In today’s blog post, the Jodhpur travel guide uncovers vital information for planning a trip to the Blue City.

Recently, I took a road trip to Jodhpur and Jaipur in Rajasthan.

En route, I had the opportunity to visit the Statue of Unity in Gujarat and finally cross it off my bucket list.

I’m sure you might think, is she insane she travelled to Rajasthan in the summer!

Yes, I did, and it was sheer spur-of-the-moment stupidity.

But, on the bright side, there were hardly any crowds while exploring the royal palaces and forts.

If someone told me a few months back I would travel to Rajasthan in the sweltering heat, I would call them crazy.

Initially, I was to travel to Wayanad.

A few days before my departure, the government issued a red alert.

Travelling to the northern states was out of the question as I’d read articles and seen reels of the long traffic jams.

I didn’t want to wait for hours only to arrive at a destination overrun by tourists.

So, with no other destination available, I decided to head to Rajasthan. Heat be damned.

I digress. So, what vital information does the Jodhpur travel guide entail?

• About Jodhpur
• Places to visit
• Best way to explore the city
• The best time to visit
• How to travel to Jodhpur?
• Where to stay?
• Must-visit restaurants
• Travel tips

Without further ado, here’s a glimpse into India’s Blue City, Jodhpur.

ABOUT JODHPUR, THE BLUE CITY

Jodhpur, the historic capital of Marwar (not to be confused with Mewar, present-day Udaipur), was founded by King Rao Jodha in 1459.

This second-largest city in Rajasthan is known for its cornflour blue houses.

The blue houses of Jodhpur have always captivated me. I remember the first time I travelled to Jodhpur, how, from Mehrangarh Fort, the coloured houses resembled a calm blue sea. It was like standing atop a cliff overlooking the blue ocean.

TRAVEL TIP:- Presently, only a select few houses adorn the customary cornflour blue.

The Blue City is home to Umaid Bhawan Palace and Mehrangarh Fort. Both of which showcase the mastery of Rajasthani art.

I spent two days in Jodhpur. Despite the sweltering heat, I have to say they were the best two days of my trip.

So, what does the Blue City of Jodhpur have to offer?

PLACES TO VISIT IN JODHPUR

The Blue City is home to some of the best places and forts in the world. Every corner of Jodhpur is beautiful, but here’s a list of places you shouldn’t miss during your visit.

• Mehrangarh Fort
• Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum
• Jaswant Thada
• Panchkunda
• Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park
• The Blue Street
• Mandore town
• Ghanta Ghar

I visited most of the sites in a day. Want to know how? Then, head to my blog post, “24 hours in Jodhpur“.

You don’t have to rush through and can explore the Blue City over two days.

MEHRANGARH FORT

I have visited several palaces and forts in Rajasthan, but Mehrangarh’s beauty is unbeatable.

Mehrangarh sits atop the Bhakurcheeria hill. Rathore king, Rao Jodha, in 1459, moved the capital from Mandore to Jodhpur.

The thousand-year Mandore Fort was no longer secure. Therefore, the foundation for a new fort, Mehrangarh, was laid in 1459.

If you had to visit only one place in Jodhpur, it has to be Mehrangarh. Many people would think of the Umaid Bhawan Palace.

No!

Unless you’re staying at the hotel at the Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mehrangarh is one place you cannot miss.

This magnificent fort opens to the public daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A single ticket costs Rs.200. Along with the entry ticket, get the lift ticket too. It’s an additional Rs.50.

The one-way lift takes visitors straight to the top of the fort. From there, you can explore the fort from top to bottom.

My favourite part was the courtyards connecting the different sections of the fort. I spent more time marvelling at the carvings on the giant walls and jharokhas.

Of course, the galleries are a must-see. You’ll see the palkis used by the royal families, armour, shields, weapons, etc.

It takes 2 hours to explore this massive and impressive fort. So, visit when it opens to avoid crowds and the hot afternoon sun.

UMAID BHAWAN MUSEUM

The next must-visit place is the Umaid Bhawan Museum.

Umaid Bhawan Palace, named after Maharaja Umaid Singh, is the former residence of the Jodhpur royal family.

It is one of the largest palaces and has 347 rooms.

According to legend, a saint cursed the Rathore dynasty. He said the kingdom would face a drought. Sometime in the 1920s, Jodhpur encountered a drought and famine for three years.

When the farmers went to the king, Maharaja Umaid Singh, for assistance, he came up with an idea.

Maharaja Umaid Singh employed the farmers to build a palace. Umaid Bhawan Palace took 14 years to complete. It was an expensive endeavour, costing 11 million rupees, but it served its purpose. It employed the people and helped them survive the famine.

A section of the palace, open to the public, is a museum.

Upon entering the museum, you’ll see a model of the palace. The other galleries display the history of the Umaid Bhawan Palace, trophies won by the royal family, their art, clock, crockery collections, etc.

My favourite was the art collection. There were enormous murals of scenes from the Ramayan. What I found interesting was the Greek elements in the painting. The murals differed from the typical portrayals of Lord Ram, Goddess Sita and Ravan.

The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A single ticket for Indians is Rs.60 and Rs.200 for foreigners. To avoid crowds, visit around 3:30-4 p.m. Just before closing.

JASWANT THADA

A 2-minute drive from Mehrangarh Fort is Jaswant Thada, a cenotaph.

The white structure resembling a temple is the tomb of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II.

Apart from being a cenotaph, it also serves as the royal family’s cremation grounds. Upon entering the cenotaph, you will find photos of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II and other Jodhpuri rulers.

Jaswant Thada is a beautiful example of architecture and a must-visit in Jodhpur.

The interior is simple and has photos of the rulers and kings. However, the exterior is impressive. The outer walls are a work of art with delicate patterns carved into the stone.

As if the structure wasn’t beautiful enough, you have the Devkund Lake nearby and panoramic views of the Blue City.

Since it opens a bit late, I recommend stopping here after visiting Mehrangarh Fort.

Jaswant Thada opens daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A single ticket costs Rs.30 for Indians and Rs.50 for foreigners.

The tiered garden is just as beautiful. Don’t miss the tiny cafe near the entrance. You can stop here for a quick drink while looking out at the ducks in the lake.

PANCHKUNDA CHATTRIYA

The Panchkunda Chattriya, too, are cenotaphs. Unlike Jaswant Thada, a sole cenotaph, the Panchkunda Chattriya are the tombs of the royal queens.

Built with red sandstone, the Panchkunda Chattriya are a striking sight. Here, you can find the cenotaphs of Rao Jodha, Rao Chunda and Rao Ranmal.

Each queen has a separate cenotaph and is unique. However, the most revered is the cenotaph of Maharani Surya Kanwarji. It is said to have 32 pillars.

The Panchkunda Chattriya are a 20-minute drive from Jaswant Thada. So, many people skip it. But I suggest you drive down to the beautiful red sandstone cenotaphs.

NOTE:- It paints a stunning backdrop for Instagram clicks.

I visited the Panchkunda Chattriya around 2 p.m. before heading for a late lunch. I almost skipped this magnificent place. Fortunately, I didn’t.

The Panchkunda Chattriya reminded me of the cenotaphs in Udaipur.

Note that the sandstone steps are searing hot in the afternoon, and you remove your shoes before entering.

I tried climbing the boiling sandstone steps in the afternoon heat. Twice. After that, I gave up and just admired them from the bottom.

On the positive side, there were no tourists due to the sweltering heat, so I had the place to myself.

You can plan a visit to the Panchkunda Chattriya in the early morning or evening. The cenotaphs are open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and have free entry.

RAO JODHA DESERT ROCK PARK

The latest addition to Jodhpur’s tourist map is the Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park.

So, what is Rao Jodha Desert Park? It is a rocky wasteland transformed and developed in 2006 to restore the local flora and fauna.

The park consists of trails of varying distances. These trails run through rocky gorges, stream crossings, bridges, etc.

It’s the best place for nature lovers and bird watchers.

The park’s visitor centre is a 2-minute drive from Mehrangarh Fort. I visited here after Mehrangarh Fort. Initially, I was going to complete the yellow trail. It is a beautiful trail, but the lack of people spooked me.

I didn’t walk the entire trail, but what little I did, it was beautiful.

It’s better to travel in a group. If you’re travelling solo, hire a guide. It can seem eerie.

If you want to walk the trails, start early. You don’t want to be walking around in the harsh afternoon sun. The shortest trail is less than 1 km.

So, would I recommend Rao Jodha Park? Yes. It is a unique experience. Want to add a dash of adventure to your travels? Don’t miss the park.

The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. A single ticket costs Rs.100, and for a guide, it is an additional Rs.200.

Hiring a naturalist guide is the best way to learn about the park, its flora and fauna.

THE BLUE STREET

In the olden days, Brahmins painted their houses blue to distinguish them from others.

Now, the cornflour blue houses are a trademark of Jodhpur.

Earlier, the houses in the old town were blue. Now, only a select few blue dwellings remain.

There are a few places where visitors can see the cornflour blue houses. You can find “Blue (Indigo) Street” on Google Maps.

The best way to reach Blue Street is by auto and walking. Roads in the old town are narrow and unfit for cars. Autos or walking is the only way.

Autos will drop you off at the nearest lane. The blue houses are somewhere amidst the maze of houses and narrow alleys.

However, don’t expect a whole street of blue houses. Also, finding the street is a bit of a task.

After extensive research, I realised Blue Street was a social media gimmick. So, I skipped it.

If you want those Instagram photos with the blue houses, add Blue Street to your itinerary. It is free, so why not?

However, some locals charge a fee for allowing tourists into their homes and on rooftops.

MANDORE TOWN

The next place to visit in Jodhpur is the town of Mandore, 9 km away. Mandore was once the capital of Marwar before Rao Jodha moved it to Jodhpur.

After Jodhpur became the capital, Mandore served at the crematorium for the rulers. You will find cenotaphs of the kings at Mandore Garden.

However, after the death of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, Jaswant Thada, near Mehrangarh Fort, became the new cremation grounds.

Today, you can explore the ruins of the Mandore Fort, the former royal residence, cenotaphs of past rulers are another must-see in Mandore, and temples of the 33 crore Hindu gods.

Interestingly, there is a Ravan temple at Mandore. While it is known as the Ravan temple, it worships his wife, Mandodari. As a result, a few locals consider Ravan their son-in-law.

The Mandore Gardens are beautiful and the best place to spend the evening.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t visit this beautiful place. En route to Jodhpur, I had to take a detour due to road closure. My first stop after arriving in Jodhpur was Mandore Gardens. But I reached the hotel in the evening. I tried to fit Mandore into my sightseeing the next day. But I couldn’t.

I missed out on this ancient town. You shouldn’t.

After 4 p.m. is the best time to explore the Mandore Gardens. Also, don’t forget to catch the laser light and sound show at 7 p.m.

Mandore Garden has two shows, one in English and the other in Hindi. Each show runs for 20 minutes.

It is a must-include to your Jodhpur bucket list.

GHANTA GHAR

The last place on the list of places to visit in Jodhpur is the Ghanta Ghar.

Unfortunately, I missed this one too. I had been exploring the city all day. I planned to go to the Ghanta Ghar after a quick pit stop at the hotel. Later, I was too tired to make the trip to the Ghanta Ghar. Now that I think back, I regret not going.

In 1910, during Raja Sardar Singh’s reign, the clock was installed at the centre of Sardar Market. The clock is one of a kind. The king paid a sum of three lakh rupees for the clock, its installation and copyright.

Another feature of the Ghanta Ghar is it’s mechanism. Every Thursday, the clock has to be reset. So, who resets it? Since its installation, one family has been taking care of the clock.

Mr Ikbal and his son are the only two people who know how the clock functions.

You can meet and learn the click’s inner mechanism from Mr. Ikbal or his son at the Ghanta Ghar.

The Ghanta Ghar is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. A single ticket costs Rs.25 for Indians and Rs.100 for foreigners.

Sardar Market is known for souvenirs, spices, antiques, clothes, etc. After a quick tour of the Ghanta Ghar, stroll through the lively market.

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO EXPLORE JODHPUR?

Now that you know all the places to visit, it’s time to figure out how to get to them.

The best way to get to all these places is by driving. However, most tourists don’t drive to Jodhpur like me.

So, the next best thing is to hire a taxi or an auto for the entire day.

I suggest comparing the fares for taxis and autos on Uber or Ola with the fares quoted by the drivers— take the cheaper one.

NOTE:- Let the drivers know in advance all the places you plan to visit and in which order to avoid getting charged extra later.

The cheapest and quickest way to explore Jodhpur is self-driving.

With your vehicle, you can drive to all the sites— except Blue Street. And you pay less than Rs.200 in parking fees.

Mehrangarh, Jaswant Thada, Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park and Panchkunda Chattriya are within a short driving distance.

Auto rickshaws charge around Rs.1000 for the entire day. You can always negotiate the price with the driver.

Autos are the second best and cheapest form of exploring the city. The only disadvantage is that they are slow at climbing the hill to Mehrangarh and other nearby sites.

Taxis are slightly expensive, but if you’re in Jodhpur in the summer, you might want an air-conditioned vehicle.

For eight hours, taxis charge Rs.1700 for sedans and Rs.2400 for SUVs. If you are a large group, many local companies have matadors and mini-buses.

NOTE:- The tariff doesn’t include parking fees.

If you don’t have a vehicle, autos are the best and cheapest way to explore Jodhpur— except in the summers. Then taxis are better.

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT JODHPUR

Rajasthan is home to the Thar desert. It is hot in the summer, cold in winter and receives little or no rainfall.

Accordingly, September, November, December, January and February are the best months to visit Jodhpur.

SUMMER

March to May are the summer holidays.

A trip to Jodhpur in the summer is not advisable because the temperature reaches 50°C during the day.

I travelled to Jodhpur at the end of May. The temperature was 51° C during the day and mid-30°C at night.

The cool breeze blowing all day, the refreshing lime sodas and air-conditioned car rides kept me going.

For fools like me travelling to Jodhpur in summer, hydrate regularly, wear caps or hats, bring sunglasses and apply lots of sunscreen.

Due to the extreme heat, tourism is low. That means hotels at cheaper prices and less crowds.

During my visit, there were a total of twenty people at Mehrangarh.

MONSOON

June to September are the monsoon months.

Jodhpur receives rainfall in June and July. August and September see little to no rainfall. Despite the low temperatures during the monsoon months, humidity is high.

Therefore, many people avoid Jodhpur during this time. It is a low season for tourism.

August and September are great times to travel to Jodhpur if you don’t mind a little rain and humidity.

Many schools and colleges have just begun, so crowds are fewer.

WINTER

October to February is the best time to travel to Jodhpur.

It’s the onset of the winter season. There is a gradual drop in temperature, and the weather is pleasant.

November, December and early January are the times of festivals and the new year. So, travel is on the rise.

It is the peak season for Jodhpur tourism. That means expensive accommodations, crowds and long waits.

So, the best time to avoid crowds and snag hotels at the lowest prices is March, August, September, and October.

For low temperatures, pleasant weather and moderate crowds, November, early December, mid-January and February are best.

HOW TO TRAVEL TO JODHPUR?

Earlier in the Jodhpur travel guide, I discussed the best way to travel in Jodhpur.

In this segment, discover how to get to Jodhpur.

Jodhpur is Rajasthan’s second-largest city and is well-connected to other Indian cities and towns via road, rail and air.

BY ROAD

As I always say, the best way to explore India is self-driving.

I understand driving is not everyone’s cup of tea.

If, like me, you love driving, Jodhpur is well-connected by national and state highways and expressways to other Indian cities.

I drove from Pune to Jodhpur. The Mumbai-Pune, NH-48 on the Golden Quadrilateral and NH-62 link Pune to Jodhpur.

It is a 1098 km drive and takes over 20 hours.

I reached Jodhpur on the second day. My first stay was at Vadodara because I wanted to visit the Statue of Unity.

There are two routes to Jodhpur from Pune- via Mumbai and Nashik.

I took the Nashik route because the ETA via the Mumbai-Pune highway was 3 hours more due to road closures.

Pune to Jodhpur via Nashik is 1179 km and takes 22 hours. It is a beautiful route passing through the Saputara hills.

I would advise taking the Mumbai-Pune highway unless it’s the weekend.

BY TRAIN

The Jodhpur Junction train station is 7.9 km from the city centre and a 16-minute ride.

From Pune, there are weekly trains to Jodhpur.

The popular direct weekly trains from Pune Junction and Jodhpur Junction are Bikaner Express (16587), SGNR Humsafar (22498), and KSR Bengaluru – Jodhpur Express.

Trains travel 1094 km in 19½ hours.

There are other trains from Pune Junction to Bhagat ki Kothi station, 4 km from Jodhpur city centre.

Also, the return trains are weekly, so plan your trip accordingly.

BY AIR

The nearest airport is the Jodhpur Airport, 3.2 km away.

There are regular flights from Pune and other Indian cities to Jodhpur.

A direct flight from Pune to Jodhpur is less than two hours.

Check flights on Skyscanner for the lowest prices.

To conclude, self-driving is the best way to reach Jodhpur. You can decide your route and stop wherever you want.

Trains are the cheapest and best if you’re travelling on a budget. The trains take 19½ hours. If you’re on a time limit, trains are not for you.

Flights are the quickest but costly way to reach Jodhpur. So, if you’re looking for a weekend trip to Jodhpur, by air is the fastest but expensive way.

WHERE TO STAY IN JODHPUR?

You’ve figured out how to reach Jodhpur, places to see and internal travel, except where to stay?

Jodhpur is Rajasthan’s second-largest city and offers a variety of accommodations.

Before booking your hotel stay, research the hotel’s location.

If, like me, you’ve driven to Jodhpur, find a hotel near Umaid Bhawan Palace. It is part of the new town and has many luxurious hotels. That’s because the Old city has narrow lanes and is unsuitable for cars.

However, if you want to stay in the heart of the Blue City, find a hotel near the Step Well or Navchokiya (close to the Mehrangarh entrance).

NOTE:- Most luxury hotels are on the outskirts of the Old City.

LUXURY HOTELS

• Hotel Ratan Vilas
• Radisson Hotel Jodhpur
• Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels
• The Fern Residency
• Fairfield by Marriott
• RAAS (in the Old City)

BUDGET HOTELS

• The Step Well Hotel (next to the step well)
• Lords Inn
• Zostel (near Ghanta Ghar)
• Moustache Jodhpur

MY REVIEW OF THE FERN RESIDENCY

I stayed at the Fern Residency in Jodhpur.

It was a short distance from the Umaid Bhawan Palace, on the outskirts of the Old City, and near good restaurants. That’s why I chose The Fern Residency.

The hotel is in a residential area, which is ideal for families. It is close to restaurants like the Flamingo, Kalinga and Crossroads.

It is a simple building with a car park outside.

The rooms are sleek and modern; the bathrooms are clean and spacious.

Each room has WiFi, a TV, a mini refrigerator, AC, an electric kettle and supplies for making tea or coffee.

The highlight of my stay was that I had views of the Mehrangarh and Umaid Bhawan Palace.

They have two restaurants— a rooftop bar and a family restaurant.

If you want a full meal, dine at the family restaurant. Their rooftop bar has few options.

Also, they have a pool outside. It is a small pool.

The staff is hospitable, kind and attentive, especially the restaurant staff. They are eager to please and friendly. It makes dining a pleasant experience.

Overall, it was a good stay. I would rate The Fern Residency, Jodhpur, 3½ ⭐ stars.

RESTAURANTS TO VISIT IN JODHPUR

After long hours of sightseeing and exploring, you need a wholesome meal to replenish your energy.

So, here’s a list of restaurants I visited in Jodhpur.

• Crossroads
• Kalinga restaurant

I had a late lunch at Crossroads while exploring the Blue City.

Crossroads is a simple restaurant serving delicious food and a must-visit in Jodhpur.

Since I visited the restaurant around 3 p.m., my family and I were the only ones there.

I ordered a few things. For starters, chicken manchow soup, followed by a chicken curry (I don’t remember which one), tawa roti and a glass of cold buttermilk for the main course. Since a meal is incomplete without rice, I ordered the Schezwan Fried rice.

That same night, I was going to Kalinga for dinner. But after resting at the hotel, I was too lazy to go out. So, I ordered in.

The food was delightful. I had chicken tandoori, biryani, a flavoured spicy curry and raita.

The restaurant had packed the food neatly, so there was no spillage.

Unfortunately, I don’t have pictures of this amazing spread. I was starving to even think of taking photos.

There was another restaurant I wanted to visit, The Flamingo.

The only problem is finding a parking spot. You’ll have to risk it and park alongside the road.

I was going to dine here on my first night in Jodhpur. But there was no parking space near the restaurant. The nearest open space was almost ½ km away in a dark alley.

It wasn’t safe, so we returned to our hotel for dinner.

If you get the chance, do dine here.

TRAVEL TIPS

That brings us to the last segment of the Jodhpur travel guide.

Before leaving for Jodhpur, here are a few travel tips to ensure you have a wonderful time in the Blue City.

• Visit Mehrangarh Fort as early as possible for two reasons— first, it gets crowded after 10 a.m. Second, it is too hot in the afternoon to explore the fort.
• Purchase tickets for the one-way lift at Mehrangarh. It will save you time and lessen walking.
• Panchkunda Chattriya is free; there is no entrance fee. Don’t let anyone fool you.
• If travelling solo, hire a guide while walking the Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park trails. It seems eerie sometimes.
• The only way to reach Blue Street is by taking the auto to the nearest lane and then walking.
• While hiring a taxi or auto for sightseeing, always negotiate. The drivers always charge tourists extra. Also, be firm about places you do and don’t want to visit.
• If travelling in summer, carry water, sunglasses, hats or caps and wear plenty of sunscreen. In the winter, the days are warm, and the nights are cold. So bring sweaters and jackets.
• Sightseeing in Jodhpur equals lots of walking. So, wear comfortable footwear. Sandals and heels are a big no-no.
• If you’re a student or elderly, bring your Adhar card and college and school IDs to all the attractions. There is a student and elderly discount at Mehrangarh and other places.
• There is a currency exchange booth at Mehrangarh Fort. So, if you do need to exchange money, you can.

CONCLUSION

That brings us to the end of the Jodhpur travel guide.

I hope the Jodhpur travel guide was helpful. I’ve tried to cover all the info you’ll need to plan a holiday to the Blue City.

Here’s a summary of what the Jodhpur travel guide includes.

• About Jodhpur
• Places to visit
• Best way to explore the city
• The best time to visit Jodhpur
• How to travel to Jodhpur?
• Where to stay in Jodhpur?
• Restaurants to visit in Jodhpur
• Travel tips

If you’re planning a trip to Rajasthan, refer to my Udaipur and Jaipur travel guides for details.

If I missed something or you have any queries, let me know in the comments.

I hope this ignites your wanderlust because

Travel not to find yourself, but to remember who you’ve been all along.

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