Jodhpur

State

Jodhpur , the second largest city in the state, is a popular tourist destination, featuring many palaces, forts and temples, set in the stark landscape of the Thar desert. The city is known as the Sun City for the bright, sunny weather it enjoys all year. It is also referred to as the Blue City due to the blue-painted houses around the Mehrangarh Fort.

Image Credit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tdayal/91203812/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xoto/39920572/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/selmer/5370919047/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/selmer/5370868709/in/photostream

History

Founded by a Rathore chief, the city of Jodhpur took its name from its founder ruler- Rao Jodha in 1459 AD. The natural fortifications of the place were greatly enhanced by the construction of the highly barricaded Meherangarh Fort that was virtually impregnable.

Jodhpur had friendly relations with Mughals, having entered into a matrimonial alliance with them but the friendly relations got soured when Jodhpur didn't support Aurangzeb in the Mughal war of succession and he captured the city on becoming the king of the Mughal Empire.

Ajit Singh restored Jodhpur to its former glory after the fall of Mughal Empire. The looming threat of Marathas was taken care by signing a treaty. After the fall of the Marathas, the ruling family of Jodhpur signed a treaty with the British. This arrangement continued till Jodhpur became a part of independent India.

Accessibility

Air: Jodhpur airport is connected to Jaipur, Delhi, Udaipur and Mumbai by daily regular flights. The Airport is nearly 5 km away from the city center. Taxi charges about Rs 150 and three wheeled rickshaw cost about Rs 50 from airport to city. Delhi is the nearest international airport, which is well connected to all major cities in India and abroad. Delhi is nearly 600 km away from Jodhpur.

Rail: Jodhpur railhead is an important junction in the North Western railway zone in India. Jodhpur is well connected to all major cities in India including Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Jaipur, Jailsalmer and Mumbai.

Road: Rajasthan Road Transport Corporation provides bus services to all cities in Rajasthan from Jodhpur. Private deluxe buses are available from Jaipur (345 km), Delhi (600 km), Jaisalmer (290 km), Bikaner (240 km) and Agra (580 km). The deluxe bus charges varies between Rs 3 to Rs 4 per kilometer.

Shopping

Jodhpur has a flourishing trade in exports and imports. Many foreign traders come directly to Jodhpur bypassing other Indian cities. Expectedly, therefore, a wide variety of items are available in Jodhpur. The handicrafts and antique pieces of the place are most popular. Other popular items include silver jewellery, leather goods, carpets and durries, textiles and furnitures. The central shopping place of Jodhpur is known as Ghasmandi Bazaar.

The city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan is famous for its ethnic clothes, exquisite handicrafts and intricately carved furniture.

A walk through the markets of Jodhpur selling mirrors, sequins, beads, lehengas and turbans will be a peep into the world of glitz and color and ethnic splendor. While shopping in Jodhpur remember to buy a pair of mojiris or traditional Jodhpuri shoes at the Mochi Bazaar as a beautiful souvenir from the city of Jodhpur. For textiles, you can choose from the bales of brightly colored cloth, bandhini, tie and dye and block prints at Kapra Bazaar. The government emporiums like the National Handloom Corporation, Salawas Durry Udyog are places to check out for quilts, carpets and wooden furniture and handicrafts.

Accommodation

Jodhpur known for its culture and heritage is a popular tourist destination in Rajasthan.Hotels in Jodhpur are paragons of culture and traditional hospitality. It will be a unique experience to stay in a heritage hotel in Jodhpur to get a taste of the royal splendor.

Jodhpur hotels offer a range of packages to suit the budget of the luxury seeker and the budget traveler alike. Most of the hotels are conveniently located in the main town near the airport and the railway station.

Hotels in Jodhpur offer delectable cuisine, be it Indian, Chinese, Continental and Mughlai.You should try typical Jodhpuri flavors like Kachouri, a snack eaten with Chutney, ladoos and buttermilk or lassi.

Some of the prominent hotels in Jodhpur are:

Five Star Deluxe Hotels in Jodhpur

Taj Hari Mahal
Umaid Bhavan Palace

Four Star Hotels in Jodhpur

Hotel Abhay Das
Hotel Ratanada Polo Palace

Three Star Hotels in Jodhpur

Quality Inn Chandra
Two Star Hotels in Jodhpur
Hotel Ratan Vilas

Heritage Hotels in Jodhpur

Ajit Bhawan Resort
Hotel Balsamand Lake Palace
Karni Bhawan

Attractions

Marwar Festival
The Marwar Festival is organized in the Hindu month of Ashwin (Sept-Oct) in the city of Jodhpur. It is dedicated to the folk heroes of Rajasthan. Also known as Rajasthan Maand Festival, this festival lasts for two days during the full moon of Sharad Poornima. The main feature of the Marwar Festival is the Rajasthani folk music that revolves around the romantic and passionate lifestyle of the former rulers of Rajasthan. This classical folk music is known as Maand.

Marwar Festival of Jodhpur, Rajasthan is a kind of display of the heart capturing folk music and dance of the Marwar region. One can see the folk dancers with pots on their heads and folk singers bringing to life the bygone era of the state. They provide a window to the past days of yore, of battles and of brave and noble heroes. Apart from this, the other attractions of the festival include the camel tattoo show and camel polo. Against the backdrop of Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mandore and Mehrangarh fort, this festival gains an added attraction.

Nagaur Fair
The Nagaur Fair of Rajasthan is mainly known for cattle trading, which takes place extensively at the fair. Lasting for eight days, the Rajasthan Nagaur Cattle Fair is organized in the Hindu month of Magha (Jan-Feb). The venue of the fair is Nagaur, one of the most scenic Rajput towns. It is the second largest cattle fair of Rajasthan. As many as 70,000 (approximately) bullocks, camels and horses are traded every year in the Nagaur fair.

To make them attractive, the animals are adorned with various accessories in an extravagant manner. At the same time, the owners, themselves, are seen showing off their colorful turbans and long moustaches. Apart from the business of cattle trading, there are a number of other attractions at the fair. At the Nagaur fair, the biggest Mirchi (red chili) Bazaar (market) of India is organized. Other items traded at the fair include wooden items, iron-crafts, camel leather accessories, etc.

The Nagaur Fair also offers a lot to those wanting to have some fun. Sports organized at the fair include tug-of-war, camel races, bullock races and cockfights. Other means of entertainment are jugglers, puppeteers, storytellers, and campfire evenings, adding to the excitement of the tourists. Echoing through the peace and serenity of the desert, the folk music of the Jodhpur lends further serenity to the mind.

District
Jodhpur
STD Code
0291
Termperature
Summer 24-45°C, Winter 5-20°C
Best time to visit
September to March