Desert City with forts and monuments, also known for white marbles mined at Makrana, near Jodhpur. It is also known as the 'blue city'.
Video: Jodhpur fort and the blue city
Background:
The desert city of Jodhpur is the second largest city of Rajasthan (after Jaipur).
It was founded and is named after Rao Jodha, the chief of Rathore clan in 1459. The region is known as Marwar and it flourished under the reign of Maharaja Umed Singh.
Located at the edge of the Thar desert, with the massive Mehrangarh fort looming in background, the old Jodhpur city is surrounded by 10 km long wall with 8 gates, each facing different directions. The new Jodhpur lies outside the walls.
Polo has been the traditional sport played by the royalties and today Jodhpur is the perfect blend of old with new.
It has history written all over the place and at the same time is a bustling city with many hotels and comforts for the tourist. It also is a military and airforce base.
Video: Zipline (flying fox) at the Mehrangarh fort
What to see:
Mehrangarh Fort
Location: On the hill, 5 km from Jodhpur city
On top of 150 m hill, the Mehrangarh Fort is one of the most magnificent and formidable forts of Rajasthan. It was built by Rao Jodha in 1459 and the later kings added to the structure. It has 7 gates and many cannons by the walls. Spread over an area of 5 km, it has a great view of the Jodhpur city located below. It has a museum, which is one of the finiest museum of Rajasthan and houses good collection of heritage of Rathores including arms, paintings and costumes. Phool Mahal within the fort was made by Maharaja Abhaya Singh (1724 - 1749), is a very ornate room with gold, paintings and was the private chamber of the dancing girls. The Jhanki Mahal, which used to be the place from where the royal ladies used to watch the official proceedings now houses richly decorated royal cradles.
Jaswant Thade
Location: On the way down from the Mehrangarh fort
Also known as the Taj Mahal of Marwar, it was built by Maharaja Sardar Singhji in the memory of his father, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II in 1899. It is a beautiful marble monument with the main structure built like a temple with intricate carvings and sculptures.
Umaid Bhawan Palace
With 347 rooms, it was the biggest private residence in the world. Built by Maharaja Umaid Singh, it is also the last of the great palaces built in India. It has a library, museum, indoor swiming pool, tennis court, billiards room, and a squash court made of marble. It is said to have been constructed to give employment to the famine struck farmers of Jodhpur.
Today it has been converted into a super luxury heritage hotel and a part of it is a museum, which houses, amongst other items, weapons and a large collection of clocks.
Mandore Garden
Location: 8 km from Jodhpur
Mandore was the former capital of Marwar rulers. The Mandore Garden has many cenotaphs of the former rulers, which are built like Hindu temples. The cenotaph of the Maharaja Ajit Singh (1678-1724) is the best of them all. All the cenotaphs are laid out by beaufitul landscapped gardens. Nearby is the shrine of 3 hundred million god, which has brightly colored images of many Hindu gods. A little further from the garden is the ruins of the Mandore city and its old palace.
Giridkot and Sardar bazar
Location: In the heart of the city
These are popular with tourists where one can buy wide range of handicrafts and other items.
Video: Jodhpur fort and walk through the streets
Places nearby:
Guda
Location: Bishnoi village
It is a pond where one can see many birds and wildlife like antelopes and black bucks.
Osian
Location: 58 km from Jodhpur
The ancient desert town is an oasis, where tourists can stay in camps and is famous for evening camel rides followed by night of traditional music and dancing. There are also many Jain temples nearby.
Kalina Lake and Machiya Safari Park
Location: On the way to Jaisalmer
A picnic spot and nice place to see wildlife like deer, monitor lizards, monkeys etc and many species of birds.
Sajot City
Location: Near Pali town at the banks of the Sukri river on the way to Udaipur or Mount Abu.
A small city famous for the traditional art of Mehndi or Heena. Many tourists come here to have their hands and feet painted decoratively by Mahndi.
Nagaur city and Ahhichatragarh fort
Location: 135 km from Jodhpur
The desert city surrounded by fort, which was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar and Shah Jahan. The beautiful fort has well laid out Mughal style gardens.
Video: The super luxurious Umaid Bhawan Palace
Reaching there:
Air:
Jodhpur has a domestic Airport, which is 5 km from city center. There are flights connecting it with Delhi, Udaipur, Jaipur, and Mumbai.
Rail:
Jodhpur is very well connected by rail with Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Mumbai, Udaipur, Kolkata, Chennai etc.
Road:
NH 14 passes through Jodhpur. Jodhpur is very well connected by good roads with cities and towns of Rajasthan. It can be reached from Jaisalmer via Pokaran.
There are regular buses from Agra, Delhi, Ajmer, Ahmedabad, Udaipur etc.
Video: White marble mines at Makrana
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