Jodhpur Travel Guide
Jodhpur, also known as the Blue City of Rajasthan, is the state’s second largest city and is located on the edge of the Thar Desert. It was founded in the 15th century by Rao Jodha and has grown to be the greatest and most progressive of the Rajput kingdoms. The sculptors’ creativity is on display in Jodhpur’s splendid palaces, forts, temples, and havelis, which bear witness to the royal splendour.
The traditional lifestyle, celebration, and cheerful people who adore this erstwhile princely realm are the most enticing aspects of Jodhpur. The glistening gem of Jodhpur, the home of royalty, is located amid the golden dunes of a bleak desert setting.
HISTORY
Rao Jodha, the leader of the Rajput Rathore dynasty, who claimed genealogy from Rama, the legendary hero of the Ramayana, founded Jodhpur in 1459 AD. Marwar, the Land of Death, was formerly the name of the Rathore kingdom.
The ancient city of Jodhpur is surrounded by a 10-kilometer-long wall that was erected a century after the city was created. From the walled city, there are eight gates. Jodhpurs, the baggy/tight horse-riding pants, were named after this place.
CULTURE
Jodhpur is known for its jewellery, with each region having its own distinct design. Rakhri, Timaniyan, Bala, Bajuband, Gajra, Gokhru, Jod, and other classic patterns are examples. The way of life in Jodhpur is extremely intriguing, with people dressed in wonderful multicoloured outfits that have been fashioned creatively.
Wide gathered skirts and a hip length jacket with three quarter length sleeves covering the front and back are worn by women people. The men’s bright turbans bring a splash of colour to the metropolis. The famed Ghoomar dance of Jodhpur, which gets its name from ghoomna, or pirouetting, showcases the vibrant hues of the flowing ghagra, or long skirt, worn by Marwari women.
Jodhpur’s men and women sing both religious and joyous music. The folk repertoire includes songs by saint-poets like as Kabir, Meera, and Malookdas.
FOOD
For food enthusiasts, Jodhpur is a culinary wonderland. The taste is indulged with a broad variety of spicy and fragrant snacks and meals. The famed kachouri, which comes with a variety of fillings and sour tamarind chutney, is a popular dish. Another wonderful surprise is the array of exquisite laddoos, which are sure to melt in your mouth! A hot Rajasthani lunch is best ended with tall glasses of refreshing lassi
SHOPPING
Tie-dye fabrics, jootis, lacquerware, antiques, carpets, and puppets are all famous in Jodhpur. Visiting some of the various retail districts is an important element of the sightseeing. The Sadar Bazaar is the most renowned, including the whole list described above, as well as a variety of knickknacks.
ENTERTAINMENT
Marwar Festival is an annual event held in Marwar, India
This yearly festival, held in Jodhpur in October, aims to highlight the Jodhpur region’s art culture. It is almost entirely dedicated to music and dance, and the Maand Festival has become an integral feature of this massive regional festival.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE CITY LOCATION
The city is 300 kilometres and 330 kilometres from Jaisalmer and Bikaner, respectively, and is located in western Rajasthan. The route that connects these three cities is well-kept, making travel by car quite easy.
How to Get There By Air
Jodhpur is linked to Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, and Udaipur by its own airport.
By Rail: Jodhpur is the closest railhead, with connections to Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Kota, Bikaner, Ahmedabad, and all other important cities in India. This metropolis of Royal beauty is also visited by The Palace on Wheels.
By Air
Bus services from other cities in the state, as well as interstate services, are available via the state transportation system.
CLIMATE
Jodhpur has a hot and humid climate. Rainfall is infrequent and irregular, averaging 32 cm per year. Summer temperatures range from 20°C to 49°C with a low of 20°C and a high of 45°C to 49°C. The winter temperatures range from the mid-twenties to 5-6°C at its coldest.
JODHPUR Mehrangarh Fort Sightseeing
Meherangarh, the Majestic Fort, is a 5 kilometre long fort that sits on a 125-meter high hill and is one of the most majestic and intimidating buildings in Jodhpur. The Jayapol, constructed by Maharaja Mansingh in 1806, after his triumph over the troops of Jaipur and Bikaner, and the Fatehpol, or Victory Gate, erected by Maharaja Ajit Singh to celebrate his defeat of the Mughals, are two of the seven gates. The Lohapol, or Iron Gate, is the penultimate gate, and beneath it are 15 hand prints, the sati (self-immolation) markings of Maharaja Man Singh’s widows, who hurled themselves into his cremation pyre in 1843. They still get a lot of attention from devotees, and they’re frequently coated in crimson powder. Some of the spectacular buildings inside the fort include magnificently carved panels, latticed windows, and evocative names.
Palace of Umaid Bhawan
The Umaid Bhawan Palace is made of pink sandstone and marble. Because of the native Chhittar sandstone utilised, this massive building is also known as the Chhittar Palace. It was begun in 1929 for Maharaja Umaid Singh and took 15 years to finish. It was designed by the head of the British Royal Institute of Architects. The most remarkable aspect of this opulent palace is that it was constructed so near to Independence, when maharajas, princely states, and the magnificent extravagances associated with this social elite would soon be a thing of the past. The palace is supposed to have been erected as part of a royal job-creation initiative to offer work for thousands of locals amid a severe drought. The palace has been transformed into a hotel.
Mandore Garden is a garden in Mandore, India.
Mandore was the capital of Marwar before Jodhpur was founded, and it is located 9 kilometres north of Jodhpur. Cenotaphs of the Jodhpur emperors may be seen in this old capital of Marwa. On the wall of the Hall of Heroes are fifteen carved out of granite statues representing Hindu deities. It is now a famous local attraction and picnic site due to its huge gardens with steep rock terraces. The grounds also house the cenotaphs of Jodhpur’s kings, notably Maharaja Dhiraj Ajit Singh’s lofty monument.
In 1899 A.D., a cluster of white marble royal cenotaphs was erected in Maharaja Jaswant Singh II’s honour. The royal crematorium is located immediately off the fort road, a short distance from the fort and cenotaph. Cenotaphs of different Jodhpur monarchs may be seen inside the fort. The terrace in front of the cenotaph has some lovely marble jali (lattice) work and excellent views.
By Road
CLIMATE
Museum of Umaid Bhawan
Lake and Gardens of Balsamand
Built in 1159 A.D., the Balsamand is a lovely lake. A magnificent Summer Palace rises on its banks, surrounded by gorgeous gardens. It’s a lovely area for trips.
Osiyan
Between the 8th and 12th centuries, when the Jains ruled, the ancient Thar Desert town of Osiyan, 65 kilometres north of Jodhpur, was a major commerce hub. Osiyan, a 58-kilometer oasis in the desert, is located off the main Jodhpur-Bikaner Highway on a diversion. 15 magnificently carved Jain and Brahmanical temples may be seen in Osian. The affluence of Osiyans’ mediaeval residents enabled them to construct costly and artistically sculpted temples, the majority of which have survived the ravages of time. The sculptural detail of the Osiyan temples approaches that of Karnataka’s Hoysala temples and Orissa’s Konark Sun Temple.
Others
SARDAR MARKET AND THE CLOCK TOWER – The clock tower is a well-known feature in the ancient city. Close to the tower lies the bustling Sardar Market, where tiny lanes lead to bazaars offering vegetables, spices, Indian sweets, textiles, silver, and handicrafts. LUNI FORT – This fort, which has been transformed into a history hotel, is well worth a visit. The little town of Luni, 35 kilometres south of Jodhpur, stands in the shadow of Fort Chanwa, a 19th-century red sandstone fort that has been transformed into a hotel. MAHAMANDIR TEMPLE – Built in 1812 A.D., the Mahamandir is a 9-kilometer-long temple. With 84 carved pillars, it is a notable temple.
Nagaur
Every year in January/February, it hosts a weeklong cattle fair. The fort palace, temples, and havelis of Nagaur provide life to a desolate expanse of desert. Here, Akbar erected a mosque, and there is a shrine to Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer’s student. It also features a large fort with stunning murals. With the support of the Paul Getty Foundation, it is presently being repaired. The fort also boasts superb wall murals and fascinating antique rainwater collection and storage systems, which are well described by a skilled curator.