Jodhpur is the second largest desert city of Rajasthan unfolding the charisma of its glorious past. Offering a unique royal privilege in its beautiful palaces, forts and temples, Jodhpur also enchants its visitors with a mind blowing blue colour that dominates the city cape.
 | Set at the edge of the Thar desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 A.D. by Rao Jodha-chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama - the epic hero of the Ramayana. The massive 15th century A.D. Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125 Mts. Above |
History Of Jodhpur
Jodhpur history revolves around the Rathore Clan. Rao Jodha, the chief of the Rathore clan, is credited with the origin of Jodhpur in India. He founded Jodhpur in 1459. The city is named after him only. It was previously known as Marwar. The following paragraphs will tell you more about the past of Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
The Rathores were driven out of their original homeland, Kaunaj, by Afghans. They fled to Pali, near to the present day Jodhpur. Rathore Siahaji married the sister of a local prince. This helped the Rathores to establish and strengthen themselves in this region. In some time they ousted the Pratiharas of Mandore, just 9 km of today's Jodhpur. Initially, Mandore served as their capital, but, by 1459, Rathores felt a need for a secure capital. This lead to the formation of Jodhpur, the Sun City, by Rao Jodha.
The Rathores enjoyed good relations with all the Mughals, except Aurangzeb. Maharaja Jaswant Singh even supported Shahjahan in his struggle for succession. After Aurangzeb's death, Maharaja Ajit Singh drove out Mughals from Ajmer and added it to Marwar (now Jodhpur). Under the reign of Maharaja Umed Singh, Jodhpur grew into a fine modern city.
During the British Raj, the state of Jodhpur was the largest in Rajputana, by land area. Jodhpur prospered under the British Raj. Its merchants, the Marwaris, flourished endlessly. They came to occupy a dominant position in trade throughout India. In 1947 India became independent and the state merged into the union of India. Jodhpur became the second city of Rajasthan.
Tourist Attraction in Jodhpur
The Mighty Meherangarh Fort :
One of the largest forts in India, the Meherangarh 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.
| Burnished red sand stone, imposing, invincible and yet with a strange haunting beauty that beckons. Much has been written about the Citadel of the Sun, for truly, it is one of the most impressive in all Rajasthan. So colossal are its proportions that Rudyard Kipling called it “the work of giants”. Today, it is acknowledged as the finest living example of a Hindu fortress. The fort houses a number of palaces inside, with extensive patios. The main palaces are Moti Mahal, Phool |  |
The other major palaces in Meherangarh fort are the Sheesh Mahal and the Rang Mahal. Sheesh Mahal or Mirror Palace as the name suggests is resplendent with mirrors. Although not in the same league as the Sheesh Mahals you will find in Bikaner and Amber, but it is still worth a look. The highlight of the palace are the wall paintings you will find of various Hindu deities. The most exquisite pictures are the ones depicting Krishna, Shiva, Parvati, Rama, Sita, hanuman, Ganesh, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga. The Rang Mahal too is laced with mirrors and ornamented with fine mirror work.
Some of the famous Temples of the Meherangarh fort in Jodhpur are :
Nagnechiji Temple - To the extreme right of the fort complex is located the Nagnechiji temple, the family temple of the Rathore dynasty. The Nagnechiji idol was brought to Marwar in the early 14th century by Rao Dhuhad, and after Meherangarh was constructed the idol was placed there.
Chamunda Devi Temple - Adjacent to it is a temple dedicated to Goddess Durga, called the Chamunda Devi Temple. The idol of Durga was brought by Rao Jodha (the founder of Jodhpur) himself, but it was destroyed in a gunpowder explosion in 1857. It was reconstructed by Takhat Singh who reigned between the years 1843 and 1873.
The precincts of the fort house two tanks as well, which was the main source of water to the residents of the complex. The Gulab Sagar or Rose-Water Sea is the larger of the two and situated to the south of the complex. The other tank is called the Rani Talao or Queen’s Lake which, as the name suggests reserved for the ladies of the zenana (royal ladies).
Umaid Bhawan Palace :
 | Constructed of marble and pink sandstone this immense palace is also known as the Chhittar Palace because it uses local Chittar sandstone. Begun in 1929, it was designed by president of the British Royal Institute of Architects for Maharaja Umaid Singh and took 15 years to complete. 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 Billiard |
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. |  |
Government Museum :
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.
Excursions in Jodhpur :
Balsamand Lake and Garden :
Bal Samand Lake, a 13th century artificial lake, provided with tranquil surroundings is a great place to unwind.
A pretty lake with a Balsamand palace, on its banks. These are built around the artificial lake constructed in 1159 AD.
Mandore :
The beautiful city of Mandore has extensive Mandore Gardens, the imposing Cenotaphs of Maharja Dhiraj Ajit Singh and
| Maharaja Dhiraj Jaswant Singh, government museum, hall of heroes and the fascinating shire of 33 crore gods as its prime attractions. Mandore garden is a popular local attraction. In the Mandore garden, there are the dewals or cenotaphs of Jodhpur's former rulers. The ruined fort and palace of yester years are still intact on the hilltop and below this there is Mandore garden for public amusement. |  |
Osian :
An oasis in the desert situated on the diversion off the main Jodhpur - Bikaner Highway. A drive to this ancient township takes one past undulating terrain, punctuated by desert stretches and little hamlets. Osian has 15 beautifully sculpted Jain and Brahmanical temples.
 | Jain Temples : Osian has 15 Jain temples, the most spectacular of which is the Mahavira temple dedicated to the 24th and last Jain Prophets. The temple was built around 775 A.D. and other smaller shrines were added on to the complex till about the 15th century. The entrance to the temple complex, which was constructed in 1015, has beautiful maidens carved on it, |
The temple complex sits atop a terrace and is built in sandstone. The Mahavir temple, the prima donna among the Jain temples has an inner sanctum and three balconied windows. The temple porch has beautifully ornate pillars and the second porch mandapa was built later. The original spire of the temple got broken and was rebuilt in the 11th century.
The Osian include Sachiya Mata Temple, Surya Temple, Pippala Devi Temple, Vishnu Temple.
Kaylana Lake :
Kaylana is an artificial lake situated 8 km west of Jodhpur. This lake was built by Pratap Singh in 1872. The lake spreads over an area of 84 sq km. In ancient times this region had palaces and gardens made by two rulers of Jodhpur - Bhim
| Singh and Takhat Singh. These were destroyed to make Kalyana Lake. The Dak Bungalow of the Irrigation department is situated near the lake. Boating facilities are also offered to the tourists. For picnics the Kailana Lake is the picture perfect place, famous for a spectacular view of sunset. |  |
Khimsar Fort :
Another pleasurable trip includes "Khimsar Fort" nestled 75 km north of Jodhpur, build in 1523, which is now converted into an upmarket hotel. Other amenities include swimming pool, restaurant and pleasant gardens. Jeep, horse and camel safaris are also arranged here.
Luni Fort Jodhpur :
Fort Chanwa of Luni is an exceptional example of Elegance and Symmetry in Indian architecture of the last century. The entire fortress is carved out of the famous red sandstone of Jodhpur and with its ornately carved lattice work friezes and intricate Jherokas it exquisitely captures the romance and grace of a bygone age.
The Fort is composed of a lyrical complex of courtyards, towers, water-wheels, stables, passages and unexpected stairways to secret pavilions and panoramic roof tops spanning the village below and the Thar horizon beyond.
The traditional paintings on the walls harmoniously reflect the skill of the master craftsmen and the bygone days.
The village of Luni nestles in the shadow of the Fort walls and is a hub of activity with its many artisans fashioning metal, clay or wood into intricate forms and demonstrating the skills passed down over the centuries by their ancestors.
How To Reach
Fly Away: The airport is 5km from city centre. The Indian Airlines Office is south of the Centre on Airport Road and is open daily from 10 am to 1pm and 2 pm to 4.30 pm. It has flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur and Jaipur.
On Tracks: The city is well connected by the railway lines and trains are available from all major cities in the country for here. The booking office is on Station Road, between the railway station and Sojati Gate. The office is open from Monday to Saturday from 8 am to s pm and only until 1.45 pm on Sunday.
On Wheels: RSTC buses and private luxury buses connect Jodhpur with almost all major places of Rajasthan. Jodhpur is well connected to National Highway No. 65.
Shopping In Jodhpur
Jodhpur is famous now, all over the world for handicrafts in wood, iron and camel bone.There are a lot of fabric shops, selling 'bandhini' (very fine tie & dye), hand block prints, silver shops selling jewellery by weight, and antique shops.
The Sadar Market near the clock tower gives immense shopping pleasure to the local as well as the visitors.
The colourful but hectic bazaar consists of many narrow lanes, lined with tiny shops. Look for the tie & dye textiles, embroidered leather shoes, lacquer ware, antiques, carpets and puppets. Here one can buy exquisite Rajasthani textiles, clay figurines, miniature camels and elephants, marble inlay work and classic silver jewellery.
Jodhpur is a veritable shopper's paradise. There are so many markets to fulfill your thrust of shopping viz. Tripolia bazaar, Sarafa bazar, Sardarpura Market, Sojati Gate, National Handloom is most popular departmental shop where one will find all types of accessories and cloths situated in Nai Sarak.
Jodhpur is home to many talented and skilled craftsmen like textile dyers, metal engravers and'die-makers, and probably the last of the tailors of the classic 'Jodhpur' breeches. Especially Jodhpuri suit gives you a royal identity to your dressing.
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