Jodhpur - India

Jodhpur is like one of those exotic magical places you read about in a storybook. A grand palace, a big fortress perched on a hill, blue houses, smiling strangers with kind eyes, puppeteers that charm you with tales of an era gone by and handicraft stores that sell you clothing in hues that you've probably never seen in your life.

Jodhpur was everything that I had imagined and so much more...

In fact, when I sat on the flight to head back home, I was sad. Sad to leave back the warmth, the genuine kindness and the vibe that defines this city. But, this article isn't just about the vibe this city exudes but also about the sightseeing options it offers you.

For starters, there is the majestic Meharangarh Fort. 

This fort was built by Rao Jodha who founded the city of Jodhpur in 1459. This gigantic fort is situated 125 meters above the city and is surrounded by thick imposing walls.

Within the fort are several palaces and museums that exhibit a fantastic collection of art, costumes,  upholstery, paalkis (these wheel-less vehicles  were used to transport important people from one destination to another), sculptures etc.

Some of the rooms have intricate carvings and there are big courtyards that make you want to stay there forever. This fort is huge and has 7 gates.

One of them called "The Victory Gate" or Jayapol was built by Mahraja Man Singh to commemorate his victories. The FatehPol also  yet another victory gate has palm imprints. Quite fascinating to watch this so do stop by to look at it. Yet another interesting area is  the Daulat Khaana along with the Turban Gallery. The Daulat Khaana has some of the best preserved collections of fine art and remains of emperor Akbar's body while the Turban Gallery has different types and kinds of turbans used during festivals etc. 

 If you are fascinated by armoury, you will get to see an extensive collection.  I saw guns that have gold work on their barrels and shields studded with semi-precious stones! And, that's not all! I also managed to see sword hilts in silver, jade and ivory! This gallery also has a huge display of swords that belonged to Emperor Akbar and Timur and there is one particular sword that belonged to Rao Jodha that weighs a staggering 3 kilos! 

For some moments of self-reflection and tranquility, head over to the Chamunda Mataji Temple. As mentioned in my Jaisalmer post, wear modest clothing that covers your legs and arms so as to not offend the locals and priests.
Overall, this fort is huge and depending on your interest in history, architecture and culture, you can spend the entire day inside. I could have very happily gone again the next day as well! There is a canteen inside that serves good food and caters to both vegetarians and non vegetarians. Lunch times are crowded but if you go off the peak hours, you can sit comfortably and eat.

Overall, you need to walk a lot inside the fort so please wear comfortable shoes so your feet don't complain at the end of the day.

The next day, go to see the Jaswant Thada. Tip : Go just before sunset.

This cenotaph is built extensively with marble. And if you go there at dusk, you will see how beautiful this entire area looks. There is also a tiered garden and a small lake surrounding this place.

From here, we went to the Sardar Market to check out the clock tower. It was extremely chaotic and there was barely any place to walk with cars & two-wheelers honking and pedestrian paths filled with hawkers. There is a certain kind of beauty in this chaos and many people will find it attractive. So, if you are up to a little bit of adventure, go for it. I did however, (particularly after a long day out) want more tranquil settings and was happier when I was back at the hotel.

And last but not the least, there is the gorgeous Umaid Bhawan Palace.

This palace and hotel has played host to many visiting national & international celebrities and the well-heeled over the years. It is extremely grand (it is a palace after all) but the service and hospitality is homely as is expected from any Taj group property. The palace was built sometime between 1928-1943 and is perched on Chittar Hill. There is a museum that you can visit if you aren't a guest which gives you a peek into the architecture of this place.

If you want to pick up some traditional arts and craft-works or shawls, head over to the Handloom/Handicraft house or local stores that offer you good deals.
And now, for the food! Expect nothing but a gala feast if you are being entertained by a local family and I would advice caution if you are attempting to try the traditional thaali at a restaurant. There is a LOT of food served including several sweet dishes and I would recommending skipping a meal before you decide on a thaali. Food is mostly vegetarian as most locals are vegetarians but there are also meat dishes (mostly game) available. The real draw here is the desserts. I don't have much of a sweet tooth but I found it difficult to say no to many of those dishes. Please ask your hotel for recommendations before you go out to eat. We ate mostly at our hotel and also at a place called Gypsy Dining Hall. Their thaali was extremely large but so delicious!
Some tips - Always stick to bottled water and don't try eating things you don't know enough about (specially if you are allergic to gluten or nuts) as many dishes are made using nuts etc.
I would recommend a 2-night stay in Jodhpur and then driving down to the lake city of Udaipur. I hope you enjoyed this article. As always, for questions, send me an email or use the comment form below.
Thank you!