12 Interesting Facts About Jodhpur

 I must admit that I don't know much about history or architecture. But despite how difficult it is to do, these fascinating facts about Jodhpur managed to keep my interest. After Jaipur, Jodhpur is the second-largest city in Rajasthan. Rao Jodha, the Rathore king of the Marwar state, founded Jodhpur in 1459. The Mehrangarh fort, sometimes called the Jodhpur fort, is the focal point of the old city of Jodhpur.

Here are the 12 Interesting Facts About Jodhpur:

The Legend of the Jodhpur Curse

According to local legend, Rao Jodha deposed a hermit named Cheeria Nathji (the lord of birds) who lived on the hill where the fort is built. Following that, he cursed the entire kingdom for a lack of water. This is why, despite receiving some rain, some residents continue to believe that they will face drought-like conditions every three to four years. The birds are the only survivors of this mythical tale. These are the black kites, which are so important to Mehrangarh fort that they also appear on the royal Jodhpur flag.

Remedies Taken to Ward off This Curse

Rao Jodha built him another house and a temple nearby to appease the hermit and begged for his forgiveness. However, unable to reverse his curse, the hermit proposed a solution to neutralise the curse: someone from the kingdom had to willingly lay down his life by being buried alive in the fort's foundation. 'Rajaram Meghwal,' a local, volunteered to be sacrificed. As a gesture, he was given the title 'Amar Shahid,' and a plaque was dedicated to him at the site of his burial. Rao Jodha's family looked after his descendants.

Also Read: Incredible Jodhpur facts You’ll Wish You Discovered Sooner

The Fort's Massive Size

This fort is spread over 5 kilometres and is located on a hill called Bakhurcheeria, 400 feet above the town of Jodhpur. Mehrangarh's walls are approximately 35 metres high and 21 metres wide.

The Fort's location is Volcanic Hill

A massive volcano is said to have erupted here once. Its eruption sent super-heated ash clouds high into the sky, and when the ashes settled, they formed the hill that the Mehrangarh fort is built on. The Geological Survey of India designated the site as a National Geological Monument because of this unique feature. This Aravalli range volcanic rock (also known as the Malani igneous suit) is thought to be the last phase of Precambrian igneous activity in this part of the world.

Mehrangarh Fort's Name

The sun was revered as the Rathore dynasty's primary deity. They named the fort 'Mehr-Garh' to honour their deity, where Mehr refers to the sun and Garh refers to the fort. Because of nuances in pronunciation in the local language, this fort became known as 'Mehrangarh.'

Also Read: Mehrangarh Fort of Jodhpur – All You Need To Know | Royal Rajasthan

Filmed at Mehrangarh Fort

Remember the famous 'Dark Knight Rises' prison scene?

Other films shot in the area include:

• Hum Saath Saath Hain - the well-known 'maare hiwade mein naache mor' song
• Jodha Akbar
• Thugs of Hindostan
•  Jungle book

Timeline for Fort Completion: 500 Years

Although Rao Jodha built this fort in the 15th century, many of the palaces and structures in the fort were added by his descendants. This massive fort was nearly built over 500 years by expanding it and adding new attractions. The current fort was largely constructed in the 17th century by Maharaja Ajit Singh. Yes, the Mehrangarh fort serves as the backdrop once he escapes from the prison.

Volcanic Rock from the Past

The 'Rao Jodha Desert Park,' which is located near Mehrangarh fort, is made up of many volcanic rocks and sandstone formations that date back nearly 600 million years. This park was built in 2006 in an attempt to restore the natural ecology of a large, rocky wasteland. Years of neglect had resulted in the invasion of Prosopis juliflora (aka baavlia), a thorny shrub. The eradication was eventually completed with the assistance of miners, and the same pits were then used to plant and grow new plants.

Queens' Handprints Who Committed Sati

 Sati rituals were widely practised in India's Rajasthan region.

One of the queens' rituals was to paint their hands, press them against the wall, and then jump into their husband's funeral pyre. This was done to demonstrate their love for their husbands. After Maharaja Man Singh's death, his 15 queens jumped into the fire, leaving their prints on the innermost gate of the fort, 'Loha Pol.' This gate has a total of 31 handprints.

The Indian government officially condemned this practice in 1987 when it passed the Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act.

Jodhpur's History Prior to Rao Jodha's Takeover

The town was thought to be occupied by 'Abhiras' long before Rao Jodha founded it.

Why Jodhpur is called the Blue City?

Historically, the colour blue represented the caste system. This colour was also associated with Lord Shiva, who is revered by many Brahmins. A number of houses in Jodhpur's old city were painted blue to distinguish Brahmins from other castes and to show the superiority of Brahmins. However, later on, every house was painted the same colour to convey the message of equality. It also helps to cool down the houses during the hot summers in Jodhpur, where the maximum temperature can reach 50 degrees Celsius. Another theory is that the blue colour repels termites. You can choose your own reason. The old city of Jodhpur is built around the Mehrangarh fort, and the view from the fort used to show a sea of blue houses. Not any longer. Blue houses are extremely difficult to find nowadays. Navchowkiya, near the clock tower, is one area where you can still find these houses. You will not be disappointed if you do not have unrealistic expectations.

Alternative names include 'Sun City' and 'Gateway to Thar.'

Because it has sunny weather all year, the city is now known as the "sun city." Because it is located on the outskirts of the Thar desert, it is also known as the 'Gateway to Thar.'

Book taxi service in Jodhpur and explore the city's attractions. Choose a local sightseeing cab or a tempo traveller with Royal Rajasthan for the best Jodhpur travel experience. I hope it will be useful for your trip to Rajasthan.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog.