Unique Picture Around the World: Jodhpur India Tourist Attractions

Jodhpur is the second largest city in the state of Rajasthan, India. It is called the Gateway to Thar, as it is literally on the edge of the Thar desert. It is also called the Sun City as the sun shines (very bright and hot!) almost every day of the year.

The word jodhpurs owes its etymology to this city. (riding breeches, cut at the hips but tight fitting from knee to ankle, usually worn while riding horses or playing polo).

Jodhpur is an historic city and the origin dates to the year 1459 AD when it was founded by Rao Jodha, the Rajput chieftan of the Rathores. The Rathore kingdom was also known as the Marwar and was the largest in Rajputana.

The city was built as the new capital of the state of Marwar to replace the ancient capital Mandore, the ruins of which can be seen near what is now the Mandore Gardens. The people of Jodhpur and surrounding areas are hence also commonly called as Marwaris.

Jodhpur is also known as the Blue City, an apt name as most houses in the old city are shades of blue. This is particularly noticeable on the north side of the town, known as Brahmpuri for the many Brahmins that live there.

The forts and palaces, temples and havelis, culture and tradition, spices and fabrics, colour and texture, a booming handicrafts industry, all add up to make this historic city worth a visit.

The Regional Tourist office run by the Government of Rajasthan is located at RTDC Hotel Ghoomar, High Court Road, ☎ +91 291 2545083

Transport

Jodhpur is well connected by road, rail and air to all major cities and towns.

By plane
Jodhpur (IATA: JDH) (ICAO: VIJO) is connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Udaipur; the airport is about 5 km from the city centre. Take a taxi or autorickshaw from the airport to your hotel.

Contacts for the airport counter are +91 291 2512617, +91 291 2511516.

By train
Jodhpur is an important division of the North Western zone of the Indian Rail network . It is well connected by direct trains from all metros and major cities in India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner, Ajmer, Alwar, Agra, Kanpur, Allahabad, Gaya, Kolkata, Indore, Lucknow, Varanasi, Patiala, Chandigarh, Kalka, Jammu, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad.

The popular Mandor Express leaves Delhi at 8:45 PM and arrived in Jodhpur at 8 AM the next morning (Rs 1,000 in AC2).Jodhpur is connected to Mumbai by daily train Suryanagari express which departs from Jodhpur at 18:45 hours and from Bandra Terminus(Mumbai) at 13:30 hours and takes 17 hours.

From Jodhpur to Agra Fort : train number 2803. Sleeper AC 3 tiers Rs 500 . Departure at 8PM, and arrival at 6:30AM.

The taxi stand and auto-rickshaw stand are located near the exit of the railway station.

The advance reservation office is on Station Road, between the railway station and Sojati Gate. The office is open from Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm and on Sunday until 1.45 pm IST. If you are a foreign tourist, you can also buy Indrail passes in USD and reserve tickets at the International Tourist Bureau ; this counter is located at the advance reservation office. You can also book your tickets online at IRCTC, the official booking site on the internet, from 0:30AM-11:30PM IST on all days.

By car/taxi
Various tour operators and travel agencies 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.

By bus
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 as well as the cities of Ahmedabad and Delhi.

Inside City

Tourist Cabs (Taxis) - ply on a minimum distance/hour per day basis.

Mini buses - public transport is available but chaotic and not advisable except when on a shoestring budget.

Car Rental - There are many car rental companies available.
The narrow lanes of the inner walled city of Jodhpur are best traversed by cars, but can also be explored by bicycle or motorcycle/scooter.

Auto Rickshaws (unmetered) - negotiate before you get on board.

Hotels Accommodation / 5 Star Hotel / 4 Star Hotel / 3 Star Hotel

Jodhpur Tourism

Mehrangarh Fort dominates the city and is the largest fort in all Rajasthan. Founded in 1458 as the site of Rao Jodha's new capital — hence the name, Jodhpur — the city has grown around it, and in the 500 years that have passed the fort has never been taken by force. It's easy to see why: it occupies the entire top of a 150 m hill with commanding views all around, with some three kilometers of massive ramparts built around the edges. An english owned company 'Flying Fox' operate a zip tour out of the beautiful Chokelao Gardens within the fort.

The name "Fort" belies the size of the complex, which houses the Maharaja's palace, several temples and, tucked away in the back, an extensive garden still farmed to this day. Highlights within the palace include:

Moti Mahal (Pearl Hall) : Pearl-colored inside and decorated with colored glass windows, this is where the Maharaja held his audiences, with the five alcoves on the far wall allowing his queens to listen in.

Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Hall) : Just what the name says.

Phool Mahal (Flower Hall) : The most extravagant of them all, this was the Maharaja's pleasure chamber, for dancing girls and revelry.

Zenana Deodi : The inner sanctum of the palace once guarded by eunuchs, this is where the Maharaja's wives whiled away their days. The delicate sandstone screens and carvings are exquisite.

Chamunda Mataji Temple : Tucked away at the far end of the battlements, this temple is devoted to Rao Jodha's favorite goddess and remains a local favorite to this day.

A number of people are employed here and there to add flavor by dressing in period costume and doing photogenic things like playing traditional instruments and smoke opium (yes, the real thing). Snap away, but they'll appreciate a tip if you do. The museum also includes galleries devoted to howdahs (elephant-mounted seats), palanquins, fine arts, weaponry, and the inevitable Turban Gallery.

An audio tour is available and gives you the right to use a still camera. The audio guide is actually quite good, and gives you information you otherwise wouldn't get from signs within the fort.

Entry to the fort is free each year on it's birthday (about the 12th of May), and is not as crowded as you would think.

Historical sites

Jaswant Thada
Jaswant Thada , 1 km downhill from Mehrangarh (easily walked - ignore the tuk tuk drivers who try to convince you otherwise, or lie about walking not being allowed). Royal cenotaphs built in marble, with a picturesque location next to a little lake. It is also free on the birthday of the Fort (about the 12th of May).

Mandore : 7 km outside the city. The ancient capital of Marwar, before Jodhpur was built.

Umaid Bhawan Palace : Clearly visible to the south of the city and completed only in 1944, this is the last great palace built in India. The Maharaja of Jodhpur lives here to this day, but half the building has been converted to a 5-star hotel and there is also a small museum on grounds (open 9 AM to 5 PM). You'll have to take a rickshaw to get here, and it's best to ask them to figure on for a round-trip with an hour's waiting time.

Khejarla Fort : located 85 km. from the main city. Situated in a rural setting, the 400 year old, Fort Khejarla offers guests an enlivening experience. The stunning red sandstone monument is an example of the Rajput architecture. The Fort offers picturesque settings, latticework friezes, and intricate Jharoka. To reach Khejarla from Jodhpur, head on Jodhpur Jaipur highway for 73 km. You'll cross Bhavi village and a railway crossing. After railway crossing go 3.5 kms and take a left turn. Then go straight for 12 km and you'll find Khejarla fort.

Natural sites

Balsamand Lake - now converted to a resort

Kailana Lake - a picnic spot and a main drinking water source for the city

Ranisar Padamsar - Ranisar was made by Queen Jasmade Hadi, Rao Jodha's wife in 1459. Ranisar is situated near Fateh Pole in Mehrangarh.

Gulab Sagar Lake - Gulab Sagar water storage was constructed by Gulab Rai in 1788.

Temples

Baba Ramdev Temple, Masuria Hills
Ganesh Temple, Ratanada
Mahamandir Temple, Mahamandir Chauraha
Pal Balaji Temple, Pal Gaon
Santoshi Mata Temple, Lal Sagar
Isqkiya Gajanan Ji Temple, Juni Mandi
Old city

History

According to Rajasthan district Gazetteers of Jodhpur and the Hindu epic Ramayana (composed up to 4th century AD), Abhiras were the original inhabitants of Jodhpur and later Aryans spread to this region.

Jodhpur was also part of the Gurjara - Pratihara empire and until 1100 CE was ruled by a powerful Bargujar King. Jodhpur was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, a Rajput chief of the Rathore clan. Jodha succeeded in conquering the surrounding territory and thus founded a state which came to be known as Marwar. As Jodha hailed from the nearby town of Mandore, that town initially served as the capital of this state; however, Jodhpur soon took over that role, even during the lifetime of Jodha. The city was located on the strategic road linking Delhi to Gujarat. This enabled it to profit from a flourishing trade in opium, copper, silk, sandals, date palms and coffee.

Early in its history, the state became a fief under the Mughal Empire, owing fealty to them while enjoying some internal autonomy. During this period, the state furnished the Mughals with several notable generals such as Maharaja Jaswant Singh. Jodhpur and its people benefited from this exposure to the wider world: new styles of art and architecture made their appearance and opportunities opened up for local tradesmen to make their mark across northern India.
View of the Rajasthan High Court, Sardar museum in Umaid Park and upper right is Jodhpur fort in 1960.

Aurangzeb briefly sequestrated the state (c.1679) on the pretext of a minority, but the rightful ruler Maharaja Ajit Singh was restored to the throne by Veer Durgadas Rathore after Aurangzeb died in 1707 and a great struggle of 30 years. The Mughal empire declined gradually after 1707, but the Jodhpur court was beset by intrigue; rather than benefiting from circumstances, Marwar descended into strife and invited the intervention of the Marathas, who soon supplanted the Mughals as overlords of the region. This did not make for stability or peace, however; 50 years of wars and treaties dissipated the wealth of the state, which sought and gratefully entered into subsidiary alliance with the British in 1818.

During the British Raj, the state of Jodhpur had the largest land area of any in Rajputana. Jodhpur prospered under the peace and stability that were a hallmark of this era.The land area of the state was 23,543 sq mi (60,980 km2) its population in 1901 was 44,73,759. It enjoyed an estimated revenue of £35,29,000/. Its merchants, the Marwaris, flourished without let or limit and came to occupy a position of dominance in trade across India. In 1947, when India became independent, the state merged into the union of India and Jodhpur became the second city of Rajasthan.

Oswal Jains were mainly concentrated in Gorwar Region which was again ruled by Maharaja of Jodhpur . And Oswal jains also played main role in strengthening foundation of Jodhpur by donating mass wealth, gems to Maharaja of Jodhpur & in turn Maharaja of Jodhpur used to honour these wealthy Oswal Jain Merchants as Nagar Seth or various other honourable titles.

At the time of partition, ruler of Jodhpur Hanwant Singh did not want to join India, but finally due to the effective persuasion of Sardar Vallab Patel,the then Home Minister at the centre, the princely state of Jodhpur was included in Indian Republic. Later after State Reorganization Act, 1956 it was made part of the state of Rajasthan.Vishek Vishnoi is living in Jodhpur.