Jodhpur travel guide
Jodhpur Tourism | Jodhpur Guide
You're Going to Love Jodhpur
Famous for its blue architecture and the imposing bulk of Mehrangarh Fort, the walled city of Jodhpur is a gorgeous, captivating and a seemingly timeless wonder - a city of bazaars, incense, temples and winding lanes. It's a magical slice of Indian beauty.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Jodhpur
1. The Dazzling Blue Buildings
When you arrive, you'll instantly see why Jodhpur is known as the Blue City. Most of the city's homes are painted a soft shade of blue to keep them cool in summer, and it creates a stunning effect.
2. Mehrangarh
Towering over the city, Mehrangarh is almost 600 years old. Never conquered, it is an impressive construction and offers incredible views over the roofs of the Blue City.
3. A Chance to Hear Traditional Indian Music
Every October, Jodhpur hosts a wonderful festival called Jodhpur Riff, which sees India's top musicians playing in the grounds of Mehrangarh.
4. Unforgettable Bazaars
Shopping in locations like Sadar Bazaar is a world away from the malls of America. Haggle for colorful fabrics and jewelry, share chai tea with traders and stock up on artisan wooden carvings.
5. The Desert City of Jaisalmer
Almost as beautiful as Jodhpur, Jaisalmer is a few miles to the northwest and touring the forts and temples of the Golden City is a must for visitors to the region.
What to do in Jodhpur
1. A Fort Of Magnificence
No story of Indian royal rule can start, finish or, indeed, flourish without a military fortification. The magnificence of the Mehrangarh is a testament to how decadent the Jodhpur royal rule truly was. Built at its rise in 1459, this impressive fortress stands 492 feet above sea level, like a silent but flaring watcher over the city. The fort's complex keeps visitors occupied for hours. An introduction to Jodhpur begins in the fort's palaces, sprawling courtyards, ample gardens, beautiful galleries and silent temples.
2. Preserving Royalty's Days Past
The beauty of Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum has today been perfectly preserved and converted into a hotel for experience and a museum for commemoration. There is nothing quite like getting up amidst these palace's pink and white marble walls, roaming its stunning gardens and cavernous halls, and spending the day taking in Jodhpur's history through its museum collections. Descendants of the once-royal rulers of Jodhpur still live and occupy space in this incredible palace today!
3. A Mausoleum Fit For Kings
Situated a ways to the left of the incredible Mehrangarh Fort is its mausoleum, built to commemorate Jodhpur's royal rulers. Because so many of the resplendent structures, palaces and cenotaphs still remain intact, Jodhpur retains a distinct sense of a modern city that is somehow still fixed in a monarchical time. The regal air is something tangible you'll feel as you explore the mausoleum's intricate marble carvings. While this used to be the traditional cremation grounds for the rulers of Jodhpur, Jaswant Thada exudes nothing but opulence, with its massive courtyards, little umbrella turrets, vast terraces and stunning views of the red-city.
4. The Home Of Heroes
The Mandore Gardens are all that's left of a former capital of the Marwar kingdom. Its tiered pagoda-like roofs, beautifully carved Indian-style columns, balconies and terraces today house the cenotaphs of previous rulers of Jodhpur. Though the past is everywhere, even today, the gardens are well maintained and the building structures open out into the lush greenery of a landscaped rock garden. As thousands of visitors make their way to the gardens every month, you'll be in good company as you view one of the best chambers: a "Hall of Heroes", where iconic Indian deities are carved side-by-side with Rajasthani folkloric heroes. This is where the gods and mortals come together amidst spectacular architecture.
5. One Lake For All
As the city's sole water source for consumption, Kaylana Lake, a man-made body of water built by Pratap Singh in 1872, holds a special place in the hearts of locals. Visitors to the lake can expect to see the sloping hills of its banks, plenty of beautiful birds, and gorgeous temples such as Laxmi Narayan Mandir and Bullet Baba Temple. Spend the day boating on its serene surface or set up an afternoon picnic in the sun, shaded by native Acacia trees.
1. A Fort Of Magnificence
No story of Indian royal rule can start, finish or, indeed, flourish without a military fortification. The magnificence of the Mehrangarh is a testament to how decadent the Jodhpur royal rule truly was. Built at its rise in 1459, this impressive fortress stands 492 feet above sea level, like a silent but flaring watcher over the city. The fort's complex keeps visitors occupied for hours. An introduction to Jodhpur begins in the fort's palaces, sprawling courtyards, ample gardens, beautiful galleries and silent temples.
2. Preserving Royalty's Days Past
The beauty of Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum has today been perfectly preserved and converted into a hotel for experience and a museum for commemoration. There is nothing quite like getting up amidst these palace's pink and white marble walls, roaming its stunning gardens and cavernous halls, and spending the day taking in Jodhpur's history through its museum collections. Descendants of the once-royal rulers of Jodhpur still live and occupy space in this incredible palace today!
3. A Mausoleum Fit For Kings
Situated a ways to the left of the incredible Mehrangarh Fort is its mausoleum, built to commemorate Jodhpur's royal rulers. Because so many of the resplendent structures, palaces and cenotaphs still remain intact, Jodhpur retains a distinct sense of a modern city that is somehow still fixed in a monarchical time. The regal air is something tangible you'll feel as you explore the mausoleum's intricate marble carvings. While this used to be the traditional cremation grounds for the rulers of Jodhpur, Jaswant Thada exudes nothing but opulence, with its massive courtyards, little umbrella turrets, vast terraces and stunning views of the red-city.
4. The Home Of Heroes
The Mandore Gardens are all that's left of a former capital of the Marwar kingdom. Its tiered pagoda-like roofs, beautifully carved Indian-style columns, balconies and terraces today house the cenotaphs of previous rulers of Jodhpur. Though the past is everywhere, even today, the gardens are well maintained and the building structures open out into the lush greenery of a landscaped rock garden. As thousands of visitors make their way to the gardens every month, you'll be in good company as you view one of the best chambers: a "Hall of Heroes", where iconic Indian deities are carved side-by-side with Rajasthani folkloric heroes. This is where the gods and mortals come together amidst spectacular architecture.
5. One Lake For All
As the city's sole water source for consumption, Kaylana Lake, a man-made body of water built by Pratap Singh in 1872, holds a special place in the hearts of locals. Visitors to the lake can expect to see the sloping hills of its banks, plenty of beautiful birds, and gorgeous temples such as Laxmi Narayan Mandir and Bullet Baba Temple. Spend the day boating on its serene surface or set up an afternoon picnic in the sun, shaded by native Acacia trees.
Where to Eat in Jodhpur
There are some exceptional restaurants dotted around Jodhpur. Highlights include the rooftop eateries Indique and Jharokha, Risala (which is located in the Umaid Bhawan Palace) and Nirvana, where vegetarian food is the center of attention. Meals cost around RS200-400.
When to visit Jodhpur
If you want to avoid the intense heat of mid-summer, try visiting between October and March. October is ideal for music fans, with Jodhpur Riff in town.
How to Get to Jodhpur
Plane
Jodhpur has daily connections to Mumbai and Delhi. Taxis from the airport will cost around RS200.
Train
There are plenty of rail connections to cities like Delhi, Jaipur and Ahmedabad. Journeys from Delhi should cost around RS365.
Car
From New Delhi, take Highway 48 to Beawar, then Highway 25 to Jodhpur. Highway 48 also runs north from Ahmedabad.
Bus
Buses run to Jodhpur from all regional cities, as well as New Delhi and Mumbai. Buses from the capital Delhi will come to about RS500.
Where to stay in Jodhpur
Ghantagar - Lying underneath the fort, Ghantagar is the city's commercial center and the hub of the ancient Blue City.
Popular Neighborhoods in Jodhpur
Navchokiya - Also within the ancient walls, Navchokiya is more chilled out than Ghantagar and has some of the most beautiful blue architecture in the city.
Mehrangarh - Dominating the city, Mehrangarh is a huge fortress complex that hosts concerts and festivals and has endless appeal for history lovers.
Where to stay in popular areas of Jodhpur
Most booked hotels in Jodhpur
How to Get Around Jodhpur
Public Transportation
Most locals get around via three-wheeled autorickshaws, which charge less than taxis and weave in among the crowds and traffic.
Taxi
Taxi rates in Jodhpur vary between vehicle types but should be around RS30 for the first mile or so, then RS25 for every mile after that.
Car
Car rental companies in Jodhpur include Car4Hires, National Car Rentals and Jodhpur Car Hire. Expect the daily rate to come to around RS400.
The Cost of Living in Jodhpur
Shopping Streets
If you want to shop for gorgeous fabrics, jewelry, handicrafts and antiques, head to markets like Sadar or Nai Sadak. Clock Tower and Sojati Gate are other bazaars that are well worth exploring.
Groceries and Other
If you need to grocery shop, try supermarkets like Reliance Fresh or Big Bazaar, where 12 eggs will cost approximately RS60.