Jodhpur
General Information about Jodhpur

Location: Rajasthan
Attractions: Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mehrangarh Fort
Excursions: Mandore, Ossian
Languages : Rajasthani, English, Hindi

Amidst the sand dunes and thorny vegetation of Thar desert towers a fort, 120 meters above the plain. The fort over looks the imperial city of Jodhpur which is part of the Desert Tourist Triangle. The old Jodhpur city is surrounded by a 10 Km long wall with eight gates serving as entrances. The new city is settled around this walled area. The Maruthal or land of death , came into life when the Rathores' of Kanauj moved in. But the city of Jodhpur was founded by Rao Jodhaji in 1459. This city was on the silk route of the 16th century and hence was host to a number of travellers.

In Jodhpur, the genuis of its sculptors comes to life in its exquisite palaces, forts, temples and havelis which stand as a testimony to the imperial grandeur. The most alluring part of Jodhpur is the traditional lifestyle, festivity and the smiling people who treasure this former Princely state.

SHOPPING:  

The Sadar Market near the clock tower gives immense shopping pleasure to the local as well as the visitors. The colourful but hectic bazaar consists of many narrow lanes, lined with tiny shops. Look for the tie & dye textiles, embroidered leather shoes, lacquerware, antiques, carpets and puppets. Here one can buy exquisite Rajasthani textiles, clay figurines, miniature camels and elephants, marble inlay work and classic silver jewellery.


ACCOMMODATION:

The variety of hotels and guest houses in Jodhpur makes one feel at home. Accomodation here is available to suit tourists of every budget. Hotel Karni Bhawan, Ajit Bhawan are heritage hotels. The Rajasthan tourist department has the Ghoomar hotel. The palace hotels as the Umaid Bhawan Palace, Ratanada Polo Palace, Rajputana Palace. Raj Basera also provides us with good accommodation facilities. There are low budget accomodation too.

CLIMATE: Jodhpur has extreme type of climate with temperature range variation being very high. Average rainfall is 32 cm annually. The best season to visit the city is between October and March.

GETTING THERE: Jodhpur has its own Airport and so flight services are available. The city is also well connected by the railway lines and trains are available for other major cities in the country from here. The 'Palace on Wheels' also visits this city of Royal splendour. The state transport has bus services from other cities of the state and some services are interstate too.

SIGHTSEEING:

Mehrangarh Fort - Situated on a steep hill, Mehrangarh fort is one of the largest forts in India. The beauty and the grandeur of numerous palaces in the fort narrates a saga of hard sandstones yielding to the chisels of skilled Jodhpuri sculptures. 

Umaid Bhawan Palace - The only palace built in 20th century under the famine relief programme, has now been converted into a hotel with some parts being retained as a museum.

Jaswant Thada - The 19th century royal cenotaph is built in white marble, in commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant Singh. Some rare portraits of the rulers of Jodhpur are also displayed here.

Clock Tower & Sadar Market - In the old city clock tower is a prominent land mark. But main attraction is the Sadar market. The market has kept alive the old haat bazaar culture.

Government Museum - This museum has a rich collection of weapons, textiles, miniature portraits, local crafts and images of Jain Tirthankars. It is situated in the middle of the Umaid public gardens.
 

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