Those
who are planning adventure holidays in Rajasthan know very well what Jodhpur
has in store for them. The second-largest city in the state of Rajasthan,
Jodhour was a major trade centre in the 16th century and the distinctions
are quite visible even today. The desert city of Jodhpur sits at the edge of
the expansive Thar Desert and is widely popular for its forts, palaces and
temples. Mehrangarh Fort is the biggest tourist attraction in Jodhpur.
Adventurers flock to the city to enjoy exciting camel safaris across the
desert, which includes riding clumsily walking camels, watching folk dance
performances, enjoying bonfire dinner and collecting legends from travel
guides.
The city of Jodhpur was founded in 1459 A. D. by Rao Jodha-chief of the
Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to be the descendants of Lord Rama.
Major Tourist
Attractions in Jodhpur
The city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan has a number of tourist attractions in
store for travellers and history buffs. A tour to Jodhpur definitely adds to
one's travel experiences. Some of the most visited tour attractions in the
city are as follows.
Umaid Bhawan Palace
Sixteen long years were taken to construct this magnificent palace. The
Umaid Bhawan Palace of Jodhpur stands sprawling over an area of around 26
acres. The palace is named after its builder - Maharaja Umaid Singhji.
Today, one part of the palace stands in the form of a heritage hotel.
Mehrangarh Fort
At first sight, the fort will look like a military sentinel on guard. One
of the biggest tourist attractions in Jodhpur, the Mehrangarh Fort stands on
top of a 150-m-high sandstone hill. Highlights of the fort include Moti
Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Daulat Khana, Sukh Mahal, Phool Mahal etc.
Jaswant Thada
A little distance from Mehrangarh Fort, the Jaswant Thada stands in
dedication to the Rajput warrior-and-king Maharaja Jaswant Singhji. The
royal cenotaph wonderful reflects the architectural brilliance of the
Rajputs. Close to Jaswant Thada are a number of other cenotaphs which are
worth seeing.
Balsamand Lake & Gardens
Yet another popular attraction to be visited during your tour to Jodhpur is
the Balsamand Lake, a 5 km drive from the main city. The Balsamand Lake
Palace spreads over a huge area of 3000 acres. The palace is situated on the
Mandore Road.
Mandore
Before Jodhpur was established, Mandore served as the capital of the Marwar
region. The gardens of Mandore and the royal cenotaphs are the major tourist
attractions here. Mandore is located just at a distance of 9 km from Jodhpur
city and you can easily reach there.
Adventure Tour to Jodhpur
Though India offers a number of adventure activities to indulge in,
adventure in Rajasthan has its own taste and charm. Camel safari in Jodhpur
and Jaisalmer are mostly popular with tourists from around the world. Most
of the safaris originate in Jaisalmer. However, Jodhpur is a safer option to
arrange camel safari in Rajasthan, as it is not tout-ridden like Jaisalmer.
From Jodhpur, you can easily plan and arrange your adventure camel safari
into the Thar Desert. Spending a night under the desert sky, studded with
stars, is an experience of a lifetime.
Shopping Options in Jodhpur
Shopping in Jodhpur can be an exciting experience. There is a colorful
display of rich collection of handicrafts, jutis, slippers etc. Exercising
ones muscles in the cold water of pools can be a refreshing exercise in the
hot city of Jodhpur. Tie-dye fabrics of Jodhpur are also good items to shop
for. Best marketplaces are located around Sojati Gate, Tripolia, Khanda
Falsa and Lakhara. Those who are after jewellery items can head for the
Station Road. The antique dealers of Jodhpur are known for their wide and
rare range of itmes. For purchasing antiques, take a walk along the road
that runs between Ajit Bhawan and Umaid Bhawan.
How to Reach Jodhpur
Moving 5 km from the city centre brings you to the Jodhpur Airport. The
airport has regular flights connecting to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai,
Udaipur and Jaipur. Railway network of Jodhpur provides connectivity to
Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata among others. A good option, if you are
inclined towards luxury, would be to catch the Palace on Wheels, which runs
from New Delhi. Road network links Jodhpur with Agra, Ahmedabad, Ajmer,
Delhi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer and Udaipur.
Taxis, auto-rickshaws and tongas are the local means of transport in
Jodhpur. You can find the taxi stand close to the main railway station.
Settle the price beforehand or you can also hire metered vehicles, where you
do need to haggle.
Heritage/Palace Hotels in Jodhpur
Staying in heritage hotels captures much charm of your tour to Jodhpur. A
number of palace and heritage hotels are available in the city. Hotels which
are much popular with tourists are as follows.
» Ajit Bhawan Palace
» Balsamand Lake Palace
» Devi Bhawan
» Ratan Vilas
» Umaid Bhawan Palace
