{"id":14226,"date":"2017-05-09T06:50:57","date_gmt":"2017-05-09T05:50:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/?p=14226"},"modified":"2025-08-19T13:49:34","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T20:49:34","slug":"jodhpur-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/jodhpur-india\/","title":{"rendered":"A GUIDE TO INDIA’S BLUE CITY OF JODHPUR"},"content":{"rendered":"

When I told my friends in UK that we have a blue city in Jodhpur, India, they did not believe me. So, I decided that next time when I travel back to my home country, I will make sure I take plenty of pictures to show them what they are missing.<\/p>\n

India is a country full of colours; its festivals, people, monuments, cities, everything is colourful! Jodhpur is the second largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan and has long been a popular destination among international tourists. The old town is a wonderful example of vivid colours providing a photogenic backdrop to everyday life.<\/p>\n

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THE BLUE CITY OF JODHPUR<\/h3>\n

There is no specific historical evidence to the origins of its nickname, \u201cthe blue city\u201d, but the locals of Jodhpur<\/a> narrate different stories, some of which also have scientific and psychological reasons associated to them. The other reason is also that the blue paint can keep the houses cool in the summer months.<\/p>\n

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\"A<\/p>\n

Almost all the hostels\/hotels in the old city quarter have open terraces with this view of the spectacular Mehrangarh fort.<\/p>\n

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MEHRANGARH FORT<\/h3>\n

A sea of boxy indigo houses stretches for more than 10 kilometers along the walls of the historic walled old city. And the Mehrangarh Fort<\/a> of Jodhpur is THE spot to see it! There are two main gates to enter the fort. Fateh Pol is the one connected to the old city quarter of Navchokiya and is least crowded. Note: you don\u2019t need a ticket to enter the fort itself, only the museum section.<\/p>\n

\"MEHRANGARH<\/p>\n

\"MEHRANGARH<\/p>\n

\"MEHRANGARH<\/p>\n

Rising perpendicular and impregnable from a rocky hill that itself stands 120m above Jodhpur\u2019s skyline, Mehrangarh is one of the most magnificent forts in India. The battlements are 6m to 36m high, and as the building materials were chiselled from the rock on which the fort stands, the structure merges with its base. Still run by the Jodhpur royal family, Mehrangarh is packed with history and legend.<\/p>\n

\"MEHRANGARH<\/p>\n

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JASWANT THADA<\/h3>\n

Another monument not to be missed when in Jodhpur is Jaswant Thada<\/a>. Sitting above a small lake, 1km northeast of Mehrangarh, and this milky-white marble cenotaph is a welcome, peaceful spot after the hubbub of the city, and the views across to the fort and over the city are superb.<\/p>\n

\"JASWANT<\/p>\n

STEPWELL – TOONWAR JI KA JHALRA<\/h3>\n

And a last special spot in Jodhpur is an ancient stepwell constructed around 6th century AD and which not many tourists are aware of. This is called Toonwar ji ka Jhalra<\/a>. Any auto-rickshaw (public transport) in the city will know where it is and it\u2019s a 10 minutes ride from the main city.<\/p>\n

\"STEPWELL<\/p>\n

UMAID BHAWAN PALACE<\/h3>\n

It is situated on the highest point in Jodhpur, perched on top of a hill. It\u2019s the home of the Jodhpur royal family and currently the world\u2019s sixth-largest private residence. The Umaid Bhawan Palace<\/a> has one thing in common with the iconic Taj Mahal at Agra\u2014the palm court marble used in its construction. The palace is conveniently located 20 minutes from the airport and around 30 mins from the old town quarter. The property houses a family museum which is open to visitors to get a closer feel of royalty.<\/p>\n

\"UMAID<\/p>\n

All in all, you will not forget the eye-catching colour coating the houses, creating a luscious blue sea in the arid Indian landscape. And the view from the top of the looming Mehrangarh Fort, overlooking the bountiful, striking blue is certainly a bucket-list experience.<\/p>\n

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OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT JODHPUR<\/h3>\n