An Introduction

Jodhpur is the second largest city of Rajasthan. Jodhpur lies very near to the geographical centre of Rajasthan and hence, is a perfect tourist place and is popular among the domestic and international tourists. Jodhpur is a blend of modern and traditional culture of Rajasthan where centuries old giant monuments stand tall with the modern buildings and institutes. The two main pillars of the economy of Jodhpur City are the handicrafts and the tourism. The city is known for various hand furnished items such as wooden furniture, textiles, utensils, sporting goods, ink, glass bangles, carpets, cutlery and marble product. The city is also known as the ‘Sun City’ or the ‘Blue City’ as the houses of the city are generally painted in sky blue color and one can see the skyline of the city dominated by blue color. Its population is above a million and is a metropolitan city.

History of Jodhpur

Jodhpur was founded by Rao Jodha in 1459 when he fought and won this land from the Gurjar kings of Gujarat. The region was earlier known as Marwar, but later its name changed to Jodhpur on the name of Rao Jodha. The Hindu epic Ramayana mentions the rule of Ahirs in the area before the invasion by Jodha of Mandore who converted this into his capital. Jodhpur went under the Mughal rule after Battle of Panipat.

Tourist Attractions in Jodhpur

The City has some of the most marvelous example of Indian architectural monuments. The major tourist attractions in Jodhpur are-

Mehrangarh Fort

This World Heritage Site fort was said to be built by Rao Jodha in 1459 but historians believe that it was present there even before the construction started. However, Rao Jodha was the one to give this fort the brilliance which it has today. It stands tall 400 feet above the city and its enchanting beauty has attracted the visitors from the world. Several big Hollywood and Bollywood movies have been shot here. There is a museum inside the fort which displays the costumes, weaponry, palanquins, the jewellery and other things which were used by the royal family. The Mehrangarh fort complex has various enticing buildings and this place give a panoramic view of the whole city of Jodhpur.

Jaswant Thada

This is the memoir of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II of Jodhpur built by his son Maharaja Sardar Singh. The monument has several cenotaphs one is the main with three others. Build with sheets of white marble which has been carved with brilliant detailing work. The main cenotaphs also have portraits of the other Maharajas of Jodhpur.

Umaid Bhawan Palace

The palace built using golden yellow sandstone, marble and wood was actually planned to give employment to famine struck citizens of Jodhpur by Maharaja Umaid Singh. The palace is situated on the Chittar Hill and is one of the largest palaces in the World. The palace is divided into three parts one is the luxurious hotel, one is a classy museum and the other is the residence of the present royal family of Jodhpur. The amazing palace is a brilliant example of Indo-Saracenic architecture with Indian style detailing and Indo-Deco interiors.

Mandore Temples and Gardens

Before shifting the capital to Jodhpur, the Rathore royal clan used to live in Mandore. The millennia old Mandore Fort ruins are what left in this place, however, the remaining temples and cenotaphs have very impressive architectures. The Mandore Gardens have several cenotaphs and a pond which are surrounded by lush green gardens.

Languages Spoken in Jodhpur

 The languages that are used by the locals are Hindi, English and Marwari language.

Famous Festivals in Jodhpur

The highly celebrated festivals are Gangaur, Teej, Naag Panchami, Marwar Festival and Baba Ramdev Pir Fair.

Cuisines of Jodhpur

The most celebrated festivals in Jodhpur are Dal Baati Choorma, Pyaz Kachori, Spicy Mirchi Bada, Ker Sangri, Besan Gatte ki Sabji, Ker Sangri and the sweets include the Rabri, Jalebi, Ghevar, Raab, Laapsi, Mawa Kachori, Malpua, Besan Barfi and Motichoor ke Laddu.

Climate in Jodhpur

The climate of Jodhpur is hot and semi-arid. It is very hot during summers and cold during winters. The best time to visit is from the months of October to March.