Jodhpur - The second largest city of Rajasthan, sits on the edge of the great Thar Desert.

Jodhpur is fast becoming a favoured destination in Rajasthan.

Rao Jodhaji, Chief of the Rajput clan of Rathores founded the city in 1459. The city stands at the edge of the Thar Desert and is the second largest city in Rajasthan, after Jaipur. It forms part of the popular Rajasthani tourist triangle consisting of Jodhpur, Jaipur and Jaisalmer. The most prominent feature of the town is the Mehrangarh Fort. It rests on the rocky hill rising 120 meters right in the centre of the town. The fort provides a magnificent view of the distance. Incidentally, the riding trousers called 'jodhpurs' derive their name from this city as Maharaja Pratap Singh got tired of the way his traditional Rajput riding pyjamas would get frayed on the inside of his knees. This Maharaja also came up with the designs for ankle - length Jodhpur boots and the close-collared princely Jodhpuri coat.

A wall 10 miles in length circumscribes the old city of Jodhpur. The wall came up about a century after the old city was built. The new city has risen around the old. The old city is enchanting and one can spend many enchanting hours walking around the ancient streets.

Fair & Festivals in Jodhpur

Marwar Festival (16- 17th October, 2005) Held in October in Jodhpur, this annual, event attempts to showcase the art culture of the Jodhpur region. It ids devoted almost exclusively to song and dances, and the Maand Festival has become a part of this huge region celebration.

Nagaur Fair (135 km)
An imposing fort with beautiful murals. It is also the venue for a weeklong cattle fair held in Jan/Feb every year.

Places to See in Jodhpur

Mehrangarh Fort
Situated on a steep hill 120 meters above the city, Mehrangarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India and the largest in Rajasthan. A ten storey high wall surrounds it. Another gate, the Jayapol, was built in 1806 by Maharaja Man Singh to commemorate a victory over the armies of Jaipur and Bikaner. Fatehpol (victory gate) was built to celebrate a victory over Mughal armies. Lohapol (iron gate) is a stark reminder of the sad history of the place. Within the fort are some magnificent palaces with marvellously carved panels and latticed windows. At one end of the Fort stands the Chamunda Devi temple.

Umaid Bhawan Palace and Museum
This is one of the grandest palaces one can see. Maharaja Umaid Singh completed Umaid Bhawan Palace in 1944 having taken 15 years to build it. It has now been converted into a hotel. With nearly 350 rooms it was once one of the largest private residences in the world. The palace is built in marble and pink sandstone. It is stated that the Maharaja went ahead with the building to provide employment to the local people during a period of famine. However, this grand palace is a reflection of the extravagant life style of the Maharajas.

A part of the palace houses a museum where one can see some of the royal family's possessions that include many weapons, antique clocks and decorative items.

Jaswant Thada
Just off the fort road is the 19th century royal cenotaph built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Three cenotaphs also came up later. There are many portraits of past rulers of Jodhpur on display. The latticework in the complex is exquisite.

Sadar bazar
The colourful market in the old city still throbs with the excitement of culture of the traditional bazaar. Small shops in the narrow lanes of the old city sell almost everything including local ware such as textiles, carpets, marble inlay work and classic silver jewellery.

Girdikot and Sardar Market
These colourful markets with tiny shops dotting the narrow lanes are situated in the heart of the city and are popular for a wide range of handicrafts, making them the favorite haunt of shoppers.

Government Museum, Mandore
9 kms from Jodhpur is this ancient capital of marwar with its gardens and rock terraces. Places to visit include the shrine of 330 million Gods, the hall of Heroes where sixteen huge figures are carved out of a single rock, and the royal cenotaphs.

Balsamand lake & palace
This picturesque artificial lake is 6 kms from the main city. The summer palaces along the embankment and a bird sanctuary have made it a picnic spot. A visit here can be combined with a visit to Sardar Samand Lake and made into a day excursion.

Excursions near Jodhpur

Luni Fort (20 km)
Now converted into a heritage hotel, this fort and its surroundings are worth a visit.

Dhawa (45 km)
A wildlife sanctuary with the largest number of Indian antelopes.

Mandore (8 km)
The ancient capital of marwar has cenotaphs of the Jodhpur rulers. The Hall of heroes has fifteen figures carved out of the rock on the wall which represent Hindu deities. Its beautiful gardens with high rock terraces make it a popular picnic spot.

Kailana Lake (11 km)
The beautiful lake is an ideal picnic spot.

Sardar Samand Lake and Palace
The 65-km drive is very picturesque as you see Rajasthani village life in all its vibrant colours. With luck you will spot Chinkaras and black bucks along the road.

Ossian (58 km)
An oasis in the desert, situated on the diversion off the main Jodhpur-Bikaner Highway. A drive to this ancient township takes one past undulating terrain, punctuated by desert stretches and little hamlets.Ossian has 15 beautifully sculptured Jain and Brahmanical temples. Of these the most outstanding ones are the earlier Surya or Sun Temple and the later Kali temple,Sachiya Mata Temple and the main Jain temple dedicated to Lord Mahavira.

How to Reach Jodhpur

Air: The airport has flights connecting it to Jaipur, Udaipur, Delhi and Mumbai.
Rail: The city is connected by fast trains to Delhi and Ahmedabad. Slower trains are available to other places in the state. The 'Palace on Wheels' includes Jodhpur in its itinerary.
Road: The state transport service runs buses to other cities in the state e.g. to Ajmer - 205 kms, Bikaner - 256 kms, Jaisalmer - 285 kms and Udaipur - 318 kms

Shopping in Jodhpur

The usual Rajasthani Handicraft are available here, but Jodhpur specialises in Antiques. The Ajit Bhawan with the Umaid Bhawan and the well known Abani Handicraft is next to Tourist Bungalow. You will be hard pressed to find any bargains, though this is no reflection on the generally excellent quality of the goods available. The Tie and Dye Fabric, Embroidered ‘Jutis’ or slippers in suede, cancel skin, velvet and more color to the city. It was form here that the popularly worn baggy-tight horse riding trousers, - "Jodhpurs", took their name.

Hotels in Jodhpur

- Umaid Bhawan Palace - Ajit Bhawan Palace - Karni Bhawan - Ratanada Polo Palace - Balsamand Palace

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