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Jodhpur |
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Jodhpur is the second
largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was formerly the
seat of a princely state of the same name, also known as Marwar.
Jodhpur is a popular tourist destination, featuring many beautiful
palaces(esp. Umaid Bhawan Palace), forts and temples, apart from a
stark, scenic desert landscape. The city is known as the Sun City
for the bright, sunny weather it enjoys all year. It is also
referred as the Blue City, due to the indigo tinge of the
whitewashed houses around the Mehrangarh Fort. The blue houses were
originally for Brahmins but non-Brahmins soon joined in, as the
colour was said to deflect the heat and keep mosquitoes away.
Jodhpur lies near the geographic center of Rajasthan state, which
makes it a convenient base for travel in a region much frequented by
tourists. The old city of Jodhpur is surrounded by a thick stone
wall. The wall has six huge gates called Nagauri gate, Merati gate,
Sojati gate, Jalori gate, Siwanchi gate and Chand pol. |
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Area: 75.50sq.km. |
Altitude : 230m |
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +5.3 |
Rain Fall: |
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Temp (summer): 27-42°C |
Temp (winter): 27-9°C |
STD/ISD : Yes |
Internet: yes |
Plug   |
230-240V 50HZ |
Best Time: October-March |
STD Code: 0291 |
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Place to Visit |
Umaid Bhawan Palace
- The Umaid Bhawan Palace is not only one of India's most imposing
palaces but also among its most recent. This lavish art deco
monument to royal living had an improbable conception: it was built
as a public relief and employment project during a long period of
drought. Over one million square feet (90,000 m²) of the finest
marble was used in the construction of the palace. A special type of
sandstone, called Chittar sandstone, has been used in constructing
the palace and this gives it a special effect. For this reason, it
is also referred to as Chittar Palace by the locals. Its style of
construction, with beautiful balconies, charming courtyards, green
gardens and stately rooms, makes it a fine example of Indo-Saracenic
architecture. The project employed three thousand artisans over a
period of 15 years (1929-1943). The palace is named after its
builder, Maharaja Umaid Singh (1876-1947).
Mehrangarh Fort - The Mehrangarh Fort lies at the outskirts
of Jodhpur city and is located atop a 125 m high hill. The
magnificent Mehrangarh Fort (Jodhpur ka kila) is the most majestic
and one of the largest forts in India. It was originally started
(c.1459) by Rao Jodha, founder of Jodhpur. However, most of the
extant fort dates from the period of Jaswant Singh (1638-78). The
walls of the fort are up to 36 m high and 21 m wide; they enclose
some exquisite structures. The fort museum houses an exquisite
collection of palanquins, howdahs, royal cradles, miniatures,
musical instruments, costumes and furniture. The ramparts of
Mehrangarh Fort provide not only excellently preserved cannons but
also a breath-taking view of the city.
Jaswant Thada - The Jaswant Thada is architectural landmark
found in Jodhpur. It is a white marble memorial built in 1899 in
memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The monument, in its entirety,
is built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. These stones
are extremely thin and polished so that they emit a warm glow when
the sun's rays dance across their surface. Within this cenotaph,
there are also two more tombs.
Osiyan Temple - An ancient temple, well worth the visit, lies
in the village of Osiyan, about 60 km outside Jodhpur. It is
believed that all the Oswal (a Major Jain community) originated from
Osiyan only.
Government Museum - This museum has a rich collection of
weapons, textiles, miniature portraits, local crafts and images of
Jain Tirthankars. It is situated in the middle of the Umaid public
gardens.
Rai-ka-Bag Palace - This palace is situated near Raika Bag
palace railway station. It was constructed in 1663 by Hadiji, queen
of king jaswant Singh-I. King Jaswant Singh-II liked this palace
very much.
Umed Garden - Umed garden covers an area of 82 acres.
developed by Maharaja Umed Singh, it has green lawns, towering
Ashoka trees, roses and seasonal flowers, museum, fountains, library
and a zoo.In 1978 'Walk-in Aviary' was constructed there one could
see different types of birds, local, African and Australian parrots,
ducks, rabbits etc; in their natural environment. There are large
cages for bears, foxes, deers, lions leopard etc.
Raj Ranchhodji Temple - It was made by queen Jadechi
Rajkanwar after the death of her husband, king Jaswant Singh. Major
Part of the temple is made of red sandstone, carved with beautiful
filigree work. The heart of the temple has the statue of Ranchhodji
made of black marble.It has green, yellow and blue glassess fixed on
its main door.
Achal Nath Shivalaya - Achal Nath Shivalaya was constructed
by Nanak Devi, queen of Rao Ganga. The construction was completed on
21st May 1531. A large water reservoir called Bawari was made near
the Shivlinga which is known as Ganga Bawari.
Siddhnath - Siddhnath Shiv temple is located between Takhat
Sagar hills. On the road going from the right of filter house on
Jodhpur-Chopasani Road, on crossing the stairs made by cutting
rocks, one can reach Siddhnath temple.
Ganesh Temple - The area which is called Ratanada was named
after a dog called Rata. About 150 years ago a teacher Radidas in a
place called Gorunda saw a statue of Vinayakji in the hills of
Ratanada. The statue is eight feet high and five feet wide.
Mandore - Towards the north of Jodhpur is the ancient capital
of Marwar, Mandore. It is just 8 Kms from the city. Main attractions
of the place are hall of Heroes where sixteen huge figures which
have been carved out of a single rock, the shrine of 330 million
Gods and the royal cenotaphs.
Balsammand Lake & Palace - Many a times you must have dreamt
of staying in a huge, royal palace on the sea-shore or on the banks
of river or if not both at least a palace facing the water
reservoir. There is such a place at Mandore in Rajasthan .The 19th
Century sandstone palace built on a hillock facing Balsammand lake
is one of such places that's definitely going to win your heart.
Kaylana Lake - Located 8 kms. West of Jodhpur, Kaylana lake
was constructed in 1872 by Pratap Singh. It is spread over 84 square
kilometers' area. Earlier this area had palaces and gardens made by
two rulers of Jodhpur-Bhim Singh and Takhat Singh. These were
destroyed to make Kaylana lake. Near the lake is a Dak Bungalow of
PHED. Boating facilities have also been made available for tourists
here.
Guda Bishnoi - This village is inhabit ated by the Bishnoi
community. They are staunch believers in the sanctity of plant and
animal life. Villages are marked by Khejri trees and deers which
thrive.
Jaswant Sagar Dam - In 1892, Maharaja Jaswant Singh
constructed Jaswant Sagar in Pichiyak village between Bilara and
Bhavi of Jodhpur district.The Water from this dam is used for
irrigating the greenest part of Jodhpur receives water from this
dam. Boating facilities have also been made available for tourists
here. |
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Festivals |
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How to Go there? |
Air - Jodhpur is well
connected to all the major cities which includes Delhi, Mumbai,
Calcutta, Jaipur, Udaipur.
Rail - Jodhpur is on the Broad Gauge and hence connected to all the
metro cities of India. There are daily trains from Jaipur, Delhi,
Mumbai & Kolkata.
Road - Rajasthan Roadways run very comfortable deluxe & air
conditioned buses from Delhi (Bikaner House, Nr. India Gate) to
Jodhpur. The roads are very good, and it takes around 8-9 hrs from
Jodhpur. You can also come by taxi. New Delhi (597 km), Jaipur
(332km), Udaipur (260 km), Ajmer (211 km) |
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