Jodhpur Tourism
Some Interesting Facts About Jodhpur
- The sun city of Jodhpur is the second largest city of Rajasthan and is known as the Blue City on account of the bright blue painted houses that surround the hill on which the formidable Mehrangarh fort is situated.
- The Mehrangarh fort in Jodhpur has been the site for many Bollywood and Hollywood movies, the most famous being the Batman blockbuster The Dark Knight.
- The ancient city of Mandore, about 10 kms north of Jodhpur, is believed to have been the hometown of Mandodari, the chief wife of the demon king Ravana of Lanka, who was killed by Lord Ram.
Amidst the sand dunes of Rajasthan, lies a blue oasis called Jodhpur. Formally known as Marwar, Jodhpur in Rajasthan is its second largest city and is divided into two parts – the old and the new cities. Jodhpur is the place where heritage meets royalty as it houses the largest private mansion in the world, Umaid Bhawan Palace.
Jodhpur is the place where art, royalty, heritage, religion, chivalry come together. One can see the traces of this city in the Ramayana. Till 1100CE, Jodhpur was a part of the Gurjara – Pratihara empire and ruled by Bargujar King. In 1559, Jodhpur was founded by Rao Jodha, a Rajput chief of the Rathore clan. This city has witnessed the rule of different clans. Thus, Jodhpur has always been known as the land of the Rajputs, Mughals and Marwaris, especially as land of the brave Rajputs.
Jodhpur, which welcomes the sun with open arms, is repeatedly called the “Sun City” due to its sunny weather throughout the year. It is also referred to as the “Blue City” due to the vivid blue-painted houses around the Mehrangarh Fort. The elegant palaces, forts and temples sprinkled throughout Jodhpur bring to life the historic splendor of this city. It is also famous for its exquisite handicrafts, folk dances, folk music, and the brightly attired people.
This city was flourishing immensely during the reigns of the Marwaris. Since, Jodhpur is strategically located between Gujarat and Delhi, it has occupied a dominant position in trade throughout India.
Things to shop in Udaipur:
- Bandhej Sarees and Dress Material
- Mojris or Jootis
- Handicrafts: Handmade wooden showpieces
- Spices and Tea
- Textiles: Rugs, Scarves, Duvet Covers, etc.
Best Places to Shop in Jodhpur:
Sojati Gate:
This market is lined with the best of Rajasthani traditional apparel, handicrafts, jewellery, and bandhej fabrics.
Mochi Bazaar:
This is the right place to buy famous Jodhpuri juttis. Choose from a wide range of footwear with different patterns, colours, sequins work, and embroidery. Apart from footwear, you can also buy junk jewellery here. Don’t forget to buy Lac bangles from here.
Nai Sarak:
Don’t forget to purchase traditional bandhej from Nai Sarak. Take home tie and dye saris, suit pieces, Jodhpuri coats and turbans with intricate patterns and bright colours from this place.
Things to Eat in Jodhpur:
- Makhaniya Lassi
- Mawa Kachori
- Pyaaz Kachori
- Mirchibada (A preparation made with potato, onion, chili and gram flour)
- Panchkuta
- Lal Maans
Some of the popular sweets of Jodhpur are:
- Mave ki Kachori
- Besan ki Chaaki
- Maakhan Vade
Places to Eat in Jodhpur:
Mehran Terrace
Enjoy a candle-lit dinner under the stars with live musical and dance performances at Mehran Terrace. This is the perfect place to indulge in scrumptious Rajasthani food. Mehran palace is an ideal place to enjoy every occasion.
Timings: 7:30 AM to 10:30 PM, Open on all days
Address: Mererangarh Fort Area, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Gypsy Restaurant
Gypsy restaurant is the right place to enjoy Rajasthani cuisines. Serving pure vegetarian food, Gypsy Restaurant has won the hearts of many since its establishment in 1991.
Timings: 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM & 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Address: 689, 9th C Road, Sardarpura, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Jharokha
Located on the rooftop of a Haveli, and overlooking the huge Mererangarh Fort, Jharokha serves best of North Indian cuisines. This restaurant offers an elegant seating arrangement, and a stunning view of the Blue City
Timings: 7:30 AM to 10:30 PM, Open on all days
Address: Hotel Haveli, Makrana Mohalla, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Jodhpur Travel Information:
Summer (March to October): 40°C – 42° C
Winter (November to February): 10°C – 24° C
Best time to visit Udaipur:
The best time to visit Jodhpur is between the months of October and March.
How to Reach Jodhpur:
By Air: Jodhpur airport is 5 km away from Jodhpur city. There are daily flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur and Jaipur.
By Railways: There are frequent trains which run to and from Jodhpur connecting Jaipur, Mumbai and Delhi. One can enjoy the scenic beauty of Rajasthan by travelling in the luxurious train, Palace on Wheels.
By Roadways: Approximate distance of some of the important cities from Jodhpur are Ahmedabad 454 km, Jaipur 330 km, Udaipur 275km, Delhi 585 km and Mount Abu 313 km.
