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Famously known as Granite City, Jalore is a city located in the vibrant state of Rajasthan. The small, industrious town is famous for its stone quarries and for producing some of the finest granite in the world. Jalore, also spelled as Jalor, was initially known as Jabalipura after a renowned saint Maharishi Jabali who hailed from the same region. The town later went on to be known as Swarnagiri meaning 'golden mountain', which is also where the famous Jalore Fort stands.
The main attraction of Jalore is the Jalore Fort. Known to be one of the unconquerable and impregnable forts of the country, the impressive Jalore Fort is perched atop a steep hill. While the actual time period of construction of this massive fort is unknown, it is roughly believed to be sometime between 8th - 10th century.
History And Architecture Of Jalore Fort
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Built skillfully in a traditional Hindu architectural style, the Jalore Fort is situated at an elevation of 1100 ft, offering an exhilarating panoramic view of the entire city. A long serpentine path leads to one of the four main gates, which also happens to be the only accessible gate.
The fort was under the guardianship of several rulers of various times including the Paramaras, Chauhans, Rajputs, etc., and was one of the nine castles of Maru (sand or desert) under the Paramara dynasty in the 10th century. However, in 1311, Jalore Fort was attacked and destroyed by Ala-ud-din Khilji - the Sultan of Delhi. The fort still stands proudly with its beautiful ruins and stories.
The fort's stone wall is still sturdy and intact in many places, leaving the visitors to imagine what a strong structure it once must have been. A desolated palace, few water tanks, mosques and tombs and old temples dedicated to Shiva and other gods and goddesses can be seen inside the fort. Few beautiful Jain temples can also be seen in the fort's premises. The oldest temple of Adinath, carved in white marble is a spectacular structure that cannot be missed here.
It takes roughly an hour to climb up to the fort and another hour to leisurely look around the ruins. Those interested in history, architecture or photography are likely to spend more time at the Jalore Fort.
Best Time To Visit Jalore Fort
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Given the arid landscape of Rajasthan, Jalore too experiences harsh summers. July to September months see fewer tourists and come with perks of off-season discounts for budget travellers. However, the cool months of winter are opted by many travellers. The temperatures may drop quite low after sundown during this period, sometimes as low as 0 degree Celsius. It is, therefore, advisable to pack sufficient warm clothes if you are travelling to Jalore or anywhere in Rajasthan during winter.
How To Reach Jalore Fort
By road: Jalore is well connected by road with the major cities of Rajasthan. The nearest major city is Jodhpur which is at a distance of 180 km. Rajasthan State Transport buses from Jaipur and Jodhpur, or private buses from Mumbai, Surat and Ahmedabad can also be opted. You can also choose to self-drive as per your time and convenience.
By rail: Jalore Railway station is the nearest railway station at around 2.5 km from Jalore Fort. Some trains from Mumbai and Gujarat also halt at this station. Alternatively, one can travel to Jodhpur from their respective cities and reach Jalore by bus or a taxi.
By air: The Jodhpur Airport is the nearest airport to reach Jalore. Board a bus or hire a taxi from the airport to reach the Jalore Fort.
