Jodhpur

Jodhpur "The Sun City" was founded by Rao Jodha, a chief of the Rathore clan, in 1459. It is named after him only. Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India was previously known as Marwar. Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan. It is divided into two parts - the old city and the new city. The old city is separated by a10 km long wall surrounding it. Also it has eight Gates leading out of it. The new city is outside the walled city.

Jodhpur is a very popular tourist destination. The landscape is scenic and mesmerizing. Jodhpur city has many beautiful palaces and forts such as Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhavan Palace and Rai ka Bag Palace. Other charms of Jodhpur include Government museum and it's beautiful Umed garden. The city is known as the "Sun City" because of its bright and sunny weather throughout the year.

Jodhpur History

Jodhpur history revolves around the Rathore Clan. Rao Jodha, the chief of the Rathore clan, is credited with the origin of Jodhpur in India. He founded Jodhpur in 1459. The city is named after him only. It was previously known as Marwar. The following paragraphs will tell you more about the past of Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

The Rathores were driven out of their original homeland, Kaunaj, by Afghans. They fled to Pali, near to the present day Jodhpur. Rathore Siahaji married the sister of a local prince. This helped the Rathores to establish and strengthen themselves in this region. In some time they ousted the Pratiharas of Mandore, just 9 km of today's Jodhpur. Initially, Mandore served as their capital, but, by 1459, Rathores felt a need for a secure capital. This lead to the formation of Jodhpur, the Sun City, by Rao Jodha.

The Rathores enjoyed good relations with all the Mughals, except Aurangzeb. Maharaja Jaswant Singh even supported Shahjahan in his struggle for succession. After Aurangzeb's death, Maharaja Ajit Singh drove out Mughals from Ajmer and added it to Marwar (now Jodhpur). Under the reign of Maharaja Umed Singh, Jodhpur grew into a fine modern city.

During the British Raj, the state of Jodhpur was the largest in Rajputana, by land area. Jodhpur prospered under the British Raj. Its merchants, the Marwaris, flourished endlessly. They came to occupy a dominant position in trade throughout India. In 1947 India became independent and the state merged into the union of India. Jodhpur became the second city of Rajasthan.

Jodhpur Culture

Jodhpur is set at the edge of the Thar Desert. This imperial city echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. In the past, it was the capital of the Marwar state, founded in 1459 A.D. by Rao Jodha - the chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs. A high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions encompasses the city. It was once a major trade center. Jodhpur is now the second largest city of Rajasthan.

Regarding the Jodhpur culture, the Jodhpuri people are amongst the most hospitable people of India. They have a typical Marwari accent. The lifestyle in Jodhpur, India is quite fascinating. The folks there wear nice and lovely multihued costumes. The women folk wear wide gathered skirts and a hip length jacket, with three quarter length sleeves, covering the front and back. Women are also love to wear jewelry on many parts of their body. They particularly like to wear specific type of jewelry like the ones worn on the feet, head, forehead, ear, nose, neck, arms, wrist, fingers, waist, etc. Another one of the unique features of the culture of Jodhpur, Rajasthan is the colorful turbans worn by men. The popular tight, horse riding trousers, 'Jodhpurs', took their name from this city only. The main languages spoken here are Hindi, Marwari and Rajasthani.

The graceful palaces, forts and temples strewn throughout the city bring alive the historic grandeur of this city. Lending a romantic aura to Jodhpur, are its exquisite handicrafts, folk dances, folk music and the brightly attired people. The desert people are quite affable. With their sweet smiles and warm hospitality, they win the hearts of the tourists. The famous Marwar festival brings out the festive spirits of the people of this city. The bazaars of Jodhpur have a range of items from tie & dye textiles, embroidered leather shoes, lacquerware, antiques, carpets and puppets to the exquisite Rajasthani textiles, clay figurines, miniature camels and elephants, marble inlay work and classic silver jewellery.

Tourist Attractions Jodhpur

Located on the foothill of a sandstone hillock, the city of Jodhpur seems like an oasis in the vast desert. Jodhpur is one of the favorite tourist destinations in Rajasthan. People from India as well as all over the world visit Jodhpur every year. There are a number of tourist attractions in Jodhpur, enchanting the tourists.

Jodhpur tourist spots stand as a living proof of the splendor, traditions and culture of the Jodhpur. The glorious past of Jodhpur is personified through the various forts, palaces and other monuments of Jodhpur. The main places to see in Jodhpur Rajasthan are:

Mehrangarh Fort: The most magnificent fort in Jodhpur is the Mehrangarh Fort. It is situated on a 150m high hill. Rao Jodha, the then chief of Rathore clan, constructed it in 1459. There are a number of attractions within the fort like several palaces, galleries, a museum, temples and so on.

Umaid Bhavan Palace: One of the fascinating palaces of Jodhpur is the Umaid Bhavan palace. Maharaja Umaid Singh constructed it in 20th century. A part of the palace has now been converted into a hotel and a museum.

Jaswant Thada: Jaswant Thada lies to the left of the Mehrangarh fort complex. It is a royal cenotaph made up of white marble. It was built to commemorate Maharaja Jaswant Singh. Some rare portraits of the former rulers of Jodhpur are also displayed here.

Jodhpur Excursions

There are a number of places to see around the Jodhpur, India. Most of these Jodhpur excursions are related to the past of Jodhpur. Balsammand Palace was Maharaja Sur Singh of Jodhpur as a summer pavilion. Similarly, Mandore was the capital of the ancient state of Marwar, before Jodhpur. Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur got the Jaswant Sagar dam constructed. Like this almost every place around Jodhpur has a history attached to Jodhpur itself.

Here we are mentioning some of the famous excursions around Jodhpur. Do try to see all or atleast some of the following places:

* Mandore

* Ossian

* Balsammand Palace

* Guda Bishnoi

* Jaswant Sagar Dam

* Machiya Safari Park

* Pali

* Sojat City

* Nimaj

* Nagaur City

Fairs and Festivals of Jodhpur

Jodhpur fairs and festivals seem to express the rich culture and traditions Rajasthan. A number of festivals are celebrated in Jodhpur. However the most famous Fairs and festivals in Jodhpur, Rajasthan are:

* Marwar Festival

* Jodhpur International Desert Kite Festival

* Nagaur Fair

The Marwar festival is the most talked about and popular festival in Jodhpur. And Nagaur Fair is almost the second biggest fair in India. And the International Desert Kite festival, even being quite recent, is very famous in and around India.

These Jodhpur, India fairs and festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm. Be it young children or the old people, all of them take part in the pomp and show. They serve as a platform to perform local customs that have been there since times immemorial. So, if you are planning to visit Jodhpur, try to come at such a time so as to experience the popular fairs and festivals here.

Gardens in Jodhpur

One of the best ways to connect with nature is through parks and gardens. The city of Jodhpur, although situated in Rajasthan, has some beautifully landscaped gardens to boast of. The parks and gardens have been developed to attract the tourists. They are a visual treat to the eyes of the tourists, acting as a break from the desert landscape.

On your tour to Jodhpur you should visit the various parks in Jodhpur, India. There are quite a few beautiful Jodhpur gardens for the purpose of sightseeing. Some of the famous gardens of Jodhpur, Rajasthan are mentioned below:

Mandore Garden : The rocky terrain and the cenotaphs of Jodhpur's former rulers make this garden attractive to tourists.

Umed Garden : Umed garden has a zoo along with an aviary which acts as a special attraction to kids.

Nehru Park : Developed specifically for children, this park is famous for its fountains, ponds, etc.

Make sure you visit these gardens whenever you get a chance to visit Jodhpur. The children specifically enjoy these parks.

Museums in Jodhpur

One of the places of interest in Jodhpur are the museums in Jodhpur. They attract tourists in ample numbers. The Jodhpur museums in Rajasthan, India are reminiscent of the history of Jodhpur, especially the royalty of the past. Also displayed in the museums are the samples of the art and craft of the region and some other exquisite collections.

The main museums in Jodhpur, Rajasthan are:

Government Museum : It is situated in the middle of Umaid public Gardens.

Umaid Bhavan Palace Museum : A part of the palace complex, this museum displays a range of items belonging to the royal family.

Mehrangarh Fort Museum : A part of the fort complex, this museum has a wide collection of old royal palanquins.

When in Jodhpur, do visit these museums to get a feel of the royal past of Jodhpur. It will be an enriching experience, especially for the children.

Jodhpur Lakes

The most peaceful and relaxing place for a person is by the lakeside. The tranquility of the water lends calmness to the mind in this hectic and forever running world. Whenever we go on a holiday trip, we are trying to get away from the maddening pace of the world. What better way to compose and comfort the mind than visiting a lake.

Jodhpur lakes offer you their placidity to sooth as well as refresh your mind. There are a number of famous lakes around Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Following are the names of some of these lakes:

* Balsammand Lake

* Kaylana Lake

* Sardar Samand Lake

Make sure to visit these lakes, while in Jodhpur. They are a virtual treat to the eye. Most probably, you will get a sense of composure and serenity after spending some time there.

Jodhpur Temples

Religion and worship are deeply rooted in the people of Jodhpur. There are not only Hindu temples in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Rather, there are places of worship in Jodhpur, India for people of every religion. Jodhpur has churches for Christians, mosques for Muslims, gurudwaras for Sikhs and even Jain temples for Janis. This shows the amount of religious freedom in the city.

Here we are providing you with the list of the famous Jodhpur Temples:

* Chamundaji Temple

* Raj Ranchhodji Temple

* Achal Nath Shivalaya

* Siddhanth Shiv Temple

* Rasik Bihari Temple

* Baba Ramdeo Temple

* Udai Mandir

* Kunj Bihari Temple

Apart from these you can also visit the following temples, while in Jodhpur:

* Rameshwar Mahadev Temple

* Ganesh Temple

* Badli Behron

* Ghanshyamji Temple

Shopping in Jodhpur

One thing which most of the people do on a holiday trip is to shop. It is something like a must do. Shopping in Jodhpur is an exciting and rewarding shopping experience for the visitors. It is the homeplace of many talented and skilled craftsmen. They include textile dyers, metal engravers and die-makers. Jodhpur still, probably, has the last of the tailors of the classic 'Jodhpur' breeches. While in Jodhpur, don't forget to buy the famous Jodhpuri Suit. It gives a royal identity to your dressing. Jodhpur is regarded as one of the most famous hub for wholesale export operations in India and attracts significant number of European and North American dealers. Shopping attractions of Jodhpur include the popular items of Jodhpur and the markets where you can buy them.

The popular items of Jodhpur, Rajasthan are:

* Antiques

* Bandhini

* Footwear

* Mathaniya's Red Chillies

The following lines provide information about the main Jodhpur, India shopping places and their famous items:

Sojati Gate: The famous items available here are Tie and Dye Sarees.

Station Road: This market is famous for Leather, Embroidered shoes and Utensils.

Tripolia Bazaar: You can shop here for local Handicrafts and Textiles.

Mochi Bazaar: Here you get the famous Lac works like Lac bangles.

Nai Sarak: Buy Tie and Dye dresses, Leather items and Handlooms from this market.

Clock Tower: Apart from the well-known item "spices", this is another place to shop for Handicrafts and Textiles.

Accommodation in Jodhpur Rajasthan

The problem of places to stay in Jodhpur can be easily tackled. There are a number of Hotels in Jodhpur. Accommodation in Jodhpur, Rajasthan is available to suit tourists of every budget. Low budget accommodation is also easily available in Jodhpur.

Following are some of the popular Jodhpur Hotels:

* Hotel Karni Bhawan

* Hotel Ajit Bhawan

* Ghoomar Hotel

* Umaid Bhawan Palace

* Ratanada Polo Palace

* Taj Hari Mahal Jodhpur

* Rajputana Palace

* Raj Basera

Apart from these, there are a number of low budget hotels also for accommodation. Still other options for staying include Guest houses. Anywhere you stay in Jodhpur, you will always feel at home.

Jodhpur Weather

Jodhpur Climate is of an extreme type, with the variations in temperature range being very high. Weather in Jodhpur, Rajasthan is dry and hot, a typical desert weather. The average annual rainfall is approximately 32 cm. In summer, the maximum temperature is around 42 deg and the minimum temperature is around 37 deg C. In winters, the maximum temperature is around 27.5 deg C and the minimum temperature is around 15.5 deg C. Jodhpur is bright and sunny throughout the year. The best season to visit the city is between October and March, when the climatic conditions in Jodhpur, India are the best.

How to Reach Jodhpur

In the following paragraphs, we have provided information about the modes of transportation to Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Jodhpur, India travel is quite easy and accessible. Read on to know "How to reach Jodhpur":

How to reach Jodhpur By Air: The Jodhpur Airport is 5 km from the city center. Regular flight services connect the city with other major cities in and around Rajasthan. There are daily flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur and Jaipur.

How to reach Jodhpur By Train: Jodhpur is well connected by railway lines. Trains to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata are easily available. The 'Palace on Wheels' also visits this city of royal splendor.

How to reach Jodhpur By Road: Another convenient mode of transportation to Jodhpur is by road. The main highway between Jodhpur and Jaisalmer is via Agoli and Pokaran. The highway is well connected with Agra, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Delhi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer and Udaipur by bus.

Local Transport: Means of transport in Jodhpur include Taxis, Auto-rickshaws and Tongas. Taxi stand is near the main railway station. Auto-rickshaws are best suited for the narrow lanes of the old city. You can also explore Jodhpur with a bicycle.