Jodhpur - A Royal Sojourn

Jodhpur, known as the "Blue City" of India, is a captivating destination located in the northwestern state of Rajasthan. The city's nickname comes from the azure-painted houses that adorn the old town, creating a stunning visual contrast against the golden sands of the Thar Desert. The iconic Mehrangarh Fort, a colossal structure that stands tall on a rocky outcrop, dominates the city's skyline and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

The Umaid Bhawan Palace, a splendid blend of Indo-Saracenic architecture, is another prominent landmark, serving as both a royal residence and a luxury hotel. The city's rich history and culture are reflected in its ornate palaces, havelis, and temples.

Jodhpur is a hub for traditional arts and crafts, particularly textiles, with vibrant markets offering an array of colorful fabrics and handicrafts. The city's cuisine is equally enticing, with delicious Rajasthani dishes such as dal baati churma and gatte ki sabzi.

Tourist Places in Jodhpur

Bishnoi Village Safari

The Bishnoi's are a community of Rajasthan who is famous for their rich cultural Rajasthani Life and there true love for nature and animals. A memorable outing in jeeps will lead you to various traditional village seeing in order to witness local handicrafts viz shoe makers, pottery hand weaving, and also men in their traditional attire, women clad with ancestral silver Jewellery, en? route watch and photograph wildlife black buck, chinkaras, peacock, etc. freely moving in abundance protected by "Bishnois" Protectors of wildlife and tree.

Jaswant Thada

TLocated adjacent to Mehrangarh Fort is Jaswant Thada, the graceful marble cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. His son Maharaja Sardar Singh built this monument known as the Taj Mahal of Marwar in the memory of Maharaj Jaswant Singh II of Jodhpur. The main memorial has been built like a temple with intricately carved marble stone. A visit to this structure is through the rocky hills giving it a secluded and a mystic aura.

Mandore Gardens

Mandore is located about 5 miles north of Jodhpur. It was the former capital of Maharajas of Marwar. Later it was abandoned for security concerns regarding the Mehrangarh fort. Its extensive Mandore garden, with high rock terrace, makes it a popular local attraction. In the Mandore garden, there are cenotaphs of Jodhpur's former rulers. Instead of the usual chhatri-shaped cenotaphs typical of Rajasthan, the cenotaphs of the famous Mandore garden of Jodhpur, Rajasthan is built along the lines of a Hindu temple. They are four stories high, with fine columns and an elegant spire, all in red sandstone.

Mehrangarh Fort

It is about 5km from Jodhpur Town. Guarding the city below, the fort was founded by Rao Jodha in 1459 AD when he shifted his capital from Mandore. It overlooks the rugged and rocky terrain and houses a palace intricately adorned with long carved panels and latticed windows exquisitely wrought from red sandstone. The apartments within, have their own magic -the Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace), Phool Mahal (Flower Palace), Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), Daulat Khana with a richly varied collection of palanquins, howdah, royal cradles, miniature paintings of various schools, etc.

Mehrangarh Fort with one way Elevator

Mehrangarh fort is about 5km from Jodhpur Town. Guarding the city below, crowning a perpendicular cliff, the fort was founded by Rao Jodha in 1459 AD when he shifted his capital from Mandore. Standing sentinel to the city below, it overlooks the rugged and rocky terrain and houses a palace intricately adorned with long carved panels and latticed windows exquisitely wrought from red sandstone. The apartments within, have their own magic -the Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace), Phool Mahal (Flower Palace), Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), Sileh Khana and Daulat Khana with a richly varied collection of palanquins, howdah, royal cradles, miniature paintings of various schools, folk music, instruments, costumes, furniture, and an impressive armory. The display of cannons on the ramparts near Chamunda temple is among the rarest in India. As you climb up, folk musicians revive the grandeur of a bygone era.

Ummed Bhawan Palace Museum

Built by Maharaja Umaid Singh (1929 – 1942) and named after him, this exquisite Palace is also known as Chittar Palace because of the local chitter sandstone used in it. It is a splendid example of Indo-colonial and art deco architecture of the 30s. A unique feature of this palace is the fact that the manually chiseled sandstone blocks have been put together in a special system of interlocking. There is no mortar binding. A portion of the palace has been converted into a hotel, the other remains on view to visitors in the form of an excellent museum.