Since quite some time I have been thinking “what an amazing experience it will be drive through the Rajasthan deserts and barren lands”. I have only seen those in movies but to do it on my own is something I have always been dreaming for. Unfortunately because of our professional life, it is not always an easy job to plan such kind of trips. But then you get a chance and you have to reap the advantages then and there on. Exactly that is what I did, and made a quick plan of visiting Jodhpur, Jaisalmer during the republic day leave on 2012. Took two additional days leave and planned the whole trip. And as we found out later, it was not a bad decision at all. Here’s a small description on the entire trip that I had and I hope this will be really helpful to those who are actually planning for such trips. Although 5 days is a bit tight for visiting these places, I tried to cover the maximum things that can be visited within this schedule.
JODHPUR (Day 1)
Major Places to visit in Jodhpur
1) Jodhpur Fort
2) Jaswant Thada
3) Mandore Garden
4) Nai Sarak and clock tower
Jodhpur was our first destinations. There was no as such difficulty reaching the guest house. Got freshen up, took rest for 2 hours after such a long drive, and then in the evening, went to the Nai Sarak market. The market is at the heart of the city and is the most visited and known market of Jodhpur. The market is also known for its famous Rajasthan handloom shops.
We finished some shopping there and came back, had a nice dinner and went to sleep early. The next day we got up around 8 AM and had our breakfast in the guest house itself. We started around 10 AM in the car and directly reached the Jodhpur fort. The fort is situated just in the middle of the city. On the way you can take some wonderful snaps of the fort. It looks really beautiful.
Government appointed guides are available inside the fort at very nominal rates. The amazing architecture of the fort along with the explanation from the guide makes the fort visit really enjoyable and something worth to visit.
After visiting the fort, we went to the Jaswant Thada just opposite to the fort. It’s a mausoleum built with white marble and is an absolute beauty.
Having your own car has its own advantages. Everything in jodhpur is so organized with proper parking and guidance. People in Rajasthan are generally very cooperative and humble. One really have no problems out there.
From Jaswant Thada, we directly headed towards the guest house since it was on way to our next destination (Umaid Bhawan palace) for a lunch. After finishing our lunch, we headed towards the Jodhpur palace (The Great Umaid Bhawan Palace). Nothing beats the jodhpur palace, half the Palace is leased out to ITC for Hotel. The maintenance is awesome, the palace, the museum, the vintage cars all are simply mind blowing. Another interesting thing to watch in the palace is the small clock room. And one finds clocks of all different designs and from different places here. Starting from early 19th century, all sorts of clocks are present here. Took around 2 and half hours there, and then had a nice kesarwaalakulfi in the cafeteria within the palace.
The next point to visit in Jodhpur was the Mandore garden entirely on the opposite side of the town. It was around 5 in the evening and we were exactly on schedule as per our plan.
On way, we again visited naisarak There is a clock tower at the end of naisarak and you will find misrilal’s famous lassi corner (the guide in the jodhpur fort told us the lassi is famous) . It’s more of like “sweet curd” but worth trying.
After trying lassi, we headed for Mandore garden, parked our car in the parking visited the garden. It’s a beautiful garden (a park I should refer to it rather)
More interesting to note is the fact that the garden is full of langoors all around and they are very quite. You can even take snaps of them from very proximity. They will do their work and you yours. No interference. The garden has few old abandoned temples with beautiful architecture which are worth noticing. Could not really understand why they were abandoned.
One will really enjoy here. After hanging around for 2 hours in the garden, returned to the guest house, had a nice dinner and then nice sleep for next day’s journey.
Note: If you are in your own vehicle, take some time to take a drive around the city, so that you get an idea of the city design and plan in addition
Best time to visit: November->January
Very informative post !!! the photos of palaces and vintage cars attracted me the most….keep sharing
Good one Anupam.
I also drove to Jodhpur and realized that it takes almost one complete day. Was not aware of ‘Mandore Garden’ so thank you for the lovely pics. At Umaid Palace, I believe they also have a ‘star lit’ dinner which we were very tempted to try.
Hi Nandan,
Thanks for you comments, i recommend please wait for the remaining two parts including the road review, i believe an entire day is not required in case we plan properly :-).
Thanks for continously motivating me.
Regards
Anupam Mazumdar
Dear Anupam,
Very good post . I have heard that Jodhpur is very beautiful and you have showed it. The fort, Jaswant Thada, museum, palace , gardens etc. was extremely eye catching and soothing. Wow……….
Waiting for your next post…………..
Thanks for your comments, keep waiting till the remaining parts are published :-).
Regards
Anupam Mazumdar
???? ??????
Thanks sir
Regards
Anupam Mazumdar
beautiful narration,good pics.
Thanks Ashok
Regards
Anupam
Way to go or should i say way to ‘drive’!!!!!! The best part as always are the pics. Love it!! waiting for d next part. :)
Beautiful pictures. I had gone to Jodhpur in 1981, but I had not any photograph of
Jodhpur, thanks for yr pics.
Thanks :-)
Regards
Anupam Mazumdar
It was not so long ago when I was in Jodhpur. However at that point of time I was unable to visit Umaid Singh Palace. I think one full day is required to cover Jodhpur if you are historically oriented .
yes it took us 1 and half days to cover jodhpur :-)
Regards
Anupam Mazumdar
Rana(Anupam)…
Feeling nostalgic about Jodhpur specially for Umai bhavan palace. in 1983 I stayed there for 3 days.. it was awesome.. At the fort rampart we had a dinner…
Pics are really nice.. refreshed my memory as I don’t have any pic as I didn’t have a camera those days… waiting for the next post..