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Posted on by GE Story Editor

Jodhpur: Must-Visits In The Royal City

Jodhpur: Must-Visits in the Royal City

Entertaining

It is in the twisting alleyways of Jodhpur that the magic of the Blue City truly comes alive.

As you wander, you may glimpse the whirring of everyday life behind the shuttered blue doors and worn indigo facades, and take in each shade of cool blue tempered with a warm toffee-tone palette. 

For your travels through its labyrinthine rooftops and architectural wonders, here’s our selection of must-visits in the royal city.
#JodhpurFavourites

Toorji Ka Jhalra 

(Toorji’s Stepwell)

Toorji Ka Jhalra (Toorji’s Stepwell) is a rosy-red sandstone stepwell built in the early 18th century by Maharaja Abhay Singh’s wife. Restored after years of neglect under the brand new JDH project that seeks to replenish Jodhpur’s stunning cultural legacy, this stepwell is where our new Silk Route-inspired shop is located. A stone's throw from the ramparts of Mehrangarh fort, its undulating chevron-like stairs bring back the old-world charm of Jodhpur royalty.  

 (📷 Flickr)

Mehrangarh Fort

In the heart of Rajasthan lies a citadel of the sun: Mehrangarh Fort. Commissioned by Maharaja Man Singh (Jodhpur's last independent ruler), its impressive structure is a composite of architectural styles determined by each centuries’ ruler. The fort's heritage museum houses a fantastic collection of costumes, palanquins and paintings and magnificent restorations of four period rooms.
Rudyard Kipling’s words perhaps best describe one of India’s most important monuments:

"A palace that might have been built by titans but coloured by the morning sun."

Balsamand Palace

Mandore

A beautiful summer palace with the lapping waters of the Balsamand lake and surrounded by lush green gardens is where we're heading next in Jodhpur. Built in 1159 AD by the city's rulers as a reservoir to supply the city of Mandore, Balsamand Lake is now a sunny picnic-spot shaded by mango, papaya, pomegranate, guava and plum trees. 

(📷 Andrew Collins)

It was only in the 17th century that the Balsamand Palace was added to the scenic spot, its waterways and landscaped gardens inspired by the Mughal concept of a pleasure palace overlooking a paradise garden. 

Mandore Gardens

Tucked away to the north of the city is Jodhpur's Mandore Gardens, an ancient space that was once home to Jodhpur’s Maharajas. Abandoned for many decades, its majestic cenotaphs rise above the trees, each distinctive from the next, a medley of red sandstone against green foliage.
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Mandore was once a bustling center for the arts and crafts, and this patronage is evident in the monuments’ intricately carved ceilings, pillars and niches. As parakeets swoop in and out of the pavilions, and monkeys playfully dart across, you might find yourself in a bygone era.

Raas, Jodhpur’s first luxury boutique hotel

If you’re looking for an oasis of luxury set in a haveli, look no further than Raas, Jodhpur’s first luxury boutique hotel. This 18th-century haveli, authentically restored in lime mortar and sandstone, is a mix of architectural styles. Rajasthani latticed facades go hand in hand with its functional elements, marrying craftsmanship with contemporary design, and of course, the most majestic views of Mehrangarh Fort swiftly at sunset.

Umaid Bhawan Palace

A gorgeous duet of sandstone and marble makes up the stunning interiors of one of the world’s most beautiful hotels, the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur. Designed by British architect Henry Vaughan Lanchester, the palace is a symphony of architectural elements characteristic of the Indo-Deco style popular in the ‘30s and ‘40s, infused with the essence of Indian craftsmanship. 

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