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| Phalodi is one of the most beautiful towns located | | | | There are many traders who deal in these |
| in the Thar Desert and is a part of the Jodhpur | | | | objects. Apart from this, one can also visit URMUL |
| District of Rajasthan. It is a calm and serene town | | | | Marusthali Bunkar Vikas Samiti who also has good |
| which was founded in the 15th century. It was | | | | collection of heavy woolen shawls or Pattu as |
| part of the erstwhile Marwar state and was | | | | they are locally called and some very beautiful tie |
| originally known as Phalverdika or Vijaypur Patan. | | | | n dye dupattas apart from other ethnic articles. It |
| Maldev Rathore of Jodhpur was the original ruler | | | | is a non-profit organization which works for the |
| of the area. Tehn it was also under Emperor | | | | upliftment of the weavers in the area. |
| Akbar who gifted it to the Rulers of Jaisalmer. | | | | Apart from the shopping experience, the |
| Many wars have been fought over this town | | | | architecture of the place is also worth looking at. |
| between the various rulers of Jaisalmer, Bikaner | | | | There are ancient Jain and Hindu temples which |
| and Jodhpur as it was a major contact point for | | | | are beautiful pieces of art and reflect the |
| traders from North-west India to Central India. | | | | contemporary culture. The most famous temples |
| Phalodi has a very rich religious and architectural | | | | in the area are the Ramdeora and the Jain |
| legacy. Even though the small town is not so | | | | Temples which have been built by Maheshwari |
| famous as compared to the other Rajasthan | | | | Jains in 1847. |
| cities, yet it has retained its old world charm and | | | | Same is the case with the typical Rajasthani |
| comes about as a very bright spot amidst vast | | | | Havelis or mansions built by the rich traders. The |
| stretches of arid desert sands. | | | | more opulent the havelis, the wealthier the |
| The art and culture of the place is very rich and | | | | merchant was considered. |
| exudes a charm which is difficult to find in other | | | | One of the most enchanting havelis in Phalodi is |
| bigger cities. The style of dressing up, especially | | | | the Lal Niwas Haveli which has been turned into a |
| by the women is in direct contrast to the arid | | | | heritage hotel now. It was built in 1750 and is |
| surroundings. The women in this part of the world | | | | made of bright red sandstone which is a typical |
| wear brightly colored clothes with a lot of silver | | | | feature in the area. The havelis features spacious |
| and beaded jewellery which stands apart in the | | | | courtyards, traditional jharokhas and jaalis and a |
| desert. The brightly colored turbans of the men | | | | splendidly done interior. The display objects include |
| also are very attractive and intricately painted. | | | | artefacts, chandeliers, cut glass articles and also a |
| This town is home to the “Jootis” | | | | rare collection of arms and weapons. These are |
| i.e. brightly embroidered shoes in all sizes and all | | | | indicators of the wealth possessed by the owner |
| sorts of intricate designs. The craftsmanship in | | | | of the havelis. |
| the area is par excellence. Same goes for the | | | | Thus, even though Phalodi is a very small town in |
| jewellery in silver as well as the various bead | | | | terms of people and popularity, yet it is very rich |
| necklaces, especially the Bishnoi-(a nature loving | | | | in culture and heritage. |
| and worshipping community in Rajasthan) styled | | | | |