Jodhpur Travel Guide
Jodhpur is situated in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is the second largest city and was once the capital of Marwar. It has an average altitude of 231 m above the sea level. In 1459 Rao Jodha the Rajput King founded Jodhpur and made it the capital city of this kingdom Marwar.
The name Jodhpur is derived from the name of its founder Rao Jodha. Jodhpur lies on the Delhi-Gujarat trading route. Jodhpur provided the essential economic base for the military power of the state. Even today there is a significant military presence with barracks in and around the city.
Jodhpur is a famous tourist destination for the beautiful forts and palaces around the city. The city offers a mesmerizing view all over. Apart from other common Hindu festivals, Nag Panchami is celebrated on a grand scale on the months of July and August.
The city is also called by the name of Sun City because of the bright clear sky with sunny weather all-round the year. Jodhpur is also known by the name of Blue City as because the houses around the city are painted blue in color which gives a fascinating blue hue all over the city.
Jodhpur is world famous for its Jodhpuri coats and the tie-and-dye fabrics. The most loved cuisine of the place is Pyaaj Kachori, Mirchi bada and Mawa Kachori. The famous MakhaniyaLassi had originated from this place.
How to Reach Jodhpur
- By Air — Jodhpur has its own airport which is about 5 kms away from the city.
- By Rail — Jodhpur Railway Station is the main rail head of Jodhpur. It is connected via train to all major states of India.
- By Road — RSTC buses are available from Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Jaipur, Bikaner, Ahmedabad and Delhi.
Distance of Jodhpur from Below Places:
| Place | Distance (KM) |
|---|---|
|
Delhi |
601 |
|
Jaipur |
330 |
|
Ahmedabad |
461 |
|
Udaipur |
258 |
|
Ajmer |
200 |
|
Bikaner |
250 |
Weather
Jodhpur Temperature:
- Summer (Mar to Jun) – Temperatures are high and range between (18°C) to (42°C). Not a recommended season for tourists due to the excessive heat
- Monsoon – (Jul to Sep) – Being a desert area, rainfall in Rajasthan is not very high. Temperature is on the higher side.
- Winter – (Oct to Feb) – Temperatures are low and range between (9°C) to (35°C)
- Best Time to Visit – Oct to Feb is the best season for tourism
What to See In Jodhpur
Mehrangarh Fort is one of the important centers of attraction in the city. The Majestic Fort sprawls along the top of a steep escarpment with a 37m sheer drop at the south end. It stands high above the plains with walls up to 36m high and 21m wide. The fort was started by Rao Jodha in the year of 1459 and was later completed by Raja Jeswant Singh in the 17th century. The royal family had been in residence here for 500 years. The view of the city from the fort is magnificent
UmaidBhawan Palace was built by Maharaja Umaid Singh around 1944. The palace is situated on the southern part of Jodhpur. Later UmaidBhwan Palace became the residence of the royals till recent times after the Mehrangarh Fort which also served as the residence of the royal family. Though half of the palace is converted to a royal hotel still it serves the residence of the royal family. The palace was built in the western style because Maharaja Umaid Singh was too fascinated with the western lifestyle and its way of living. The chief architect of the palace was Henry Vaughn.
Balsamand Lake
It was developed in the 12th century A.D. by Balak Rao Parihar. The aim of designing this lake was to provide relaxation to the royal family in summers. The landscape is green with rich plantations. Owing to the variety of birds that flock here, it is also a biodiversity spot.
It provides display of ancient architectural styles amidst green background. In the inside, there is a museum where many artifacts and idols have been placed.
Built by Sardar Singh, the Clock Tower is a point from where one may get views of the Sardar market and the attractive handicrafts put on sale there. Thus it forms a landmark of Jodhpur city.
It was built by Sardar Maharaja in the 19th century in remembrance of his beloved father Jaswant Singh. Architecturally, it is a significant spot. The majesty of Hindu renaissance art is manifest in the beautifully carved pillars and exquisite marble lattice screens. In the sunlight, the edifice shines with radiation, creating a splendid view.
Constructed by the prime minister of Jodhpur in the 19th century, the Kailana lake covers an area of 84 sq. km. It is said that in ancient days, this area was under royal inhabitation. It is also called Pratap Sagar. The view of sunset is awesome from this lake.
Mahamandir Temple is located about 2 km away from Jodhpur. The name itself signifies it to be as a huge temple. This huge temple in Jodhpur was built in the year of 1812. The pillars of the temple are exquisitely carved and are the main attraction. The pillars are 84 in number. The rich stone carving with different yoga posture is something worth witnessing. There are also many ancient god goddess in the temple which are worth visiting. The temple is an perfect example of traditional style of motifs.
Other Details
What to Do
- Flying fox ziplining – North Side of Mehrangarh.
- Rajasthan International Folk Festial in Mehrangarh during October
Where to Eat
- Nirvana — 1st floor, Tija Mata ka Mandir, Tambaku Bazar. A rooftop care with an amazing view and an indoor eating area with the stories of Ramayana printed all over. This veg restaurant offers some good food with the options of thalis too.
- Indique —GulabSagar, Pal Haveli. Option of candle-lit dinner atop the Pal Haveli, with a great view of the fort along with a n excellent range of local cuisine, this is the place to go to spend the night differently.
- Janta Sweet Shop — Nai Sarak, Station Road. The ideal place to go for an evening snack. Mawa ladoo, Malai Sandwich and Mawa Kachori are the delicacies that just cannot be missed.
What to Buy
- Textiles — bandhini printed clothes, the specialty here.
- Handicrafts made mostly by the locals of the area.
Get Around
Taxis and auto-rickshaws are the quick means to travel around the town. If you want to get adventurous, you’ll hop on to a Tonga. And if you are on a budget, hop onto a bus.
Popular Tour Plans - Rajasthan
1-3 Days
1. Jaipur (2N/3D)
4-6 Days
1. Delhi-Agra-Jaipur (6N/7D)
7-10 Days
1. Jodhpur-Jaisalmer-Bikaner-Jaipur (9N/10D)
2. Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Udaipur (8N/9D)
3. Delhi-Agra-Ranthambhore-Jaipur (9N/10D)
> 10 Days
1. Jodhpur-Jaisalmer-Mount Abu-Udaipur-Pushkar-Jaipur (12N/13D)
2. Delhi-Corbett National Park-Agra-Bharatpur-Ranthambhore-Jaipur (12N/13D)