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Jodhpur Tourism
Jodhpur, the ‘Blue City’, is one of the most fascinating cities of Rajasthan which shares its boundaries with the great Thar Desert. The city is packed with many forts, Mehrangarh Fort being the most popular one, ponds, temples, shopping complexes, etc. Moreover, the houses around the city are painted blue and hence Jodhpur is known as ‘Blue City’.
One of the main attractions of the city is the majestic Mehrangarh Fort that is positioned on a hilltop and overlooks the city. It is one of the largest forts in Rajasthan that is known for its marvelous architectural style. Jodhpur has also featured in several Hollywood movies such as The Darjeeling Limited, The Lion King, and The Dark Knight Rises.
Other popular attractions in Jodhpur are Umaid Bhawan Palace and Jaswant Tada. The city is a perfect blend of a traditional style of living found in the older spaces of the city and a modern lifestyle with wide roads, malls, etc. However, the real essence of the rich bygone era is felt by walking past the streets of the old city that is packed with eateries, street shops, guest houses, etc.
More on Jodhpur
History of Jodhpur, the Blue City
Jodhpur was established by Rao Jodha who was a Rajput Chief of the Rathore clan. This clan of Rajput warriors is believed to be the descendants of Lord Rama. The city represents a rich cultural heritage of the Rajputs and other regional rulers.
Once you step inside the city of Jodhpur, you will be mesmerized by the houses painted in blue. The bluish hue of the city symbolizes a paradise that is carved out in the heartland of dry sand and the heat of Rajasthan. The Blue City is well-known for its splendid Mehrangarh Fort which is made out of glazing red sandstones and hence, provides a perfect contrast to the blue dwellings in the backdrop. The fort is situated on a hilltop at an elevation of 400 feet and thus, offers a picturesque view of the entire city.
Shopping in Jodhpur
Jodhpur is famous for its street markets and people from all over the world come to explore the hustling bustling Bazaars. Sardar Bazar and the area around the clock tower has several shops that sell handicrafts items, traditional pieces of jewelry, fabrics, etc.
Restaurants and Local Food in Jodhpur
A trip to Jodhpur is incomplete without tasting its scrumptious street foods and exploring its restaurants rich in traditional cuisines. Following are the must-try delicious cuisine of Jodhpur:
The city is known for its spicy and chilly street food. Few of the must-have items are Mawa Kachori, Mirchi Bada, and Pyaaz Kachori. The city also offers a lot of variety of sweet dishes and desserts. Do not miss out on Makhaniya Lassi. Other sweet dishes are Mave ki Kachori, Maakhan Vade, Besan ki Chakki, and Motichoor Ke Laddu.
The Sojati Gate has many local eating joints that offer local drinks and snacks at affordable rates. Another busy market in the area is the Sardarpura market which has fancy restaurants where you can for dinner with your family and friends. Restaurants such as Gypsy, Omelette Shop, Indique, Nirvana, and Jharokha have classy interiors and offers a wide spectrum of exquisite cuisine. These eateries are moderately expensive but are worth the money.
If you want something more on the barbeque side, head down 2 km down south of Jodhpur to On The Rocks for a delicious meal. Do not forget to try the sweets at the Janta Sweet House.
Itinerary
Once you reach Jodhpur, check in to your hotel and freshen up. Later, you can start your tour by visiting the New Town area which is located near to the renowned clock tower. Here you can shop for traditional merchandise and can travel to Sardar Market, which is another bustling bazaar in the city.
Next, you can take a cab to Mehrangarh Fort from the central taxi stand and it will take around one hour to reach the fort. It is one of the major tourist spots in Rajasthan and is visited by people from all around the world. End your day with a dinner at Indique Restaurant in Pal Haveli with a mesmerizing view of Mehrangarh Fort.
After breakfast, you can head to Umaid Bhawan Palace from any nearest bus stand. It is a fantastic work of architecture that comprises of 347 rooms and is also a historic landmark. It is also a great spot for photography. Later on, you can hire a can to the next tourist spot, Mandore Gardens. It is a green area housing the government museum named "Hall of heroes". You can end your day by spending your evening at the Kailana Lake and here, you can also try out some Kesari Ice creams.
You can spend your last day at Rao Jodha Desert Park and make it a little adventurous. Here, you can trek around the hilly terrain that surrounds the region.
There are also a couple of restaurants around which offer traditional as well as contemporary cuisine. In the late afternoon, travel to Jaswant Thada which is known for its marble carvings and peaceful ambience. You can dine at the classical Rocky Mountain Dhaba.