodhpurs.
Turbans, jodhpurs and ektar.

We checked in to another historic and grand hotel called Ratan Vilas which another Maharaja had resided in. We had two oversized rooms fit for a king!
We were all very much exhausted from our “amazing race” lifestyle and had an easy day with a guide showing us the Mehrangahr Fort, this like all forts in India, makes the mind boggle at it’s enormity and craftsmanship from 500 years ago. Built in 1459, Mehrangahr is the most imposing fort we have seen as it towers 400 feet above the city. The view from the top was breathtaking. The city of Jodhpur below is stunning as many of the buildings are painted blue and an impressive 9 kilometre wall surrounds the city.

Elephants walked these paths to carry royalty
up to the palace.


Below the towering fort.

The Palace of Flowers. The royal chamber for private audiences. Exquisitely beautiful.

View of the blue city from Mehrangarh

The women and girls were never allowed to attend ceremonies
and could only watch from ornately carved marble screens and
peering over covered windows.
After that we wanted to go to the city bazaar to do a bit of shopping as I wanted to buy a turban (Why? I don’t know, but hey!) so through small narrow streets we walked with a lively jostling of daily life in this old and interesting town. The girls managed to do some good deals on some bangles they wanted and I was successful in acquiring my prized turban.





A slow and relaxing tange took us back to Ratan Vilas.
Paul

3 comments:

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  2. We are loving reading your blog! What a fantastic trip - that fort in Jodhpur looks amazing. Glad to see that you are having such a great time. Hope that turban keeps your noggin warm in the UK!! xThe Hardys

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  3. the Milicevic family from Sarratt good luck on the rest of your trip it really was a pleasure to meet the Pimlico 4 in real life,now I know the famous intrepid adventurers I look forward to more great posts ....land ahoy captain!

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