Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur is one of the main attractions of the city Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The Mehrangarh fort has great historical importance as many of the Rajput clans’ historic feats are etched in its ever so strong walls. The city of Jodhpur is an important place of Rajasthan. It gets a great annual flux of tourist and travelers for all over the globe and also all across the country.
The Mehrangarh Fort was built in the year 1459 by a certain Rao Jodha. It was after its establishment that it became centre of many historical events with the passage of time. From the acquisition of the armies of the three cities of Udaipur, Jaipur & Bikaner by Maharaja Man Singh to the defeat of the Mughals by Ajit Singh, all these feats are commemorated in the Mehrangarh fort by its series of seven grand gates.
The Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur is built on a high plateau over the city at an altitude of 125 metres. The strong high walls and the rough terrain make the fort an impregnable establishment. The interior of the fort is, however, an exhibition of art and sculpture. Form grand buildings to fountains, statues & monument laded courtyards to manicured gardens everything is exuberating royalness. The Mehrangarh Fort houses the Mehrangarh Museum that stocks the glorified past of the land.
The main attraction is the palanquin section of the museum apart from armoury gallery, paintings gallery and so on. This fort is a great tourism centre and being on the heart of the Jodhpur City, it is very much commutable.
Interesting Facts
- Mehrangarh Fort was built in 1459 by Rao Jodha, after whom the city of Jodhpur is named.
- The wall of of the fort has a height of 118 feet as well as a size of 69 feet that shield the huge location of it.
- There are different royal places located inside the walls of the citadel, which have their separate, unique identities with complex Rajasthani carvings and design.
- Two ancient temples places are also located in the fort, which, in addition to the rest of the building, bear the work of over 500 centuries of different musicians.
- The gallery inside the fort includes relics and also ancient artefacts that come from not just the royal families of Rajasthan, however likewise of the Mughal dynasty culture.
Mehrangarh Fort: History
Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur owes its origin to Rao Jodha, the ruler of Mandore and the founder of the city of Jodhpur. When Rao Jodha decided to shift his capital to a safer and elevated location in Jodhpur Tour Package, he laid the foundation of this massive fort in 1459 on a hill named Bhakurcheeria aka the Mountain of Birds. The cornerstone of the fort was laid by Shri Karni Mata, a female warrior sage.
Legend has it that Rao Jodha had to relocate the sole occupant of the hill, a hermit named Cheeria Nathji, in order to build the fort. The enraged hermit cursed that the fort would suffer scarcity of water forever. To appease him, the king built a temple and a house for him within the fort premises. Some local stories even say that Rao Jodha buried alive a common man named Raja Ram Meghwal in the foundations of the fort to nullify the impact of the curse. Since the man had agreed to sacrifice his life willingly, the king promised to look after his family and continued to fulfill his promise diligently.
Over the years, Rao Jodha’s successors contributed much to the fort’s structure. They strengthened the fort’s walls and gates and also constructed new palaces and temples within the premises. It was in the 17th century, during the reign of Jaswant Singh of Marwar, that the fort was built into what we see today.
Mehrangarh Fort Architecture
Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur, one of the best places to visit in Jodhpur, is a celebration of various architectural styles. The fort and the structures within it were built over a long period of five centuries starting from the middle of the 15th century till the 20thcentury. So, its architecture reflects influences and elements from different eras, giving it a unique charm.
The fort is spread across an area of 5 km and is encircled by walls that are around 117 feet long and 70 feet wide. In some places, the walls of the fort rise up to a height of 120 feet, which adds to its formidable structure. There are seven beautiful gates adorning the fort walls, built at different points of time for different reasons. The fort complex also features a number of exquisitely decorated palaces and temples.
Best Time To Visit Mehrangarh Fort
The best time to visit Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur is during winters. Between October to March, the weather remains cool and pleasant and offers you with an excellent opportunity to explore the entire fort.
The ideal time of the day to visit the fort is the winter mornings. Right after breakfast, set out to the fort as it gets opened for tourists at 9:00 am. After spending two or three hours, you can head to the nearby tourist’s places to spend the rest of the day.
How To Reach Mehrangarh Fort
The city of Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur has well established rail, road and air network connections with all the major cities in India.
Railways: Jodhpur railway station is well connected to major Indian cities and there are trains available on a daily basis. The nearest railway station is the Rai ka Bagh railway station.
Airways: One of the prominent airports in Rajasthan, Jodhpur is now being transformed into an international one. There are daily flights from various parts of the country.
Roadways: The city of Jodhpur is connected by road to all the important cities of Rajasthan, as well as those of the neighbouring states. There are deluxe and express bus services to the city. In the city one can travel by auto rickshaws, buses, cycle rickshaws or cabs Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur.