THINGS TO DO IN JODHPUR: TOP EXPERIENCES

INDIA,  RAJASTHAN

When I was really young and people talked about deserts, I found the idea of a dry, sandy land where only cacti grow, very fascinating. Visiting Jodhpur has been on my bucket list ever since and when I finally got there, it was everything I imagined and more!

There was the hot yellow sand, blistering heat and so many camels! But there were a lot of things I hadn’t been expecting. I expected that Jodhpur would be sparsely populated and you’d have to walk miles to encounter a live human being. I guess that’s the image you have when you rely on movies as legitimate sources of information! But the city was teeming with local folk, carrying on with their life in this hot desert land.

What I was really taken in by was the clothing of true-blue Rajasthanis – they dress in vibrant colors and traditional attire, and I just couldn’t stop staring! Ah, Jodhpur! What an experience! So unforgettable!

SAMPLE LIP-SMACKING PYAAZ KI KACHORI AT SURYA NAMKEEN

When it comes to food, you’ll never have to wait to satiate your cravings, as Jodhpur is a foodie’s paradise. I tried different delicacies in the city but nothing beats the tang of a pyaaz ki kachori from Surya Namkeen for me.

Alternately, Harsh even loved gorging on mawa kachoris, but I must tell you the very thought of it can make you diabetic. Coated with sugar syrup, these kachoris are quite famous amongst the length and breadth of Jodhpur, but I definitely preferred the ‘healthier’ option :p (Trust me, it wasn’t healthy in any way)..

Scrumptious pyaaz kachori from Surya Namkeen

GO SHOPPING NEAR THE CLOCK TOWER

The rambling bazaars surrounding the clock tower (Ghantaghar) have to be on the list as one can literally find anything from colorful clothes to bangles and spices here. The market is quite compact so better park your vehicles somewhere conveniently.

You can expect to be called from all the corners by zesty street vendors who’d want to sell you their specialties. Delve into the market and expect to see the market teeming with customers, vendors frying local snacks, tea stalls preparing cutting chai, and so much more. Do try the Makhania lassi at any of the shops near the Ghantaghar and you’ll definitely not regret drinking one.

Other than that, it would be strictly a test of your bargain skills, so be prepared for that. As Rajasthani silver jewelry is simply stunning, don’t get overly tempted to buy everything. Alternatively, you can visit The National Handloom Corporation on Nai Sarak to shop for some more stuff.

In case you are planning to visit Jaisalmer as well, you might want to checkout these places to visit in Jaisalmer.

Clock Tower in Jodhpur

Smiling faces – you can buy colorful clothes at the street market near Ghantaghar

VISIT TEMPLES

When in Jodhpur, you cannot abstain yourself from visiting the temples as religion is deeply rooted in the origins of the city. The architecture and carvings on the walls and peculiar use of sandstone speak volume about the imagination of artisans of those times. Some of the most remarkable temples I would recommend you to visit in Jodhpur are Chamunda Mataji Temple, Baba Ramdeo Temple, and Rameshwar Mahadev Temple.

I must also tell you about an ancient Shiva Temple that we happened to have visited during our visit. It was just 10-minute walk away from the Bijolia Palace – where we were staying – so while heading back we thought about going there.

It was unlike any other grand temples of Jodhpur but definitely awe-inspiring in its own way. It was our call to the holy temple of Parvateshwar that on the auspicious occasion of ‘Maha Shivratri’, we got to attend the grand aarti. All the pujaris sang for the Gods and Goddesses – it sounded heavenly. It was so exciting that we couldn’t stop ourselves from joining the clan and singing along.

Parvateshwar Temple

SPOT THE BLUE HOUSES

While doing my research for things to do in Jodhpur on the internet, I saw these azure blue houses that Jodhpur is renowned for. But once you reach the city, you realize it is really not that easy to find all those stunning houses just like that.

Dig deep into the meandering lanes of the city to spot these gorgeous houses. Asking the locals for the blue houses just won’t do as they would be as clueless as you on the very mention of it. One sure place to get the bird’s eye view of blue houses of Jodhpur is the Mehrangarh Fort.

Panoramic view of blue houses from the Mehrangarh Fort

EXPLORE THE ARCHITECTURAL GEM: MEHRANGARH PALACE

How can we not mention a visit to the Mehrangarh Palace when it comes to things to do in Jodhpur? It is one of the largest and most stunning forts in India that finds an inclusion in typically most travelers bucket list.

Rising from a rocky hill above Jodhpur’s skyline, this fort is replete with history and legend. You can opt for an audio tour to spend an evening explore the expansive complex. What I personally loved about this gorgeous, mighty fort were its stone-latticed courtyards and halls – ah! So beautiful!

Maharanis used to catch glimpse of on-goings in the fort through their chamber’s stone-latticed windows. How cool! The Phool Mahal inside the fort has to be my most favorite part as it exhibited a royal opulence where performers used to perform for their kings.

You can read a detailed blog on our visit to the Mehrangarh Fort.

Once you are done exploring Mehrangarh Fort, head to Jaswant Thada – a milky-white cenotaph that is also called the Taj Mahal of Rajasthan. It sits above a lake, just about 1 km from the Mehrangarh Fort.

What a stunning view of Mehrangarh Fort

Stonework lattice windows – so gorgeous!

Mehrangarh from the inside

GO FOR CULINARY ADVENTURE AT THE JANTA SWEETS

When in Jodhpur – you cannot miss eating at the Janta Sweets is what the locals would tell you. It is one of those popular food joints in the city that is definitely worth all the hype, or so I believe.

By the time we were done shopping at the market, we were quite hungry and we headed straight to the Janta Sweets. Once you get done with sampling the local delicacies, you may enjoy sandwiches, south Indian dishes, or chats. But don’t forget to complete your meal with tempting sweets that are on display at the shop.

*A glass of creamy lassi here would cost you 40INR.

No less than a dessert – Makhania Lassi

Try some Jalebis too 🙂

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