A popular travel destination in Rajasthan, Jodhpur is a sunny city set against the bright blue sky and is called the ‘Blue city since a number of houses and walls of the city are painted blue in color. The city of Jodhpur was founded in the year 1459 by Rao Jodha, the chief of the Rathore clan at the time.
After being driven out by the Afghans from their homeland in Kannauj, The Rathore clan fled to Pali, where they established marital ties with the local kingdom which increased their strength. Following which they drove out the Pratiharas from Mandore and established the town as their capital. Later as the need for a more secure capital arose, the Rathores decided to settle in the beautiful city of Jodhpur.
Jodhpur’s sublime architecture is what catches the eyes of the tourists while sightseeing. Jodhpur offers its visitors an unbeatable blend of modern and ancient that divides the city neatly into two parts, Old and New.
The Old Jodhpur is crammed with the famous blue painted houses, consistently mushrooming hotels catering to hippie culture, and those interested in witnessing the rustic side of this one of the favorite getaways in Rajasthan. On the other side, the New Jodhpur area teems with malls, high end accommodations, amusement parks, cafes and lounges.
However, one cannot overlook the gorgeous suburb of Jodhpur that is adorned with lakes like Kaylana, and the places nearby such as the Osian village, dotted with beautiful ancient Hindu and Jain temples with a desert area for camel safari. Indeed, Jodhpur is an enriching and fulfilling experience for family vacations, honeymoon, history lovers, students, and for that matter, even for solo travelers.
Apart from Mehrangarh and Umaid Bhawan Palace, the top places to visit in Jodhpur include the white marbled Jaswant Thada, Mandore Garden, and the Masuria Hills, popular for offering panoramic views of the city. There are also a large number of Hindu temples in Jodhpur, beckoning an ideal destination for pilgrimage tours. Another must see place is the Sardar Government Museum that displays ancient inscriptions, coins, sculptures, etc.
While Jodhpur is famous for its palaces and architecture, it is equally known for its Pyaaz Kachori, Mirchi Bada and Mawa Kachori, among other delicacies.
Read along to find out the top tourist destinations in Jodhpur as we bring to you a travel guide on Jodhpur tourism.
Forts and Palaces
Perched on top of a hill at a height of 410 feet above the city of Jodhpur is the most beautiful structure of the city, the Mehrangarh Fort. Built in the year 1459 by Rao Jodha of the Rathore clan, the fort is an architectural marvel and is steeped in history.
The fort has 7 huge gates which were built by different rulers at different points of time and were made as a reminder of their victory in battles. The fort houses a number of magnificent palaces namely,the Phool Mahal, Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Jhanki Mahal, Takhat Vilas and Zenana Mahal, and now functions as a museum.
The Phool Mahal is the most elaborate palace in the fort. As the name suggests, Phool Mahal was designed to look like the most beautiful flower, and it does. The palace was made by Maharaja Abhaya SIngh and was intended to be a pleasure chamber for the King
The interior of the palace is laden with gold, uses a colorful palette, and is adorned with paintings and intricate carvings on its walls and ceilings. The built and design of the palace are a fine testament to the extravagant taste of the royals.
Moti Mahal translates to ‘Palace of pearls’ is considered to be the biggest palace at Mehrangarh and was made by Raja Sur Singh as a darbar or the court where he would listen to the concerns of his subjects.
The palace earns the name due to its surface being covered with a mixture of finely crushed seashells and lime plaster which gives it a shiny look. The intricacies of its interior with the beautiful mirror work, religious paintings and stained glass windows make the palace a sight to behold
The Sheesh Mahal or the Palace of Mirrors is another exquisite palace in Mehrangarh Fort. The palace is known for the marvelous interior with its walls and ceilings covered in mirrors of different sizes and the walls adorning painted panels of various Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Sheesh Mahal was built by Maharaja Ajit Singh and was one of his private chambers.
Built by Maharaja Takhat Singh, the Takhat Vilas served as his residence during his reign and displays a blend of Rajput and British architecture. The walls and ceiling of the palace are decorated with paintings which showcase stories from Hindu mythology.
The Jhanki Mahal was built for the women of the royal family to observe the royal ceremonies since they were barred from coming into public view, and so they observed the ceremonies through the windows of the palace.
This palace at Mehrangarh Fort called the Zenana Mahal was built for the royal women and was kept separated from the men’s quarters. The royal women lived at the palace and spent a lot of their time here. The noticeable architecture of the palace includes structures made of sandstones and intricate carvings.
Another marvel at Jodhpur by the Rathore dynasty is the Umaid Bhawan Palace. Built by Maharaja Umaid Singh, it is another place for tourists to explore. The Palace is divided into three parts, a luxury stay hotel, museum and the private residence of the royal family of Jodhpur.
Temples of Jodhpur- Carved for the Gods
Apart from the majestic palaces and forts, Jodhpur also has some mesmerizing temples as well. Take a look at them while on your trip to the city.
The Chamunda Mata Temple was built by Rao Jodha of the Rathore dynasty, and is situated at the Mehrangarh Fort.
The Rathore King brought the deity of Goddess Chamunda from the previous capital of Mandore to Jodhpur and established it at the temple. The story of the temple revolves around the making of the Mehrangarh Fort.
Apparently before the King decided to build his capital at this hilltop, it used to be a residing place of a certain Sage, who did not wish to move even after multiple requests by the King. As a result, he was forced to leave the hilltop by the King’s troop. He left, but cursed the kingdom will forever face water scarcity and drought. To avert this curse, the Chamunda Mata Temple was set up. Another marvelous temple at Jodhpur is the Mahamandir Temple. The beautiful temple is a Shaivite temple and is supported by 84 intricately carved pillars. The temple is a popular site for tourists when they visit Jodhpur due to its exquisite architecture and is a place you must visit on your trip to the city.