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During our visit to Jodhpur (State: Rajasthan) we planned to visit Umaid Bhavan Palace, after the tour of the Jodhpur fort. We reached this place at 6 p.m and the gates were closed for us. If one wishes to visit this place be here before 5 p.m. After 5 p.m the gates are closed for visitors and they are allowed nowhere near the gates.
Constructed of marble and pink sandstone this immense palace is also known as the Chhittar Palace because it uses local Chittar sandstone. Begun in 1929, it was designed by president of the British Royal Institute of Architects for Maharaja Umaid Singh and took 15 years to complete.
This palace is outside the fort and now converted into a luxury hotel. The above snaps was taken from the fort.
Next day we left Jaisalmer in the early morning and reached our next destination Jodhpur in the afternoon. We stayed for 1 night in this place. We could not not spend more time here due to the schedule we had sketched. Another extra half day would have really helped. (Click on the images for bigger view)
Once a major trade center of the 16th century A.D. it is now the second largest city of Rajasthan. While the graceful palaces, forts and temples strewn throughout the city bring alive the historic grandeur, exquisite handicrafts, folk dances music and the brightly attired people lend a romantic aura to the city. The jumble of wide winding streets are flanked with pavement stalls. It is also referred as the Blue City due to the indigo tinge of the whitewashed houses around the Mehrangarh Fort.
The major attractions in the city are given below:
Mehrangarh Fort
Mehrangarh Fort was built in 15th century by the Rathore Rajputs when they shifted their capital from nearby Mandore to Jodhpur. The architecture is such that, one can not separate the fort from bluff-colored sandstone hill on which it is constructed. Past the gates, the fort-palace takes one's breath away.
Situated on a steep hill, Mehrangarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India. To enter the fort, seven gates have to be crossed. The fort encloses many palaces, which are known for their intricate carvings and sprawling courtyards.
Jaswant Thada
The Jaswant Thada, is located on the long road that takes one to the fort. It is the traditional cremation ground of the rulers of Jodhpur.
Umaid Bhawan Palace
We reached this place at 6 p.m and the gates were closed for us. The snap here is from my friend. If one wishes to visit this place be here before 5 p.m. After 5 p.m the gates are closed for visitors and they are allowed nowhere near the gates.From Jodhpur we traveled to Ranakpur, the temple town of Rajasthan.
Distance: Jodhpur ---> Ranakpur 180 kms
P.S: December is the month when lot of tourists land in Rajasthan. So if you really want all the arrangements to be done properly this has to be done before October end.
The fort is built on the hill in such a way that it is very difficult to identify where the hill ends and the fort walls begin. The fort at several places has 17 feet thick and 68 feet high walls. 
It is approached by a series of 7 gateways set at an angle so that armies could not charge them with any success. Past the gates, the fort-palace takes one's breath away.
Across from huge courtyards are the palatial apartments that have been built over five centuries of bristling history. The beauty and the grandeur of numerous palaces in the fort narrates a saga of hard sandstones yielding to the chisels of skilled craftsmanship. Only some of the spectacular palaces of the fort are open to the visitors.
These consists of Moti Mahal with its pierced screen windows overlooking the coronation seat where the Rathore ruler have been ritually anointed to rule; Jhanki Mahal, the apartment from where the zenana women would watch ceremonial events; Chandan Mahal, where affairs of state were discussed; the royal Darbar Takhat or throne room with its octagonal throne. 
