Jodhpur the fortress city at the edge of the vast endless ‘Thar Desert’ is famous for its remarkable architectural wonders and its unique blue-colored homes, also called the blue city of India.
One of the largest cities in the royal state of Rajasthan, formerly the seat of the princely state of Jodhpur, and historically the capital of the Kingdom of Marwar. Here the history surpasses the boundaries of the Royal Rajputana clan and meets from the Mughals to the British Raj. The fairs and festivals are as vibrant as the land is arid, showcasing the zealous spirit of the local culture, and the fusion of Rajputana architecture that manifests in the many architectural masterpieces locks an unbreakable spell upon its viewers
The blue city really is blue! The stretches well beyond the 16th-century border, but the immediacy and buzzes of the old city area and the larger-than-life fort capture traveler’s imaginations
The city was founded in 1459 by Maharaja Rao Jodha, a Rajput chief of the Rathore clan. King Jodha succeeded in conquering the surrounding territories and founded a kingdom that came to be known as Marwar. As king Jodha hailed from the nearby town of Mandore, that town initially served as the capital of this state, but Jodhpur soon took over that role, even during the lifetime of king Jodha
The old city circles the Mehrangarh fort is bounded by a wall with several gates. The magnificent spectacle, a UNESCO World Heritage monument, and an architectural masterpiece. The formidable wall appears to grow organically from its rocky perch, and now the city has expanded outside from its wall
A trip to this stunning city would be a fascinating and memorable experience, where the history is evident everywhere, you can experience numerous thick and cramming lanes, by-lanes, crowded markets, busy businessmen, ladies wearing attractively colorful dresses, laidback children playing on the road, and cows and dogs roaming completely aplomb amidst the human world. But the most prominent feature of Jodhpur is none other than the color of the houses around the Mehrangarh fort complex
To understand why Jodhpur is called the blue city, you should head into the older quarters of Jodhpur. Here, under the centuries-old protection of Mehrangarh fort, whose foundation was laid in the mid-15th century. There is always a little history and mystery lying together behind every legend. It may be many reasons indicated by the locals but ultimately there may be no way of establishing the exact reasons why the houses are blue
The unique Mehrangarh fort covers a vast area of 1,200 acres build on a hilltop around 122 m above the surrounding plains. There are many palaces known for their intricate carvings and expansive courtyards, and the museum housing various relics
The imprints of the impact of cannonballs fired by the attacking armies of Jaipur can be seen on the second gate. On the left side of the fort is the Chhatri of Kirat Singh Soda, a soldier who fell on the spot defending Mehrangarh. There are seven gates, which include Jayapol built by Maharaja Man Singh to commemorate his victories over Jaipur and Bikaner armies, and Fattehpol gate built by Maharaja Ajit Singh’s victory over the Mughals
Jaswant Thada the beautiful memorial in marble often described as the ‘Taj Mahal of Marwar’ was built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur (1873-1895) by his son Maharaja Sardar Singh (1895-1911). The main hall has been built like a temple where puja (ritual) is performed. The worship of ancestors is common to the Rajput clans. Today, Museum in Jaswant Thada displays portraits of Marwar rulers along with informative didactics – the information serves as orientation space to understand the history of Marwar through the Portraits. Its grounds serve as a serene venue for morning concerts during music festivals such as the Rajasthan International folk festival and the world sacred spirit festival
.jpeg)
Umaid Bhavan Palace is a fascinating palace in India, the foundations of the building in 1929 by Maharaja Umaid Singh and construction was completed in 1943. Now a part of the palace has now been converted into a hotel and museum. The history of building the Umaid Bhawan Palace is linked to the great ruler of the Rathore Dynasty. Jodhpur faced severe drought and famine in the 1920s for three consecutive years. The farmers of the area, faced with this hardship, sought the help of the then king Umaid Singh, who was the 37th Rathore ruler of Marwar, to provide them with some employment so that they could survive the harsh conditions. The king, to help the farmers, decided to build a lavish palace at that time
Umaid Bhavan Palace one of the largest private residences in the World. The palace has 347 rooms and is the principal residence of the former Jodhpur royal family
The Jodhpuri people are amongst the most hospitable people in India. They have a typical Marwari accent, and their lifestyle is fascinating. Women love to wear a specific type of jewelry, and men wear unique colorful turbans. The main languages spoken here are Hindi, Marwari, and Rajasthani
The graceful palaces, forts and buildings strewn throughout the place bring alive the historic grandeur of this city. Lending a romantic aura to Jodhpur, are its exquisite handicrafts, folk dances, folk music, and brightly attired people. The local people are quite affable with their sweet smiles and warm hospitality. The bazaars of Jodhpur have a range of items from tie & dye textiles, embroidered leather shoes, lacquerware, antiques, carpets, puppets, textiles, clay figurines, miniatures of camels and elephants, marble inlay work, and classic silver jewelry
Old Jodhpur city is not like a tourist place but a busy charming local market like Chandni Chowk of Old Delhi. The unique clock tower is situated in the middle of the market area and bustling with both locals and tourists. You will find all kinds of stuff whether you are looking for fruits, vegetables, handicrafts, or clothes. The clock tower is just like any other clock tower. Go there in the evening when the tower is lit up with beautiful lights of different colors
There are a lot of lassi and fruit shake shops around clock tower market area. Fast food like Samosa, Kachauri, and mirchi ke pakodas are also all around
With Shamrock Journeys, you’ll discover all these and much more; we design exclusive features for the best exposure and experiences that help you lift the lid on this spectacular land
Our tours aim to uncover cultural intricacies and connections across a wide range of subject areas and themes including art, architecture, archaeology, history, culture, and the natural image of this unique destination
Follow us – www.facebook.com/Shamrock.Journeys
Follow us – www.instagram.com/shamrockjourneys/
Follow us – www.twitter.com/Shamrockjourney
Write us – travel@shamrockjourneys.com
