Jodha Rao-ji’s
beautiful “blue city” is Majestic. It mesmerizes you with its old world
opulence, flavors of authentic Marwar cuisine, and historical monuments that aren't just enchanting but also surprisingly clean!
Jodhpur was such a delight! Despite a delayed flight and a
sullen face over window seats (FINE. Judge me, but I lovvvvvve window seats,
and sadly enough I didn’t get one. So, I sat on someone else’s and thought I
would make the little-smitten-girl slash lost-puppy face and get away with it
as usual. However, this lady walked in and said “hi, you’re sitting on my
seat”. :| I
obviously moved like a measly rat back to my own then. We got talking while on
our way out of the flight and….), I actually made a Jodhpuri friend before even
landing into their lovely city. All smiles!
With the horrible food we got on our flight (Well, Yes! I eat the
food served on flights. Feel free to judge again, for I love free food – and
yes, I am aware it’s technically not free!! *rolling eyes*), we were famished,
and apprehensions intact, we cautiously ordered some authentic yet safe
sounding Marwar lunch. Desert string beans and capers (Ker Sangri) came highly
recommended, and bowled us over with its perfectly spiced and tangy flavors. The non-vegetarians gorged on the very enticing looking
Red Meat Curry (Laal Maans). Everywhere we went in Jodhpur, the food was to die
for. Now isn’t that such a plus for a city that has so much more to offer?
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| Our very pretty Hotel |
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| The lovely architecture at Taj Gateway |
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| Taj Gateway - The Property from inside |
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| Taj Gateway - Night view |
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| One of the various exquisite art-works found across the Hotel |
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| Colourful (and soooo comfortable) Mojris! |
Mehrangarh Fort, and the gorgeous view of indigo dyed
rooftops (traditionally to mark houses that belonged to the upper caste of brahmans, and now to give Jodhpur-waasis the
much needed cool during scorching summers) both couldn’t have gotten better
without the “audio guide” we opted for. It was not just very informative, but
also added so much color and music to our time travel. An absolute must for
history lovers……. and a lot of fun for even those who like briefly knowing
about the places they visit.
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| Mehrangarh Fort - Scale Model |
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| Feeling the blue? I love everything about this picture - the city, horizon, the soaring eagle, and the fort guarding it all |
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| Farhan Akhtar's Dil Chahta Hai had blue/green incorporated in every frame (watch it again if you missed it ;)). Mehrangarh had something similar about it. Love how blue makes an appearance in every shot we took here.... |
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| ... And one more |
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| Spot the lake? |
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| Truly Royal, right? |
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| One of the ceilings at the Fort |
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| ....Some Gold up the ceiling Madame? |
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| .... For the King and his Knights.... |
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| The Pearl Room - That's where the King heard his ministers on stately matters |
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| Clicked from the Queens courtyard |
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| What an end to our tour - Watching this squirrel in action :):) |
Even our visit to Mehrangarh did not adequately prepare us
for the spell that Umaid Bhavan would cast on us (Also famous as Naomi
Campbell’s chosen destination for her boyfriend’s birthday bash, and Arun
Nayyar and Liz Hurley’s wedding venue). I was really tickled by the thought of
Maharaj Umaid Singh-ji’s successor Maharaj Gaj Singh-ji’s sheer presence in the
residential section of this palace turned part hotel that we were dining at,
(told ya, I am the smitten child). We dined in style and lovvvved the food.
While the veggies gushed over and relished the traditional offerings in their
thalis, the non-veggies thoroughly enjoyed their a-la carte fare that comprised
of authentic takes on chicken and meat. One would expect it, but the
servers were well-informed, utterly hospitable and so eager for us to
understand and fall in love with their culture and cuisine (which we obviously did. Did I
mention, the broccoli preparation, the very Rajasthan jaggery-with-pure-ghee,
and their Ker Sangri were lip-smacking delicious. Actually I don’t recollect if
a single thing on our table was not that..... A(h)MAZING!!)
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| Umaid Bhavan - Day View |
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| Scale Model of the Umaid Bhavan Palace exhibited at the Museum Section in the Palace |
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| Now I want to own this!!! Loved this the most from amongst the fabulous other exhibits at the Museum |
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| Courtyard within the Palace |
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| Umaid Bhavan - The Hotel section that retains the elegance of the rest of the Palace |
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| That's where Maharaj Gaj Singh-ji still celebrates his Birthday :) |
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| Night View of the gorgeous Umaid Bhavan |
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| Are you in love too? :) |
From looking like ever-famished Ras-mallai addicts, laughing endlessly at each other, to taking in the vibrancy of their Mojris
and Puppet-shows, Jodhpur was so much fun. (Of course, all thanks to the
company I keep :):):) )
Before I forget, a sure shot and special mention must go to the infamous Pyaaz
ki Kachoris that Jodhpur specializes in. This blue city and its various
delights took us on such a lovely royal mirage.
And yes, one last thing…..
We. Loved. The. Food.!!!
