DISCOVER INDIA

Set on the edge of the Thar desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of the Marwar state, it was founded  in 1459 A.D. by Rao Jodha-chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama-the epic hero of the Ramayana.

The lifestyle in Jodhpur is unusually fascinating with folks wearing lovely multihued costumes and  artistically designed dresses. Women folk wear wide gathered skirts and hiplength jacket, with three-quarter length sleeves, covering the front and back. The colorful turbans worn by the men folk add more color to the city. It was from here that the popularly worn baggy-tight, horse riding trousers - "Jodhpuris" took their name.

AREA : 75.50 Sq. Km..    ALTITUDE: 230  Mts.

TEMPERATURE: Summer Max 42.2 C  Min 27.3 C, Winter Max 27.5 C  Min 9.5C
 
BEST SEASON: October-March 
 
STD CODE: 0291

REACHING JODHPUR:
 
Air: Indian Airlines flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur and Jaipur.
 
Rail: Direct rail connection with many important cities of the country. Some important train connections are : Marudhar Express (Varanasi-Jodhpur); Barmer Express (Jodhpur-Barmer); Ranakpur Express ( Marwar-Jodhpur); Paschim Express (New Delhi-Jodhpur-Mumbai);  Ahmedabad-Jodhpur Express  (Ahmedabad-Jodhpur);

Mandore(8 Km/5 mile):The capital of ancient Marwar, it is truly an oasis in the desert with its beautifully laid out gardens. The sprawling greenery of peepal, banyan, palms and plantains alongwith swirling fountains and lovely peacocks make Mandore a visual treat. The main attraction is the "Hall of Heroes" housing sixteen gigantic figures chiseled out of a single rock and the cenotaphs of the former maharajas of Jodhpur.
 
Mahamandir Temple (2 Km/1.2 mile): Built in 1812, this is an old walled town with few hundred houses. The temple with 84 beautifully carved pillars is an architectural wonder.

Balsamand Lake and Palace (7 Km/4 mile): A picturesque artificial lake with a summer palace on its banks. There are lush orchards of mango, guava and other fruits.
 
EXCURSIONS:

Sardar Samand Lake and Palace (55 Km/ 34 mile): As you drive to the lake, the picturesque countryside with lovely villages and smiling folks on the way, offer a spectacular sight. A rendezous with chinkara and black buck might add more fun to the drive.

Osian (65 Km/40 mile):An ancient town  of the Thar Desert, renowned for a cluster of ruined Brahmanical and Jain temples dating from 8th to 11th century. The most important temples are the Surya or Sun Temple and the Sachiya Mata Temple. The latter has a 'shikhar' clustered by a row of tarrets, an ambulatory and a large assembly hall with an elaborate ceiling.
 
Guda Bishnoi(25 Km/ 15 mile):These are immaculately kept villages of Bishnoi community-staunch believers in the sanctity of plant and animal life. Khejri trees and varieties of deer are the attractions of the villages.
 
Local Transport: Metered taxis, cycle-rickshaws and auto rickshaws. Cycles are also available on hire.
 
Shopping: One can go shopping for Jodhpur tie-and-dye textile, embroidered leather shoes, lacquerware, antiques, carpets and puppets, amidst the setting of traditional haat bazar at the well planned Sadar Market near the Clock Tower.
 
For further information Contact: Tourist Reception Centre, RTDC Hotel Ghoomar, High Court Road, Jodhpur. Tel: 0291-45083  Tourist Information Counter Ratanada Airport.