Kumbhalgarh Fort

We left Jodhpur at 8 this morning and drove four hours south to Kumbhalgarh Fort.  On the way up the mountain, we came across black face monkeys.  Kumbhalgarh is known as the Great Wall of India, the fort was built in the 15th century.  Built on a hilltop at 1100m (3600 ft), the wall of Kumbhalgarh is one of the longest continuous walls in the world, spanning 36 km (22 miles).  There are over 360 temples inside the fort, both Hindu and Jain.  Kumbhalgarh Fort was named a UNESCO world heritage site in 2013.  We explored for close to two hours, talking to people along the way and being approached by several Indians to welcome us.  I took photos of two newlywed couples, identified by the stacked white bracelets on the brides arms.  A group of men stopped to talk with Papa, and three women in the parking lot wanted me to take their photos, plus two couples asked Papa and I to be photographed with their husbands.  We stopped for lunch  at a restaurant on top of the mountain, near the fort.  It was a fascinating visit for us.

We arrived in Udaipur by 4 this afternoon and checked into our hotel, Taj Fateh Prakash Palace, https://www.tajhotels.com/en-in/hotels/taj-fateh-prakash-palace-udaipur.  Our suite overlooks Lake Pichola and the Taj Lake Palace.  We will stay three nights.  Due to rain, our evening tour was cancelled, so we settled in and enjoyed being at the hotel.  Udaipur is called “the most romantic spot on the continent of India.”  It is a tourist destination, known for its history, culture, scenic views, and palaces.  Seven lakes surround the city.  It is a beautiful place for us to spend the last days of our trip.

Jodhpur

We left our hotel at 9, enroute to Jaswant Thada.  On the way, we came across women laying large swaths of colorful tie dye cloth on the ground to dry.  

Jaswant Thada is a white marble cenotaph built by Maharaja Sardar Sing in 1899 in memory of his father, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II.  The cenotaph grounds continue to serve as the cremation site for the royal Rajput family, with several carved gazebos, a garden, and lake.

Our next stop of the morning was the massive Mehrangarh Fort, built in 1459 by the Rajput ruler, Rao Jodhpur, the founder of Jodhpur, and renovated in the 17th century.  It stands on a hilltop, rising 400 feet above the Blue City of Jodhpur.  It is known for its ornate carvings, its museum, and several palaces.  It is impressive.  The other visitors at the Fort were Indians, with most women wearing their best clothing - just beautiful!

We went for lunch at On the Rocks restaurant, set in and around a garden with beautifully crafted wooden seating, and serving Indian dishes, as well as other international dishes.  After lunch, we shopped at a store our guide recommended.  We bought two rugs and several large cashmere throws.  They were beautiful and great prices!  A good day!