Saturday, November 5, 2016

Jodhpur, The Heritage Ciy


It's usually in the winter months that Jodhpur feautures on the intineraries of tourists. Known as Sun City, it was founded by Rao Jodha, a cheif of Rathore clan, in 1949. It is well-known for its rich history and heritage and makes for a perfect getaway from Delhi via Jaipur. Jodhpur, the second largest city in Rajasthan, is pleasantly unspoilt by rapid urban development. One of the most well-preserved heritage sites in India --the Mehrangarh Fort --is a major atraction in the city. Standing magnificently on a clif, it is at height of 400 feet above the skyline of Jodhpur. Get a breathtaking view of Mehargarh Fort and the city of Jodhpur with the zip line tour, which is offered by Flying Fox, booking for which can be done at the fort itself.


The audio-guided tour of the fort offers an interesting insight into the history of the place. The Mehrangarh Fort also plays host to a number of music festivals, one of them being The World Sacred Spirit Festival, which is held in February.


For the heritage buff, visit Osian (67 km from Jodhpur), also known as "The Khajuraho of Rajasthan" for its famous temples. Wildlife-lovers can drive down to Bishnoi village (27 km from the city), which is home to numerous migratory birds, blackbuck and chinkara. Also take the Bishnoi village safari, which includes it all --potter families, weaver families and the Bishnoi families, who are staunch worshipers of nature and treat animals like family.

Beside these, there are numerous options inside the city itself. Visit Gypsy Restaurant at Sardarpura for an authentic Rajasthani meal, the Tripolia market to buy traditional meal juttis and jackets or just walk around the city and take a look at the historic buildings, which have been a part of our heritage for decades. Few destinations offer rich heritage and culture along with such beauty.

Getting There: Jodhpur is about nine-hour drive from Delhi. To save time you can fly to Jaipur and drive down there.

Stay: There are a number of heritage hotels in Jodhpur. Ajit Bhawan --The first heritage hotel in India, provides a luxurious stay. Other hotels like Ranbanka Palace, Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mihir Garh are also good choices.

Eat: Try the laal maas and junglee murgh. Also, the kachoris and mirchibada are spicy and delicious.


Shop: Visit the Spice Paradise near Amar Chowk and buy some spices. Mochi Wali Gali near the clock tower offers a varied range of traditional footwear.

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