The city of Jodhpur in India is an iconic travel destination in Rajasthan. It is the second-largest city in the state and officially the second metropolitan city in Rajasthan, after Jaipur. With blue and white stucco houses, historical palaces and ornate mansions, it offers an ultimate “royal experience” to its travellers and is a pure visual delight.
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Things to do in Jodhpur
- Take a desert safari in Jodhpur. Rent a jeep and drive through the rural hinterland and desert, just outside the city limits, and blaze the sandy trails.
- Explore the Jodhpur food trail. Local snacks and sweets are famous here. Areas like Sadar Bazaar and Shastri Circle are known for street food.
- Take the heritage walk through the rows of blue brick houses or do a palace hopping trip. Explore the iconic architecture and ancient buildings, each significant for their artwork. The blue houses with ethnic paintings on walls, the indigenous architecture and the uniformity of structures, make for a picturesque travel log.
- Go furniture shopping. Jodhpur furniture is widely known across India for its enamel art on pure wood. You can visit antique furniture shops in local markets for the best deals.
- Spend a day at the Toorji Ka Jhalra. The ancient stepwell is now a contemporary public square. You can walk through the structure and see the architecture, dine at restaurants overlooking the ancient structure or shop at the boutique stores.
Places to visit in Jodhpur
With a host of palaces, monuments, temples, and forts, among other things, there are ample tourist places for you to visit and explore. Include these popular places on your sightseeing itinerary–
1. Ghanta Ghar Jodhpur
- How to Reach – The bell tower is located at 1.6KM from the city railway station. You can take the local bus, auto, or book a taxi to reach.
- Timings – 10AM-6PM
- Entry Fee – Free
- Time Required – Less than 1 hour
- Tips – You can also explore the adjoining Sadar Bazaar and browse through local goods.
2. Umaid Bhawan Palace Jodhpur
- How to Reach – The historical palace is located at 6.4KM from the city railway station. You can rent a car, book a local Jodhpur cab, or take an auto or bus to reach.
- Timings – 9AM-5PM
- Entry Fee – INR 30 for the tour, stay at hotel separate
- Time Required- 3-4 Hours
- Tips – Also tour the palace museum housing ancient art and artefacts, stuffed leopards, paintings, and other royal memorabilia.
3. Kaylana Lake
- How to Reach – The massive man-made lake lies at 8.6KM from the city centre. You can take the local transport or book a cab to reach.
- Timings – 9AM-5PM
- Entry Fee – Free
- Time Required – 1-2 Hours
- Tips – Enjoy a boat ride during the sunset hours, or a day picnic on the banks, or go bird watching in the nearby wooded areas.
4. Mehrangarh fort Jodhpur
- How to Reach – The famous fort is located at 5.7KM from the city railway station. You can take the bus, auto, taxi, or book a car to reach.
- Timings – 9AM-5PM
- Entry Fee – INR 70
- Time Required – 2-3 Hours
- Tips – Don’t forget to try the zip lining ride at the top of the fort to get the best views from the top and also get your adrenaline rushing.
Places to visit nearby
Jodhpur attractions are not just limited to the city. Apart from the famous places, you can also visit these destinations nearby on your tour.
1. Khimsar Fort, Khimsar
- How to Reach – The historical fort is located at 100KM from Jodhpur. You can book a cab or rent a car for the day to travel.
- Timings – NA
- Entry Fee – Free
- Time Required – 3-4 Hours
- Tips – You can also visit the Khimsar sand dune village, Dhawa Doli Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Sachhiyamata temple on this trip.
2. Ranakpur Jain Temple, Ranakpur
- How to Reach – The temple is located at 155KM from Jodhpur. You can book an outstation cab or rent a car for the day to travel.
- Timings – 7AM-7PM
- Entry Fee – Free
- Time Required – 1-2 Hours
- Tips – You can also visit the Surya Narayan temple and explore the district of Pali on this trip.
3. Kumbhalgarh Fort
- How to Reach – The historical fort is located at 173KM from Jodhpur. You can book a cab or rent a car for the day to travel.
- Timings – 9AM-6PM
- Entry Fee – INR 10, Light & Sound show- INR 100
- Time Required – 2-3 hours
- Tips – Trek to the top to Badal Mahal for best views and attend the light and sound show in the evening.
Places to Eat in Jodhpur
Explore these famous restaurants and cafes to sample the local flavours–
- Gypsy Restaurant & Dining Hall
- Kesar Heritage Restaurant
- Gopal Rooftop Restaurant
- Darikhana Restaurant
- Dylan Café Restaurant
- Sam’s Art Café
History
The history of Jodhpur is quite longstanding. The earliest recorded history dates back to the Abhira or Ahira clans who were the original inhabitants of the city. The city was founded by Rao Jodha, the chief of the Rathore clan who followed. The city has historically been the Kingdom of Marwars and remained the same through the Mughal Empire and then the British Empire. After India’s independence in 1947, the princely state became a part of the Indian republic and then in 1956, was included in the state of Rajasthan, as the second biggest city.
[Also Read: The Great Rajasthan Road trip – An 11-Day Itinerary for Offbeat Rajasthan]
Why is Jodhpur called Blue City?
Jodhpur is otherwise called the Blue City. It is mostly due to the vast expanse of old stucco houses painted in blue, which gives an azure hue to the cityscape. Even today, many houses are still painted in the bright, cobalt shade of blue to sustain their moniker. But there are many theories as to why the city was named the Blue City.
Legend says that the colour blue is associated with Shiva. During the mythological event of Samudra Manthan, Shiva swallowed the deadly poison – Halahala, to save the planet. The venom turned him blue and the colour became sacred for his devotees. Many Shaivites settled here since ancient times, and painted their houses in the colour of Shiva as an obeisance to their God.
There’s another old belief that explains the blue colour as a determiner of social castes that was prevalent in ancient times. Brahmins in those days painted their houses blue to differentiate themselves from the other lower castes, as defined by the Hindu Caste System. They were often referred to as “Brahmin Houses”.
Another very practical rationale for the blue colour comes from the local practice. Blue is a cool colour and Jodhpur being a hot and dry region, locals painted their houses blue to reflect the heat of the sun and maintain a conducive temperature inside the house.
Regardless of what theories are attached to the name, the blue ambience of Jodhpur is an aesthetically pleasing view and makes for great photo ops.
How to Plan a Trip to Jodhpur
How to reach Jodhpur
By Train
Jodhpur railway station is right in the city centre. The city is well-connected by railways to all cities and towns in Rajasthan and other parts of India. There are frequent trains to Jodhpur from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad etc.
By Road
Jodhpur is well-connected to the rest of the state and neighbouring states via NH48, NH62, NH 58, and other state highways. There are regular state-run and private buses from Udaipur, Jaipur, Bhilwara, Kota, Mount Abu and Jaisalmer to Jodhpur. You can also book a cab or rent a private car from any of these places or nearby major cities to reach Jodhpur.
[Also Read: Jodhpur to Jaisalmer Road Trip – Distance, Time and Useful Travel Information]
By Flight
The city is served by Jodhpur Airport (JDH), at about 3.2KM from the main city. There are regular flights from all major cities and towns in India to Jodhpur. You can book an airport taxi from Jodhpur to travel around or reach your destination in the city.
Best time to visit Jodhpur
Being in the heart of Rajasthan, Jodhpur weather is usually hot and dry. Summers are harsh while winters are cool but pleasant. If you want more outdoor activities, then the winter months, between November and February are the best time to visit the city. You can also visit during the rainy season when it’s still warm but the temperatures are a little conducive. In case travelling in summer, always check the weather forecast to avoid the heatwave.
Places to stay in Jodhpur
Check out these top-rated hotels and resorts for a great stay –
- Umaid Bhavan Palace
- Haveli Inn Pal
- The Ummed Jodhpur Palace
- RAAS
- Treehouse Rajbagh
- Hotel Ratan Vilas
- Rani Mahal-Old heritage haveli
Witness the magic of Jodhpur by booking a car rental to take you to all these places with a local driver. Install the Savaari cab booking app for offers and discounts on outstation rentals.
Last Updated on April 12, 2024 by V Subhadra
