Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Jodhpur – The Blue City


Jodhpur is the second largest city of Rajasthan. Jodhpur is a popular tourist destination of Rajasthan featuring many palaces, forts and temples. City was founded by Rao Jodha in the year 1459. Old Jodhpur city is surrounded by 10 km long boundary wall which was constructed 100 years after the city was founded.

Jodhpur City View
Jodhpur City View


Jodhpur is also known as the Blue City because of the indigo tinge of whitewashed houses around the Mehrangarh Fort. City offers large number of tourist spots. Some of the must visit sites of Jodhpur are Mehrangarh Fort, Umaid Bhavan Palace, Jaswant Thada, Raj Ranchhodji Temple and Umed Garden.

Mehrangarh Fort

Mehrangarh fort is located on 125 m high hill. It is one of the largest forts of India. Mehrangarh fort reminds of the royal past of the Rajput. There are several attractions inside the fort like palaces, galleries, museum and temples.

Mehrangarh Fort
Mehrangarh Fort


Jaswant Thada

Jaswant Thada is located near to the Mehrangarh Fort. Royal cenotaph made up of white marble, Jaswant Thada was built in 1899 in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. 

Umaid Bhawan Palace

Grand structure of Umaid Bhawan Palace was built for the purpose of giving employment to the people during the long draught which struck Jodhpur during early 20th century. Construction of the palace started in the year 1929 and took 15 years to complete. Today the palace has been converted into a Heritage hotel, however, royal family still resides in one part of the palace. 

Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur

Balsamand lake

Balsamand Lake is a man made lake, located 7 km from Jodhpur and is a popular picnic spot. It was built in 1159 A.D. Adjacent to the lake there is palace called Balsamand Palace which was built by Maharaja Umaid Singh. Today, Balsamand Palace is a heritage hotel. 

Accommodation in Jodhpur

Jodhpur has large number hotels, resorts and guest houses which suit tourists of every budget. There are many heritage hotels which offer royal accommodation with all the modern day facilities and amenities. There are many budget hotels which offer low budget accommodation in Jodhpur city. 

Shopping in Jodhpur

Shopping in Jodhpur is an exciting and rewarding experience. City is famous for handicrafts in wood, iron and camel bone. Sadar Market of Jodhpur is the ideal place for buying the handicraft items made by the skilled craftsmen of the region. One can buy Rajasthani textiles, clay figurines, miniature camels and elephants, marble inlay work and classic silver jeweleries. 

How To Reach

Air  : Jodhpur airport has regular domestic flights from Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Jaipur and Udaipur. Airport is about 5 km from the city. 

Rail :Jodhpur is well connected by rail from all parts of the country. There is train service for all the major cities  of India from Jodhpur.

Road : Road transport corporation of Rajasthan runs buses from Jodhpur for all the cities and towns of Rajasthan.

Colourful Rajasthan tour

If any body wants to shaken up the senses then there is not a second option like to visit Rajasthan. There is so much variety in the state that people get overwhelmed by its culture, co lour, people, architecture and history. Not only the Indians but tourists all over the world longs to explore the land of rajas. A trip to this land of Royal Rajas give the life a new experience.

Kathputli Dance
Kathputli Dance - Rajasthan
Rajasthan is a fascinating state in the north of India. The vast desert, majestic Aravalli, Forts and palaces, lush green and varied wild life and lots of fairs and festivals have made the state an unique one. The different cities of the state display different back ground. The famous cities of the state are Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Ajmer, Pushkar and a few more. 

Rajasthan is full of festivals. And the different festivals show the different aspect of Rajasthan. Infact the different festivals of Rajasthan are the splendid opportunity to acquire an insight in to the life of Rajasthasn. The various colourful festivals of Rajasthan are Pushkar Fair, Pushkar, Desert Festival, Jaisalmer, Elephant Festival, Jaipur, Gangaur Festival, Marwar Festival, Jodhpur, Camel Festival, Bikaner, Teej Festival, Jaipur, Nagaur Fair, Nagau, Baneshwar Fair, Baneshwar, Mewar Festival, Udaipur, Urs Ajmer Sharif, Ajmer, Summer Festival, Mount Abu. And these signifies the rich culture of Rajasthan. The different festivals of Rajasthan display different colour and beliefs of life.

Music, dance, puppet show of Rajasthan are world famous. A trip to the any of the cities of Rajasthan shows their love of music. Every where in the evening the favourite pastime is music. Since the inception it has been observed that the people of Rajasthan has great love for music even in the famous palaces and forts of Rajasthan had great arrangements for them. Speaking about the forts and palaces, these are majestic. The famous forts and palaces of Rajasthan are - Amber Fort, Junagarh Fort, Mehrangarh Fort, Hawa Mahal, Jaisalmer Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Kumbhalgarh Fort. Palaces are - Jai Mahal Palace - Jaipur, Lake Palace Udaipur, Umaid Bhawan Palace Hotel Jodhpur, Lalgarh Palace Bikaner. All the forts and Palaces spell the saga of Rajput and Mughal. 

A tour to Rajasthan includes so many things that tourists never get boared. One such never miss activity in Rajasthan is camel safari in Thar Desert. It is an amaizing experience. People get spell bound after such safari. Rajasthan is also known as shoper's delight. The handi crafts, artificial jewelery, fabrics everything are very unique and colourful.There is no denying the fact that in a trip to the Rajasthan people can taste every colour of life along with the mouth watering dishes of that region.

Rajasthan - The Land of Kings


Rajasthan, literally meaning ‘Land of King’ is biggest state of India area wise. About Rajasthan it is said that it is the place where all the country’s similes and metaphors appear to come together to created a visual extravaganza. Bestowed with magnificent palaces and rugged forts, wooded hills and tranquil lakes, bustling towns and quiet villages, amazing variety of flora and fauna, the colorful and vibrant people, the desert land of Rajasthan offers both unmatched and unforgettable experience.


camel drinking water
Camel drinking water

Whenever you travel across Rajasthan, particularly from the popular tourist destinations, you will come across the unexpected, whether it is a local village or a bustling city market or superb mind-blowing architectural wonders. In fact, the mood and the rhythm of landscape of Rajasthan changes from one region to another, and from season to season. On the whole, Rajasthan is a land of magical fantasies that remain in lifetime memory of the visitors. So, come and discover the magical land on your own.

Hawamahal Jaipur
Hawamahal Jaipur
Jaipur : Also known as Pink city, Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan. Founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II in 1727, Jaipur is the place where you experience the Rajput hospitality at its best. Established on the lines of Shilpa Shastra town planning, Jaipur is tempered with influences of Mughal and Jain architures of that era. Jaipur was painted in all pink in honour of Prince Albert who visited the city in 1853 and even today the city houses are painted in pink colour. Highlights of Jaipur include Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Museum, Jantar Mantar and Amber Fort. Jaipur is a paradise for shoppers, the city markets deal in the best tie and dye bandhnis, blankets, shoes and jewellery.

Jaisalmer : Jaisalmer is an oasis in the desert breast of Rajasthan. Situated in the westernmost remote corner of Rajasthan, Jaisalmer with its golden sandstone town walls provides the visitors medieval and an incredible feel. Places to be visited in Jaisalmer are Jaisalmer Fort, the havelis (mansions) most popular one being the Patwon ki Haveli and the Gadisagar Lake.

Lake Vilas Palace Udaipur
Lake Vilas Palace - Udaipur
Udaipur : Often referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’, Udaipur is considered one of the most romantic cities of India. With its fairytale collection of exotic gardens, beautiful lakes and fantasy island palaces, Udaipur provides never before experience to visitors. Must visit places in Udaipur are City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Saheliyon ki bari and Bhartiya Lok Kala museum.

Jodhpur : Jodhpur the second largest city of Rajasthan, lies on the eastern fringe of the Thar Desert. Mehrangarh Fort is the main highlight of Jodhpur which stands on a low range of sandstone hill with a 10 km long stone wall and eight massive entrances. Other places worth a visit in Jodhpur are Jaswanth Thadam a white marble cenotaph to Maharaja Jaswanth Singh II. Sardar Market and Bishnoi village are other places of interest in Jodhpur.

Bikaner : Despite being one of the famous towns of Rajasthan, Bikaner is not much crowded. Junagarh fort is the major attraction of Bikaner. Besides the fort, other attractions of Bikaner include the Camel Breeding Farm and Rat Temple. Bikaner is also famous for the Bikaneri namkeens and bhujias.

Ajmer : Situated about 131 kms from Jaipur, Ajmer is known for the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, the founder of the Chisti order. People of all religions visit the Dargah for fulfillment of their wishes. Just 15 kms from Ajmer lies the Pushkar town known for its temples, especially India’s only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma. Pushakar Lake and annual Cattle Fair are other attractions of Pushkar.

Wildlife in Rajasthan : Despite unending expanses of desert, Rajasthan is bestowed with a vast population of flora and fauna. Rajasthan is home to some of the important wildlife sanctuaries of India that include Ranthambhore National Park, Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Sariska National Park and Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. You can spot a variety of wildanimals and avian species in state of Rajasthan.

People and Culture : People of Rajasthan are friendly in nature and they spend a colourful life. One can get a glimpse of typical Rajasthani culture in food, dresses, music, dance and fairs and festivals of Rajashtan. People of the state celebrate a number of festivals all round the year that include regional and religious festivals. Some of the famous fairs and festivals of Rajasthan include Pushkar Fair, Camel Festival, Elephant Festival, Desert Festival, Teej Festival, Gangaur Festival, Nagaur Festival, Mewar Festival, Kite Festival and Shekhawati Fair. Rajasthan savour some of delicious food served in North India especially the non-vegetarian food.


Tiger on its prey
Tiger on its prey 

Adventrue in Rajasthan : Desert land of Rajasthan offers excellent opportunities for adventure seekers. One can enjoy adventure sports like paragliding, ballooning, boating, trekking, camping, camel safari, jeep safari and horse safari in Rajasthan.