Mehrangarh Fort – Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur is one of the largest forts in forts. It is also the most magnificent fort in Jodhpur, infact, in the whole Rajasthan. The fort is amongst the popular tourist places in India. It is situated on a 150 m high hill. It was founded by Rao Jodha in 1459. The fort has been a witness to the splendour of a bygone era. The beauty and the grandeur of numerous palaces in the fort narrates a saga of hard sandstones yielding to the chisels of skilled Jodhpuri sculptures.

Legend

As with many other forts and palaces of Rajasthan, Mehrangarh too, encloses within its heart a legend that took birth during its construction. It is believed that to build a fort, a sage had to be forced out from the hill. Enraged, this sage cursed that the construction of the fort will see severe problems relating to water availability. To ward off the ramifications of this curse, a man offered to bury himself alive in the foundation of the fort. Today, this story has little credibility amongst tourists, though what is quieting obvious is that Mehrangarh Fort reminds them of the royal past of the Rajput. It is a legacy of the courageous denizens who once inhabited the fort.

About Mehrangarh Fort

The Mehrangarh Fort is situated on the top of the hill that looks magnificent. The Mehrangarh Fort is a spectacular architectural splendor. Built on the sandstone hill the fort seems a continuation of the hill. The fort, which has 36-meter high and 21-meter wide walls, is entered after crossing seven gates. Jayapol or the main gate is the starting point. Maharaja Man Singh, who ruled Jodhpur in the first part of the 19th century, to commemorate his victory over the army of Jaipur and Bikaner, built the gate. Fatehpol is another victory gate built by Maharaja Ajit Singh in 1708 to mark his victory over the Mughals. Out of other six gates, there is one more that is a victory gate, Lohpol. The Iron Gate preserves the handprints of the wives of Maharaja Man Singh who threw themselves in the sacred fire of their husband`s pyre. The handprints are considered extremely pious and have grown into a revered symbol. A number of devotees smear it with red powder and silver to show their respect for the royal ladies who preferred death to humiliation.

The area within the fort is covered with beautiful palaces and spacious courtyards. The palaces, like the Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace), Phool Mahal (Flower Palace) and Sukh Mahal (Pleasure Palace), today serve as a museum. Entered through the Suraj Pol, the museum exhibits a wide range of collections of elephant carriages, maharaja`s palanquin, and covered palanquins for ladies, lethal weapons, small canons and paintings. The palaces themselves have an undeniable charm. For instance, the Moti Mahal has five alcoves along the west wall. Other small alcoves on the walls were meant to hold oil lamps. The ceilings are radiant with glass tiles and gold paints.

Phool Mahal was the palace where traditional dance performances regaled the audience. The gold plated ceiling has images of various Maharajas of Jodhpur around it. The paintings that adorn the walls of the palace are the work of a single artist who, unfortunately died before completing his work. The regality of this palace is enhanced more so because of the stained glasses that seems to preserve the glitter of the gold platings.

There are a number of galleries in the Mehrangarh fort including elephant howdah gallery, palanquin gallery, daulat khana, armory gallery, paintings gallery, turbans gallery, etc.

The museum in the Mehrangarh fort is one of the finest museums in Rajasthan and certainly the best laid 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.

How To Reach Mehrangarh Fort:-

Air:- The Jodhpur airport is located in the cantonment area of the Jodhpur City. It is well connected to the metro cities in India through direct flights.

Rail:-Jodhpur is well connected by rail to other parts of Rajasthan and important cities and towns of India like Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur.

Best Time To Visit Mehrangarh Fort:-

October - February