Jodhpur

Understand

Jodhpur is a historic city and the origin dates to the year 1459 AD when it was founded by Rao Jodha, the Rajput chieftan of the Rathores. The Rathore kingdom was also known as the Marwar and was the largest in Rajputana.

The city was built as the new capital of the state of Marwar to replace the ancient capital Mandore, the ruins of which can be seen near what is now the Mandore Gardens. The people of Jodhpur and surrounding areas are hence also commonly called Marwaris.

Jodhpur is also known as the Blue City, because most houses in the old city are painted in shades of blue. This is particularly noticeable on the north side of the town, known as Brahmpuri due to the many Brahmins that live there.

The forts and palaces, temples and havelis, culture and tradition, spices and fabrics, colour and texture, a booming handicrafts industry, combine to make this historic city worth a visit.

Get in

Jodhpur is well connected by road, rail and air to all major cities and towns in the country.

See

thumb|240px|Mehrangarh Fort thumb|240px|Moti Mahal thumb|240px|Zenana Deodi

The name "Fort" belies the size of the complex, which houses the Maharaja's palace, several temples and, tucked away in the back, an extensive garden still farmed to this day. Highlights within the palace include:

Chamunda Mataji Temple. Tucked away at the far end of the battlements, this temple is devoted to Rao Jodha's favourite goddess and remains a local favorite to this day. Moti Mahal. (Pearl Hall). Pearl-coloured inside and decorated with coloured glass windows, this is where the Maharaja held his audiences, with the five alcoves on the far wall allowing his queens to listen. Phool Mahal. (Flower Hall). The most extravagant of them all, this was the Maharaja's pleasure chamber, for dancing girls and revelry. Sheesh Mahal. (Mirror Hall). Just what the name says. Zenana Deodi. The inner sanctum of the palace once guarded by eunuchs, this is where the Maharaja's wives whiled away their days. The delicate sandstone screens and carvings are exquisite.

A number of people are employed here and there to add flavour by dressing in period costume and doing photogenic things like playing traditional instruments and smoke opium (yes, the real thing). Snap away, but they'll appreciate a tip if you do. The museum also includes galleries devoted to howdahs (elephant-mounted seats), palanquins, fine arts, weaponry and the inevitable Turban Gallery.

Entry for foreigners is ₹600, and includes an excellent au…

Do

Hike the wall around the city. Visit the fort. Wander around the market near the clock tower.

Buy

thumb|240px|Fabrics for sale, Sardar Market

The city's main shopping area is Nai Sadak, lined mostly with sari and shoe shops and leading into Sardar Market, a bustling Indian market with a riot of sights, sounds and smells. The clocktower in the centre is a useful orientation point. Best try different shops by yourself, as rickshaw drivers and other locals will do their best to direct you into certain shops where they can earn a commission for sales; you can expect to get better prices if the shopkeepers do not have to pay a percentage to these other guys. And be prepared to spend a good hour or more in a shop chatting with the very friendly owners over a cup of masala chai. This is the true highlight of Rajasthani hospitality. You will find Rajasthan (and especially Jodhpur) to be full of amiable and kind people who will be quick to offer you chai as a symbol of genuine hospitality first and foremost (not at all significant of an attempt to coerce you to buy). It is not uncommon for them to turn their shop upside down to show you all of their goods, as many are quite proud of their business. Popular souvenirs include: Bandhej sarees and dress material Handicrafts these are handmade (made to look like old antiques), the handicraft industry is a booming industry in this city. Mojris or Jootis. Shoes with a pointed front, a must-have accessory if you plan on dressing like a Rajput Maharaja. Spices and tea Expect to pay ₹100-150 for each 200 g packet of spices or 150 g packet …

Eat

Restaurants as you find them elsewhere are somewhat hard to find in Jodhpur, except for around the tourist areas such as in front of the Fort. Otherwise, especially for lunch it's stand-up street food such as samosas.

Rajasthani delicacies include: Mirchi Vada, Samosa and Pyaaj (Onion) Kii Kachori. These are famous Jodhupuri delicacies and here is the best place to eat this, Raju Namkeens (Manak Chowk), the Arora Namkeens, Surya, Janta, Pokar and many more. Makhaniya Lassi — lassi (yoghurt drink) spiced up with cardamom and butter. Best place to have this is at the Mishrilal within the clock tower (Ask anyone there for directions.) Mawa Kachori. Best place to have the same is at Chele Ki Dukaan (Jayanti Lal), Loharo ka Baas, Old City Area. Pokar sweets or Janta Sweets at Nai Sarak. Panchkuta, Dal Bati Churma and Gatte ka saag. Best place to eat the same is at Bhati Restaurant behind sojati gate and Shandar restaurant opposite MG Hospital. Kabuli, a rice speciality. Try at Pokar Sweets on Chopasani Road, Near Shanichar ji ka than on Saturdays.

Drink

On the Rocks at Ajit Bhawan Geoffrey's at Park Plaza

Connect

Area code: The telephone area code is 0291. If you are dialing into a Jodhpur number from outside India dial +91 291 xxxxxxx; if you are dialing into a Jodhpur number long distance from anywhere in India, prefix the area code by a 0, i.e. dial 0291 xxxxxxx; in Jodhpur just dial the 7 digit number xxxxxxx. Pincode: The pincode of Jodhpur is 342001 WiFi: Wifi is easy to find in the tourist areas of town, perhaps more so than in other parts of India. Many restaurants and guesthouses offer it, alternatively there are multiple Internet shops that also provide Wi-Fi. Google Maps: the application is quite reliable about the streets and routes of Jodhpur. Incase needed the same can also be used when in need.

Stay safe

This is a comparatively safe city, however it is advisable not to venture out late in the night alone. Only take advice on directions, travel and other things from the concierge desks at the hotel where you are staying or from some other reliable and trustworthy people. Local district administration is extremely helpful, so they too may be contacted in case the need arises.

While travelling in trains or buses, avoid any snacks offered by seemingly well meaning strangers. There have been some incidents where tourists or even locals have been drugged and robbed after consuming narcotic-laced biscuits or tea. Though the incidents of rape or sexual assault are far and few in between, women should avoid wearing revealing clothes in public places since hooligans are known to harass women. Wearing a hijab or having a male companion will avoid this.

The following numbers can be dialed from any mobile or fixed line phone. Police - 100 Fire - 101 Ambulance - 102, (+91-240)-2473301, (+91-240)-2473302

Beware of touts selling rail tickets or promising reservations on trains. It is a criminal offence to buy and sell tickets except from recognized agents or the reservation offices.

Go next

You can see the neighbouring tourist destinations of Osiyan temples, Ranakpur Jain temples, Nathdwara temple, Bikaner and Deshnok, Ajmer and Pushkar, the desert city of Jaisalmer, the hill station Mount Abu, the city of lakes Udaipur or the pink city Jaipur Jaisalmer - government busses to Jaisalmer run every hour from about 4:30AM to 5:30PM Luni fort - about 40 km outside Jodhpur - now converted to a heritage hotel Osiyan - about 60 km - Jain temples as well as Kali temples. Ajmer - An ancient town, 288 km from Udaipur, famous among the spiritual and religious sects for the shrine of Khwaja Ajmer Sheriff, and the only Brahma temples by the banks of Lake Pushkar. Ranakpur - Ranakpur is widely known for its magnificent marble Jain temple devoted to Lord Adinath and is a "must see", between Jodhpur and Udaipur, in a valley on the western side of the Aravalli Range. Easily accessed by road, Ranakpur is around 100 km north of Udaipur. Light colored marble has been used for the construction of this grand temple. The temple, with its distinctive domes, rises from the slope of a hill. Over 1444 marble pillars, carved in exquisite detail, support the temple. The pillars are all differently carved and no two pillars are the same. There is one beautiful carving made out of a single marble rock where there are 1008 heads of snakes and numerous tails over the head of Lord ParsvaNatha. One cannot find the end of the tails. The image faces all four cardinal directions. The temple is design…