Places Of Interest
The gateway to the Great Thar Desert, Jodhpur is today a modern, lively
and bustling city that has kept pace with all the comforts of this
century and yet manages to retain its feudal charm, offering travelers a
destination that is hard to beat.
Umaid Bhawan Palace: Jodhpur's Royal Residence, the
splendid Umaid Bhawan Palace, is its' most dominant landmark, visible
from every part of this sprawling city. Designed by Henry Vaughan
Lanchester, a worthy rival of Edward Lutyens, it took fourteen years to
build and was completed in 1943. Maharaja Umaid Singh's Palace was the
last of India's great palaces. Perched atop Chittar Hill, this
magnificent edifice is considered the largest private residence in the
world.
Jhalamand Garh: Barely 10 km from Jodhpur, the 18th
century fort has a quiet, soothing ambiance, and provides a glimpse of
the way a Rajput family lives in the rural countryside. From the Dari
Khana terrace, there is a breathtaking view of Jodhpur town. The fort
has 18 rooms, and provides Rajasthani and continental cuisine on
request.
Mehrangarh Fort: This desert kingdom, founded by the
Rathores, is still characterized by the hilltop Mehrangarh Fort, its
basalt walls merging with its sheer stony outcrop. From here the Marwar
kingdom created its influence not only in the desert, but also in the
politics of India, with their center in Delhi/Agra. Within the fort are
some magnificently ornamented palaces, while close to its entrance is
the perfectly detailed marble memorial, Jaswant Thada.
Ajit Bhawan: Built of sandstone as the residence of
the younger brother of the Maharaja of Jodhpur in the 1940s, and one of
the most charming, and personalized properties of Rajasthan, known for
the atmosphere in which its dinner service is held in an open courtyard,
Ajit Bhawan has 51 rooms in the main building, and in cottages
especially created in the gardens. Each cottage is named after the
Indian zodiac, and furnished in ethnic style. There is also a swimming
pool on the premises.
Karni Bhawan: A modern home built by the Jagirdars
of Soda, was in the 1940s, it has a swimming pool, health spa and
sprawling lawns. The Dhani is a group of huts where meals are served,
and breakfast can be had on the terrace with its uninterrupted view of
Mehrangarh Fort. Known for its Rajasthani cuisine, the hotel has 32
rooms, of which 25 are air-conditioned.
By
Type
Husband
and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and
for their children. If the family is too busy, bored or self-absorbed, the
lack of affection and affirmation leads to failure in developing the
required bond between the family. Visit Jodhpur for your family vacation as
it is one of the exclusive royal destinations in India. 
