Shringar Chowk

On India Rajasthan tour in Mehrangarh, Shringar Chowk is the first courtyard that will welcome you with open arms.
The highlight of this place is that in one of its corners there is a marble throne, where the new ruler of Jodhpur after coronation presents himself in front of the subjects.
From the exterior of the fort, the intricacy of Jali work will move a notch up here in this Chowk.
Treasures of Mehrangarh Museum:

Now, let’s talk about the space that is the treasure trove of this fort: Mehrangarh Museum.
The Mehrangarh Museum consists of seven Period Rooms and Six galleries
Period rooms:
- Sheesh Mahal
- Phool Mahal
- Takhat Vilas
- Sardar Vilas
- Jhanki Mahal
- Dipak Mahal
- Moti Mahal
Galleries:
- Howdah Gallery
- Palanquin Gallery
- Daulat Khana
- Painting Gallery
- Textile Gallery
- Arms Gallery.
Let’s talk about these in detail.
Sheesh Mahal

The mirror palace or Sheesh Mahal was Maharaja Ajit Singh’s bedchamber during his reign. As the name suggests, it is a palace decked in mirrors and shiny objects.
As you can see in the picture, there are painted gesso panels of sacred Hindu subjects under the mirror arches.
On one panel Hindu deities, including Brahma, Shiva with Parvati, Devi, Krishna and Ganesh are all sitting on a throne.
However, on the other panels, there are images of Lord Krishna playing the flute and lifting mount Govardhan.
Moreover, this room also showcases scenes from various Hindu epics with gesso panels. Let’s see how many are you able to spot on a trip there.
Phool Mahal (Flower Palace)

The Flower Palace or Phool Mahal is a majestic beauty that shines in intricate carvings and golden motifs.
It is a grand reception room built in the mid 18th century. According to the guide, this palace was to entertain private audiences.
Observing it’s elevated positioning, one can easily guess that the access to this room was given just to King’s confidants.
Locals believe that the king used this room to perform certain personal rituals.
Moreover, people also believe that this room may have also served as a leisure room, observing the breeziness of this chamber.
Talking about the architecture, the interior carving style in this palace reminds of the details in the palaces of Shah Jahan.
However, after a while in Rajasthan tour, you’ll realise that the outer casing of this room with elaborate jaali still reminisces a style that’s authentic to this part of Rajasthan.
Panning through the room you’ll find paintings in columns, walls and the ceilings.
For your information, the paintings on the columns and walls are original. However, the ones in the ceiling were repainted in the 19th century.
Takhat Niwas

Maharaja Takhat Singh ruled Jodhpur in the 19th century, and this very palace was his living quarters.
Marked with remarkable interiors, the Takhat Niwas is an unusually large area without any supporting columns in the centre.
Every inch of this room is painted including the floor. Windows to this room have coloured glass panes, giving the room an eerie light.
This room is strategically placed to get amazing eye shots of the forts and the blue city of Jodhpur. While you are here don’t forget to click some amazing panoramas of the city.
Jhanki Mahal (Peeping Palace)

This Palace occupies the upper floor in the North Wing.
The room was earlier used by royal ladies to indulge in the activities of the courtyard from a distance. Thus, giving it the name the Jhanki Palace.

This room is the showcase of baby cradles that were made decades after decades for the newborns of the royal bloodline. Get ready to be amazed by the opulence of these cradles.
Zenana Deodi (Palace of Women)
If you already have fallen in love with the intricate Jali work the fort has to offer, we are sure you’ll love this next bit of this fort.
Famed as the most beautiful corner of the fort, zenana Deodi is a small courtyard surrounded by most exquisite Jali Work.
Being the oldest part of the complex, you can actually spectate the intricacy in the work of ancient craftsmen on a tour to this yellow sandstone edifice.
Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace)

Finished with the amalgamation of lime plaster and finely crushed shells, Moti Mahal or White Palace glows with a pearly lustre.
In medieval times, this room played the role of a courtroom for the king, his court and the subjects.
While exploring this room, you’ll come across five deep alcoves on the far side.
For many it may seem like an architectural addition, however, these alcoves had secret balconies back then.
What’s the purpose you ask? Well, they were used by the queens to hear the court proceedings.