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here where you can stay the night with typical also the second largest city in Rajasthan and
local dances and food. Many people though has a very rich heritage. Jodhpur’s old part
return to Jaisalmer for the night. is known as the Blue City and with vivid
Jaisalmer has hotels in all categories though colours against the backdrop of the fort are
a few well-known ones are the Mandir Palace, very photogenic. The massive fort is also one
Rawalkot, Fort Rajwada and the uber- of the tallest and largest forts in India, and
luxurious Suryagarh. frankly would be better as a fort museum.
The various galleries here adorn treasures
of the Rajputana stronghold. The Sheesh
Mahal, amongst the many rooms here, is a
masterpiece of mirror work. Do not forget to
visit the Mehrangarh museum as it houses
some extraordinary artefact. The Mehrangarh
trust has started an annual Sufi festival which
attracts music lovers from across the world
A Jaisalmer Haveli
and is fast becoming a great event.
The mighty Mehrangarh, Jodhpur
Umaid Bhawan Palace & museum, Jodhpur Another masterpiece, the Jaswant Thada,
From Jaisalmer, the road for Jodhpur is all is mostly overlooked by many but the
eastwards. There are two ways to drive and cenotaph is magnificent. This is an example of
we chose to go via the Osian Jain temples. At architectural brilliance in India. It is a white
one point in history, this small town had more marble memorial, built out of intricately
than a hundred Jain temples. Dating back to carved sheets of marble. The carving shows
the 9th century, you can visit the Sun temple the genius of the sculptors. These stones are
as well as the Kali temple here. The Mahavir extremely thin and polished. As a result,
temple is a fine example of Jain architecture. the outside surface of the monument emits
The temple carvings are really well-preserved a warm glow when the sunrays fall on its
and many tourists who visit this marvel are surface. There is also beautiful marble ‘jali’
awestruck. work on the cenotaph. The views of Jodhpur
Finally driving into Jodhpur in itself a treat city from the terrace are simple marvelous.
as the massive Mehrangarh fort is visible The Umaid Bhawan, most of it is a Taj
from afar as a beacon. A beautiful old city is Group-run hotel, is yet another mindboggling
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #27 | SEPTEMBER 2021 39
