Holiday in Jodhpur

About Jodhpur

Jodhpur is the "Blue City" of India — and the first view from the Mehrangarh Fort over the sea of blue-painted houses stretching to the horizon is one of those moments that make you travel to India. The second-largest city in Rajasthan, on the edge of the Thar Desert, combines majestic Mughal architecture with vibrant market activity and a color palette that is unmatched. The Mehrangarh Fort towers over the city on a 120-meter high rock plateau and is one of the most imposing forts in India. The meter-thick walls house magnificent palaces with intricate stone carvings, mirror halls, and a top-notch museum. From the ramparts, breathtaking views of the blue old town unfold — especially at sunset when the blue of the houses is bathed in golden light. Why is Jodhpur blue? The explanation is as poetic as it is pragmatic: Originally, only Brahmins (the highest caste) painted their houses blue to stand out from other castes. Later, the residents discovered that the blue color (mixed with copper sulfate) repels termites and cools the houses. Today, the tradition is continued out of pride and aesthetics. The old town around the Clock Tower is a sensory fireworks display. The Sardar Market offers everything from colorful Rajasthani textiles to intricate silverwork and mountains of spices in vibrant colors. The alleys are narrow, loud, and full of life — rickshaws squeeze past sacred cows, vendors shout their wares, and the scent of masala chai mingles with that of fresh samosas. The Umaid Bhawan Palace — half Maharaja's palace, half Taj luxury hotel — is one of the largest private residences in the world. The Art Deco architecture made of golden sandstone is extraordinary, and even those who do not stay there can visit the museum and admire the gardens.