In this article we will together celebrate the rich culture and beauty of the blue city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan!
Existing readers of this blog might already have noticed how I base my itinerary blogs on the basis of my own personal experience rather than just creating a check-list which takes out that personal touch.
Jodhpur, often referred to as the Blue City, is a vibrant and colorful destination that boasts a fascinating history and a unique architectural style. As the second-largest city in Rajasthan, India, Jodhpur is known for its intricate hand-painted houses, ancient forts, and stunning palaces, all of which tell a story of the city's grand past.
Before we begin, I must lay down these important points of information:
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Jodhpur is from October to February, which is the winter season. During this time, the temperature ranges between 10°C and 24°C, making it perfect for sightseeing and desert activities.
The months from March to June are quite hot and are not advisable for visiting Jodhpur.
The summer months from April to August are considered the hottest months of the year and should be avoided.
However, budget travellers can still plan a trip and book stays at discounted rates during these months.
**I visited in the month of August, it was hot but not to the point that wikipedia had exaggerated.
How to reach?
By Train
Jodhpur Junction is the main railway station in Jodhpur (Station Code: JU).
The Palace on Wheels is a luxury train that offers a week-long tour to Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ranthambore National Park, Jaipur, Khajuraho & Varanasi.
The travel time from Delhi to Jodhpur by train is approximately 11-12 hours
By Air
The airport in Jodhpur has limited connectivity, so it's best to reach the city via Jodhpur Junction.
All the other major cities in Rajasthan like Jaipur, Udaipur, Ajmer and more are well connected from Jodhpur by road and rail network.
Now that we’re here! Let’s begin the exploration.
#1: Landing Day - An afternoon at Mehrangarh Fort
You’re standing at the railway station. Exhausted from the overnight journey of 12 hours and the first thing you see is taxi and auto drivers swarming at you. That’s the last thing you need. Walk away from them, a 100m away and pick a running auto for the place you’ve booked for stay.
** I would suggest booking accommodation in the old city of Jodhpur. It has a touch of the old rich culture of Rajasthan which is exactly what we’re here to appreciate. (Also, stays with a rooftop access near the fort is a charm for the yes)
Some of my recommendations are:
The Hosteller Heritage Palace, Jodhpur - The first ever packpacking experience inside a royal palace.
Afternoon
After you’ve settled in, you can pile up all the excitement and head straight up to the Mehrangarh Fort which is less than a kilometre away from the old city (1km away from The Hosteller, Jodhpur, Fort Road, near Ghanta Ghar). The entry ticket is 200/- for domestic tourists & 600/- for international visitors. The ticket counter is towards the left right after you enter.
Yes, there are timings for the visitors as well. The fort is open from 9:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the evening.
The fort’s visiting experience has been built in such a way that visitors just keep walking and following a well-directed and marked path to embrace the architecture and everything that the fort has to offer without missing anything. (Yes, the fort is huge. It could take you hours there and consume most of your afternoon and evening).
Evening
After descending from Mehrangarh to explore the bustling streets of the old city, the best way to spend the evening is by exploring the rooftop cafes with a panoramic view of the majestic Mehrangarh Fort; which was built using sandstone in 1460 AD. And sandstone looks quite dark-academic. At night when the fort’s outer light are on, it shines like a majestic red figure on top of a hill.
Some of the cafes that i will recommend are:
#2: A Calm Day at Jaswant Thada
Start your day with a visit to the serene Jaswant Thada, a marble cenotaph built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The peaceful gardens surrounding the structure provide a perfect escape from the bustling city. Allow the quietude of the surroundings to wash over you, inviting introspection and appreciation for the artistic beauty.
Again, the mahal is less than 2 kms away from The Hosteller, Jodhpur. Stroll through the old city and walk towards the mahal.
This palace offer pristine peace and royal housing vibe. You can spend hours sitting there by the lake. The palace could easily remind you of Jodha & Akbar movie.
** When I was strolling through the palace, I almost felt like I was inside Jashn-e-bahara song.
For lunch, head to the charming On the Rocks Restaurant. Nestled in the heart of the city, this hidden gem offers a delightful fusion of traditional Rajasthani and contemporary cuisines. Relish your meal amidst the cozy ambiance and unique decor.
Mystical Toorji Ka Jhalra Bavdi (The Step Well)
It’s time to dissolve into the city now. You would’ve spent enough time here by now to finally start noticing the culture around.
In the heart of Sardar Market, lies an ancient stepwell. Feel the cool breeze as you descend the steps and admire the intricate carvings that adorn the well.
**I went there every evening for the three days that I was there for. You’d find kids skinny diving into the well from the top & truly enjoying the cold water in hot afternoons/evenings.
Sardar Market
Let’s begin at the Clock Tower, a prominent landmark in the heart of the city.
Dive into the colorful chaos of Sardar Market. Witness locals bargaining and shopkeepers setting up their stalls.
Explore the narrow alleys lined with shops selling textiles, handicrafts, spices, and jewelry.
Take a break at Shri Mishrilal Hotel, renowned for its refreshing lassi and delicious mirchi bada (spicy fritters).
Vendors light oil lamps, creating a magical atmosphere in the evening, you could capture the market in the soft glow of the evening.
Explore the street food scene; try local specialties like kachori, samosa, and kulfi.
**When you enter Sardar Market from the side of railway station, towards the left, first shop sells amazing kulfi & lassi; and towards right if you start diving into the endless alleys of shops, you’d find some of the best mithai shops I’ve ever seen.
**My favourite was the sugarcane juice.
The place I shopped most of my jodhpuri kurtas from was Khuda Bux. They sell and import kurtas to FabIndia, which is pretty amazing in itself. The cloth quality is superior as well.
#3: Not so ‘Final’ day
On your supposed-to-be last day in Jodhpur, you still can manage to explore quite a lot.
“The Blue City” - Why is it called the blue city?
I cannot let you leave with this question. Today we’ll walk to the old blue city of Jodhpur. Instead of talking a taxi through the main city of Jodhpur to reach the blue part of jodhpur, I recommend walking. There is a way that goes through the Mehrangarh Fort and then along outside walls of the fort.
You keep walking for about 500m and you start catching a glimpse of the real reason why the city is called blue. You look at the city while descending down from the fort, and all the houses are painted blue.
The streets and alleys are pretty aesthetic if you begin romanticising it. It will surprise you, how cool this part of the city is. Navigating the narrow alleys adorned with blue houses, you’ll feel as if the time has been turned back.
You could savor a traditional Rajasthani thali for lunch at Gypsy Restaurant.
Pachetia Hills
Coming back from the old city, you could take a detour from Mehrangarh Fort and hike to the well known Pachetia Hills, on top which the fort is built. The staircase is well built and has eye catching paintings made on the walls around. There is sandstone and trees all around you. It is an immaculate sensation.
**On my last day in Jodhpur, I got sentimental and sat down with a Korean guy I had met on day 1. We sat down and devoured a whole bag of different kinds of sweets I had collected.
There are still a ton of things to do in Jodhpur, which sadly I could not experience in my short 3-day trip. Here are some other things that could excite you:
Umaid Bhawan palace
Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park
Umaid Heritage Art School
Now that you have a brief idea of what all Jodhpur has to offer you. I want you to actually plan this vacation & explore more hidden gems which were not mentioned in this article; after-all that is the sole reason we travel; to explore and find our own path.
For precise details about cafes, stays & pricing drop a text on my instagram: @notkartikk
Kudos to all the travellers!
