Jodhpur

Jodhpur is the second largest city in the state of Rajasthan, India. It is called by so many names but it is popularly known as the blue city as majority of the houses in the old city are painted in the iconic nuance of blue. It is also known as the ‘Gateway to Thar’ as it is situated on the edge of the Thar desert. The city was build as a replacement of the ancient capital of the state of Marwar in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha, a Rajput chief of the Rathore kingdom. As well as, it is also called by the name of the ‘Sun City’ for the bright and sunny weather. The city is famous for its dynamic variety of food, Marwar Mahotsav, Gangaur, tourism and Rajasthan International folk festival (RIFF).

Tourist Arrival

Tourists arrive, anytime between mid-September to late March or early April. Even in January, the coldest month, the days are bright, sunny and warm.

How to visit here

Jodhpur is well connected by road, rail and air to all major cities and towns.

• By Air: It is connected to Delhi and Mumbai and the airport is about 5km from the city.
• By Train: It is well connected by direct trains from all metros and major cities in India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, etc.
• By Road: The average distance is 478 km and from Delhi, the distance is 586 km. If you’re planning to go from Udaipur so the distance is 250.5 km which will nearly take 4-5 hours to reach there.

Places to visit

1. Mehrangarh Fort

About the Fort

It was built by Rao Jodha in 1459 in Jodhpur, is one of the largest forts in the country. It is situated at the top of a 410 feet elevated hill and guarded by massive walls. Located in the centre of the city, the fort covers an area of approximately 5 Kms of a hill. Its walls have a height of 36 metres and width of 21 metres. The architecture of the fort went through several developments over the period of 500 years. The intricate carvings on the walls of the fort, captures the attention of the tourists from all over the world.

Distance: 7 kms from city center

Cost: International Guests (Includes the Audio): INR 600
Domestic Guests: INR 70

Time Required: 2-3 hours

Open Time: 9AM to 5PM

Some of the pictures of fort.

Fort from Outside.

The intricate carving on the walls are made by the brilliant artists over there.

The wall inspiration. It is displaying the process of traveling from one place to another  during the old times.

Room of the royalty.

Rang Mahal

Moti Mahal ( Palace of Pearls)

Sheesh Mahal ( The Glass Palace)

Gateway to heaven.

The royals used these as a mode of travel. The fort has the most exquisite designs.

Some of the old artifacts.

If you look at this beautiful painting, so you will feel the liveliness of the painting.

The royals dressing.

Gangaur mata.

Night view of the fort.

2. Umaid Bhawan 

The Umaid Bhawan Museum

The Umaid Bhawan Palace

It’s construction began in the year 1929 but was completed in the year 1943. It provided consistent employment to around 3000 people and was built at a cost of 11 million rupees at that time. The palace was built in Beaux Arts style and has two wings. Golden yellow sandstone, Makrana marble and Burmese Teak wood were used for the intricate woodwork on the inside of the palace. Gaj Singh II who succeeded his father decided in 1971 to convert a part of the palace into a hotel. The hotel has 70 guest rooms and it also includes the Maharaja and Maharani Suites.  The Maharaja Suite has a black marble flooring and a curved mirror dome, while the Maharani suite has a parquet flooring and offers a great view of the garden. The banquet hall in the past is now the large restaurant in the hotel premises. And the museum houses a huge collection of clocks and photographs that illustrate the interior of the Palace in its most fine form.

Distance: 5 kms from city center.

Time Required: 3-4 hours

Open Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Cost: For Tour:-
Indians: INR 30, Foreigners: INR 100, Children: INR 10

 

The Umaid Bhawan Palace

Night view of the Palace.

3. Mandore Gardens 

The Mandore Gardens are embellished with beautiful cenotaphs, which heighten the beauty of the gardens and adjoin to its rich historical connections. These cenotaphs are a class apart from the usual Rajasthani umbrella-shaped structures, in the sense that these cenotaphs have been erected in a style that was influenced by the architecture of a Hindu temple.

Distance: 13 kms from city center.

Time Required: 1-2 hrs

Open Time: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Cost: Garden: No entry fee,
Museum: INR 50

4. Khejarla Fort

It was built in the 17th century by the Maharaja of Jodhpur, the 400-year old edifice has since been turned into a hotel. This fort elegantly brings together the natural ruggedness of its surroundings and the opulence of its royal roots. A striking blend of art and architecture offers the pictersque setting.

Distance: 9 kms from city center.

Time Required: 2-3 hrs.

5. Jaswant Tada

Jaswant Tada is a royal cenotaph built in white marble. It has a small pond and a beautiful garden next to it. This structure is just a few minutes downhill walk from the main fort.

Distance: 7 kms from city center.

Time Required: Around 2 to 3 hours

Open Time: All days of the week: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Cost: INR 15 per person for Indians, INR 30 per person for foreign tourists, INR 25 per still camera, INR 50 per camcorder.

6. Balsamand Lake

It is an artificial lake that was created in 1159 AD by the Gurjara-Pratihara rulers. Balsamand Palace is an architectural marvel which overlooks the lake. All in all, this humanmade creation with exceptional scenic beauty is a place of great tranquillity.

Distance: 9 kms from city center.

Time Required: 2-3 hrs

Open Time: All time

7. Ranisar Padamsar

The Ranisar and Padamsar lakes are two adjoining lakes in the city of Jodhpur built over 500 years ago. They are situated at the rear of the Mehrangarh Fort, near the Fateh Pol.

Distance: 7 kms from the city.

8. Toorji ka Jhalra 

It is commonly called ‘Stepwell of Jodhpur’ and was build in 1740. This 250-year-old structure was made using the famous rose-red sandstone found in Jodhpur. More than 200 feet in depth, it was once adorned with intricate carvings of dancing elephants, medieval lions, cow waterspouts, and niches that showed various deities.

Distance: 6 kms from the city.

9. Umaid Heritage Art School

Many famous and budding artists are associated with this school, where one can learn and view painting, sketching, charcoal work, as well as the world famous Rajasthani miniature painting style.

Distance: 6 kms from city center

Time Required: 1 – 2 hrs

Open Time: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

10. Shastri Circle

 

This is an ideal spot for travellers to take a break from all the tourist spots and just enjoy a relaxed and entertaining evening with the Light show and musical fountains.

Distance: 6kms from city center.

11. Temples in Jodhpur 

There are many temples in the Jodhpur city but some of the worth visiting temples are listed below.

Udai Temple

The picture is taken from the Mehrangarh fort.

It is an architectural beauty and the hub of sandstone. Inside Udai temple, there are beautiful wall paintings with 84 Yogasanas and it is supported by 102 pillars.

Siddhant shiv Temple

Siddhanth Shiv temple is situated between Takhat Sagar hills and Kalyana Lake. It’s stairs are made up of cutting rock and carved stone while one can only reach the temple after crossing the hundred of stairs.

Distance: It is about 10 Kms away from Jodhpur.

Chamunda Mata Temple

It is a very calm place and you will get to see the great architecture and marbel carvings. During Dussehra celebrations, Mehrangarh Fort is frequently visited by Jodhpurites to get a glimpse of Chamunda Devi.

Distance: situated in the southern end of the Mehrangarh Fort.

MahaMandir

MahaMandir is a famous temple in Jodhpur. The temple was built in 1812.It is supported by 84 pillars. It contains detailed designs and figures of gurus describing various postures of Yoga.

Distance: 2kms from city center.

12. Bishnoi Village Tour 

The Bishnoi Village tour comprises of four villages, where one can absorb and witness the authentic traditions and lifestyles of rural Rajasthan. You will come across the natural scenery being complemented well with the local biodiversity here.

13. The Desert Safari

The shortest of these safaris allows one to travel 70 km across the glistening sheets of golden sand of the Thar desert to the ancient town of Osian, steeped in cultural history significant to both Hindus and Jains.

14. Paragliding Joy Ride

It is an adventure sport being offered to tourists since 2014 by a very experienced pilot in Jodhpur. There are early morning and sunset flights.

15. Fairs and Festivals

Rajasthan International Folk Festival (RIFF)

It was started in 2007 with an initiative of the current ruler, HH Gaj Singh, which aimed at providing a huge platform for the folk artists of Rajasthan.

Marwar Festival

This festival specifically is a celebration dedicated to all the Rajput heroes, as they stood for an important quality in the battlefields, bravery. Apart from the musical events, the Marwar festival also has other events like – Puppet shows, Horse Polo, Camel Tattoo show and much more! This festival takes place over the course of two days between September and October. It is held at the Mehrangarh Fort and Umaid Bhawan Palace.

Jodhpur International Desert Kite Festival

There are two major competitions held during this festival: the Fighter Kite Competition and the Display Kite Competition. The final round of the competition is held in the Umaid Bhawan Palace. So, if you are planning to visit Jodhpur in the month of January, do plan it around the 14th of January.

Nagaur Fair

It is conducted in the town named ‘Nagaur’ and is primarily known as a Cattle Fair. This fair is all about the trading of animals, wherein the animals are presented with colorful accessories upon them. It is an eight-day affair, which takes place between the months of January and February.

World Sacred Spirit Festival

This festival has a number of Sufi performances and is a major crowd puller.

Places to eat 

1. Indique Restaurant

It offers the lunch and dinner with the fort view beside gulab sagar.

Type: Veg and Non Veg

Cuisines: Indian

Address: Terrace Area, Hotel Pal Haveli, Gulab Sagar, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Open Hours: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm

2. Gypsy, Sardarpura –

It is a fast food restaurant, quite crowded often but food is delicious. Rajasthani thali (served upstairs) is one of the best in the city and quite cheap.

Type: Veg

Cuisines: Indian

Address: 689, 9Th ‘C’ Road, Sardarpura, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Open Hours: 10 AM to 11 PM

3. Cafe Mehran, Meherangarh Fort.

Simple but pleasant cafe in the fort itself

4. Mehran Terrace, Meherangarh Fort.

Candlelit dining with an exquisite view of the city.

5. Bal Samand, Balasamand Lake Palace.

Outdoor dining as well as indoor dining in peaceful surroundings. They serve typical North Indian food.

6. On the rocks, Ratnada

A nice place with outdoor dining. It has a separate bar and good ambiance.

Type: Veg

Cuisines: Indian

Address: NH 65, Ajit Bhawan Palace, Ajit Colony, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Open Hours: 9 AM to 11 PM

7. Cafe Frespresso

A cafe that offers healthy and tasty fresh food with an international flavor. complete beverage and snacks break fast solution. pure veg, vegan friendly and gluten free organic with comfortable sitting with aircon.

Address: Pal Haveli near clock tower.

Places to stay

There are many hotels in Jodhpur but I highly recommend these two hotels.

1. Ranbanka Palace

Set in a palace dating from 1927, this opulent hotel is 2.4 km from Jodhpur Junction railway station and 4.2 km from Mehrangarh Fort. This is probably the most beautiful hotel and they offer very beautiful rooms featuring marble or wooden floors, balconies and hand-crafted furnishings.

2. Balsamand Lake Palace 

It is one of the top heritage hotels of Jodhpur to witness the opulence & elegance of a bygone era in Jodhpur.

Places to shop in Jodhpur 

1. Sojati Gate: It is famous for Tie and dye sarees.

2. Station Road: It is famous for leather items, embroidered shoes and utensils.

3. Tripolia Market: It is famous for local handicrafts and textiles.

4. Mochi Market: It is well known for lac Bangles.

5. Nai Sarak: It is known for Tie and dye dresses, leather items, and handlooms.

6. Clock Tower: This market is famous for spices, handicrafts and textiles.

7. Mehrangarh fort Museum: Inside Mehrangarh fort itself, you can find different types of tea, handicrafts and various spices.