Call it by its many names and they will not do Jodhpur justice. An oasis in the arid Thar Desert, Jodhpur is the second largest city in the state of Rajasthan. Representing this colourful city with shades of blue, Jodhpur has a history that is rich and a present that beckons strongly to the discerning tourist. Forts and palaces, temples and havelis, culture and tradition, spices and fabrics, colour and texture, Jodhpur has them all and in plenty.

Situated in western Rajasthan, Jodhpur has long attracted both the domestic and outside tourist. It not only offers tangibles, in terms of what you can see and buy but also fills one with a sense of history and the splendors of an era gone forever. The hospitality of the locals, the demure women, the colourful turbans -all set against the unmerciful desert is something to feel, not just see.

Every pore of Jodhpur tells its own tales of heroic tales that made legends out of kings and soldiers, romances that continue to warm the heart and a time when epics were lived out on the streets by everyday man.

For the first-time visitor, it is an intriguing and unforgettable experience.

Population: Approx. 2.8 million

Language(s): Rajastani, Hindi, English

Climate: Jodhpur is given to extremities in weather. With temperatures in summer ranging from a minimum of 20°C to a maximum of 49°C, summers are not the preferred months for travel. The winters though, with temperatures hovering between maximum temperatures within mid twenties to 5-6°C at the lowest are a great time to visit.

Best times to visit:An extensive green cover ensures a pleasant season during spring and early winter. The best season to visit the city though remains between October and March.

Places of Interest

Mehrangarh Fort
Considered one of India's best forts, this invincible stronghold of the Marwars sits on a steep hill lording over a wonderful view of its surroundings. It is also a beautiful fort and undoubtedly, the jewel of Jodhpur. Intricate latticed windows, elaborately carved panels and elegantly curved porches speak of beauty and taste. No matter what part of the fort you are in, its ambience will leave you in awe and your senses reeling. Take in the sight high up on the rampart where the second largest cannon in Asia rests, the recoil of which requires an area as large as a football field!

Umaid Bhawan Palace
If forts can be ornate, this is a palace we are talking about. The Umaid Bhavan Palace was built in the 20th century as a famine relief project, providing employment to its people over a time period of 16 long years. And if the Mehrangarh fort is the jewel, the Umaid Bhavan comes a very close second. A fabulous art-deco edifice, Umaid Bhawan is fabulously maintained and contains within, the museum - a veritable treasure-trove of memorabilia showcasing the royal past of Jodhpur. Peek into a little of everything that royalty lived with - from tea sets and clocks to paintings and royal apparel. The palace now operates as a heritage hotel, though part of it is retained as the royal residence.

Jaswant Thada
Close to the fort complex, this 19th century cenotaph was built in white marble, in commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Rare portraits of Jodhpur's past rulers are also displayed here. Walk around and savour the intricate work both on the lattices and the doors. The gardens and water tank built in front of the cenotaph provide this place the perfect setting for serenity.

Shopping
While the shopping centres of Jodhpur may not technically fall under the category of 'what to see' in Jodhpur, the list would be quite incomplete without it. Renowned for its tie and dye textiles, jootis, lacquerware, antiques, carpets and puppets, make a trip to the Sadar Bazaar, where you will find all of the above and more. Jodhpur has many a unique thing to decorate your home and life with. Visit Mohanlal Verhomal's store for Indian spices, the Umaid Bhawan/ Ajit Bhawan Road to shop for Antiques and don't miss the Jodhpur Handloom House for beautiful Bandhni and Leheriya saris.

Golf Courses
For those of you that cannot get through a holiday without sport, the Sadar Club at Ratanada offers a round of golf - Rs 100 for 18 holes plus Rs 50 for equipment and Rs 20 for a caddie. The club was built by the British about a 100 years ago and the ambience is wonderful especially if you like a round of golf.

Mandore
Travel just 8 kms from the city to visit Mandore, once the capital of Marwar. There are old cenotaphs of the Rathore rulers and craggy caves that once sheltered homeless ascetics here. While the sixteen deities carved out of the rock face are rather garishly displayed in a niche adjacent to a temple within the complex, the exquisitely landscaped gardens are home to a variety of birds and small animals.

How to get there

By Road

Jodhpur is well connected by road to Jaipur (330 kms), Udaipur (265 kms) and Jaisalmer (300 kms).

By Air

Indian Airlines and Jet Airways both link Jodhpur with Mumbai, Jaipur, Udaipur and Delhi.

By Rail

Jodhpur is well connected to Delhi, Jaipur and Jaisalmer by train.