Jodhpur

Jodhpur was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, Rajput chief of the Rathore clan. After conquering the surrounding territory Jodha founded the state which came to be known as Marwar, eventually placing the capital at Jodhpur. The city was located on the strategic road linking Delhi and Gujarat, which enabled it to profit from a flourishing trade in opium, copper, silk, sandals, date palms and coffee.

Jodhpur-above

Dotted with monuments, temples, cenotaphs and ruins, blue Jodhpur offers you the ultimate royal Rajasthan experience. Be awed by the elegant and impressive lakes and Palaces, or enchanted by the atmosphere of Indian life as you explore the narrow lanes and busy bazaars of the old city. A key attraction for anyone visiting Jodhpur is of course the Mehrangarh Fort, one of the largest forts in India. Situated on a steep hill that dominates the city, the fort walls are literally yards from the Haveli.

Jodhpur-temperature-chart

Fairs and Festivals

There are many festivals held in and around Jodhpur every year, the most famous and well-attended being:

  1. The Marwar Festival, a two day event held in October to celebrate the lives of Jodhpur's heroic warriors of old. Music and dance of the Marwar region is the main theme of this festival, with other attractions including the camel tattoo show and polo.
  2. A relatively new, but popular event is the Jodhpur International Desert Kite Festival, which attracts hundreds of expert kite enthusiasts from all over India and the rest of the world. Flyers show off their skills and partake of kite battles during this 3 day festival, which begins on the 14th of January.
  3. The Jodhpur Nagaur Fair is the second biggest fair in India, and lasts for eight days. Thousands of bullocks, camels, horses and fine spices are traded every year in this fair, with the animals lavishly decorated and even their owners dress up wearing colorful turbans and long moustaches. Other attractions include the Mirchi bazaar (largest red-chilly market of India), wooden items, iron-crafts and camel leather accessories. Sports held at the fair range from tug-of-war and camel races to bullock races. Nagaur fair is also famous for its jugglers, puppeteers, storytellers, etc.
  4. The Jodhpur RIFF (Rajastan International Folk Festival) begins on 25th October, and is three full days of music-making, ranging from traditional folk performances to club nights that bring together local artists with some of India’s top bands. Featuring artists from across the state of Rajasthan, India and the world, the festival will play host to singers, dancers, instrumentalists, storytellers and artisans whose skills will be showcased during three full days of interactive educational events, staged performances and late night jam sessions that bring audiences face to face with the artists in a setting of unparalleled beauty.