Jodhpur, also famous as Blue City and Sun City, is on the hotlist of every tourist’s dream landscape to explore in India. With a fine combination of historical styles of Europe, Mughal, and Indo, the city is home to numerous architectural and heritage sites.
On your trip to Rajasthan, you must explore some of the best places to visit in Jodhpur, as well as tourist places near Jodhpur within 50 to 150 km.
In this comprehensive travel guide on Jodhpur tourism, we have covered all the majestic places, including forts, palaces, lakes, hill stations, temples, and gardens.
Travel Tip: On your trip to Blue City, book a Jodhpur sightseeing taxi with Royal Rajasthan for a memorable and hassle-free experience!
If you are planning a trip to the royal city of Jodhpur, it makes sense to know which is the best to visit.
Since Jodhpur is a city in Rajasthan where temperatures are high during the months of summer, you must plan your trip between October to February. So, winters are considered a good time to visit Jodhpur as you will feel comfortable visiting the forts, exploring local markets, and other places.
For the best travel experience on your trip to Blue City, choose a local sightseeing cab of your choice or a tempo traveller with Royal Rajasthan.
It is the fort colored by the rays of the morning sun. Mehrangarh Fort should be on the list of your must-visit places in Jodhpur.
It is one of the largest and most beautiful forts in India. Located 400 feet above sea level, this fort in Jodhpur is the epitome of royalty and glory.
The fort hosts a museum that glorifies the rich culture and heritage of the city. From the top, you get a stunning look at the blue houses, which is called the Blue City.
Many famous Hollywood and Bollywood movies have been shot at the Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur. These movies include The Lion King, The Dark Knight Rises, Thugs of Hindustan, Veer, and Holiday, just to name a few.
Rao Jodha built Mehrangarh Fort in 1459. He was the twelfth king in the Rathore dynasty to rule Marwar. The fort was named Mehrangarh (fort of the sun) because the sun was the superior God for Rathores.
The idea behind building this fort was to create stronger natural defenses at a high elevation. It is over 500 yards long with walls more than 120 feet high and 70 feet thick. The fort has seven main gates with unique names- Fateh Gate, Victory Gate, Dedh Kamagra Gate, Bhairon Gate, Gopal Gate, Marti Gate, and Loha Gate. All these gates were built at different times with a particular purpose.
The fort houses a number of beautiful palaces, a historical museum, and two temples. The palaces include Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Jhanki Mahal, and Phool Mahal. Chamunda Devi Mandir and Nagnechi Ji Mandir are the temples in Mehrangarh fort every tourist would love to visit.
Rao Jodha also laid the foundation of Jodhpur in the 15th century. The city was named after him.
If you are looking for the best places to visit in Jodhpur for 1 day, Mehrangarh Fort must be on your list.
Umaid Bhawan Palace and Museum is one of the must-visit places in Jodhpur. It is also called Chittar Palace because of its location being Chittar Hill. Known for marvelous architecture, Umaid Bhawan is the last royal palace built in India, a few years before independence.
The palace has three wings— a museum, heritage hotel, and residence of Maharaja Gaj Singh. The museum showcases the making of the castle, Maharaja Umaid Singh’s lifestyle, antique clocks, art deco furniture, writing sets, sporting, and much more.
The heritage hotel of Umaid Bhawan has 25 rooms and 39 suites, which the Taj Group of Hotels now runs. At the Traveller’s Choice Award program, Umaid Bhawan Heritage Hotel was awarded the World’s Best Hotel of 2016. Actress Priyanka Chopra chose this hotel for her wedding with Nick Jonas.
Maharaja Umaid Singh built Umaid Bhawan Palace in 1929. It is one of those palaces in India which was built with the noble purpose to employ thousands of workers during a famine.
A saint had once cursed that the Rathore dynasty will go through a drought period. In the 1920s, Jodhpur witnessed drought and famine for three years. It was a tough time for farmers, daily wage workers, and other people.
Umaid Singh decided to begin the construction of a palace to bring employment to the people. Henry Vaughan Lanchester, a famous architect, designed the architecture, and the foundation of the palace was laid in 1929.
Umaid Singh had employed nearly 3,000 people and kept the work at a slow pace. The construction of the palace was completed in 1943. It was then named Umaid Bhawan Palace after Maharaja Umaid Singh. In the world of tourism, it is among the most famous places in Jodhpur.
Jaswant Thada is a memorial site of a Rajputana clan. This monument was built in the 19th century and has temple-like architecture. One should definitely visit this beauty on their tour to Jodhpur.
It is a perfect example of architectural brilliance and is made of white marbles, which are so fine that the outer surface of the whole building emits a warm glow during sunlight.
Currently, it exhibits a variety of paintings and portraits of Jodhpur rulers. You should make sure to add Jaswant Thada to your list of must-visit places in Jodhpur.
Maharaja Sardar Singh built Jaswant Thada in 1899 and named it after his father, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The ‘Taj Mahal of Jodhpur’ is built out of pure white marble that still preserves all of its allure. It also consists of some paintings of the previous rulers of Mewar.
The cenotaphs built of white marble are contrasted in red with the steps trailing up to the monument, giving it an enormously vibrant appeal.
A shallow lake adjoining Jaswant Thada was a platform for performing traditional ceremonies and rituals for the deceased. Local musicians and folk singers sit on the monument’s steps to greet the visitors with some authentic Rajasthani melodies.
The interior of the monument is beautifully decorated with some elaborate artwork and gives a history of the city’s great rulers.
Toorji Ka Jhalra or Toorji Stepwell is another important place you should visit during your trip to Blue City. Located well within the city of Jodhpur, it is a perfect example of traditional water management resources and architectural wonders.
It is a stepwell developed in the 1740s by Maharaja Abhay Singh. It is over 200 ft deep and is built with rose-red sandstone. Here, you can spend around an hour exploring the architecture, medieval carvings of elephants, lions, cow waterspouts, and more.
For the tourists looking for the best places to visit in Jodhpur in 2 days, it is a location to be explored. You will be in awe of the level of architecture, designs, and aura of the place.
Located in the center of the Sardar Market, Ghantaghar or Clock Tower is one of the most sought-after shopping and best tourist places in Jodhpur. Ghantaghar abodes a beautiful and majestic clock tower which is a famous landmark and marks the start of the old city of Jodhpur. The tower presents a beautiful panoramic landscape of the Blue City from its top.
There is no better place in the world to shop for these exquisite spices than Jodhpur’s Ghantaghar itself. It provides a truly local experience, with local shops and shoppers everywhere buying fresh vegetables, shopping for saris, spices, etc.
It is the best of India’s chaotic markets, with all the amazing colors, flavors, and swirling masses that make up this mystical land.
Ghanta Ghar was established during Maharaja Sardar Singh’s reign (between the late-19th Century and early 20th Century) as a major landmark near the Mehrangarh.
The Clock was brought from London and is believed to be bought from the company that made the Clock Tower in London. The area gradually became one of the most bustling and busy areas of Jodhpur city.
Several shops came up, and a marketplace, known as the Sardar Market, was set up, which was named after the Maharaja and, since then, has been a shopper’s delight.
During the time, products like spices, vegetables, clothing, tools, etc., were available in the market. Today, the scene is relatively modern as a lot more is sold and purchased at this market. It is among the must-visit places in Jodhpur.
Rao Jodha is a desert rock park that was created to restore the natural ecology of this neglected terrain and has become a major tourist attraction of Jodhpur today. The park is covered with indigenous flora of the Thar Marusthali (Thar Desert), including over 300 species of plants.
The Roa Jodha desert park was established in 2006 but opened in 2011 for the general public to visit. It is a place where all the fauna and the vegetation of Rajasthan can be witnessed altogether. This place has attracted many tourists over the years and has been a place of keen interest for Geologists.
The Mehrangarh Museum Trust worked with a team guided by the environmentalist and geographical experts to ecologically restore the park by eradicating thousands of Baavaliya (Prosopis juliflora) shrubs, an invasive species introduced from Central America that had increased significantly among the rocks.
The restorationists employed the local Khandwaliyas, who are known to be the experts in detecting hidden cracks and crevices in rocks, to chip away at the stone to remove the invasive shrub. Over the next 7 years, they worked to bring back a multitude of native plant species carefully. It is another top place to visit in Jodhpur city.
Kaylana Lake is one of the most popular sightseeing places in Jodhpur, located nearly 8 km from the main city. The place is known for its natural scenery surrounded by rocks and water.
The water in the lake flows down from an elephant canal called Hathi Nehar. This canal is further connected to the Indira Gandhi Canal.
The lake also surrounds Babool trees adding to the beauty of the place. During the winter season, you can get to see Siberian cranes and other migratory birds. This makes the lake a must-visit place for all bird and nature lovers.
There is a temple on the hills belonging to Lord Shiva. You can enjoy the trekking experience by visiting the temple. Kaylana Lake is also famous among the top picnic spots near Jodhpur.
Kaylana Lake is an artificial lake that was built in 1872. Pratap Singh laid the foundation of the lake on a surface area of 84 sq km. Before the lake, this place had palaces and gardens, which Bhim Singh and Takhat Singh built. At a time, both of them were the rules of Jodhpur.
Pratap Singh wanted to create a source of drinking water for nearby villages and chose to destroy the gardens and palaces to build the lake. Takhat Sagar and Umaid Sagar are the primary outflows of Kaylana Lake through which the water flows to nearby villages and towns. Kaylana Lake Jodhpur is approximately 40 to 50 ft deep.
In your list of best places to visit in Jodhpur in 2 days, you must add Mandore Garden. It is one of the largest gardens in Jodhpur where you will also explore several temples, museums, and cenotaphs.
In the garden, there is the Hall of Heroes or Devtaon ke Sal, where you get to see sculptures of various Gods and ancient rulers. The total number of heroes is sixteen which represents the deities and royal fighters/rulers.
Along with this, there is a Government Museum where you can see artifacts and old relics. There are high cenotaphs that make the Mandore Garden of Jodhpur all the more beautiful.
Over the years, the Ganesh Temple has got renovated and become a hot tourist attraction now. The temple sees a massive rush on Wednesdays that you need to wait in long queues.
A few years back, it was only a religious place, but now it has become one of the top places to visit in Jodhpur. It is because there is a green garden where you can spend your time peacefully, watch the colorful fountains from the lakeside, and click memorable photographs.
The temple is located at some height that you can reach with your vehicle or through the staircases. From here, you can get glimpses of both Mehrangarh Fort and Umaid Bhawan Palace.
Masura is a hill station near Jodhpur which is also famous as a garden. The Masuria hill station offers an exciting panorama view of the city of Jodhpur. You get to see the blue houses for which Jodhpur is called the Blue City.
You will love to visit it if you are looking for top places to visit in Jodhpur for couples. Masuria also holds the temple of Baba Ramdev, Veer Durgadas Rathore statue, and a local restaurant for snacks and cold drinks.
Even the people of Jodhpur go to Masuria hill station for picnics and outings on weekends. It is well-known among the citizens as the top picnic spot near Jodhpur.
Another great feature of this garden and hill station is that it is home to India’s largest TV towers. You can get a cool view of the Mehrangarh Fort. To sum up, it is an ideal place for solo travelers and couples, and a good spot for nature photography.
Chamunda Mata Mandir is one of the most famous temples and top tourist attractions in Jodhpur. It is situated within the Mehrangarh Fort. You can visit this temple while exploring the majestic fort.
Rao Jodha had built the temple of Chamunda Mata in the fort in 1460 as he was a true devotee of the goddess. There is a huge idol of Maa Chamunda, which is worshipped even today by the royal family of Jodhpur. Every Jodhpurite visits this temple every now and then.
On the day of Dussehra, the temple sees the highest number of devotees from early morning till evening. Surrounding the temple are lush green lawns where devotees can spend some time in peace.
Another reason why this temple is famous is the architecture that shows a blend of historical and religious importance.
This lake is a fine example of manmade lakes in India. It was developed in 1159 AD as a way to preserve water and provide water resources to the people of Mandore.
Balsamand Lake is nearly 1000 m in length, 50 m in breadth, and 15 m in depth. Counted among the best places to visit in Jodhpur Rajasthan, Balsamand lake is surrounded by a garden full of trees of mango, guava, plum, papaya, and pomegranate.
At this lake, you get to see several birds and animals, including peacocks, jackals, and monkeys. The reason you must visit this lake that is offers a mesmerizing natural view of the lakeside, green garden, birds, and flowing water.
Over the past few years, a five-star luxurious property has been built on the banks of the lake, named Balsamand Lake Palace, which is owned by WelcomeHeritage hotels.
A peaceful place for all nature lovers, you must visit Balsamand lake on your trip to Jodhpur city.
For those who love birds and animals, the Jodhpur sightseeing places list must have the name, Machia Biological Park. It is a zoo and biological park located on the outskirts of the city (nearly 8 km from Jodhpur Railway Station).
The zoo in Jodhpur was initially located in the Public Park or Umaid Udhyan. A few years ago, all the animals and birds were shifted to the newly built biological park. Since its starting at the new location, the park has been visited by over 1.4 million tourists from India and abroad.
Another popular temple in Jodhpur is the Mahamandir Temple which is renowned for its architecture. It is a huge temple having 84 pillars to support it. On all the pillars, there are traditional archaeological carvings which make it a fine example of ancient art. These carvings on the temple pillars represent various yoga poses.
Mahamandir temple was developed in 1812 and is counted among the top Jodhpur tourist places. Both Indian and foreign tourists visit this temple for its royal architecture.
Mahamandir Temple is located only at a distance of 4 km from Jodhpur Railway Station. You can add it to your Jodhpur itinerary for two days and explore it after visiting Mehrangarh Fort.
Samrat Ashok Udhyan is known as the pride of Jodhpur for its cleanliness, despite being a central park for the locals. It was built in 1998 as small work and then it was further renovated in 2004.
The central part of the park has an open area with lush green grass. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Jodhpur for couples. On weekends, the park sees rush, but you will still see no mess up and specks of dirt.
In the Samrat Ashok Udhyan, you are not allowed to consume any food or beverages. However, you can carry along water bottles. The reason behind prohibiting eatables within the park is to maintain cleanliness.
At the outside of the Ashok Udhyan park, you will find numerous vendors selling local food, tea, cold drinks, icecreams, and fast foods. You can have the refreshment before or after the visit to the park.
Ranisar and Padamsar are famous lakes in Jodhpur which are more than five centuries old. Located near the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, these lakes offer a scenic and natural view that the tourists love.
Topping the list of best places to visit in Jodhpur Rajasthan, the Ranisar Padamsar lake was built for providing water to the desert regions of Mewar. The idea for building these lakes was proposed by the wife of Rao Jodha named Jasmade Hadi.
While visiting Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada, you should add this lake to the Jodhpur itinerary for 2 days. An example of classic water storage systems, you will love to spend your time in the early morning or evening at the lakeside for a serene and peaceful view.
You can experience the chirping of birds, enjoy the cool breeze, and spend a great time out of the rush of the city.
Sardar Government Museum is part of the Public Park (Umaid Udhyan). Years ago, the Public Park also hosted the Jodhpur zoo, which was later relocated to a new place and renamed as Machia Biological park.
The Sardar Government Museum is also called Jodhpur Government Museum. Built-in 1909 by Umed Singh in memory of Maharaja Sardar Singh, this museum is one of the top places to see in Jodhpur.
The reason behind listing Sardar Government Museum among the famous things in Jodhpur is the mesmerizing things you get to see inside. There are nearly 400 stone sculptures and around 2000 miniature paintings. Additionally, you will explore inscriptions, terracotta, metallic objects, arms, coins, as well as miscellaneous objects.
The next destination to add to your list of things to see in Jodhpur is Shastri Circle Park. It is basically a circle in the Shastri Nagar locality of Jodhpur which is quite popular for street food and garden experience.
Surrounding the circle are numerous food vendors where you can try street foods like chaats, kachoris, pav bhaji, masala dosas, masala tikka, and much more. Icecream and juice vendors can also be explored if you are fond of desserts and juices.
Inside the Shastri Circle Park are seating arrangements with a vibrant and city vibe experience. It is also one of the top places to visit in Jodhpur for couples. There is a musical fountain with lighting, as well as some swings and a playground for kids.
You can also enjoy walking and horse riding at this place. You would love to visit here in the evening hours.
Gulab Sagar Lake is among the least explored Jodhpur tourist places. Located in the city of Jodhpur, this lake is near the Clock Tower and offers a scenic view of the Mehrangarh Fort.
This small lake was built by Gulab Rai in 1788 as a water resource in place of a bawri. The construction of Gulab Sagar took around 8 years. It is around 150 meters in length and 90 meters in width. The water to the lake comes from a canal from Bal Samand Lake.
While visiting Gulab Sagar, you can also go to some nearby temples and tourist attractions, like the Kunjebihari temple. If you are a nature lover, this place should be on your Jodhpur itinerary for 2 days.
Another important destination on the list of best places to visit in Jodhpur for 2 days is Siddhanath Mahadev Temple. You can visit this temple while exploring Kaylana Lake as it is nearby.
Situated on the Takhat Sagar hills, the Siddhanath mandir in Jodhpur is quite famous among the locals of the city. The stairs at the place are hand-carved on large stones. An ancient temple, the Siddhanath Temple was built once a saint named Veetrag Narain Swami chose this as a place for his meditation.
Later, another saint named Gaurishankar also resided at this place and cut out the stairs from stones. Both the saints are today famous and worshipped wholeheartedly by local people and nearby villagers.
Explore all the top tourist attractions in Jodhpur with a car or tempo traveller for the best travel experience.
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