JODHPUR
General
Information of Jodhpur
Location :
Rajasthan
Attractions : Umaid Bhawan Palace,
Mehrangarh Fort
Excursions : Mandore, Ossian
Languages : Rajasthani, English, HIndi
Amidst the sand
dunes and thorny vegetation of Thar desert towers a fort, 120 meters above
the plain. The fort over looks the imperial city of Jodhpur which is part
of the Desert Tourist Triangle. The old Jodhpur city is surrounded by a 10
Km long wall with eight gates serving as entrances. The new city is
settled around this walled area. The Maruthal or land of death ,
came into life when the Rathores' of Kanauj moved in. But the city of
Jodhpur was founded by Rao Jodhaji in 1459. This city was on the silk
route of the 16th century and hence was host to a number of travellers.
In Jodhpur, the genuis of its sculptors comes to life in its exquisite
palaces, forts, temples and havelis which stand as a testimony to the
imperial grandeur. The most alluring part of Jodhpur is the traditional
lifestyle, festivity and the smiling people who treasure this former
Princely state.
SHOPPING:
The Sadar Market near the clock tower gives immense shopping
pleasure to the local as well as the visitors. The colourful but hectic
bazaar consists of many narrow lanes, lined with tiny shops. Look for the
tie & dye textiles, embroidered leather shoes, lacquerware, antiques,
carpets and puppets. Here one can buy exquisite Rajasthani textiles, clay
figurines, miniature camels and elephants, marble inlay work and classic
silver jewellery.
ACCOMMODATION:
The variety of hotels and guest houses in Jodhpur makes one feel at home.
Accomodation here is available to suit tourists of every budget. Hotel
Karni Bhawan, Ajit Bhawan are heritage hotels. The Rajasthan tourist
department has the Ghoomar hotel. The palace hotels as the Umaid Bhawan
Palace, Ratanada Polo Palace, Rajputana Palace. Raj Basera also provides
us with good accommodation facilities. There are low budget accomodation
too.
For more Hotels & Resorts in Jodhpur
TRAVEL
OPERATORS:
For more Travel Agents & Tour Operators in Jodhpur
CLIMATE: Jodhpur has
extreme type of climate with temperature range variation being very high.
Average rainfall is 32 cm annually. The best season to visit the city is
between October and March.
GETTING
THERE: Jodhpur has its own Airport and so flight
services are available. The city is also well connected by the railway
lines and trains are available for other major cities in the country from
here. The 'Palace on Wheels' also visits this city of Royal splendour. The
state transport has bus services from other cities of the state and some
services are interstate too.
SIGHTSEEING:
Mehrangarh Fort - Situated on a steep hill, Mehrangarh fort is one
of the largest forts in India. The beauty and the grandeur of numerous
palaces in the fort narrates a saga of hard sandstones yielding to the
chisels of skilled Jodhpuri sculptures.
Umaid Bhawan Palace - The only palace built in 20th century under
the famine relief programme, has now been converted into a hotel with some
parts being retained as a museum.
Jaswant Thada - The 19th century royal cenotaph is built in white
marble, in commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant Singh. Some rare portraits of
the rulers of Jodhpur are also displayed here.
Clock Tower & Sadar Market - In the old city clock tower is a
prominent land mark. But main attraction is the Sadar market. The market
has kept alive the old haat bazaar culture.
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.
EXCURSIONS:
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. But one can not miss the caves in crags and the sprawling
gardens, which are now shelter place for monkeys and peacocks. Greenery of
the place makes Mandore, in true sense, an oasis.
Ossian : 65 Kms from Jodhpur, lies ruins of an ancient city called
Ossian. This city is famous for Brahmanical and Jain temples, which belong
to 8th and 11th century. Surya or Sun temple and the Sachiya temples are
famous for their beauty. The shikhar of Sachiya temple is clustered by two
rows of turrets, an ambulatory and a large assembly hall with an elaborate
ceiling.
Guda Bishnoi : The villages are inhabit ated by the Bishnoi tribe
who are staunch believers in the sanctity of plant and animal life.
Villages are marked by Khejri trees and deers which thrive there. 25 Kms
from Jodhpur.
Balsamand Lake & Palace : This picturesque artificial lake is 7
Kms from the main city. Summer palaces along the embankment and a bird
sanctuary has made it a picnic spot.
Sardar Samand Lake and Palace : Rajasthani village life and vibrant
cultural colours come alive as you drive along the 55 Kms stretch. The
monotony of the drive is broken by Chinkaras and black bucks who frisk
pass the road.
TOURIST
INFORMATION CENTRES:
Regional Tourist Office (Jodhpur Division) - Tourist Research
Centre, Hotel Ghoomar, High Court Road, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (RTDC) - Tourist
Centre, Hotel Swagatam, Office Annexe Near Railway Station, Jaipur - 302
006 (Rajasthan) India
Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan (DOTGOR) - Paryatan
Bhawan, Govt. Hostel Campus, M.I. Road Jaipur 302 001 (Rajasthan) India
Tourist Reception Centre - Rajasthan Tourism Bikaner House, Near
India Gate New Delhi - 110 001 India
FAIRS & FESTIVALS: The Marwar
festival - Held in October, this festival brings alive the legend,
folklore and romantic lifestyle of Rajasthan's rulers.
MAIN LANGUAGES: Rajasthani, Hindi
& English
A WORD OF CAUTION: Beware of touts and
make sure that you are not lost among the innumerable palaces in the forts
and the colourful tradition.
NEAR BY CITIE(S):
Ajmer- 205 kms
Bikaner- 256 Kms Jaisalmer- 285 Kms Udaipur- 318
Kms
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