Jodhpur

Jodhpur "The Sun City" was founded by Rao Jodha, a chief of the Rathore clan, in 1459. It is named after him only. Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India was previously known as Marwar. Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan. It is divided into two parts - the old city and the new city. The old city is separated by a10 km long wall surrounding it. Also it has eight Gates leading out of it. The new city is outside the walled city. 

Jodhpur is a very popular tourist destination. The landscape is scenic and mesmerizing. Jodhpur city has many beautiful palaces and forts such as Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhavan Palace and Rai ka Bag Palace. Other charms of Jodhpur include Government museum and it's beautiful Umed garden. The city is known as the "Sun City" because of its bright and sunny weather throughout the year. JODHPUR, once capital of the former princely state of Marwar, is now the second largest city of Rajasthan. Flanked on its western side by the Meharangarh Fort, and on the eastern side by the stately sandstone Palace of Umaid Bhawan; the monuments, temples and gardens of Jodhpur depict a multi-faceted grandeur.

 

What To See

 

 

Mehrangarh Fort

 

The impregnable Mehrangarh Fort, which rises above the city, is one of the largest forts in India. As impressive as it is, as a well preserved heritage structure, there's so much more to discover inside. One of the highlights is the museum, which houses an outstanding collection of fine and applied arts from the Mughal period of Indian history. It even has the only professional museum shop in India. The Fort's ramparts are lined with antique artillery and offer a panoramic view of the "Blue City". Do allow plenty of time to visit the Fort -- you can spend hours wandering through it. Want a romantic evening dinner? The Chokelao Mahal Terrace restaurant serves traditional Rajasthani cuisine, while the city sparkles below. The Fort is also an evocative setting for music festivals. Don't miss the annual Rajasthan International Falf Festival in October and World Sufi Sprit Festival in February.

Location: Above the Old City. The main entrance is at the northeast gate, Jaipol.

Entry Cost: 400 rupees for foreigners and 60 rupees for Indians (discounts offered for students and senior citizens), plus 100 rupees for a still camera and 200 rupees for a video camera.

Opening Hours: 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily.

 

Jodhpur Flying Fox

 

Adventure lovers can't pass up the unique opportunity to go zip-lining with Mehrangarh Fort as the backdrop. The circuit has six zip lines and takes around 1.5 hours to complete. Groups of up to 12 people depart at appointed times.

Location: North side of Mehrangarh Fort.

Entry Cost: Book online up to three days in advance and get discounted rates of 1,199 rupees for adults and 1,000 rupees for students.

Opening Hours: Mid July until the end of May. Tours start daily at 9.30 a.m., 10.30 a.m., 11.30 a.m., 2.30 p.m., 3.30 p.m., 4.30 p.m., and 5.00 p.m.

 

Jaswant Thada

This intricately crafted cenotaph (empty commemorative tomb) was built in 1899, in honor of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. It features white marble lattice screens and whimsical domes. The inside is adorned with portraits of Ranthore rulers. It's a peaceful place to relax and enjoy stunning views of the Fort and city. Many a tired tourist sprawls on the front lawn to recuperate after sightseeing!

Location: 1 kilometer northeast of Mehrangarh Fort.

Entry Cost: 30 rupees for foreigners and 15 rupees for Indians, plus 25 rupees for a still camera and 50 rupees for a video camera.

Opening Hours: 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily

 

Rao Jodha Desrt Park

 

The Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park was developed in 2006, with the aim of restoring the natural ecology of a large rocky wasteland area next to the Fort. Neglected for many years, it was overrun by an invasive thorny shrub. After the shrub was eradicated, over 80 native species of rock-loving plants from the Thar desert were grown there. The Park extends across 70 hectares (around 200 acres) of rehabilitated land and has a walking trail. It's interesting to explore at different times of the year, as its foliage changes with the seasons.

Location: At the foot of Mehrangarh Fort. Enter from the Visitors' Center, 800 meters from the Fort's main gate.

Entry Cost: 30 rupees for adults, 10 rupees for students.

Opening Hours: 9.00 a.m. to 5.25 p.m. daily.

 

Clock Tower and Old City Markets

 

A trip to Jodhpur wouldn't be complete without visiting the bustling Old City (many people choose to stay in it as well, as some of the best budget hotels in Jodhpur are located there and have fabulous Fort views). The Old City's famous landmark, the clock tower, stands at the heart of it -- and it's still working! Next to it, Sadar Market retains a traditional village bazaar feel. It's chaotic and colorful, and sells almost everything (including handicrafts, spices, saris and fabric). If you feel uncomfortable in crowds, you might prefer to take a walking tour rather than explore the market area yourself, as the congestion can be overwhelming.

 

Umaid Bhawan Palace

 

The magnificent Umaid Bhawan Palace, completed in 1944, was one of the last great palaces to be built in India. The royal family of Jodhpur still occupies a section of it. Most of the remainder has been converted into a Luxurious Hotel. If you can't afford $600+ per night for a room, you can still get a glimpse inside the palace by having an expensive dinner at one of its restaurants or visiting the museum. The museum mostly displays old photos of the Maharaja and his family. There's a vintage watch and car collection as well. If you're into that kind of thing, it's worthwhile going there. Otherwise, you may be disappointed as you'll get to see very little of the palace.

Location: Airport Road, Jodhpur.

Entry Cost: Museum entry fee is 50 rupees (free for hotel guests). Camera fee 30 rupees.

Opening Hours: 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily.

 

Mandore and Mandore Gardens

Mandore was the capital of the Marwar region before Jodhpur was founded but now it's in a sad state of disrepair. There's an old fort, as well as an eclectic collection of temples and cenotaphs, and a small museum, in the Mandore Gardens. It could be a really attractive tourist spot if it was properly maintained. The monuments are in ruins and garbage is often scattered around. It's still worth a visit though, for the amazing architecture and history of a bygone era. The best time to go is during the week, when it's quietest. If you love monkeys, you'll find plenty there.

Location: 8 kilometers north of Jodhpur.

Entry Cost: Gardens are free. Museum 50 rupees.

Opening Hours: Gardens, daily from sunrise to sunset. Museum, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday to Thursday.

 

How to Reach

 

By Air: The Jodhpur Airport is 5 km from the city center. Regular flight services connect the city with other major cities in and around Rajasthan. There are daily flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur.

By Train: Jodhpur is well connected by railway lines. Trains to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata are easily available. The Palace On Wheels also visits this city of royal splendor.

By Road: Another convenient mode of transportation to Jodhpur is by road. The main highway between Jodhpur and Jaisalmer is via Agoli and Pokaran. The highway is well connected with Agra, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Delhi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer and Udaipur by bus.