Jodhpur

Jodhpur

Jodhpur is located in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is the second-largest city in Rajasthan. It is also known as Blue city and Sun City in India. Jodhpur was the capital of the Empire of Marwar. Jodhpur is a famous tourist destination because of many palaces, forts and temples. All of them are set in the landscape of the Thar Desert. It is also said to be the cultural capital of Rajasthan. The old city circles the Mehrangarh Fort. The houses in the old city are painted in a blue color maybe to escape heat. Thus the city is known as Blue city.

Tourist Places in Jodhpur

The most attractive places in Jodhpur are Mehrangarh Fort included under Hill Forts of Rajasthan, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jaswant Thada and the Ghanta Ghar or Clock Tower. Some more tourist sites are in Jodhpur like Kaylana Lake and Garden, Ratanada Ganesh Temple, ISKCON Temple, Sardar Samand Lake and Palace, Masooria Hills, Bhim Bhadak Cave and Balsamand Lake.

Mehrangarh Fort

Mehrangarh Fort is located in Jodhpur which is one of the biggest forts in India. It is built in around 1459 by Rao Jodha. The fort is situated 410 feet above the city and is enclosed by thick walls. Inside its boundaries there are numerous palaces known for their carvings and expansive courtyards. The marks of the cannonballs fired by attacking of Jaipur armies can be seen on the second gate. The chhatri of Kirat Singh Soda is in the left side of the fort.  Kirat Singh soda was the soldier who fell on the spot defending Mehrangarh.

There are total seven gates.  Jayapol Gate is also called Victory Gate. It is built by Maharaja Man Singh. It shows his victories over Jaipur and Bikaner armies. Another Gate is Fattehpol gate which is victory gate. It indicates Maharaja Ajit Singhji victory over Mughals.

There is a museum in the Mehrangarh fort which is one of the most famous museums in Rajasthan. Inside musemus, there is a collection of old royal palanquins which was won in a fight from the Governor of Gujarat in 1730.  Museum also displays the heritage of the Rathores in arms, costumes and paintings.

Umaid Bhawan Palace

Umaid Bhawan Palace is one of the world's biggest private residences. It is located in Jodhpur and named after Maharaja Umaid Singh who was the grandfather of the current owner Gaj Singh.  One part of the Umaid Bhawan Palace is managed by Taj Hotels. A part of the palace is a museum. It has 347 rooms and is the main residence of the previous Jodhpur royal family. Today The Palace can be divided into three functional parts – the residence of the royal family, a luxury Taj Palace Hotel, and a Museum. Umaid Bhawan Palace was chosen and awarded as the World's best hotel at the Traveller's Choice Award.

Jaswant Thada

The Jaswant Thada is a cenotaph in Jodhpur. It was made by Maharaja Sardar Singh in 1899 in memory of his father, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. It works as the cremation ground for the royal family of Marwar.

The tomb is made out of intricately carved sheets of marble. These sheets are very thin and polished. This site has a garden and a small lake. There are three other cenotaphs in the grounds in which the cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh shows portraits of the rulers and Maharajas of Jodhpur.

Ghanta Ghar

Ghanta Ghar is also called as the clock tower of Jodhpur.  It was built by Maharaja Sardar Singh and named the market on his name. At present it is in Sardar Market which is also called as Girdikot. Market is famous for traditional clothes, jewelries, foods etc.

Auwa

Auwa is a village which is located in the Marwar Junction tehsil of Pali district in Rajasthan. It is around 13 km from Marwar Junction railway station. There is an ancient temple of Lord Shiva (Kameshwar Mahadev) in the Auwa. It is said that it is made in the 11th century.

Kaylana Lake

Kaylana Lake is an artificial lake which is built by Pratap Singh in 1872. The lake spreads over 84 km2 areas. In olden days this site had palaces and gardens made by two rulers of Jodhpur - Bhim Singh and Takhat Singh. These were destroyed to create Kaylana Lake.

It receives its water from Hati Nehar which is further linked to the Indra Gandhi canal. The site is surrounding with the natural vegetation here mostly consists of Babool trees (Acacia nilotica). Many migratory birds such as Siberian cranes can be seen here in the winter season. Kaylana Lake is a source of drinking water for the city of Jodhpur and all the surrounding towns and villages.

Balsamand Lake

Balsamand Lake is a lake on Jodhpur-Mandore Road. It is located around 5 kilometers far from Jodhpur. The Lake is made in 1159 by Gurjara-Pratihara rulers. It is a famous picnic place today. It was made as a water reservoir to arrange water to Mandore.

Balsamand Lake Palace

The lake is surrounded by lush green gardens like mango, papaya, pomegranate, guava and plum.  This site has animals and birds like the jackal and peacock also. It is very pleasant site for nature loving people.

Cuisine

A lot of verities of cuisine are available in Jodhpur like Gatte Ki Sabzi, Makhaniya Lassi, Pyaaj Ki Kachori, Dal Bati Churma, Kadhi Pakoda with Baajre Ka Sogra, Lasan Ki Chutney, Mirchi Ka Kutii, Ker Sangri Sabzi, Lapsi and Aate Ka Halwa.

How to Reach

By Air: The nearest airport is Jodhpur Airport. Private and Government Buses, cabs and rented taxis can be taken easily from outside of the airport to reach the city.

 By Rail: The Nearest railway station is the Jodhpur railway station. It has good train connectivity with other major stations in Rajasthan and from Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Kolkata. Jodhpur railway station is also well connected to others tourist places in Rajasthan such as Jaipur and Udaipur. Traveling by train within Rajasthan is a good and cheap option.

By Road: Jodhpur has good road connectivity to various part of the country. State transport buses are regularly available. Sleeper buses are available from Delhi or Ahmedabad to Jodhpur. It is typically an overnight journey and reaches in Jodhpur in morning. This journey is quite cheap and comfortable.

Best time to Visit

Jodhpur can be visited any time of the year. The best time is to visit it from October to March. These months are enjoyable. Although these months are very cold but this time is a good to visit the forts of Jodhpur. April to September is very hot so avoided these months for visiting.