| Indian City Information,
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Jodhpur, the second largest
city of Rajasthan, at the edge of the Thar desert was 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 - hero of the epic 'Ramayana'. The city
dominated by the massive Mehrangarh fort on a rocky hill is
charming with its wealth of historic attractions and colourful
markets which specialises in antiques. It is still one of the
leading centres of wool, cattle, camels and salt.
Situated in western Rajasthan, Jodhpur has long attracted both
the domestic and outside tourist. It not only offers tangibles,
in terms of what you can see and buy but also fills one with
a sense of history and the splendors of an era gone forever.
The hospitality of the locals, the demure women, the colourful
turbans -all set against the unmerciful desert is something
to feel, not just see.
Every pore of Jodhpur tells its own tales of heroic tales that
made legends out of kings and soldiers, romances that continue
to warm the heart and a time when epics were lived out on the
streets by everyday man.
General Info
Population : Approx 2.8 million
Climate : Jodhpur is given to extremities in weather.
With temperatures in summer ranging from a minimum of 20°C to
a maximum of 49°C, summers are not the preferred months for
travel. The winters though, with temperatures hovering between
maximum temperatures within mid twenties to 5-6°C at the lowest
are a great time to visit.
Shopping:
Sojati gate : Gift shop, tie and Dye Sarees
Station Road : leather , Embroidered shoes
and utensils
Tripolia Bazar : local Handicrafts and Textiles.
Mochi Bazar : Lac works and Bangales
Nai Sarak : tie and dye dresses, leathr items,
handlooms
Clock tower : handi craft, textile and spices.
Best times to visit : An extensive green cover ensures
a pleasant season during spring and early winter. The best season
to visit the city though remains between October and March.
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| Places of Interest |
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Mehrangarh Fort
Considered one of India's best forts, this invincible stronghold
of the Marwars sits on a steep hill lording over a wonderful
view of its surroundings. It is also a beautiful fort and undoubtedly,
the jewel of Jodhpur. Intricate latticed windows, elaborately
carved panels and elegantly curved porches speak of beauty and
taste. No matter what part of the fort you are in, its ambience
will leave you in awe and your senses reeling. Take in the sight
high up on the rampart where the second largest cannon in Asia
rests, the recoil of which requires an area as large as a football
field!
Umaid Bhawan Palace
If forts can be ornate, this is a palace we are talking about.
The Umaid Bhawan Palace was built in the 20th century as a famine
relief project, providing employment to its people over a time
period of 16 long years. And if the Mehrangarh fort is the jewel,
the Umaid Bhawan comes a very close second. A fabulous art-deco
edifice, Umaid Bhawan is fabulously maintained and contains
within, the museum - a veritable treasure-trove of memorabilia
showcasing the royal past of Jodhpur. Peek into a little of
everything that royalty lived with - from tea sets and clocks
to paintings and royal apparel. The palace now operates as a
heritage hotel, though part of it is retained as the royal residence.
Jaswant Thada
Close to the fort complex, this 19th century cenotaph was built
in white marble, in commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant Singh
II. Rare portraits of Jodhpur's past rulers are also displayed
here. Walk around and savour the intricate work both on the
lattices and the doors. The gardens and water tank built in
front of the cenotaph provide this place the perfect setting
for serenity.
Golf Courses
For those of you that cannot get through a holiday without sport,
the Sadar Club at Ratanada offers a round of golf - Rs 100 for
18 holes plus Rs 50 for equipment and Rs 20 for a caddie. The
club was built by the British about a 100 years ago and the
ambience is wonderful especially if you like a round of golf.
Mandore
Travel just 8 kms from the city to visit Mandore, once the capital
of Marwar. There are old cenotaphs of the Rathore rulers and
craggy caves that once sheltered homeless ascetics here. While
the sixteen deities carved out of the rock face are rather garishly
displayed in a niche adjacent to a temple within the complex,
the exquisitely landscaped gardens are home to a variety of
birds and small animals. |
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| Excursions Of Jodhpur |
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Osian
The ancient town of Thar Desert was a great trading center between
8th to 12th centuries. Today it is desert oasis with 16 Brahamanical
and Jain temples, beautifully sculpted and designed, most of
which have stood ravages of time. The place is highlighted by
its camel ride at the time of the sunset. The tourist's have
the liberty to watch the architectural forms during that camel
ride and return back to the camps or the resorts followed by
drinks and thematic evening of performing arts and a choice
of oriental cuisines arranged in the ethnic style of that region.
The stay at the camps enriches the feel of the holiday. The
camp Thar being the best among the staying facilities.
Machiya Safari Park
It lies on the way to Jaisalmer, about 1km from Kailana Lake.
The key fauna of the safari park includes, deer, desert fox,
monitor lizard, blue bulls rabbits, wild cats, mongoose, monkeys
etc. There is also large number of birds, which can seen from
an exclusive bird watching point and also nice sunset can seen
from the fort of park.
Pali
Pali is named after the Paliwal Brahmins who once inhabited
the area. Ancient Pali housed a highly evolved civilization.
The land, was leased by the then chief of Mandore (the former
capital of Jodhpur district), was cultivated diligently by the
Paliwals who abandoned their former priestly profession. The
temples of Somnath and Naulakha are very old. Naulakha Jain
temple has elaborate carvings while Somnath Shiv temple is known
for its handsome bulling having exquisite mouldings.
Nimaj
Nimaj boasts of a temple built in 9th century. It was dedicated
to goddess Ma Durga . It also covers a unique art gallery showcasing
some masterpieces of sculptural art, adorned within natural
surroundings so as to provide an authentic ambience.
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| Special Festivals |
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The Jodhpur Kite Festival:
Jodhpur has some festivals that are special if not unique to
it, the kite festival of Jodhpur being one of them. What makes
the kite festival unique is the simple fact that it began just
a few years ago, which means no stories, myths and legends that
most other Indian festivals carry.
This desert kite festival is becoming increasingly popular among
kite fliers the world over. It is celebrated on the 14th of
January, celebrated in other parts as Makar Sankranti or the
day of transition of the sun into the Northern Hemisphere.
This day is inextricably related to kites in most parts of India.
People from all ages can be seen with kite and string with necks
straining towards the sky. It turns into a competition where
the aim is to ensure that other kites are downed while yours
soars higher. Everyone is an adversary and every kite is fair
game.
The three-day festival is inaugurated at the Polo Ground, the
venue for some serious kite flying and fighting. There is the
display part of the festival, where Air Force helicopters release
kites from the sky and hundreds of schoolchildren release balloons.
Kites take on a life of their own and the designs on each of
them makes the sky take on hues that have never stained the
skies before.
Then there is the Fighter Kite Competition, where crowds roar
in encouragement and there is poetry in motion. Both the Display
and Fighter Kite categories have prestigious trophies that people
covet and strive to win. The evenings see participants being
provided with dinner at exotic locations.
On the final day, the festival shifts to the exquisite lawns
of Umaid Bhawan Palace, the royal residence of the Maharaja
of Jodhpur. The finals of the Fighter Kite Competition and the
final judging of the Display Kites are followed by the prize
distribution ceremony, the valedictory function, and a farewell
dinner with the Maharaja.
The Marwar Festival:
The vibrant and fun filled Marwar festival is held annually
and is a celebration that brings to life the essence of all
that Rajasthan stands for. Jodhpur celebrates this two-day festival
with folk music and dance, fun and folklore.
The Marwar Festival is held every year in memory of the heroes
of Rajasthan. The festival is held in the months of September-October
and is a joy to behold. Originally known as the Maand Festival,
it features folk music that centres on the romantic life-style
of Rajasthan's erstwhile rulers. This festival is devoted to
the music and dance of the Marwar region and offers a good opportunity
to see the folk dancers and singers who assemble here, providing
hours of lively entertainment. These folk artists provide a
glimpse of the days gone by, of battles and valiant heroes who
still live on in their songs.
The attractions of the festival are compounded by the venues
they are held in. the Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mandore and the Mehrangarh
Fort are hosts to this cultural feast. |
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| How
to get there |
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By Road : Jodhpur is well connected
by road to Jaipur (330 kms), Udaipur (265 kms) and Jaisalmer
(300 kms).
By Air : Indian Airlines and Jet Airways both link Jodhpur
with Mumbai, Jaipur, Udaipur and Delhi.
By Rail : Jodhpur is well connected to Delhi, Jaipur
and Jaisalmer by train. |
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