Jodhpur Travel Guide

Jodhpur This bustling desert city is the second largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur and has landscape dominated by the massive Meherangarh Fort topping a sheer rocky ridge. The old city is fenced by 10 km long wall with eight Gates leading out of it. The new city is outside the walled city. Rao Jodha, a chief of the Rathore clan, founded the city in 1459 and it is named after him.

Balsamand Lake & Palace

An enchanting picnic spot with cool breeze weaving through the lush grove of mango, guava, papaya and other fruits. A placid artificial lake with a summer palace on the embankment. It was built by Balak Rao Parihar in 1159 AD. The serene surroundings will leave you at peace with yourself.

In fact they flourished so well that managed to oust the Pratiharas of Mandore, just 9 km of present day Jodhpur. By 1459 a need for more secured capital lead to the founding of Meherangarh Fort on its rocky perch and Jodhpur was thus founded by Rao Jodha. The Rathores enjoyed good relations with the Mughals and Maharaja Jaswant Singh (1678) supported Shah Jahan in the latter's struggle for war of succession.

Only problematic relationship they had was with Aurangzeb. After Auranzeb's death Maharaja Ajit Singh drove out Mughals from Ajmer and added it to Marwar. In the reign of Maharaja Umed Singh Jodhpur grew into a fine modern city. The quintessence of Jodhpur was its valour and equestrian skill. Polo has been the traditional sport of the Jodhpur nobility since medieval times. Jodhpur has two railway stations, City and Rai ka Bagh both are outside the walled city.

The bus stand is right outside the Rai ka Bagh Station. The High Court is a while from the bus stand after the Umed Gardens, after which is located the tourist reception centre and RTDC Hotel Ghoomer. Ahead is the main market and entry in to the wall from Sojati Gate. This area also has many hotels. Jodhpur is also military and air force station and has a large cantonment and airbase.

Places of Interest in Jodhpur

Umaid Bhawan Palace : Built by Maharaja Umaid Singh (1929 -1942) and named after him, this exquisite palace is also known as Chittar Palace because of the local chittar sandstone used. It is a splendid example, of Indo-colonial and art deco style of the 30s. A unique feature of this palace is the fact that the hand chiseled sandstone blocks have been put together in a special system of interlocking, there is not mortar binding.

Places of Worship in Jodhpur

Christian : Summer Memorial Church (Protestant and Methodist) D- Road, Sardarpura. St. Patricks Church (Catholic) Near Railway Hospital.

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Jodhpur Exucrsions

Mandore Garden : Mandore was the capital of Marwar before the foundation of Jodhpur. Today, its extensive gardens with high rock terraces make it a popular local attraction. The highlight of this place is the "Hall of Heroes" which houses sixteen gigantic figures, chiseled out of one single rock. The statues are either of popular Hindu deities or famous folk deities. The royal cenotaphs or "Devals" of Jodhpur rulers on a high plinth crowned with souring spires, ornate carving are amongst other attractions of the Mandore. The longest and fines of all cenotaphs, are those built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh and Maharaja Ajit Singh.

Villages Safari in Jodhpur

Villages Safari in Jodhpur