Jodhpur is the 2nd largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur and it stands at the edge of the Thar Desert. The city is adorned with a number of palaces, temples and other architectural monuments which add to its glory. The city was founded by Suryavanshi Rao Jodha in 1459 A.D. was once the capital of former princely state of Marwar. The old city of Jodhpur is surrounded by a 10 kms long wall. From the fort you can see the wall separating the old city from the new city. The new city has rapidly grown round the Mehrangarh Fort.
With the Mehrangarh fort on the west and stately sandstone palace of Umaid Bhawan on the east, this city is prevented from the deserts with eight gates facing different directions. The glorious and elegant monuments, temples and gardens of the city are a reminder of the past and depict a multi-faceted grandeur.
Best Time to Visit
The city of Jodhpur has a typical desert climate, dry and hot. November and March are the best time to visit Jodhpur as the weather is very pleasant and days are very bright and sunny. Jodhpur receives 359.5 mm of rain every year, most of it during the monsoon (July/August). Maximum temperature in Jodhpur during the summers remains in the range of 40 Degrees Celcius while in the winters the minimum average temperature is 11 Degrees Celcius. Clothing in summer- Light Tropical, Winter- Light woolen.
Places of interest
Mehrangarh Fort
The Mehrangarh fort is the most famous andlargestrt in India and is a great landmark of the city of Jodhpur, set on a 125 m high hill which can be accessed by a winding road uphill. Mehrangarh means 'Majestic Fort'. The fort which can be seen from the surrounding part of the city was originally built in 1806, and its medieval charm is displayed in the exquisitely carved panels and porches and the decorated walls and windows of Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Sileh Khana and Daulat Khana. Mehrangarh has its own architectural appeal, such as brilliant stained glass, that creates vibrant mosaics on the floors, with the passage of the sun through the day. The palace in this fort has its own peculiar style. The only means to access royal residences were the narrow staircases built within. The fort still houses a collection of musical instruments, palanquins, howdahs, royal cradles, miniatures, costumes, furniture and cannons.
The battlements are set four hundred feet above the hill. The fort also has three gates, each built to commemorate a victory as well as to reinforce the fort. The Fort is open everyday from 9.00 A.M- 1.00 P.M and then from 2.00 P.M- 5.00 P.M
Umaid Bhawan Palace
This palace built of Chhittar sandstone or pink sandstone is also called the Chhittar palace. Built in the 20th century the palace has quite a few western touches as it was designed by the British Royal Institute of Architects. It took 16 years to build the Palace and was a project to give employment to people during the severe famine. The dome of the palace is only one of its kind in Rajasthan. The palace houses 300 rooms, has its own theatre, 8 dining rooms and a banquet hall which can hold 300 seated people. Ballroom has also been built to cater to the westernized royal lifestyle. The palace also contains an indoor swimming pool with a mosaic of zodiac symbols. The royal family still resides in a part of this palace and the rest has been converted into a hotel and a museum.
Jaswant Thada
Red sandstone stairs lea up to the chessboard checked courtyard of the neat white marble cenotaph dedicated toMaharaja Jaswant, this memorial was built in 1899. Inside, the reverent ambience is framed with several portraits of Jodhpur royalty. It is a peaked structure from the outside with precise trellis work and excellent carving.
Government Museum
Nestling in the middle of the Umaid Public Garden, this museum houses a rich collection of exhibits - armoury, textiles, local arts and crafts, miniature paintings. Portraits of rulers, manuscripts and images of Jain Tirthankars. Umaid Public Garden also houses a zoo. Timing: 10.00 A.M to 4.30 P.M (Friday closed).