Travel to Jodhpur

crowned by a very impressive fortress

Jodhpur is located on the fringe of the Thar Desert in the centre of Rajasthan in northwest India, roughly 500 km (300 miles) southwest of Delhi.

Widely known as the Blue City, Jodhpur is a significant city, with a population of around one million people.

The city was established in 1459 by Rao Jodha and rose to become the capital of the kingdom of Marwar. Lying on the historic route between Delhi and Gujarat enabled the king to prosper from taxes on the trade in opium, copper, silk, sandalwood and dates.

Jodhpur fell under the control of the invading Moghuls in 1581 and enjoyed a period of greater connectivity with the outside world. But when that empire fell into decline in the 1710s, the region endured a period of great lawlessness and internecine warfare. Fifty years later the British were invited to keep the peace and the city experienced a prolonged period of prosperity.

The main feature of the city is the Mehrangarh Fort, which sits on top of a prominent rocky outcrop. The ramp up to the fort features a number of enormous gateways, the last of which is marked with the hand-prints of the wives of various maharajas, who jumped to their death on the funeral pyres of their husbands, a traditional practice which was outlawed by the British.

The largest and, arguably, the most impressive of the many citadels in Rajasthan, the battlements of the Meherangarh encircle a wonderful collection of historic palaces and temples, as well as extensive gardens.

Below the fort lies the old town, which is surrounded by a defensive wall, penetrated by several impressive gateways. It is centred on the colourful Sardar Market, close to the famous Ghanta Ghar Clock Tower. Beyond the market lies a network of narrow lanes and alleyways, full of a fascinating area of small stores, street vendors and street entertainers.

The best time of year to visit the Jodhpur area is generally considered to be during Oct-May, although there are considerable seasonal variations within that period.

October is the transition period between the end of the monsoon rains and the start of the cool dry season. During October the daytime temperatures usually rise to around 35C/95F, whilst the nighttime low temperatures remain up around 20C/68F. However the rainfall usually drops away completely. Sunshine is around 10 hours per day (around 90% of daylight hours), meaning that skies are usually clear.

Nov-Feb is the main cool dry season. During Nov-Feb the daytime temperatures usually rise to around 25C/77F, whilst the nighttime low temperatures hold up around 11C/52F. There should be virtually no rainfall. Sunshine is around 9 hours per day (around 90% of daylight hours), meaning that skies are usually clear.

Mar-May is the hot season, the often uncomfortable build-up to the main monsoon. During Mar-May the daytime temperatures can climb steeply to around 37C/99F, whilst the nighttime low temperatures are up around an uncomfortable 23C/73F. Rainfall usually remains almost negligible. Sunshine is around 9 hours per day (around 85% of daylight hours), meaning that skies are usually clear.

Jun-Sep is the main monsoon season and is generally considered to be the least favourable time to visit. During Jun-Sep the daytime temperatures drop off slightly to around 35C/95F, whilst the nighttime low temperatures remain up at a stifling 26C/79F (made all the more uncomfortable by the increased humidities). Rainfall only climbs to around 50mm (2”) per month. Sunshine drops to around 6 hours per day (around 50% of daylight hours), meaning that skies can remain overcast.

Getting there

The Jodhpur area can be accessed in a number of different ways.

By air

The closest airports and their most common connections are …

• Jodhpur : 7km to the southwest : Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Mumbai

By luxury train

The Jodhpur area is visited by the following luxury live-aboard train itineraries…

Train : Deccan Odyssey

• Indian Sojourn : 7 nights : Mumbai to Delhi

Train : Maharaja’s Express

• Indian Splendour : 6 nights : Delhi to Mumbai
• Heritage of India : 6 nights : Mumbai to Delhi

Train : Palace on Wheels

• Palace on Wheels : 7 nights circuit : Delhi to Delhi

By train

The closest train stations and their most common connections are…

• Jodhpur : 2km to the south : Jaipur, Agra, Delhi, Mumbai

By road

The Jodhpur area can be easily reached by road …

• Jaipur : 300km to the east
• Agra : 500km to the northeast
• Ranthambore : 350km to the east

Where to stay

The Jodhpur area has an unusually strong range of accommodation options, divided into two geographic categories.

The first option is to stay in Jodhpur itself, with two hotels contained within maharaja’s palaces and a handful tucked in and around the ancient walled city below the citadel.

The second option is to stay in one of the properties in the surrounding countryside or in one of the fortified palaces that command the smaller towns of this area. These can be used as peaceful bases from which to visit Jodhpur.

features in longer explorations of Rajasthan