Mehrangarh Fort is known for its splendid architecture and the diverse history associated with the Rathore clan. The hot climate and its location at the edge of the desert also make Mehrangarh Fort a beautiful place. Mehrangarh fort derived its name from the Sanskrit word Mehr (Mihir) means- ‘Sun’ and Garh means ‘Fort’ (citadel of Sun god). actually, the sun has been the chief deity of the Rathore dynasty and believed that the Rathores are the descendants of the Sun. meantime as per the local language, Mehr-Garh came to know as Mehrangarh.
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Mehrangarh Fort was built by Rao Jodha of the Rathore dynasty in mid 15th century. Rao Jodha was the fifteenth Rathore ruler in 1458 and at the time he became king, years old ‘Mandore fort’ was slowly and gradually deteriorating. so he advised moving his capital to a safer place. This led to the foundation of Mehrangarh Fort.
Most of the other developments in the fort were made during the time of Jaswant Singh and Maharaja Ajeet Singh between the years 1638 to 1678. The fort is perched on a vertical Cliff named ‘Bakhurcheeria’ and is ornate with the beauty of red sandstone carvings. the fort is situated 400m high above the level of Jodhpur city and is spread over 5 km. the area in the hillock.
There are seven gates in the Fort which can be used to enter the fort premises. The most famous entry gate Jaya Pol meaning victory was constructed by Maharaja Man Singh in 1808 following his victory over the armies of Jaipur and Bikaner. Fatteh Pol was made by Maharaja Ajit Singh to celebrate the defeat of the Mughals. other palaces inside the fort, are Moti Mahal or the Pearl Palace, which was the Royal throne of the Jodhpur king.
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The fort premises has Chamunda Mata Temple, Goddess Chamunda is the ‘family Deity’ of the MarwadI Community and that’s the reason a large crowd of people came to the place to worship the goddess in Navaratri every year.
You are surprised that the popular 2012 film from the Batman series ‘The Dark Knight Rises had a significant scene shot at many places in Mehrangarh. If you want to know more about the fort and its surrounding rock formation, Jodhpur is well-connected by State Highways and The Northern Railway Main Line via the Phalodi Branch railway line. Jodhpur Town is also approachable by air from the capital Delhi NCR.
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Geological significance-
The fort stands above the rhyolite rock of the Malani Igneous Suite representing the last segment of igneous activity of the Precambrian age in the Indian Subcontinent. The Mehrangarh Fort is titled ‘National Geological Monument by the Geological Survey of India in 1976’.
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Silicic volcanic rock or rhyolite which represents the “Malani Igneous Suite of Rock” are overlain by a thick pile of sedimentary undeformed rocks that were deposited in a Trans-Aravalli Vindhyan or Marwar Super Group basin formed at the close of the Proterozoic and early Cambrian Period. in this hillock welded tuff/ignimbrite (fire rain) can also be seen.
sharp contact of volcanic base rock and overlying sedimentary rock, also known as “nonconformity”, is visible –
Near the fort, Desert Rock Park is Spread over 72 hectares. The rare ecologically restored desert park was created in 2006 and opened to the public in February 2011. here you can see The park contains unique volcanic rock formations such as rhyolite, welded tuff, breccia, and sandstone formations.
