Jodhpur fondly called as the “Sun City” and the “Blue City” is a popular tourist getaway in India. It falls within the province of Rajasthan state and is the state's second largest city. It is the former seat of a princely state and houses larger than life fort that simply grabs the tourist's imagination. The unique blue colored houses, the vast Thar desert that borders the city's limits, and the juvenile welcoming attitude of the locals make the city unique and a must-visit. With the development of the cities in the state, Jodhpur has emerged as a major transit base as it is located right in the centre of the state and is well-connected to all large and small cities and towns of the state. It has topped the list of best places to visit in India a couple of times and is also regarded as one of the most extraordinary places to live in.
There is a good network of roadways, rail routes, and airways connecting the city to rest of India. The airport is soon to be transformed into an international airport. Presently, it has daily flights to and from Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, and Bangalore. The city's railway station is the divisional headquarter of the North Western Railways of Indian Railways. It is well-connected to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Alwar, Bangalore, Kota, Pune, Hyderabad, and Bareilly etc. via regular trains. There are a couple of good hotels in Jodhpur with tariff suiting the budget of most of the travellers and situated near to the railway station and airport. Jodhpur can also be reached via roads. Try to get a A/C bus or taxi because temperature here generally remains hot, which may lead to discomfort if one is travelling by road.
Before being called by the present name the city was called Marwar based on the geography of the place, as Marwar means “Land of Death”. The vast and stark Thar desert also known as the Great Indian Desert covering an area of 320,000 k.m. sq. has the setting next to Jodhpur. Thus, deriving the popular epithet of Jodhpur, the “Gateway to Thar”. The city is an old city ruled by several indigenous rulers. It is filled with numerous great references of the bygone era. For a tourist the city is filled with countless attractions and allures.
The Mehrangarh Fort built atop of a hill is a popular tourist haunt. It is one of the most prominent monumental structures of Rajasthan and has been turned into a sightseeing spot. The fort is grandiose with huge gates and strong walls. There is a museum inside the fort that displays a great collection of artifacts and remnants.
The glorious palace of Umaid Bhawan is one of the most visited spots in the city. It counts amongst the country's most magnificent palaces and is a work of art. It consists of beautiful courtyards, corridors, fragrant gardens, and lavish rooms.
Located on the outskirts of the city about 60 k.m. from the city centre is the famous Jain Temple called the Osiyan temple. The temple is very old and counts amongst the highly revered Jain temples in India. Visiting the temple not just refreshes the mind but also the soul.
Amongst the other significant places of interest here include: Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum, Ghanta Ghar, Jaswant Thada, Ganesh Temple, Nehru Park, Guda Bishnoi Village, Jaswant Sagar Dam, Rai ka Bag Palace, Chamunda Mataji Temple, and Zenana Mahal. The prime tourist attractions are easy to access as there is a large frequency of taxis and cabs available. Additionally, there are some good hotels in Jodhpur that also offer lucrative tour packages that one may like to avail.