Jodhpur is a popular tourist destination, featuring many beautiful palaces, forts and temples, apart from a stark, scenic desert landscape. The city is known as the Sun City for the bright, sunny weather it enjoys all year. It is also referred as the Blue City, due to the indigo tinge of the whitewashed houses around the Mehrangarh Fort. The blue houses were originally for Brahmins but non-Brahmins soon joined in as the color was said to deflect the heat and keep mosquitoes away. Jodhpur lies near the geographic center of Rajasthan state, which makes it a convenient base for travel in a region much frequented by tourists.
International Flight: There are no direct connecting international flights to Jodhpur. The nearest international airport is Jaipur [300 kms approx.
By Road: The National Highway Number 65 and 112 pass through Jodhpur. Jodhpur can be reached by RSRTC (Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation) buses and private luxury buses which operate from all major towns and cities in Rajasthan like Jaisalmer (5 1/2 hrs), Udaipur ( 5 1/2 hrs), Ajmer (4 1/2 hrs) as well as the cities of Ahmedabad and Delhi. Various tour operators and travel agencies also offer chauferred car-taxi services; these are charged on a per km, per day basis. You can plan to take one to arrive into the city or take one for sightseeing in and around the city.
· Mehrangarh Fort: The most magnificent fort in Jodhpur is the Mehrangarh Fort. It is situated on a 150m high hill. Rao Jodha, the then chief of Rathore clan, constructed it in 1459. There are a number of attractions within the fort like several palaces, galleries, a museum, temples and so on.
· Umaid Bhavan Palace: One of the fascinating palaces of Jodhpur is the Umaid Bhavan palace. Maharaja Umaid Singh constructed it in 20th century. A part of the palace has now been converted into a hotel and a museum.
· Jaswant Thada:Jaswant Thada lies to the left of the Mehrangarh fort complex. It is a royal cenotaph made up of white marble. It was built to commemorate Maharaja Jaswant Singh. Some rare portraits of the former rulers of Jodhpur are also displayed here.
· Kaman art gallery: The Kaman art gallery is an Indian contemporary art gallery .It is the first contemporary art gallery in Rajasthan .There are many famous paintings by Indian contemporary artists. This gallery is located near clock tower Jodhpur, Old fort Road, Kili Khana.
Where To Eat:
Rajasthan is known for its spicy cuisine The traditional Rajasthani dishes like the Mawa Kachori, Panchkuta, Dal Bati Churma, Gatte ka Saag. are a must try. The way the guests are served is truly an experience not to be missed.
Where To Stay:
Since Jodhpur is a popular destination with the tourists, there are a lot of hotels and boarding and lodging facilities available throughout the city.
The city's main shopping drag is Nai Sadak, lined mostly with sari and shoe shops and leading straight into Sardar Market, a full-on bustling Indian market with a barely contained riot of sights, sounds and stinks. The clocktower in the center is a useful orientation point. Popular souvenirs include:
Bandhej sarees and dress material
Mojris or Jootis. Shoes with a pointed front, a must-have accessory if you plan on dressing like a Rajput Maharaja.
Handicrafts these are handmade (made to look like old antiques), the handicraft industry is a booming industry in this city.
One shop stands out from the crowd:
National Handloom, Nai Sadak (and three other outlets around the city). A four-story shop easily identified by their logo of a gloriously mustachioed and turbaned man, the jumble of items inside is authentically Indian, but prices are cheap, clearly marked, and hassle-free. The fourth story houses handicrafts and art, with most of the rest devoted to clothes.
Jodhpur is a traveler’s delight. It is a place where you will find serenity and music in the air. The people are simple and graceful. Every monument and piece in the museum talks of the glory that was a part of culture and tradition of Rajasthan and the Rajputs. This is a place that will delight your senses.
