Tour Destinations Jodhpur / Holiday Packages Jodhpur
Nestling within the depths of the Thar Desert, is the stronghold of the Rathore clan, Jodhpur, once the capital of the former princely state of Marwar, the second largest city of Rajasthan, after Jaipur. The town was once known as Marwar, which means 'Land of Death', probably, referring to the harsh desert climate. It is an island of marble palaces, cordoned off from the desert by a 10-km-long wall made of stone with eight gates facing different directions built about a century after the city was founded. There are about 100 towers in the city, most of which are surrounded by defensive battlements.
Flanked on its western side by the Mehrangarh fort, and on the eastern side by the stately sandstone Palace of Umaid Bhawan, the monuments, temples and gardens of Jodhpur depict a multi-faceted grandeur.
Founded in 1459 AD., by the Suryavanshi Rao Jodha, Jodhpur was and still is a flourishing trading centre that began its existence in the 16th century, as one of the leading centres of wool, cattle, camels and salt. Jodhpur's fascinating history is replete with sagas that tell the tales of proud kings, brave warriors, court intrigues and colourful stories of valour and romance. Even today, Jodhpur retains much of its medieval flavour and ambience that instantly bring to mind the grandeur and glory of another era. Dotted with palaces, havelis, temples and houses washed pale blue, the city and its people live under the watchful gaze of the imposing Meherangah Fort.
Jodhpur's heart beats in its crowded bazaars, in the maze of jumbled lanes, in the warmth and hospitality of a hardy desert people. The city’s piece de resistance is undeniably the magnificent art noveau and art deco style Umaid Bhawan Palace, residence of the royal family and now a heritage hotel.
From Jodhpur, travellers can explore rural Rajasthan and its desert villages, where the rare black buck, an antelope indigenous to the region, is protected by the Bishnoi people, a local tribe renowned for their environmental concern. In desert dwellings, visitors can taste traditional foods and purchase Bishnoi handicrafts. Also near Jodhpur is Rajasthan's largest group of early Jain and Hindu temples on the outskirts of the small oasis, Osian. No matter what your reason for visiting this blue city, you are sure to fall in love with the romance of the place.
Mehrangarh Fort: One of the largest forts in India, the Mehrangarh fort is the pride of Jodhpur. Situated on a 150 m high hill, this magnificent fort was founded in the year 1469 by Rao Jodha. The fort has seven gates, some of which still stand as a witness to the battles fought by the armies of Jodhpur. The fort houses a number of palaces inside, with extensive patios. The main palaces are Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Takht Vilas and Jhanki Mahal. A museum also finds a place inside the fort, displaying a rich collection of old royal palanquins, arms, paintings, costumes, etc. There are also a number of galleries and temples inside the fort. The Mehrangarh fort is a living proof of the expertise and hard work of Jodhpur artisans.
More About Mehrangarh Fort
Umaid Bhavan Palace: Maharaja Umaid Singh, an admirer of western lifestyles hired a famous Edwardian architect, Henry Vaughan Lanchester, for Umaid Bhavan Palace, Jodhpur. The maharaja got the palace constructed with the intention of providing employment to famine stricken farmers. The palace consists of 347 rooms. Jodhpur Umaid Bhawan Palace was one of the last palaces to be built in India.
The attractions of the palace include the Throne Room (housing fascinating Ramayana murals), a wood-paneled library, a private museum; an indoor swimming pool, a Billiards room, tennis courts and marble squash courts. The Palace has now been converted into five star deluxe palace hotel. The Umaid Bhavan Palace of Rajasthan also houses a museum. On display, in the museum, are an array of weapons, stuffed leopards, clocks and a huge banner presented by Queen Victoria.
Rai ka Bagh Palace: Rai ka Bag Palace was amongst the favorite retreats of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Built by Hadiji, the queen of Maharaja Jaswant Singh I, the palace ranks amongst the popular attractions of Jodhpur
Jaswant Thada: Jaswant Thada is a royal cenotaph built in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. A white marble memorial, the cenotaph is adorned with exquisite carvings. It houses the portraits of the former rulers of Jodhpur. Built like a temple, the Thada is a perfect example of skill of the Jodhpuri sculptors.
Museums: The most famous museum of Jodhpur is the Government museum situated in the Umaid public gardens. It has on display an array of weapons, textiles, miniature portraits local arts and crafts, etc. Along with that, the other museums of Jodhpur are the Mehrangarh fort museum and the Umaid Bhavan palace museum.
Parks and Gardens: There are a number of beautiful parks and gardens in Jodhpur. The Mandore garden houses the chattries (cenotaphs) of the erstwhile rulers. The Umed garden and Nehru Park hold special attraction for the kids.
Temples: There are a number of temples in Jodhpur. One of the famous temples of Jodhpur is the Raj Ranchhodji temple, enshrining a black marble statue of Ranchhodji. Then, there is the Achal Nath Shivalaya, a must see for the devotees of Lord Shiva. For Lord Krishna devotees, there is the Kunj Bihari temple and the Rasik Bihari temple. Some other famous temples of Jodhpur are Ghanshyamji temple, Chamunda Mataji temple, Baba Ramdeo temple and Udai Mandir.
Climate
The climate of Jodhpur is hot and dry. The summer season extends from April to mid October, with the average temperature falling in the range of 42.2° C (max) to 36.6° C (min). The climatic conditions of Jodhpur, Rajasthan are quite pleasant in winters. The average temperature in the winter season is somewhere between 27.5° C (max) to 15.5° C (min). However, in winters, Jodhpur weather might experience cold nights, with the temperature dipping to as low as 3° C. The annual rainfall is approximately 31.87 cm. The best time to visit the city is during the period of October to April.
How to Reach Jodhpur
By Air: The Jodhpur airport is located in the cantonment area of the Jodhpur City. It is well connected to the metro cities in India through direct flights.
By Rail: Jodhpur is well connected by rail to other parts of Rajasthan and important cities and towns of India like Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur.
By Road: A well-developed network of roads connects Jodhpur with other towns and cities of Rajasthan and North India. State roadways and private operators run bus services between Jodhpur and other cities of Rajasthan and North India.
