Jodhpur - Fact File
Location : Rajasthan, India.
Area : 78.60 sq. kms
Population : 6,66,279
Main Languages : Marwari, Hindi, English and Rajasthani.
Known As : Sun City.
Major Attractions : Mehrangarh Fort, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jaswant Thada, Mahamandir Temple.
Climate : Extreme climate, Summer temp : 43°C and 36°C, Winter temp : 28°C and the minimum is 10°C.
Ideal Time to Visit : November to March.


Jodhpur - The Royal City
Jodhpur, one of the royal cities of Rajasthan is the second largest city of the state after Jaipur.
Situated at the edge of the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is surrounded by the Jaisalmer to the west and Bikaner to the north, Nagaur to the east and Jalor and Pali to the south. In 1459 A.D, Rao Maldeo Jodha, the Rathore Rajput head founded the city. The 500 year old city earlier known as Marwar (a former princely state) was the headquarters of Rathore Rajputs. The enchantingly beautiful town of Jodhpur houses historical monuments, which speak of its glorious past. The old city is surrounded by a 10 km long wall, within the wall are the magnificent palaces with priceless jewels and a striking collection of arms. There are maze of narrow pathways in the old city and on both sides of the pathways are the fine buildings, monuments and temples. Eight gates lead out from the old city. Old caravan route was linked with Middle East via Jodhpur, so the town was famous as a business centre. Today Jodhpur is a major export centre of handicrafts, wool, cattle, camels and salts.

Attractions of Jodhpur
Mehrangarh Fort
The majestic Mehrangarh Fort stands tall on a 125 m high Godagir hill at a distance of 5 kms from the town. The Mehrangarh Fort of the 'Majestic Fort' was originally built by the Pradhan Rao Jodha in 1459 A.D but several additions were made over the years. The beauty of the fort is enhanced by carved panels and porches, elaborately adorned walls and windows of Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Sileh Khana and Daulat Khana. The Museum of the fort is the main attraction, which is divided into 18 parts where tourists can see the outstanding grandeur of the royal objects and artifacts. The Fort Museum also houses some beautiful palkis and fine weaponry. Some of the private living quarters of the erstwhile rulers are open to visitors too.

Umaid Bhawan Palace
The Art Deco Umaid Bhawan Palace is located close to Mehrangarh Fort and can be seen from the roof of the fort. The beautiful palace is situated on the Chittar Hills. The foundation of this palace was laid by Maharaja Umaid Singh on 18th November 1928 and was completed in 1943. Umaid Bhawan Palace was built as a famine relief project and providing employment to people. The Western styled palace was designed by President of the British Royal Institute of Architects. Umaid Bhawan Palace has more than 300 rooms, auditorium, eight dining rooms, beautiful corridors, staircases, hallways, gilded royal furniture, majestic tiger and deerskins on the walls. The palace also has a ballroom that gives a Westernized royal lifestyle. Umaid Bhawan Palace is now converted into a luxury heritage hotel but it has a museum and a part as royal residence.

Jaswant Thada
Jaswant Thada is a memorial built in memory of Maharaja Yashwant Singh II in 1899. There are three monuments like temple and portraits of the Jodhpur rulers.

Mahamandir Temple
Situated just 2 kms from the town, Mahamandir Temple is a popular tourist attraction. Built in 1812 the temple is surrounded by a fence and is supported by 84 columns. Lord Shiva is the deity of the temple.

Mandore
Mandore is 8 kms north of the town. Earlier it was capital of Parihar Rajputs, Rathore Rao Chouhan defeated Pariharas in 1381 and built capital there. In the beautiful gardens of Mandore are the cenotaphs of the Jodhpur rulers, Maharajadhiraj Ajit Singh's (1763) cenotaph is most alluring.

Accommodation
Accommodation is available at hotels, guest houses, rest houses and lodges that fall under everybody's budget. Most popular hotels are Taj Hari Mahal (5 Star Deluxe), Umaid Bhawan Palace, Ajit Bhawan Palace (Heritage), Bal Samand Lake Palace (Heritage), Hotel Karni Bhawan (Heritage) etc.

How To Reach Jodhpur
By Air : Jodhpur airport is linked to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur and Udaipur. Flights of Indian Airlines connect Jodhpur with Delhi.

By Rail : Jodhpur is located on the main rail route of India. The railway station is connected to major cities and towns of India. Trains are available from Ahmedabad, Delhi, Bikaner, Jaipur, Mumbai and Kolkata.

By Road : Good network of roads connect Jodhpur with important places of Rajasthan and other states of India. Buses are available from Ajmer, Jaipur, Udaipur, Delhi and other places of Rajasthan.