Jodhpur

Umaid Bhawan Palace
Maharaja Umaid Singhji who built this palace was fascinated with western lifestyles so he marshalled the services of a well-known Edwardian architect, Henry Vaughan Lanchester, a creditable equal of Edward Lutyens (architect of New Delhi) to construct a three hundred and forty seven roomed Umaid Palace. This was to become India last of the great palaces and the biggest private residence in the world. Spectacular Central Rotunda, the cupola rises to a hundred and five feet high; the Throne Room with its exquisite Ramayana murals; an elegant wood-panelled library, and even a private museum; an indoor swimming pool, a Billiards Room, tennis courts and unique marble squash courts makes Umaid Bhawan Palace is unabashedly the most magnificent. The palace was also built with superficial intentions of providing employment to famine stricken farmers. The Palace now is a five star deluxe palace hotel. The museum of the palace is highly recommended for its display of weapons, an array of stuffed leopards, a huge banner presented by Queen Victoria and an incredible collection of clocks.

Meharangarh Fort
Perched on a 150 m high hill its sprawl is the most formidable and magnificent fort in Rajasthan. Rao Jodha founded it in 1459 but subsequent rulers of Jodhpur have also added to it over the centuries. A meandering road leads to the from the city 5 kms below. Battle scars of canon ball hit by attacking armies of Jaipur can still be seen on the second gate. To the left is chhatri of Kirat Singh Soda, a soldier who fell on the spot while defending the fort against the armies of Amber. There are seven gates, which include Jayapol meaning victory built by Maharaja Man Singh to commemorate his victories over Jaipur and Bikaner armies. Fattehpol also meaning victory gate was built by Maharaja Ajit Singh to mark the defeat of Mughals. The palm imprints still attract devotional attention and are covered by vermilion paste and paper-thin silver foil.

Fort Museum
This is one of the finest museums in Rajasthan and certainly the best layed out. In the palanquin section of the fort museum, you can see an interesting collection of old royal palanquins including the elaborate domed gilt Mahadol palanquin, which was won in a battle from the Governor of Gujarat in 1730. The museum exhibits the heritage of the Rathores in arms, costumes, paintings and decorated period rooms.

Phool Mahal
The grandest of Mehrangarh's period rooms, the Phool Mahal was in all likely hood a private and exclusive chamber of pleasure dancing girls once swooned in exhaustion here under a ceiling rich in gold filigree. The Phool Mahal was created by Maharaja Abhaya Singh (1724-1749) and the gold came from Ahmedabad in Gujarat as war booty after his famous victory over the rebellious Mughal governor, Sarbuland Khan. The paintings, royal portraits and the ever-popular raga mala, came much later, in the reign of Jaswant Singh II.

Jhanki Mahal
The Jhanki Mahal, from where the royal ladies watched the official proceedings, in the courtyard, today houses a rich collection of the royal cradles. The cradles are decorated with gilt mirrors and figures of fairies, elephant and birds.

Jaswant Thada
On the way down from the fort, on left is Jaswant Thada, the graceful marble cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. His son Maharaja Sardar Singhji built the Taj Mahal of Marwar in the memory of Maharaj Jaswant Singhji II of Jodhpur. The main memorial has been built like a temple with intricately carved marble stone that is sculpted by the genius artesian. A visit to this structure is through the rocky hills giving it a secluded and a mystic aura.

Mandore Garden
Mandore was the former capital of Maharajas of Marwar and is located about 5 miles north of Jodhpur, but was later abandoned for the security of Mehrangarh fort. Here you will find the dewals, or cenotaphs of Jodhpur's former rulers.

Unlike the usual chhatri-shaped cenotaphs typical of Rajasthan, they were built along the lines of a Hindu temple, four stories high, with fine columns and an elegant spire, all in red sandstone. The most impressive is the dewal of Maharaja Ajit Singh (reigned 1678-1724). These cenotaphs are set in beautiful landscaped gardens. Nearby is the hall of heroes, dedicated to various deities and fabled Rajput folk heroes, whose statues are carved out of rock and painted in bright colours. Next door is a larger hall called "The Shrine of the Three Hundred Million Gods", filled with brightly coloured images of the various Hindu Gods. As you climb up the hill, you come to the ruined city of Mandore, with its old palace. The beautiful Maharani's cenotaphs set apart on a rocky outcrop - a ten-minute walk over the hill. Today its extensive gardens with high rock terrace make it a popular local attraction.

Sardar govt. Museum, zoo and umaid public park
In the middle of the Umaid Public Garden, this museum houses a rich collection of exhibits armoury, textile, local arts and crafts, and miniature paintings. And even portraits of rulers, manuscripts and images of Jain Tirthankars. Umaid Public Garden houses a zoo and public library. This building and the garden were developed during the time of Maharaj Umaid Singhji.

Village Kheechan
Village Kheechan is situated near Jodhpur, which is natural sanctuary to the bird Kurjan. This bird mainly belongs to South Western Europe, Black Sea, Poland, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, North and South Africa and Magnolia. It is known as Democial Crane. In India, this bird is known as Kurjan, Karkara and Kunch. It spends 6 months (from April to September) in Europe and 6 month (Oct to March) in India. Because it reproduces in Europe it is considered to be a native of that place. It comes to India when Europe becomes intolerably cold, while Indian Winters are suitable for it. India receives lakhas of these birds during the session, out of which 4 to 6 thousand come to the dues and ponds of Kheechan. Weighing 4 to 6 kg this carne is the favourite of hunters though hunting is prohibited. That is why it lives on plains, rather than on the treetops. That's why it can see hunters from a safe distance. It is around three feet height, with male and female looking alike. The body is light gray, neck and chest black, with feathers longer than other parts of the body. Ear line can be seen behind the eyes. Beak is dirty green with the inner portion serrated and feet are black. Its voice is loud and harsh. While flying as it makes a lot of noise and sounds like 'kurr-kurr', thus it is known as kurjan in India. Its neck and feet are spread while flying as it makes a V shape. It makes a haphazard nest in swamy areas and lays two eggs at a time.

The female crane leads the flock with baby cranes in the middle, followed by the male member. Family feeling is so strong amongst these birds that they never fight. If a member loses track of the flock, all the other are informed by making special sounds. Dogs are scared of these flocks. According to astrologers, these Kurjan crane are fed to pacify Rahu planet.

Kheechan village becomes absolutely deserted when these birds return to Europe. Besides Kheechan, these cranes can also be seen Bapp Lake, Bhadriya and Bhatiyana in Jaisalmer, many villages of Banner, Rama, Morda, Talab and Badrajune in Jalore and also near Sanchore. They are also seen in Krishna Mrig sanctuary in Tal Chhapar of Churu district and the Bhartpur bird sanctuary.