Mehrangarh Fort – Jodhpur, India

 

After arriving in Jodhpur and a brief visit at Jaswant Thada we made our way up to the incredible Mehrangarh Fort.

 

Mehrangarh Fort: P.B # 165, The Fort, Jodhpur 342006, Rajasthan, India

Costs:

International Visitor Rs. 600 (about $8.00 US)

International Visitor Students Rate) Rs. 400 (about $5.35 US)

Audio Guide Rs. 180 (about $2.40 US)

The cost of admission, including the audio guide, was part of our tour package, and we HIGHLY recommend the audio tour. It was informative and easy to operate.

 

Mehrangarh Fort was built in 1459, mainly of red sandstone. It is often called the “Citadel of the Sun.” It is one of the most impressive forts in Rajasthan and one of India’s best-preserved forts.

 

Incredible Safety Precautions

As previously mentioned, hotels and attractions were taking incredible precautions against COVID checking temperatures and providing hand sanitizer with many people wearing masks.

As we entered the fort, we, as foreign travelers, were separated, our temperatures take, our personal and travel information logged into a huge (old school) journal, and we had our hand stamped.

Quickly we learned that it was not just for us as residents of India were shifted off to another area and went through the same screening process.

Exploring the Museum

The Museum consists of seven period rooms and six galleries showcasing paintings, textiles, and arms. We could have sent most of our time wandering the courtyards and enjoying the intricate carved screens and architecture and be happy.

 

 

Of the period rooms, Sheesh Mahal or Palace of Mirrors was probably our favorite. It was once a part of the private apartment of Maharaja Ajit Singh of Marwar (r. 1707-1724).

Beyond the incredible ornate mirrors, above each of the arched doorways are painted gesso panels depicting gods and goddesses such as Brahma, Shiv- Parvati, Devi and Ganesh on their thrones.

 

 

The gallery with the howdahs (or elephant seats) and palanquins (or litters) were a favorite as they were both amazingly ornate and functional.

 

 

The other fascinating displays were a collection of cradles; they were carved and painted. They also had a spectacular array of Bidriware, an important metal ware as it symbolizes wealth. It is created with a blackened alloy of zinc and copper inlaid with sheets of pure silver.

 

 

They also had a display of hookahs and this interesting looking older man.

 

 

The Phool Mahal or Flower Palace was a beautiful, ornate hall that was a place of pleasure where female dancers probably stayed. The gold filigree work that filled the room was spectacular.

 

 

This space was thought to be the private apartment of Takhat Singh. The walls, ceiling, and floors are all hand-painted, even the windows are accented with colored glass.

 

 

Another feature we have been impressed with, pretty much across India, were the doors. Some of the layerings were for fortification, but we just found them to be so beautifully ornate.

 

 

Unfortunately, our tour package only allowed for one day in Jodhpur. This is one of the most amazing forts we visited, and we would have loved more time to explore the fort and the surrounding city.

Be sure to check out their Instagram page for new visitor experiences coming post-COVID!