Your trip to Rajasthan is incomplete without a visit to Jodhpur. It is the second-largest city of Rajasthan in India. For its geographical location, the city is also known as the gateway to the Thar Desert. Historically, the state was known as Marwar and thus the local people are called Marwaris. To explore Jodhpur you can cab hire in Jodhpur and go to explore the Blue City.
Why is Jodhpur called the Blue City?
The houses in this city are painted blue. It is believed that the blue colour keeps the temperature inside the houses low. Symmetrical blue coloured houses create a blue city aura. Hence, popularly known as a blue city.
History of Jodhpur
The city of Jodhpur was founded in 1459 AD by a Rajput king known as Rao Jodha. Rao Jodha belonged to the Rathor dynasty of Rajputs.
Jodhpur Tourism
Undoubtedly this city is the crown of the state of Rajasthan. The city’s unique culture, splendid palaces and one-of-a-kind cuisine make it a desirable place to visit in Rajasthan. The second-largest city is well connected to Jaipur and thus one can easily witness the great Rajput hospitality. Here are some places to visit in Jodhpur for tourists:
1 Mehrangarh Fort:
Mehrangarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India. It was built by Rao Jodha in 1459 AD and it is more than 500 years old. The fort is built at a height of 400 feet and the actual height of the Mehrangarh forts is 118 feet. The fort offers a spectacular view of the city from its thick walls. The fort is known for its interactive carvings and spacious courtyards, arched galleries, etc. Mehrangarh Fort is a distinctive symbol of Rajput architecture. The popularity of the fort can be gauged from the fact that many Bollywood and Hollywood films like ‘The Dark Knight Rises‘ were shot here.
Here is an interesting fact about Mehrangarh Fort, “Mehrangarh means Fort of the Sun.”
2 Umaid Bhawan Place:
Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur is your ticket into the royal life of Rajput kings. Part of the sprawling palace has been converted into a super-luxury hotel. Umaid Bhawan Hotel has been acknowledged by many agencies as the best hotel in the world. Bollywood stars Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas got married in this palace. The Palace Hotel has 347 rooms open to guests.
3 Jaswant Thada:
Jaswant Thada is the royal cremation ground for the royal family of Marwar Jodhpur. It was built in the year 1899 in the memory of Jaswant Singh ji by his son. Hence its name was Jaswant Thada. The tomb is built from white marble with interesting carvings and carvings. The paintings of the former rulers of Marwar tell the stories of their lives at that time. Most of the days you can see local artisans sitting on the red steps of Jaswant Thada with their age-old traditional musical instruments. You will also be glad to see those folk songs being sung, although they do not follow a schedule.
4 Roa Jodha Desert Rock Park:
After visiting all the monuments of Sun City, relaxing at Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park is a whole new experience. The place is adjacent to the Mehrangarh Fort and was a victim of negligence over the years. To preserve the ecology of the area, it was protected and converted into a desert rock park in 2006. However, it was opened to the public in the year 2011. It is pleasant to see the flora and fauna of this region. 72-hectare park. Walking through the rocky paths around the fort in the natural environment will give you maximum energy. This uniquely developed concept park adds to the tourism in Rajasthan.
5 Kaylana Lake:
Kaylana Lake is an artificial lake located 8 km from the city of Jodhpur. It is believed that earlier it was the site of gardens built by Bhim Singh and Takht Singh. These were destroyed to form the lake. It was built in 1872 by Pratap Singh. Kaylana Lake is spread over an area of 84 km and is home to many species of birds. If you are going to visit here during the winter season, then you will be stunned to see the sight of thousands of migratory birds. You must include Kaylana Lake in your trip to Jodhpur.
What is the best time to visit Jodhpur?
The best time to visit Rajasthan is from October to March. You can plan a trip to Rathor city in India during the winter season when the trip is supported by pleasant weather.
How to reach Jodhpur, Rajasthan?
The city is very well connected by road and rail to major cities of India including Jaipur. From Jodhpur railway station or Jodhpur airport, you can hire a taxi service in Jodhpur, which is the best way to explore Jodhpur.
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