The fourth stop on our upcoming spiritual adventure is Jodhpur, the blue city in Rajasthan.
From Amritsar we make our way south, leaving the state of Punjab and entering the culturally rich and colorful state of Rajasthan. Our first stop is Jodhpur, the blue city. The city is built around the amazing fort, a bastion of invincibility for centuries against an unending onslaught of invaders.
Meherangah Fort
We'll spend a day exploring the fort with its amazing architecture, palace chambers and spectacular views of the blue city below.
The majestic fort is sprawled across a 125m-high hill (440-feet) and is an architectural marvel in itself. There are seven gates, which include Jayapol (meaning 'victory') built by Maharaja Man Singh to commemorate his victories over Jaipur and Bikaner armies. Within the fort, several brilliantly crafted and decorated palaces plus a museum housing an exquisite collection of palanquins, royal cradles, miniatures, musical instruments, costumes and furniture.
The Blue City
The city itself is a catacomb of alleyways that mushroomed over the years to the Jodhpur that it is now. Built for foot traffic and livestock, it now buckles under over population and the infestation of diesel bellowing vehicles. But the blue laneways of the old city are filled with surprises - a warehouse of spices, weavers, jewelry and trinkets to uplift the weary traveler.
