Jodhpur

Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan and offers a compelling mix of history, architecture, and culture. Known as the Blue City for its distinctive blue-painted old city quarter and the Sun City for its year-round sunshine, it serves as the Gateway to the Thar desert. The massive Mehrangarh Fort dominates the skyline and has never been taken by force in its 500-year history. Unlike more crowded tourist destinations, Jodhpur retains an authentic Rajput atmosphere with traditional havelis, bustling markets, and genuine Rajasthani hospitality.

Jodhpur is well connected by road, rail and air to all major cities in India. The airport is about 5 km from the city centre; take a taxi (₹200) or autorickshaw (₹100) from the airport to your hotel. Air India operates flights to Jodhpur from Delhi and Mumbai. The city is a major railway hub with connections across India.

Auto-rickshaws are the most common form of transport within the city. A typical ride within town costs around ₹100. You can also walk between major attractions—the fort is easily reachable on foot from the old city, and the clock tower makes a useful orientation point for exploring the markets.

The best time to visit is October to March when temperatures are cooler (9-27°C). Summers (April-June) can be extremely hot, reaching 41°C. The Rajasthan International Folk Festival is held annually during October at Mehrangarh Fort. Entry to the fort is free each year on its birthday (about 12 May).

Budget accommodation abounds near the fort and clock tower area. Guest houses in restored havelis offer excellent value—Amar Niwas (US$5.25-20) is a 527-year-old Brahmin family haveli with rooftop views of the fort, while Durag Niwas offers basic fan rooms from ₹350 with free pickup. For mid-range options, Ganpati Guest House (₹300-1,000) near the clock tower has a rooftop restaurant with fort views. Most budget places are in the old city near the fort gate named Fethpole or around Nai Sarak.

Jodhpur has excellent street food and local specialties. Try Mirchi Vada, Samosa, and Pyaaj Kachori at Raju Namkeens in Manak Chowk, or Makhaniya Lassi (spiced yoghurt drink with cardamom and butter) at Mishrilal near the clock tower. Mawa Kachori is best at Chele Ki Dukaan in the old city, or at Pokar Sweets/Janta Sweets on Nai Sarak. For a full meal, New Saheen Hotel offers fish, kababs, dal, paneer, and fresh roti for about ₹60-80. Pukhraj Ji Ki Dhani (20 km from the city) serves Dal Bati Churma for only ₹150. For upmarket dining, Mehran Terrace at Mehrangarh Fort offers candlelit dining with city views (thalis ₹300-400) but requires booking ahead.

The highlight is Mehrangarh Fort (₹600 for foreigners), which dominates the city from a 150-m hill with commanding views. Within the fort complex, don't miss Moti Mahal (Pearl Hall), Phool Mahal (Flower Hall), Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Hall), and Zenana Deodi. An English-owned company 'Flying Fox' operates a zipline tour in the Chokelao Gardens. Nearby Jaswant Thada (₹50 for foreigners) is a beautiful marble cenotaph with gardens and lake views. Walk the city wall for panoramic views, and wander through the old city's blue-painted Brahmpuri quarter. The Umaid Bhawan Palace (₹100 for foreigners) houses a museum with vintage cars.

Nai Sadak and Sardar Market are the main shopping areas. Look for Bandhej sarees, handmade handicrafts, Mojris (traditional pointed shoes), and spices. At National Handloom on Nai Sadak, prices are clearly marked and hassle-free. For spices and tea, Mohanlal Verhomal (MV) Spices inside Sardar Market is women-run with tastings available, while Suncity Spices on Nai Sarak offers ₹120 per packet. Expect to pay ₹100-150 for each 200g packet of spices or 150g packet of tea. Scarves range from ₹50 to ₹3,000 depending on material (pashmina, silk, Kashmir, blends). Shop owners will offer chai and engage in friendly conversation—don't feel pressured to buy.

Jodhpur is comparatively safe, but take standard precautions. Don't venture out late at night alone. Only take travel advice from hotel concierges or trustworthy sources. When travelling by train or bus, avoid snacks from strangers—some tourists have been drugged and robbed after consuming narcotic-laced biscuits or tea. Women should avoid revealing clothes; wearing a hijab or having a male companion helps avoid harassment. Beware of touts selling rail tickets—it's a criminal offence to buy tickets from anyone except recognized agents or reservation offices.

The telephone area code is 0291. WiFi is easy to find in tourist areas—many restaurants and guesthouses offer it, and there are multiple internet shops. Google Maps is reliable for navigating Jodhpur's streets. Local SIM cards are available if you need mobile data.

Several destinations are reachable from Jodhpur: Osian (60 km) has Jain and Kali temples. Ranakpur (about 100 km north of Udaipur, between Jodhpur and Udaipur) features magnificent marble Jain temples with over 1,444 uniquely carved pillars. Mandore (7 km outside the city) was the ancient capital of Marwar before Jodhpur was built. Balsamand Lake is now a resort. For longer trips, consider Jaisalmer (desert city), Udaipur (city of lakes), or Jaipur (the Pink City).

From Jodhpur, you can reach several destinations: Jaisalmer—government buses run every hour from about 4:30AM to 5:30PM. Udaipur is the city of lakes. Jaipur is the Pink City. Mount Abu is a hill station 185 km from Udaipur with Jain temples (Dilwara Temples). Ajmer is famous for the Khwaja Ajmer Sheriff shrine and the only Brahma temple by Lake Pushkar.