According to Zipcodesexplorer, The city of Jodhpur is located in the middle of the Thar Desert and is part of the state of Rajasthan. For the blue color of the houses, it is often called the “Blue City”. Jodhpur was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, chief of the Rathura clan. The realm of the Rathuras was once known as Marwar, “the land of death.” Jodhpur was built as the new capital of the Marwar kingdom, and replaced the old capital, the city of Mandore, the ruins of which can be seen today near the garden of the same name.
How to get to Jodhpur
Jodhpur Airport has flights from Delhi and Bombay with transfers in Jaipur and Udaipur, respectively. The airport is located just 5 km from the city. The fare to the city by auto-rickshaw will be about 130 INR, by taxi – about 150 INR.
Express trains depart daily from Jaisalmer (Jodhpur-Jaisalmer Express), Delhi (Mandore Express), Jaipur (Intercity Express).
By bus you can get from Jaisalmer (journey time 5 hours 30 minutes), Udaipur (from 220 INR, 5 hours 30 minutes), Jaipur (from 240 INR depending on the class, 7 hours 30 minutes), Ajmer (4 hours 30 minutes), Bikaner (5 hours 30 minutes), Delhi (from 450 INR depending on the class, 12-14 hours), Ahmedabad (10-12 hours).
Weather in Jodhpur
The climate in Jodhpur is dry and hot, typical of the desert. In summer, the thermometer ranges from 37 to 42 degrees, in winter from 15 to 27. The best season to visit Jodhpur is the period from October to March.
Transport
The taxi rank is located near the main train station. station. Traveling around the city by taxi will cost about 7 INR per kilometer, by auto-rickshaw – 40 INR.
Minibuses are considered public transport. You can also move around the city on auto-rickshaws and tongas – horse-drawn carts designed to carry passengers.
Kitchen
In Jodhpur, you should definitely try Rajasthani delicacies: Makhaniya Lassi – a spicy yogurt drink with cardamom and butter; Mawa Kachori, Panchkuta, Dal Bati Churma, Gatte ka saag, Rice Kabuli, Mirchi Bada, and Gulab Jamun ki Sabji, a recipe known only in Jodhpur.
Shopping
Jodhpur’s main shopping area is Nai Sadak, with the vast majority of shops selling saris and shoes. Nai Sadak merges smoothly into the Sardar Market with a clock tower in the center serving as a good reference point.
Popular souvenirs in Jodphura are saris and fabrics, shoes and handicrafts.
There are also large shops in the city, such as the National Handloom, which is a four-story building overlooking Nai Sadak. Another large store, Nitisha, located in Raikabad, sells ready-to-wear clothing for men and women, silver, semi-precious stones, pillows, sheets and bedspreads, perfumes and souvenirs, and handicrafts.
Entertainment and attractions of Jodhpur
Mehrangarh Fortress, located on the cliffs of Marwar, is connected to Jodhpur by a 5 km long road. Its construction began in 1459 from the time of the foundation of Jodhpur, and it itself was the center of the Old City. Mehrangarh is surrounded by a many-kilometer wall, and palaces and temples are located on its territory. On the road leading to the fortress, there is Jaswan Thada with the tombs of the former princes of the city.
Umaid Bhawan Palace, built in 1929-1943. Umaid Singh is considered the largest private residence in the world. Now most of the building is occupied by a hotel.
Neighborhood
Just 9 km from Jodhpur is Mandore, where there are many architectural monuments. The Mandore Gardens has a government museum that houses various objects and statues found in the area. Two halls can be distinguished in the museum – the “Hall of Heroes”, which contains 16 drawings carved from the same rock, and the “Temple of 33 Gods” hall with images of various Hindu Gods.
8 km from Jodhpur is the man-made lake Kaylana, which has existed since 1872, and 5 km there is another lake, Balsamand, created in 1159 as a reservoir to provide the city of Mandor with water, now the lake is a popular place for picnics.
Developments
In Jodhpur, Gangaur is celebrated annually – a festival of spring, harvest and marital fidelity, the Teej festival, during which Hindu women fast, the Nag Panchmi snake festival, and in October the Marwar festival is celebrated.
