Jodhpur – The Charming Blue City of Rajasthan
Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan. It’s called the “Blue City” for its distinctive feature derived from the tinted wash that’s used to color the houses of the city. Hopefully this article will help you during your visit to this charming colorful city. Shopping is one of the most exciting things to do once you reach Jodhpur. The Blue City is widely famous for its artisan handcraft industry.
The art at its finest can be found in their hardwood furniture, decorative ornaments, embroidered shoes, jewelry, and fine rugs known as dhurris. Also nothing attracts tourists as paintings, camel leather jootis, silverware, and tie-and-dye fabrics. Half of the fun, though, is wandering around in the colorful markets of Tripolia Bazar, Mochi Bazar, and Sojati Gate Station Road. The other half is dealing with zealous, yet amiable, merchants of Jodhpur.
Jodhpur is also pretty renowned for its mouthwatering delicious dishes, so don’t forget to enjoy ethnic Rajasthani cuisines like melt-in-the-mouth Mawa Kachori, Mirchi Bada, and Pyaaz Ki Kachori. Also, if you happen to be in Jodhpur during winter, don’t miss out on the ‘International Desert Kite Festival’ which is held on the 14th day of January at the Polo Ground of the city. During the occasion, a kite-flying competition is held and the sky is beautifully filled with colorful kites belonging to many competitors from all over the world.
You can also enjoy the folk music and dancing at Marwaar Festival which is conducted in the summer. The Sun City is easily accessible through all kinds of transportation. You can reach the city through airways since Jodhpur’s airport is connected to the international airport of New Delhi. Also, the railway station is connected to several Indian cities. You can enjoy the trip road by boarding a bus from Jaipur, Delhi, Jaisalmer, Agra, or Udaipur.
As for getting around the blue city, you can hire an auto rickshaw or a cycle rickshaw that will help you move easily in the narrow alleys. Also many hotels would offer you a chauffeur driven car that will take you around the environs of Jodhpur. Jodhpur is filled with hotels that fit any budget and lifestyle. If you’re opting for a luxurious hotel, go for the Taj Palace Hotel or Umaid Bhawan Palace Hotel where you’ll live like a maharaja. Alternatively, you can stay in one of the old world havelis which have been turned into comfortable inexpensive hotels.
Originally, havelis were built around courtyards to protect people from the harsh heat of summer and to assure the safety of women. Nowadays, the courtyard is used for a family get-togethers as all the rooms in the residence will open out onto it. Also it’s used for prayer services and as a children’s playground.
