The Blue City Called Jodhpur
Jodhpur, the second largest city of Rajasthan, is a major tourist attraction in India and has great cultural and historical significance. The city is home to many famous forts, palaces, historical monuments, beautiful lakes, and temples which have made significant prominence in the glory of ancient history.
The city was founded by Rao Jodha in 1459. The city is encompassed by a high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions and is a major trade centre of the 16th century A.D. It was actually the Rathore Rajputs who moved to Marwar - 'the region of death' in 1211 and when reached they were defeated by Muhammad Ghori at Kannauj. Rao Jodha, the Rathore chieftain was forced to leave the former Rajput capital at Mandore in 1459. This was because the place was not located strategically. As a result they chose a new place, located 8 kms. from Mandore on the edge of Thar Desert which is the current city of Jodhpur.
Jodhpur has evolved into a modern city under the reign of Maharaja Umed Singh. Jodhpur had even prospered during the British era. The city's strategic location on the route connecting the state of Gujarat to Delhi played a major role in turning it into a flourishing trade centre that dealt in the trade of opium, copper, silk, sandals, date palms and coffee.
Jodhpur is known as the "Blue City" because the houses are usually painted blue. The city is home to one of India's largest palatial residences, the Umaid Bhawan Palace, which has an entire floor area of more than a million square feet. The building is a prime example of Indo-Saracen architecture that was popular during the 18th century.
Jodhpur is also known as Sun City due to its sunny and bright weather and has always been a place of attraction among tourists. As it is located on the edge of the Thar Desert, it is also known as the Gateway of Thar.
Jodhpur has many popular tourist destinations like the Mehrangarh Fort, the Jaswant Thada, the Umaid Bhawan Palace, the Rai ka Baag Palace, Balsammand Lake, Kaylana Lake and Sardar Samand Lake, Mandore Garden, Umed Garden and Nehru Park.
The Mehrangarh Fort is the largest of all forts in Jodhpur and is a must visit during a tour of Jodhpur. Situated on a hill in the outskirts of Jodhpur city five kilometres away, this imposing fort houses several palaces.
Umaid Bhawan Palace is also a prime attraction of the city which was built in the year 1929 under Maharaja Umaid Singh. The building was designed by the British Royal institute of architects.
Another prime attraction for the visitors coming to the city is the Jaswant Thada, which is a cenotaph built out of sheets of pure white marble in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh.
Many festivals are celebrated in Jodhpur, out of which kite festival is very famous. It is known as the biggest crowd puller. The kite festival of Jodhpur is one such festival which fills the atmosphere with lots of excitement and exhilaration. To see the crowd of people who gather to become a part of this unique festival is a spectacle to behold.
The city of Jodhpur is also a famous for its beautiful handicrafts, tie and dye textiles, embroidered leather shoes, antiques, puppets, carpets, Rajasthani textiles, clay figurines and classic silver jewellery. The delicacies like Makhaniya Lassi, Mawa Kachori and Mirchibada are renowned all over the world for their unique taste and flavour.
Jodhpur is geographically located 335 kilometres (208 mi) west from the state capital, Jaipur and 200 kilometres (124 mi) from the city of Ajmer and is an important destination on the map of Indian tourism.
The city was founded by Rao Jodha in 1459. The city is encompassed by a high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions and is a major trade centre of the 16th century A.D. It was actually the Rathore Rajputs who moved to Marwar - 'the region of death' in 1211 and when reached they were defeated by Muhammad Ghori at Kannauj. Rao Jodha, the Rathore chieftain was forced to leave the former Rajput capital at Mandore in 1459. This was because the place was not located strategically. As a result they chose a new place, located 8 kms. from Mandore on the edge of Thar Desert which is the current city of Jodhpur.
Jodhpur has evolved into a modern city under the reign of Maharaja Umed Singh. Jodhpur had even prospered during the British era. The city's strategic location on the route connecting the state of Gujarat to Delhi played a major role in turning it into a flourishing trade centre that dealt in the trade of opium, copper, silk, sandals, date palms and coffee.
Jodhpur is known as the "Blue City" because the houses are usually painted blue. The city is home to one of India's largest palatial residences, the Umaid Bhawan Palace, which has an entire floor area of more than a million square feet. The building is a prime example of Indo-Saracen architecture that was popular during the 18th century.
Jodhpur is also known as Sun City due to its sunny and bright weather and has always been a place of attraction among tourists. As it is located on the edge of the Thar Desert, it is also known as the Gateway of Thar.
Jodhpur has many popular tourist destinations like the Mehrangarh Fort, the Jaswant Thada, the Umaid Bhawan Palace, the Rai ka Baag Palace, Balsammand Lake, Kaylana Lake and Sardar Samand Lake, Mandore Garden, Umed Garden and Nehru Park.
The Mehrangarh Fort is the largest of all forts in Jodhpur and is a must visit during a tour of Jodhpur. Situated on a hill in the outskirts of Jodhpur city five kilometres away, this imposing fort houses several palaces.
Umaid Bhawan Palace is also a prime attraction of the city which was built in the year 1929 under Maharaja Umaid Singh. The building was designed by the British Royal institute of architects.
Another prime attraction for the visitors coming to the city is the Jaswant Thada, which is a cenotaph built out of sheets of pure white marble in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh.
Many festivals are celebrated in Jodhpur, out of which kite festival is very famous. It is known as the biggest crowd puller. The kite festival of Jodhpur is one such festival which fills the atmosphere with lots of excitement and exhilaration. To see the crowd of people who gather to become a part of this unique festival is a spectacle to behold.
The city of Jodhpur is also a famous for its beautiful handicrafts, tie and dye textiles, embroidered leather shoes, antiques, puppets, carpets, Rajasthani textiles, clay figurines and classic silver jewellery. The delicacies like Makhaniya Lassi, Mawa Kachori and Mirchibada are renowned all over the world for their unique taste and flavour.
Jodhpur is geographically located 335 kilometres (208 mi) west from the state capital, Jaipur and 200 kilometres (124 mi) from the city of Ajmer and is an important destination on the map of Indian tourism.
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