Jodhpur the Blue City
07.27.2013
Jodhpur
The bus ride there was surprisingly better in some ways then I expected. When I heard "local" bus my mind immediately thought ok, Thom, me and three other locals will probably be sharing a seat built for two with no air-conditioner and a chicken or goat blocking the aisle. So when we go to the bus stop and a modern bus just like we have in the states pulled up I was pretty pleased. The only difference was that it sat two on one side of the bus and single seats opposite. It also had sleeper seats with curtains above our regular chair seats, kinda cool.
The bus made random stops and many people got on and off and up and down. There was no air conditioning but the open windows helped. The bus has this crazy, extremely loud horn that plays differ melodies that are used to scare goats and cows out of the road. We drove through what reminded me of the many farm country sides in the states except their cows are not the same.
Finally we reached Johpur and geez! It was crazy and busy like Delhi. The air was really heavy with diesel too.
A little info on Johpur (and yes it is where riding pants came from and got their name):
Jodhpur is the second largest city in the state of Rajasthan, India and the origin dates to the year 1459 AD. Jodhpur is also known as the Blue City, an apt name as most houses in the old city are shades of blue. This is particularly noticeable on the north side of the town, known as Brahmpuri for the many Brahmins that live there.
We were not in the "Blue" area when we arrived and I wasn't too sure what our stay was going to be like when we first arrived. We finally reached our guest house and it was really nice.
Set up like a small courtyard in the center with rooms around the outside, this place was run and owned by friends of Monty's who are actually descendants of the Singh family, rulers of Jodhpur.
Best part...there was air conditioning!!!!!
The family actually cooks all the meals for the guests and we had a great dinner. Ironically it started to thunderstorm right at the end of dinner and we lost power. So much for the air, but luckily it turned back on an hour or so later just as we went to bed.
The morning we took rickshaws to the Mehrangarh Fort which is one of the largest forts in India.
The fort is situated 400 feet (122 m) above the city and is enclosed by imposing thick walls. Inside its boundaries there are several palaces known for their intricate carvings and expansive courtyards.
There are seven gates, which include Jayapol (meaning 'victory'), built by Maharaja Man Singh to commemorate his victories over Jaipur and Bikaner armies. Actually there is so much history and stories about what went on in the fort I can not write it all here but it is worth looking up if you're interested.
The fort is located at the centre of the city spreading atop a high hill.
Its walls, protect some of the most beautiful and historic palaces in Rajasthan.
After the fort we walked down the streets into the Blue historic section of the city.
We then proceeded to the clock tower...
where there is a very busy local market selling all kinds of goods.
We stopped for a lassi a yogurt type drink popular in India and some fried street food. This one was yummy with onions and lentils.
That night we had a great dinner at a place called "On the Rocks" It had a proper bar and some really delicious chicken and vegetarian dishes. We ate outside and then had drinks inside the bar/dance club and there was even some dancing happening that night...he he he!
The next day Monty gave us an option to travel by two private cars instead of a bus so we could see some off the itinerary places along the way to Udipur and everyone agreed that it would be the thing to do.
Posted by Kelly Rose 11:03
Love your sharing, almost feel a part of the journey.
by Trudy Lockspeiser