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General
Information
260-km From
Udaipur, Rajasthan
Tourist Attractions: Umaid Bhawan Palace,
Mehrangarh Fort
Festival Attraction: Desert Festival
Best Time To Visit: October To March
MAIN LANGUAGES Rajasthani, Hindi & English
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 lif e
when the Rathores of Kanauj moved in. But the city of Jodhpur was
founded by Rao Jodhaji in 1459 AD.
In Jodhpur, the genius of its sculptors comes to life in its
exquisite palaces, forts, temples and havelis, which stand 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.
PRIME
ATTRACTIONS
FORTS
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.
PALACES
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.
MUSEUMS
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.
OTHERS
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. 
PALACE
ON WHEELS
Ever wondered what luxury in the royal times was all about!
Welcome to Palace On Wheels, a luxury train that carries with it an
ambience of the Rajputana era and an exciting fairytale journey,
which takes the visitor to the imperial cities of Rajasthan every
single day. The coaches also carry out an image of the Rajput states
with beautiful interiors. Last but not the least the "Royal
Treat" for the passengers on board include saloons, bar lounges
& libraries in every coach as well as restaurant and organized
shopping facilites.
EXCURSIONS
CITIES
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 with sixteen huge figures 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.
TEMPLES
Ossian : 65-km from Jodhpur, lie 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.
TRIBES
Guda Bishnoi : The villages are inhabitated 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.
LAKES AND PALACES
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.
HOW TO GET
THERE
Air:
Jodhpur has its own airport
and regular flight services conect the city with other major cities
in and around Rajasthan.
Rail: 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.
Road: The state transport has bus services from other cities
of the state and some services are interstate too.
PLACES TO
STAY
The variety
of hotels and guest houses in Jodhpur makes one feel at home.
Accommodation here is available to suit tourists of every budget.
Hotel Karni Bhawan, Ajit Bhawan are heritage hotels. The Rajasthan
Tourism Department has the Ghoomar Hotel. The palace hotels options
include theUmaid Bhawan Palace, Ratanada Polo Palace, Rajputana
Palace. Raj Basera also provides good accommodation facilities.
There are low budget accommodations avaialable too.
FAIRS &
FESTIVALS
The Marwar
Festival - Held in October, this festival brings alive the legend,
folklore and romantic lifestyle of Rajasthan's rulers.
SHOPPING
The Sadar
Market near the Clock Tower gives immense shopping pleasure to the
locals 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.
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 - 302006 (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 - 110001 India
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
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