Mehrangarh Fort was described by Rudyard Kipling as "a palace that might have been built by Titans and coloured by the morning sun," and we completely agree! This jewel in Jodhpur is one of India's largest and most beautiful forts, epitomising royalty and glory. The fort, which overlooks the blue city and was built by Rao Jodha (the founder of Jodhpur) in 1459, is known for its beautiful architecture.
But did you know about these interesting facts about the Mehrangarh fort?
What gave it its name...
Sun was the most powerful God in the Rathore dynasty. As a result, they named the fort 'Mehrangarh,' a name derived from two words: 'Mihir,' which stands for Sun, and 'Garh,' which means Fort. Locals gradually began to refer to Mehar-Garh as Mehrangarh in their native tongue, hence the name.
The story of a curse...
According to legend, a hermit named Cheeria Nathji used to meditate on the hill where Rao Jodha decided to build the fort and forced the hermit to leave. Nathji cursed Rao's family, saying that his fort would suffer from a lack of water. Rao Jodha, on the other hand, had built a house and a temple for Nathji in the fort. To avoid the curse, Rao buried alive a man named Rajiya Bambi to ensure that the new fort was auspicious. In exchange, the man was promised that the Rathores would look after and compensate his family and descendants. Even today, the fort is subjected to draughts every 3-4 years.
Films shot here...
This magnificent fort has also served as the backdrop for numerous blockbuster films. Significant scenes from the Hollywood film "The Dark Knight Rises" were shot here. Bollywood is close behind! Among the few Bollywood films shot at Mehrangarh Fort are "Awarapan," "Hum Saath Saath Hain," "Shudh Desi Romance," and "Holiday- A Soldier Is Never Off Duty."
The architectural splendour...
The fort is protected by 118-foot-high and 69-foot-wide walls, and it still houses several palaces known for their intricate carvings and expansive courtyards. The fort has a museum that houses a large collection of Rathore rulers' paintings, costumes, arms, and ammunition. It also houses Mughal dynasty relics and artefacts. The Mehrangarh fort has seven gates that were built by different rulers in honour of the victory over the armies of Bikaner and Jaipur. The Dedh Kamagra Gate still bears the imprints of cannonballs fired by the Jaipur army. The handprints of the royal satis, the rulers' wives, can be found to the left of the Loha Gate. It is said that the satis carried the Bhagavad Gita with them while sacrificing themselves on their husband's funeral pyre, but the royal book did not perish.
The land on which it stands...
The Geological Survey of India has also designated the fort as a National Geological Monument. It is built on a Malani Igneous Suite Contact, which represents the last phase of Precambrian igneous activity in the Indian Subcontinent, making this geological feature very impressive. The Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park is located next to the Mehrangarh Fort. This park, which contains ecologically restored vegetation of arid and desert land, was established in 2006 and opened to the public in February 2011. Unique volcanic rock formations such as welded tuff, rhyolite, breccia, and sandstone formations can be found in and around the park.
If these facts fascinate you, you must visit the breathtaking Mehrangarh Fort. We guarantee you will not be disappointed!
When you arrive in Jodhpur, simply search for "taxi in Jodhpur" and book a cab. The best cab service in Jodhpur is Royal Rajasthan.
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