Best 5 Jodhpur Tourist Places The city of Jodhpur bordering the vast arid expanses of the famous Thar Desert is one of the popular holiday destinations in Rajasthan. Dotted with splendid forts, royal palaces, scenic lakes, artistic museums,sacred centuries old temples and bustling marketplaces Jodhpur with its great mix of culture and heritage and contemporary amenities has something in store for all its visitors.
While the impressive majestic Mehrangarh Fort and the grand Palaces of Umaid Bhawan and an alluring Rai ka Bagh capture your attention, the pristine Balsamand and Kaylana lakes beckon you to soak in the beauty of the settings.
The architectural nuances, grandeur and historical significance of the forts, palaces and temples here make your visit more interesting. Jaswant Thada, Mandore Gardens, Maha Mandir, Ghanta Ghar and Sardar Market are some of the other attractions here.
Jodhpur is also known by other names such as Gateway to Thar and Sun City, indicative of the fact travellers must be well-prepared to endure the sun’s wrath when visiting this place. Reportedly Brahmins of the city earlier painted their homes in blue colour to differentiate them from the dwellings of other communities. Several buildings of the Jodhpur are still painted blue, earning it the name of “Blue City” as well Jodhpur Tour Packages.
Mehrangarh Fort
The main attraction of Jodhpur is Mehrangarh Fort. This royal and majestic fort was built by Rao Jodha in 1459 AD, which is also one of the largest forts in India. Located on a hilltop, about 410 feet above the city, it gives a beautiful view of this whole Blue City. The fort is guarded by tall walls with seven gates that are built at different times and for different purposes. This fort has several palaces (mahals) inside it such as Moti Mahal (Pearl Hall), Sheesh Mahal (Glass Palace), and Phool Mahal (Flower Hall) Best 5 Jodhpur Tourist Places.
The fort also has two ancient temples. Nagnechiji temple is the royal family’s personal temple. And Chamunda Mataji temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga. Chamunda Mataji was the favorite goddess of Rao Jodha’s and so her idol was brought to the Fort. Since then Chamunda Mata is widely worshiped in Jodhpur Attractions.
The detailed and beautiful carvings on the walls, the courtyard, the trilling history, and museum attract tourists worldwide to the Fort. Mehrangarh Fort is also contributing their special focus on folk art and music. They organize cultural performances every day at various locations of the fort. This fort symbolizes the glorious royal culture of Rajasthan.
Timings: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Daily)
Ticket: ₹ 50 – ₹ 100 for Indian tourists. ₹ 600 for Foreign Tourists
Travel Tip: Try zip-lining at the fort to enjoy the panoramic views of Jodhpur City. Best landscape and the photographic view from the top. I have taken so many pictures capturing this view.
Jaswant Thada
Located next to Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada is famous as one of the most beautiful white marble cenotaphs (an empty commemorative tomb). The memorial was built in the honor of Maharaja Jaswant Singh-II by his son Maharaja Sardar Singh in 1899. Maharaja Jaswant Singh-II was one of the rulers of Jodhpur Tourism, who made successful attempts to raise the economy of Marwar and lowered the crime rate Best 5 Jodhpur Tourist Places.
Jaswant Thada is now operated as a Museum and is a huge tourist attraction. This beautiful architecture has valuable intricate carved white marbles that set an example of the Rajput style. The main structure has a dome with beautifully carved sculptures, like a temple. At the entrance, you will find the local musicians and folk dancers who welcome and entertain the tourists. Inside the museum, there are various beautiful portraits of Rathore kings, the rulers of Jodhpur, with the informational guide that helps the tourists to understand the history of Marwar.
Because of its milky white look, this place is also known as the Taj Mahal of Marwar. This monument has magnificent gazebos, a graceful garden, and a lake adjoining the sepulture ground. It also has a memorial of a peacock who flew into a funeral pyre. It’s a relaxing place where you can sit and enjoy the view of the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort and Jodhpur city.
Timings: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Daily)
Ticket: ₹ 10 – ₹ 50
Travel Tip: Climb up a hill to reach the cenotaph and remove your shoes while entering the cenotaph to pay respect to the deceased. Sit, relax in the garden and enjoy the stunning view.
Umaid Bhawan Palace
The grand Umaid Bhawan Palace is the most popular attraction for tourists. It was built by Maharaja Umaid Singh. The palace was built in 1943 and construction started in 1929. In order to help the farmers who were facing extreme conditions due to drought, Umaid Singh decided to build the Umaid Bhawan. Because the main motive was to provide employment to around 3000 people, the completion of Umaid Bhawan took this long. When constructed, this palace had 347 rooms and several courtyards.
Umaid Bhawan Palace was also known as the Chittar Palace because it was constructed with the stones drawn from the Chittar hill. Currently, this palace is divided into three sections – the Royal residence, Museum, and a Five-star Hotel. Raja Gaj Singh, the present owner of the royal residence, lives here with his family. Tourist entry is restricted in the residence area. The museum is open to the public and the hotel is available for the guests to stay.
The Museum section displays the large collection of photographs and clocks that embellish the interior of the Palace beautifully. It also has stuffed leopards, armor, glass & porcelain ware, and other art pieces of the royal family. Maharajas’ classic vintage cars are also on display in the garden area outside the museum having flourishing greenery and different varieties of flowers.
The third part of the palace – a five-star hotel, run by the Taj group, offers the most executive hospitality to their clients. It is an award-winning and one of the most popular hotels in India. The indoor and outdoor amenities of this luxurious hotel include – Spa, Fitness center, Billiard table, Croquet, Tennis courts, Squash courts, Golf, Polo, and Horse riding. The hotel has an awesome restaurant that offers delicious continental and Indian fusion dishes. You can enjoy the most amazing dining experience here.
Timings: 10 am to 4:30 pm (Daily )
Ticket: For Museum: For Indian tourists ₹30 (Adult), ₹10 (Children). For Foreign Tourists ₹100
Travel Tip: Take a Heritage walk in the Palace premise and hear fascinating stories.
Toorji ka Jhalra
Toorji Ka Jhalra, a stepwell of Jodhpur is one of the oldest structures that represent the traditional water management systems of Jodhpur. Built by the Queen of Maharaja Abhaya Singh Rathore in 1740, it is a sign of the old tradition where the Queens supervise the projects of public waterworks. The structure of Toorji Ka Jhalra is simple and elegant. It has been beautifying with help of their intricate carvings of elephants, lions, cows, and sculptures of Gods & Goddesses.
This structure was made with the use of famous rose-red sandstone found in Jodhpur. The stepwell is more than 200 feet deep to access the groundwater. There were two levels to access water and a separate tank to receive water. There was a wheel, driven with the help of bullocks walking in a circular platform to draw water. There are many small chambers inside the staircase to light a fire in order to climb steps at night.
This water was used by the public over the centuries till the modernization of the city occurred and this stepwell was completely unused. To restore this heritage, it was cleaned up and then opened for tourists. Now a few local shops and cafes are opened around it for the tourists’ convenience.
Timings: All the time open
Ticket: No Entry fee
Travel Tip: You can engage yourself in water fun games here to beat the sunny weather of Jodhpur.
Kailana Lake
Kailana lake is the best place to visit in Jodhpur to watch the sunset. This is an artificial lake, 8 km away from Jodhpur city, on Jaisalmer road. Covering an area of 84 sq km, Kailana lake was built by Pratap Singh in 1872 that serves as a source to provide drinking water to Jodhpur city and its neighborhood. During that era, wild bears & other animals were found in this region, and was known as a famous hunting ground for royalty.
This lake is encircled by many trees, mountains, and rock formations which make it a delightful sight for the tourists. It is a perfect place for bird watchers because you will find here many species of birds while enjoying the breezy atmosphere of the lake. During Winter, Siberian Cranes are also seen here. This makes Kailana lake worth it to visit which gives a lively and joyful experience of Jodhpur city.
Above all, you can enjoy the amazing view of sunset & sunrise. During these, the sky seems like a canvas painted with several beautiful colors, which makes this lake a perfect picnic spot and a place to relax witnessing the scenic natural beauty. Also, there are few places to visit within its 5 km of radii such as Machia Biological Park, the Machiya Fort, and various Shiva temples.
Timings: 8 am to 6 pm
Ticket: No Entry fee
Travel Tip: Boating facilities are also available through R.T.D.C. to enjoy a boat ride and a mesmerizing natural view.
