Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur Phone
0291 254 8790
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Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur Address: The Fort, Sodagaran Mohalla, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342006, India
Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur Entry Tickets
| Ticket | Amount (Rs.) |
|---|---|
| International Guests (includes the audio) | 600 |
| International Guests (Students) | 400 |
| Domestic Guests | 100 |
| Domestic Guests (Sr. citizen, Student, Para Military personnel) | 50 |
| Photography Permit : Still | 100 |
| Photography Permit : Video | 200 |
| Elevator (one-way) | 50 |
| Tour Escort Fee | 120 |
| Audio Guide | 180 |
| Audio Guide (Concession) | 120 |
Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur Guide Fee: Pax
| Pax | Amount (Rs.) |
|---|---|
| 01 to 04 Pax | 300 |
| 05 to 15 Pax | 400 |
| 16 to 30 Pax | 500 |
| 31 to 50 Pax | 600 |
Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur Parking Charges
| Vehicle Type | Amount (Rs.) |
|---|---|
| Two Wheeler | 10 |
| Auto | 10 |
| Car / Jeep | 50 |
| Mini Bus | 80 |
| Bus | 100 |
NOTE: The ticket sales close at 17:00 hrs. On account of Jodhpur Foundation Day on 12th May entry for all guests is free, only elevator charges, audio guide and manual charges applicable.
Mehrangarh Fort, the pride of Jodhpur, stands tall on a cliff, dominating the skyline of the city. The fort is an example of overwhelming grandeur, and it’s among the best-preserved forts in India. It’s a major tourist attraction of Jodhpur, visited by tourists from all over the globe.
Rudyard Kipling has called Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur, the work of giants. It’s truly one of the most impressive forts in all of Rajasthan. It’s also one of the largest.
Inside the boundaries of the fort are several palaces and a museum showcasing the elegance and extravagance of the past days. Mehrangarh Fort and Museum are a mirror of the artistic and cultural history of Rajasthan.
The fort was constructed by Rao Jodha, a Rajput ruler. And every ruler of Jodhpur since, has contributed to the making of this fort. It’s surrounded by walls that stand strong even today. You can see the cannon marks on the walls from the battles it withstood and survived.
Today, Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur is a splendid tourist destination that delights everyone. You can also get a panoramic view of the “blue city” Jodhpur from various points in the fort.
And for when you need some relaxation, the fort has restaurants and gardens.
Where is Mehrangarh Fort located in Jodhpur?
Mehrangarh Fort is on a hilltop, about 400 ft above the surrounding old town. A winding road from the city leads to the fort, secured by 120 ft high walls. These walls protect some of the most beautiful palaces and cultural antiquities of Rajasthan.
Architecture of Mehrangarh Fort
Following its foundation in the mid-15th century, Mehrangarh Fort has been built by its many owners in multiple styles. As a result, it has diverse architecture styles pertaining to the phase of its development. Mehrangarh Fort architecture is a potpourri of styles.
The interiors don’t have a clear demarcation of the architectural styles. While some parts seem inspired by the Rajputana style, others give a glimpse of the Mughal architecture. There are several other variations inside Mehrangarh Fort.
As the fort changed hands, every ruler expanded and upgraded the fort to meet their needs.
Image Gallery of Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur
History of Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur
The foundation of Jodhpur Mehrangarh Fort was laid during the reign of Rao Jodha in 1459. It was when he moved his capital from Mandore Fort to a safer place on this rocky hill called Bhakurcheeria (the mountain of birds).
As per the legends, Rao Jodha had to force a hermit Cheeria Nathji, who lived on this hill. For this purpose, Rao Jodha had to request another more powerful saint, Karni Mata, to help him. Only when Karni Mata asked, Cheeria Nathji left the hill. But he did so with a curse that the kingdom would never flourish.
After Cheeria Nathji quit, Karni Mata laid the foundation stone of the Mehrangarh Fort.
The folklore around Jodhpur also mentions that Rao Jodha buried a man called Raja Ram Meghwal to weaken the effect of the curse. The ritual was considered auspicious during those days. It’s said that Raja Ram Meghwal did this voluntarily. And in return, he was promised that his family would be looked after.
About a century after the fort’s foundation, Rao Maldeo strengthened the gates and walls to make it more secure. Mehrangarh Fort changed hands between the Rathores and the Mughals several times after that.
In the 18th century, after the Mughals were driven out, Maharaja Ajit Singh took the reins of the fort. It was in dire need of repair. And it was Maharaja Ajit Singh who made many palace apartments and a victory gate, Fateh Pol.
The fort came to be used for various purposes. It was a palace for the rulers, a military base, and a center for regional arts and culture. It was also a place for worship.
As the 20th century arrived, the royal family moved to the better, newly-built Umaid Bhawan palace. Mehrangarh Fort remained empty after that for much of the time.
The current head of the Rathores, Maharaja Gaj Singh II, is in control of the fort. He developed it as a museum and opened it to tourists.
Palaces in Mehrangarh Fort
1. Sheesh Mahal
Sheesh Mahal (or Palace of Mirrors) was once a part of the private apartment of Maharaja Ajit Singh. It’s a room filled with elaborate and alluring works of mirrors and glass. And it also has a European glass chandelier suspended on its wooden ceiling.
You can still see the carved interiors of Mehrangarh Fort Sheesh Mahal, adorned by beautiful flower motifs. The walls also have paintings of various scenes from Indian mythology.
2. Phool Mahal
Phool Mahal (or Palace of Flowers) is a vibrant room full of colours. The room was built by Maharaja Abhay Singh to entertain his private audience. Carpeted floors, dazzling ceilings and glasswork windows give this room a royal sheen.
The walls are adorned with portraits of the royal family. They also have paintings representing the incarnations of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Durga.
3. Jhanki Mahal
Jhanki Mahal is recognised for its characteristic lattice windows. It used to be the quarters for the queens and princesses of Jodhpur. Maharaja Takhat Singh constructed it during his reign.
Jhanki means glimpsing at something. And the small, mesh-like windows allowed the women to view the proceedings of the courtyard below.
4. Dipak Mahal
Dipak Mahal was once the administrative center of the fort. The Diwans and other officials used it to oversee administrative matters and other issues. It was built by Maharaja Ajit Singh and renovated by Maharaja Takhat Singh later.
5. Moti Mahal
Moti Mahal (or Pearl Palace) is one of the oldest surviving rooms in the fort, and it’s the largest palace room. It was built by Sawai Raja Sur Singh, and it used to be the place where the king listened to common people and other public guests.
6. Takhat Vilas
Takhat Vilas used to be the bedroom of Maharaja Takhat Singh. He was a great patron of the arts, and the room is decorated from ceiling to floor with paintings on a variety of subjects. Even the floor carpet is painted.
7. Sardar Vilas
Sardar Vilas is a beautiful palace room with an elaborate display of woodwork. The room has beautiful woodwork plated with gold and wooden doors and windows. These woodwork arts were also decorated lavishly with ivory, lacquer and paint.
Mehrangarh Fort and Museum Galleries
1. Howdah Gallery
Howdah Gallery displays a fine collection of elephant seats. It has several seats of historical importance and cultural significance. A howdah of Shahjahan is the most priceless. The emperor presented it to Maharaja Jaswant Singh as a mark of honour. This collection is the best in the country.
2. Palanquin Gallery
Palanquin (or Palki) Gallery of Mehrangarh Fort has palanquins made of different items. It has some of the grandest couches and palkis used by the royal family. These were made of wood or metal and decorated with ivory, gold or stones. And they were veiled with attractive covers. The palanquins and their veils are exquisite pieces of art in themselves.
3. Daulat Khana Gallery
Daulat Khana Gallery has one of the best-preserved collections of fine arts from the Mughals and Rajputs period. The collection is a fine amalgam of textiles, decorative arts and paintings. It also has arms displays, headgear and manuscripts. It has some rare works of art like Mughal emperor Akbar’s sword, woven tent screens and embroidered tent hanging.
4. Textile Gallery
The Textile Gallery of Mehrangarh Fort museum displays the best of royal tents and furnishings. It has several colourful carpets, rich embroideries and velvets. You'll find several pieces of art on cloth, bringing splendour to the royal residences and encampments.
5. Arms Gallery
Arms Gallery consists of the pieces of military evidence left by each of the rulers. It displays rows and rows of helmets, armour, swords and other army equipment. This armoury not only consists of metal objects, but also masterfully crafted and decorated leatherworks.
6. Painting Gallery
The Painting Gallery has a display of miniature paintings from the Marwar School. It has themed paintings on display that bring alive the royal lifestyle.
Other things to do at Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur
1. Enjoy folk performances – At the Mehrangarh Fort entrance, you can enjoy traditional folk music and dance performances. Puppet shows and other cultural performances are also organised at Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur. It also hosts the annual Jodhpur Rajasthan International Folk Festival and Sacred Spirit Festival. These festivals attract performers from India and abroad to showcase their enthralling performances.
2. Visit the temples in the fort – Mehrangarh Fort has two ancient temples: Chamunda Mataji Temple and Nagnechiji Temple. Chamunda Mataji Temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga. Rao Jodha brought the idol from Mandore when he founded the fort. Nagnechiji Temple is the royal family’s personal temple.
3. Explore the fort gates – The fort has a series of seven gates built to commemorate an event or victory. Jai Pol and Fateh Pol are among the most notable ones. You should also visit Dodh Kangra Pol to see marks of cannonball hits. Then, there’s Loha Pol with symbolic hand-prints of women who committed sati. Gopal Pol, Amruti Pol and Suraj Pol are the three other Mehrangarh Fort gates.
4. See sunset from the fort – Mehrangarh Fort sunset is a special affair as it provides a panoramic view of the city while the sun settles down for the dark night. You can have expansive views of the city and the setting sun from the highest point of the fort.
5. Relax in the fort’s garden – Mehrangarh Fort is surrounded by lovely gardens to cool down after exploring the fort. Chokelao Bagh is one of them that takes you back to the Rajput era. Here, you can relax and take in the lush greenery and aromatic blooms.
6. Savour a bite in the restaurants – Chokelao Mahal Terrace is a royal restaurant set up in the gardens of Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur. And it provides a fine dining experience with a view of the city. If you wish for a private dinner at the Mehrangarh Fort, Chokelao is the place to be. Cafe Mehran, Palki Cafe and Vaara Cafe are a few other restaurants in Mehrangarh Fort.
7. Buy souvenirs from the museum shop – Mehrangarh Fort museum shop offers exclusive products related to the rich culture of Jodhpur. At this Mehrangarh Fort shop, you can buy jewellery, textile items, perfumes and various other souvenirs. It also has an array of royal memorabilia and merchandise like t-shirts, caps and tote bags.
Mehrangarh Fort Timings and Entry Fee
Mehrangarh Fort entry timings are from 9 AM to 5 PM. It’s open throughout the year, on all days of the year. There are no closed days for tourists in Mehrangarh Fort. And on the Jodhpur Foundation Day (May 12 every year), Mehrangarh Fort entry is free.
If you want to see the majestic Mehrangarh Fort at night, you can join the guided night tours. The timings for these night tours are from 6 PM to 7 PM and 7 PM to 8 PM.
The entry fee of Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur is ₹100 per person for Indian nationals. Senior citizens, students and paramilitary personnel can get tickets at ₹50. The audio guide costs ₹180. And still camera and video camera tickets cost ₹100 and ₹200, respectively.
For foreign tourists, the entry ticket (including the audio guide) costs ₹600 per person. For students, the charge is ₹400.
You can also hire a guide for your tour. The official Mehrangarh Fort guide charges range between ₹300 and ₹600, depending on the group size.
Best time to visit Mehrangarh Fort
Winter is the best time to visit Mehrangarh Fort and Museum. From November to February, the weather is the most pleasant. It’s a great time to explore and see all the tourist attractions in Mehrangarh Fort and around. Winter also gives you an opportunity to attend festivals in Mehrangarh Fort.
Time to explore Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur
Mehrangarh Fort of Jodhpur is spread across an area of 5 sq. km. And you’ll need around 3-4 hours to enjoy your Mehrangarh Fort visit and explore the places well. The fort complex encompasses a museum, several palace rooms and temples. You’ll even find cafes within the fort and book yourself an elegant private dinner at Mehrangarh Fort.
Things to keep in mind when visiting Mehrangarh Fort
- Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Carry a bottle of water.
- Keep hats and sunglasses.
- Keep light woollen clothes (during night tours).
- Stairs and lift to the top are available.
How to reach Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur?
Jodhpur’s historical Mehrangarh Fort is about 10 km from the city center. From the old town, the fort is only 2 km away.
It’s 5 km away from Jodhpur railway station and 4 km from the bus stand. And the distance of Mehrangarh Fort from the airport is 10 km. The nearest international airports are at Jaipur (340 km away) and Delhi (620 km away).
And here are the different ways to reach Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur –
By auto-rickshaw – Auto-rickshaws are the most common way to visit Mehrangarh Fort. They’re available all-around Jodhpur, in the old town as well as the modern part.
By taxi/cab – Hiring a taxi or full-day cab is the best and the most comfortable way to visit the fort. You can hire a cab also for the entire Jodhpur trip from the top car rental companies in Jodhpur. They’re the most convenient option to explore the fort and other popular tourist spots near Mehrangarh Fort.
Jodhpur is a city filled with history, culture, and natural beauty. At Jodhpur Tourism, we offer a range of Jodhpur tour packages to help you experience all that the city has to offer. From visiting the majestic Mehrangarh Fort to exploring the famous gardens, our packages are designed to give you the best vacation experience possible. And with our team of professionals handling all the logistics in the background, you can just sit back and enjoy your trip. Please fill the Contact Us form to get in touch with us.
