As students are now free from examinations and summer is approaching too, everyone is planning a trip with their family members or a romantic trip with their loved ones. How about visiting royal palaces and learning your cultural roots and savouring traditional cuisine? You will get all these attractions in one destination if you are planning your trip in India, i.e. Jodhpur- the bustling Blue City of Rajasthan.
Overview
Jodhpur is famously designated as the Sun City and the reason behind this name is that the sun is visible here first every morning. This city was founded by “Rao Jodha” founded in the year 1459 and the name of the city is given after him. Earlier it was recognised as the capital of Mewar Kingdom. Architectural buffs and tourists from outside India love to visit the gorgeous and captivating city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan due to its dazzling blue buildings, renowned Mehrangarh Fort and its architecture, lively bazaars (Market), fragrance, temples and winding paths and for enjoying camel safari in the desert of Thar.
Jodhpur is a magical slice of Indian beauty so this summer vacation visit the most remarkable places that will complete your Rajasthan Trip!
Mehrangarh Fort, Places in Jodhpur
Mehrangarh Fort is also known as Mehran fort constructed by Rao Jodha in 1459 AD and it is listed among one of the magnificent and largest forts in India. This fort is standing tall at 400 feet above the city level. The importance of architecture is awe-inspiring as this fort took a long period in completion thus it resembles architecture from various ruling periods. Mehrangarh’s main entrance is at the northeast gate, Jai Pol. Many Hollywood movies such as The Lion King, The Dark Knight rises are shot at Mehrangarh fort.
Inside the fort, you can also visit Mehrangarh Museum which resembles Rajputana culture and architecture and is carved from stone lattice artwork. Tourists can enjoy the view of Ranisar Lake and Padmasar lake and flying fox tours offer zipline adventure outside the fort.
- Visiting Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 AM
- Entry Fee:
For Fort: ₹ 60/- for Indians and ₹ 400/- for Foreign Tourists
For Mehrangarh Museum: ₹ 100/- for Indians and ₹ 600/- for Foreign Tourists Certain discount is given to students and senior citizens, ₹ 100/- for photography and ₹ 200/- for videography.
Jaswant Thada, Places in Jodhpur
Jaswant Thada is also popular as the Taj Mahal of Marwar. It is a splendid historical monument of marble at Jodhpur which was established in the memory of King of Mewar, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II by his son Maharaja Sardar Singh in the 19th century. Jaswant Thada is a perfect example of architectural brilliance and the marble carvings are complex. Tourists can enjoy the mesmerising views of the city and Mehrangarh Fort.
Inside Jaswant Thada, you will find the paintings of the Rathore rulers. The grounds of Jaswant Thada consist of a beautiful multi-level garden, summerhouse and a pond. You can also enjoy the stunning view of Umaid Bhawan Palace.
- Visiting Time: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Entry Fee: ₹ 20/- for Indians and ₹ 30/- for Foreigners, Photography: ₹ 25/- and for Videography: ₹ 50/-
Umaid Bhawan Palace, Places in Jodhpur
This palace is a perfect blend of royal culture and modern and luxurious architecture. Umaid Bhawan Palace is one of the largest private hotels in the world situated on the highest point of Jodhpur city. So you can enjoy the stunning view of the city from the top of the palace. It is divided into three portions with 347 rooms, a wooden library, a private museum, indoor swimming pool, unique marble squash courts, billiards room and tennis courts. The palace is a heritage hotel, consists of a museum and the residence of the Royal Family of Raja Gaj Singh.
Now the museum is open to the public, but the hotel is only available to the Royal guests and the public entry inside the residence is prohibited. Recently it has become popular when the wedding of Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas is organised here.
- Visiting Time: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Entry Fee: ₹ 30/- for Indians and ₹ 100/- for Foreigners and children (11yrs): ₹ 10/-
Also Read: Thing You Should Know Before Travelling To Jaipur
Mandore Garden
Mandore Garden is indeed a sight to behold for every tourist visiting Jodhpur. It is situated in Mandore which was once the ruling region of the Pratihara dynasty approx distance of 9 km from Jodhpur. It consists of the famous Hall of Heroes and the temple of Three Hundred Million Gods and gorgeous monuments that are spread all across the gardens. The most beautiful among all monument is of Maharaja Ajit Singh which is worth watching.
It also consists of a Government Museum that contains artefacts and old relics of Pratihara dynasty. The architectural brilliance of Mandore Garden belongs to the bygone era.
- Visiting Time: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- No Entry Fee for strolling inside garden but there is a museum inside it whose entry will cost you ₹ 50/-
Clock Tower, Places in Jodhpur
Clock Tower is a prominent landmark in the Old City and a great place to stroll around and to go shopping at Sadar Bazaar. It was constructed by Maharaja Sardar Singh during his period from 1880 and 1911. The clock tower offers a good view of the Mehrangarh Fort. You can find handicrafts, saris, spices, vegetables and a lot more.
There are more than 7000 shops so what are you waiting for, go and get a great shopping experience?
- Visiting Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- No Entry Fee
Toorji Ka Jhalra
Toorji Ka Jhalra is the most famous stepwell of Jodhpur which is 250 years old and its depth is more than 200 feet. The complex structure of the stepwell is constructed from rose-red sandstone which is found in Jodhpur and constructed by Maharaja Abhaya Singh. Toorji Ka Jhalra showcase the traditional water management system of Jodhpur.
Stepwell is decorated with intricate carvings of dancing elephants, medieval lions, cow waterspouts, and corners which contain various statues of deities.
- You can visit anytime and there is no entry fee for viewing Toorji ka Jhalra
Chamunda Temple
Chamunda Devi Temple is situated inside Mehrangarh Fort and it was built by the founder of Jodhpur i.e Rao Jodha. The main reason behind its construction is to protect Jodhpur from the curse given by an old sage and houses the chief deity of Rajputs. Thus this temple is much respected by the people of Rajasthan. Tourists can attend the maha aarti in the evening.
- Visiting Time: 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM- 9:00 PM
- No Entry Fee
Other Places To Visit In Jodhpur: There are various other locations in Jodhpur, if left with some time after touring the top attractions then you can visit them also such as Fateh Pol, Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park, Kaylana Lake, Mahamandir Temple, Palace of flower or “Moti Mahal”, Chokelo Village and Om Banna temple which is dedicated to a traveller who lost his life on this site with his mysterious Royal Enfield Bullet. You can also visit Balsamand lake and go for a boat ride with your loved ones.
Other Things to do at Jodhpur:
- Tourists can enjoy ear-pleasing traditional Indian Music which is held in Jodhpur every year in the month of October, there you can watch top musicians of India playing on the grounds of Mehrangarh.
- Take your kids on a tour of a Sardar Government Museum which displays desert birds, wooden military biplane designs and ships used in war.
- Jodhpur trip is incomplete without visiting the Sadar Bazaar and lively Clock Tower market for shopping. Buy colourful “Bandhej” work clothes, traditional jewellery and spices, especially the red chillies. Other handicraft items like stone-studded earpieces and leather footwear are also the top things to buy in Jodhpur.
- Try zipline adventure at Mehrangarh fort, you can enjoy camel safari on Thar desert.
- Attend Jodhpur International Desert Kite Festival where numerous helicopters release a thousand kites, also Rajasthan International Folk Festival which is held every year in October after Dussehra and cultural festival of Jodhpur that is Flamenco and Gypsy Festival.
Also Read: Must See Travel Destinations In Udaipur – India
Here we are summing our blog but you can share your experiences of travelling Jodhpur and Rajasthan with us. Which destination attracted you most and how many Rajasthani cuisines you have tried?
