DESTINATIONS

JODHPUR

About the City
Click here for view Jodhpur Picture Gallery

Jodhpur is the second largest city in the state of Rajasthan, India. It is called the Gateway to Thar, as it is literally on the edge of the Thar desert. It is also called the Sun City as the sun shines (very bright and hot!) almost every day of the year. It's one another name is "City of Blue Houses" because most of houses in city are blue colored.

History

Jodhpur is a historic city and the origin dates to the year 1459 AD when it was founded by Rao Jodha, the Rajput chieftan of the Rathores. The Rathore kingdom was also known as the Marwar and was the largest in Rajputana.

The city was built as the new capital of the state of Marwar (now Rajasthan) to replace the ancient capital Mandore, the ruins of which can be seen near what is now the Mandore Gardens. The people of Jodhpur and surrounding areas are hence also commonly called as Marwaris. The forts and palaces, temples and havelis, culture and tradition, spices and fabrics, colour and texture, a booming handicrafts industry, all add up to make this historic city worth a visit.

Must See in Jodhpur / Tourist Attractions of Jodhpur

Mehrangarh Fort : dominates the city and is the largest fort in all Rajasthan. Founded in 1458 as the site of Rao Jodha's new capital — hence the name, Jodhpur — the city has grown around it, and in the 500 years that have passed the fort has never been taken by force. It's easy to see why: it occupies the entire top of a 150-meter hill with commanding views all around, with some three kilometers of massive ramparts built around the edges.

The name "fort" belies the size of the complex, which houses the Maharaja's palace, several temples and, tucked away in the back, an extensive garden still farmed to this day. Highlights within the palace include:

• Moti Mahal (Pearl Hall). Pearl-colored inside and decorated with colored glass windows, this is where the Maharaja held his audiences, with the five alcoves on the far wall allowing his queens to listen in.

• Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Hall). Just what the name says.

• Phool Mahal (Flower Hall). The most extravagant of them all, this was the Maharaja's pleasure chamber, for dancing girls and revelry.

• Zenana Deodi. The inner sanctum of the palace once guarded by eunuchs, this is where the Maharaja's wives whiled away their days. The delicate sandstone screens and carvings are exquisite.

• Chamunda Mataji Temple. Tucked away at the far end of the battlements, this temple is devoted to Rao Jodha's favorite goddess and remains a local favorite to this day.

A number of people are employed here and there to add flavor by dressing in period costume and doing photogenic things like playing traditional instruments and smoke opium (yes, the real thing). Snap away, but they'll appreciate a tip if you do. The museum also includes galleries devoted to howdahs (elephant-mounted seats), palanquins, fine arts, weaponry, and the inevitable Turban Gallery.

Entry to Mehrangarh costs Rs.250, including still camera fee and an excellent audioguide available in six languages. A rickshaw from the city will cost around Rs.30, or you can try to pick your way through the alleys up on foot. Open 9 AM to 5 PM daily.

Historical sites

• Jaswant Thada - The Jaswant Thada is architectural landmark found in Jodhpur. It is a white marble memorial built by Sardar Singh in 1899 in memory of Maharja Jaswant Singh II. The monument, in its entirety, is built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. These stones are extremely thin and polished so that they emit a warm glow when the sun's rays dance across their surface. Within this cenotaph, there are also two more tombs. The Jaswant Thada is a traditional cremation ground of Jodhpur rulers. The grounds are also comprised of exquisitely carved gazebos, a beautiful multi-tiered garden, and a small lake1 km downhill from Mehrangarh (easily walked). Royal cenotaphs built in marble, with a picturesque location next to a little lake. Entry Rs. 20, plus Rs. 25 for a camera.
  
   

• Mandore, Mandore is an ancient town, and was the seat of the Mandorva branch of the Parihar (Pratihara) dynasty which ruled the region in the 6th century AD by King Nahar Rao Parihar. In 1395 AD, a Mohil princess of the Parihar rulers of Mandore married Chundaji, scion of the Rathod clan of Rajputs. This was during the era of rapid ascendency of the Rathod clan, and Chundaji received Mandore in dowry. The town remained the seat of the Rathore clan until 1459 AD, when Rao Jodha, a Rathore chief who united the surrounding region under his rule, shifted his capital to the newly founded city of Jodhpur Mandore is 7 km outside the city. The ancient capital of Marwar, before Jodhpur was built. 

  The historic town boasts several important monuments. The now ruined Mandore fort, with its thick walls and substantial size, was built in several stages and was once a fine piece of architecture. A huge, now ruined temple is a highlight of the fort. The outer wall of the temple depicts finely carved botanical designs, birds, animals and planets. 

  The 'Mandore gardens', with its charming collection of temples and memorials, and its high rock terraces, is another major attraction. The gardens house the Chhatris (cenotaphs) of many rulers of the erstwhile princely state of Marwar. Prominent among them is the chhatri of Maharaja Ajit Singh, built in 1793.

  The Mandore Gardens also house a government museum, a 'Hall of Heroes' and a temple to 33 crore Gods. Various artefacts and statues found in the area are housed at the museum. The 'Hall of Heroes' commemorates popular folk heroes of the region. It contains 16 figures carved out of a single rock. Next door is a larger hall called "The temple of 33 crore Gods" which houses images of various Hindu Gods
   

• Umaid Bhawan Palace. Clearly visible to the south of the city and completed only in 1944, this is the last great palace built in India. The Maharaja of Jodhpur lives here to this day, but half the building has been converted to a 5-star hotel (see Sleep) and there is also a small museum on grounds (Rs. 50, open 9 AM to 5 PM). You'll have to take a rickshaw to get here, and it's best to ask them to wait: figure on Rs. 100 for a round-trip with an hour's waiting time.

Natural sites

• Balsamand Lake - now converted to a resort

• Kailana Lake - a picnic spot and a main drinking water source for the city

Temples

• Baba Ramdev Temple, Masuria Hills.

• Ganesh Temple, Ratanada.

• Santoshi Mata Temple, Lal Sagar.

• Mahamandir Temple.

You can see the neighbouring tourist destinations of Osiyan temples, Ranakpur Jain temples, Nathdwara temple, Bikaner and Deshnok, Ajmer and Pushkar, the desert city of Jaisalmer, the hill station Mount Abu, the city of lakes Udaipur or the pink city Jaipur

• Bishnoi Village safari : Bishnois are a community that protects wildlife and environment. In safari the guide will take you around the Bishnoi villages in a jeep and there you will see deer, blackbuck and chinkara roaming around their huts and playing with their childres and village people feeding them.it is a 70 km tour.

• Luni fort - about 40 kms outside Jodhpur - now converted to a heritage hotel

• Osiyan - about 60 kms - Jain temples as well as Kali temples

Festivals in Jodhpur (Rajasthan)

Jodhpur fairs and festivals seem to express the rich culture and traditions Rajasthan. A number of festivals are celebrated in Jodhpur. However the most famous Fairs and festivals in Jodhpur, Rajasthan are:

• Marwar Festival  :

  The most popular Jodhpur festival is the Jodhpur Marwar Festival. It is held every year in memory of the heroes of Rajasthan. Marwar Festival of Jodhpur, Rajasthan was originally known as the Maand Festival. The festival is held in the month of Ashwin. Ashwin is a Hindu month between September-October. The Marwar festival in Jodhpur, India is celebrated during the full moon of Sharad Poornima. It goes on for two days.
  
  The main attraction of this festival is the folk music centered on the romantic lifestyle of Rajasthan's rulers. The music and dance of the Marwar region is the main theme of this festival. The folk dancers and singers assemble at the festival and provide lively entertainment. These folk artists give others a peek into the days of yore, of battles and of the heroes who still live on through their songs.
  
  Among other attractions at the festival, is the camel tattoo show and polo. The venue of this festival includes the famous Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mandore and Mehrangarh Fort.
   

• Jodhpur International Desert Kite Festival : The International kite festival of Jodhpur, Rajasthan began only a few years. However, even in such a short span of time, it has become quite popular. In the Jodhpur International Desert Kite festival, the best kite flyers from India as well as rest of the world take part. The aim is to show of your kite flying skills. A lot of excitement surrounds this festival.
  
  Generally, the date of this Kite Festival in India is 14th January (Makar Sankranti). It is a three-day festival, held at the Polo Ground in Jodhpur. Air Force helicopters also release a large number of kites from above. Hundreds of schoolchildren also release balloons. During the kite festival, the sky gets filled up with kites of various designs and colors. There is a lot of enthusiasm among the people also regarding this festival. It reaches the highest point when a kite gets cut.
   

• Nagaur Fair : The Jodhpur Nagaur Fair is the second biggest fair in India. The fair goes on for eight days. Nagaur Fair of Jodhpur, Rajasthan is held every year during the month of Jan-Feb.
  
  It is popularly known as the Cattle fair of Nagaur. This is because the Nagaur Fair is mainly all about trading of animals. Approximately 70,000 bullocks, camels and horses are traded every year in this fair. The animals lavishly decorated and even their owners dress up wearing colorful turbans and long moustaches. Other trading in the Nagaur Fair in Jodhpur, India consists of sheep to Marwari horses to spices. Some other attractions include the Mirchi bazaar (largest red-chilly market of India), wooden items, iron-crafts and camel leather accessories.
   

Best Month to Visit October to March is the best period to visit the city.

How to Get There

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

By plane

Connected by air from Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Udaipur; the airport is about 5 km from the city centre. 

• Indian operates daily flights to Jodhpur from Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and Udaipur.

• Jet Airways Jet Airways operates daily flights from Delhi and Mumbai.

By train

Jodhpur is an important division of the North Western zone of the Indian Rail network . It is well connected by direct trains from all metros and major cities in India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Lucknow, Kalka, Jammu, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad. For example, the popular Mandor Express leaves Delhi at 8:45 PM and arrived in Udaipur at 8 AM the next morning (Rs.1000 in AC2).

The taxi stand and auto-rickshaw stand are located near the exit of the railway station.

The advance reservation office is on Station Road, between the railway station and Sojati Gate. The office is open from Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm and on Sunday until 1.45 pm IST. If you are a foreign tourist, you can also buy Indrail passes in USD and reserve tickets at the International Tourist Bureau; this counter is located at the advance reservation office. You can also book your tickets online at IRCTC, the official booking site on the internet, from 4 am to 11 pm IST on all days.

By car

Approximate road distances from various destinations are

By taxi

Various tour operators and travel agencies offer chauferred car-taxi services; these are charged on a per km, per day basis. You can plan to take one to arrive into the city or take one for sightseeing in and around the city.

By bus

Jodhpur can be reached by RSRTC (Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation) buses and private luxury buses which operate from all major towns and cities in Rajasthan as well as the cities of Ahmedabad and Delhi.

Pictures of Jodhpur

Clock Tower - Jodhpur	Jaswant Thada- Royal Cenotaph, Jodhpur
Umaid Bhawan Palace - Jodhpur	Canons on Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur

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