The Jodhpur: the Histro-cultural land

View of blue streets from Mehrangarh fort

The research had started a way before and bag packs were already packed a week afore with a list of to-do things in my travel diary. I had to choose very keenly, what to see, what not to as unfortunately I had only one and the half days to explore this culturally rich city.

I took Mandore express to reach Jodhpur from Purani Delhi railway station at 9:15pm, on Friday night.Find the pic here  .

Purani Delhi railway station

It took 9 hours to reach there. Around 4am, I felt strong chilled gust hitting my epidermal and Goosebumps worked as an alarm clock. I woke up to see out of the window to find the reason behind this amusing chilliness and I found small sand dunes all around with the green patches of thorny shrubs all over it. On the same note do not forget to carry thin woollen robe if you travelling by sleeper class or general.

The moment I stepped down from the train, the strong rays of rising sun hit my cornea.

Jodpur Railway station

After clicking a bit here and there at station I headed towards hotel and my whole way to the hotel  I felt that its replica of Bhuj.  (http://www.caleidoscope.in/offbeat-travel/bhuj)

Jodpur Railway station

The whole area was dry and most of the women were wearing red dupattas and most of the men there were in bright coloured turban and dhoti, but if you are fond of culture, tradition and architecture then you will fall in love with this city at a very first glance.

With an itch of not wasting my whole day lying like a royal bee, I had first place to hit on that was the “Umaid Bhavan Palace”.

Finding auto or local transport could be difficult for novices, though you can opt for lift but little scary to do that. Ola cabs are so frequently available there but keep GPS active on your multimedia box i.e. mobile. Fortunately in scorching heat I got an auto which took me to the palace and charged Rs.180.

The whole way I was amazed to see all twists and turns of grey path to the palace, I know most of you will fall in love with same.

After reaching on the top of this imperial settlement, I paid Rs.30 as an entrance fee to the museum no charges for the still camera.

The museum shows the royal life in modern era with well conserve royal stances even from the basic to the high rendition like dining table, imported culinary, carpets, dresses and you will feel proud the moment you will see the achievements of great majesties of Jodhpur.

They have got luxurious hotel rooms also to stay which is kind of impossible to see for common public as it highly chargeable and allowed to enter without prior booking. Do not forget to visit “Vintage Car Museum”. This place I would say 5 out 5, hence must visit. Perfect place for “DP ke liye photo” and to consider yourself as a part of royal world for a while.

After wards I headed towards the “The Nai Sarak”, kind of heaven for shopaholic and foodies.

One can find amazing leather work there. Various quirky bags, sling bags, mojaris (traditional shoes), yummy eateries.

So, must to-do list there?

• Try “Makhaniya Lassi” for sure from Janta sweet Home which is at a very starting of the market, costs Rs.40 each (available in Rs.30 also).

• Leather bags ( do not forget to bargain as it’s not camel’s leather which they assure, moreover do not buy any animal skin product)
• Try Lahsunia Bonda
• Bhel-puri and Sev puri of Janta Sweet home is also must to try, costs Rs.40 each.

• Jodhpuri Jutis alias Mojaris

• Buy Sangri and Jodhpuri Mirch
• Try Mirch vada
• Buy Sangri and Ker pickle
• Jodhpuri crepe fabric made saari or dupattas (from handlooms).

After that heads towards the “Sardar Market Cirdikot”, it’s a place where Clock towers has been placed like a mounted guard to keep Jodhpuris on punctual track.

This place is under the regal provinces too as from the top of the fort one can easily see the all activities happening inside this royal fence. This place allows localite to showcase their culture and tradition to the tourists or travelers.

Must to do list here

• Buy Jhumkas (for Rs.100)
• Buy Jodhpuri Bangles (Rs. 150-200)

• Be aware of hooligans
• Do not forget to click (panorama) market and clock tower.

Fortunately, in the evening I got the opportunity to attend one Jodhpur marriage which allowed me to experiment and explore with the local food and tradition. Gatte Ki Sabzi, Ker Sangri Sabzi (also known as Pachkutaa), Kaju Draksh ki Sabji, Traditional Kadhi, Gulab Jamun ki Sabzi, Saiv Tamatar ki Sabji, Lasan Ki Chutney, Besan barfi and much more. Moreover, I tried to be a quirky turban women like rest of the people there.

You can also opt for visiting Bishnoi village and you can have the true vegetarian Jodhpuri food, though it will be a time taking process to satisfy the taste buds.

On second day, the sun was putting all heating blaze on our skin so do not forget to keep full sleeves clothes and a sun block.With few friends of mine, we headed towards a Dhabba (eating joint) to have breakfast.

We all decided to try Jodhpuri Aalu ka Paratha, after 20 minutes of ‘starving and carving’ halt the parathas arrived and most of us were yanked to see the way they had made it. It was fried paratha and for about 15 minutes I struggled to get all oil soaked inside the tissue paper. Tasting the first bite of aalu paratha allowed my taste buds to expand as it was surely a yum treat for them though it was spicy but unforgettable till now.

We all landed up to see “Mehrangarh Fort” and “Jaswant Thada”.

The history and culture have always allured me hence the fort was quiet humongous and magnificent at the first gaze. As an entrance charge, I end up paying Rs 60 plus Rs.100 for still camera. This place is perfect for a history lover and culture enthusiasts and architecture lover, might be heaven for some.

All those Jharokhas and mirror palace reminded me of “Baji Rao Mastani” so do not forget to pose like a Princess.

The best part of this fort is that they have categorized everything so well like they have cradle palace alias Palki Khana,

entertainment yard where I met 97 years old personality , he is so good in demonstrating afeem and Hookah, moreover he poses when camera clicks.

The stairs and the huge edifice structure were so beautiful. In only this part of fort and nearby area you will find blue coloured streets and houses so in tot you might not call Jodhpur, The blue city.

To see all with much of interest and clicking you need at least 3 hours and do not forget to carry water with glucon D.

 

“Csowkalao Mehal Terrace Restaurant”, do not forget to visit this place as sitting here and having glimpse of the fort is something you don’t want to miss for sure, though might be expensive for the pockets of some.

We had to kind of rush as we had train to catch at 6:15pm towards Delhi.

Do not forget to click Jodhpur Railway station because it completely embodies the state crowned heads and till now the phases of Jodhpur is still breathing in my travelling beam.