'...from the bastions of the
Jodhpur Fort one hears as the Gods must hear from Olympus, the Gods to
whom each separate word uttered in the innumerably peopled world below,
comes up distinct and individual to be recorded in the books of
omniscience'- Aldous Huxley
The land of this fort, Jodhpur, is no less legendary with its folklores full of tales of valor and romance. Umaid Bhawan Palace, the residence of the royal family turned into a heritage hotel, is undoubtedly the gem of Jodhpur and is the largest personal residence besides being one of the best art-deco buildings of India. Pale blue seems to be shade of the city as suggested by its palaces, havelis, temples and houses. The warm hospitality and friendliness of the hardy desert people, the pulsating rustling environments of the crowded bazaars, all are undermined in front of the sheer immensity of the Mehrangarh fort.
The Suryavanshi Rao Jodha founded Jodhpur, the erstwhile capital of Marwar. In medieval times, Jodhpur lay on the trade routes between Central Asia and the ports of Gujarat, and thus, was a major trade centre during the 16th century. Even today, it continues to be known for its textiles and crafts. One can feel the medieval flavor and ambience that forms a part of the culture of the city.
CLIMATE
Jodhpur has extreme climatic conditions and scanty and erratic rainfall, which averages just 32 cm annually. The summer temperature ranges from 20ºC to 49ºC while the winter temperature ranges from 5ºC to somewhere in the mid twenties.
HOW TO REACH
By Air: Jodhpur is well connected by flights from New Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur, Jaisalmer and Jaipur. The Jaisalmer Airport is in the cantonment area, and is managed by the Indian Air Force.
By Train: Jodhpur is well connected by trains to all the major cities of India and hence, there is immense pressure for bookings here. The most sought-after are Jodhpur-Jaipur Intercity Express, Jodhpur-Kota Express, and Jodhpur-Bikaner Passenger. It is advisable to us the special quota reserved for tourists. Foreign tourists may seek help from The International Tourist Bureau at the Railway Station.
By Road: Smooth network of roads and luxury coaches link Jaisalmer to all the major cities of Rajasthan such as Bikaner, Jaipur and Jaisalmer. The main Bus Stand is situated in the city center.
WHERE TO EAT
Most of the Jodhpur's delicacies and eating joints form a part and parcel of the hotels themselves where you can pamper yourself with the fiery and aromatic Rajasthani cuisine. The famous 'kachouri' with piquant tamarind 'chutney' is the hot favorite. The palatable 'laddoos' and tall glasses of refreshing and cool 'lassi' are just the perfect desserts to have after the spicy Rajasthani food.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Marwar
Festival is a two-day festival held in October in Jodhpur on the
full moon night or 'Sharad Purnima'. Formerly known as the 'Maand
Festival', this annual event showcases the art and culture of Jodhpur
and is devoted exclusively to songs and dance of the Marwar region.
'Maand' is a classical style of folk music that focuses on the romance
and chivalry of the rulers of Rajasthan. The high-spirited folk dancers
gathered here, perform with passion and amuse the audience with
Rajasthani legends. These folk performers bring to life the myth and
folklores of the region and sing songs in remembrance of the valiant
heroes. Horse riding, horse polo and variety of competitions are also
feature in the festival.SHOPPING ATTRACTIONS
A must buy in Jodhpur is leheriya saree or tie and dye textiles and a pair of camel leather 'jootis'. Jodhpur is also known for its lacquerware, puppets, antiques and carpets. If you love to cook, this is the place you should search for all the magical Indian spices that you will simply love. The market in Umaid Bhavan is a good place to buy antiques from. However, if you want to visit a market place where you can buy everything at once, then Sadar Bazaar is a good place to shop.
WHAT TO WEAR
The most appropriate outfits to wear in Jodhpur include loose cotton clothes in summer and heavy woolen clothes to keep you warm in winter. Use a hat or a scarf as a head covering and drink lots of water to avoid heat strokes. It will be advisable to wear comfortable footwear, as you will have to walk a lot here while sightseeing. Sunscreens are not to be forgotten to save yourself from sunburns you may get from the scorching hot desert sun in summers.
