Balsamand Lake and Garden (5 km): A pretty lake built in 1159 A.D. A splendid summer Palace stands by the lake side
surrounded by beautiful gardens. An idyllic spot for excursions.
Mandore (8 Km) (Images): The former capital of Marwar, north of Jodhpur. Worth seeing are the old cenotaphs and caves in the crags,
which once sheltered ascetics. The exquisite landscaped gardens come alive with peacocks and monkeys and the sprawling greenery
of sacred peepal, banyan, bottle-brush, pomegranate, palm & plantains and bubbling fountains are a feast for the eyes. Set
against a rocky wall is a pillared compound, housing the "Hall of Heroes" and "Shrine" of the 330 million gods.
Sardar Samand Lake (55 Km): Rajasthan's village life comes into view on the way here. Chinkara and black buck might frisk
past to break the monotony of the drive.
Guda Bishnoi (25 Km): these are immaculately kept villages of the Bishnoi community-staunch believers in the sanctity of
plant and animal life. Khejri trees and deer thrive in these village.
Mahamandir Temple (9 km): Built in 1812 A.D. it is noteworthy temple with 84 carved pillers.
Kailana Lake (11 Km): The beautiful lake is an ideal picnic spot.
Jhalamand Garh (10 Km): Barely the 18th century fort has a quiet soothing ambience, and provides a glimpse of the way a
Rajput family lives in the rural countryside. From the Dari Khana terrace, there is a breathtaking view of Jodhpur town. The fort
has 18 rooms, and provides Rajasthani and continental cuisine on request.
Luni Fort (35 Km): Now converted into a heritage hotel,
this fort and its surroundings are worth a visit.
Osian: Osian, know as Ukeshpur in ancient time, is a land of temples. It was a Brahamanical centre & later, Jainism
also flourished here as is evident from the remnants of medieval temples. The Oswal trace their origin from this place. Osian
is a major site, containing monuments spanning five centuries of artistic evolution. There are several beautiful temples and
shrines, oldest amongst them being the Sun temple. The doorway to this temple is one of the finest to be seen anywhere in India.
The Harihara I temple, dating back to 750 A.D., is a 'panchayatan' temple, which means that a central shrine is surrounded by
four other smaller ones. It stands on a beautifully decorated terrace with thirteen niches built into its sides. The main temple
carries some excellent early figural sculptures including the Krishna Leela frieze. The Harihara III temple was built around 800
A.D. the walls of its rectangular sanctum carry exuberant decoration, tastefully executed. There is an open hall, the aisles of
which have been provided with a beautiful sloping ceiling supported by rafters, shaped like 'nagas'. Harihara III is one of the
finest examples in India of exuberance going hand in hand with architectural strength. Harihar II adjoining Harihara III is a
somewhat less well-finished copy of Harihara I. Apart from this there is the main Sun Temples such as Mahavira temple, Vishnu
temples III, IV, V, which are also worth seeing for their ancient architectural beauty. A unique feature of these temples is that
most of them face the west. |
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Sardar Samand |
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Village Hut |
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Potter |
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Jhalamand Garh |
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Osian Temple |
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