Searching for the best tourist attractions in Jodhpur? Then this blog hasn’t crossed your path by fluke! Located in the heart of Rajasthan, the ‘Blue City’ serves as a poignant tourism town of India for its landmarks significant to history, serendipity, and even the ‘Continental Drift Theory’.
This blog represents the legacy of Rajasthan’s Jodhpur City, one of the oldest Indian towns to have withstood the tests of time for over 5 centuries! When it comes to shortlisting this heritage town’s popular tourist sites and attractions, even professional travelers sign up for a whirlwind as there are so many.
Top 10 out of the main Tourist Attractions in Jodhpur
Jodhpur is a perfect agglomeration of socio-historic-cultural aspects which makes it a pretty vibrant tourist town. From preserving the old administrative Rajput architecture to showcasing their art relics, tourists would never run out of themes in this tour. Additionally, Jodhpur strongly upholds the roots of India’s Marwari-Hindu culture through its architecture, food, and faith. These socio-cultural appeals are hard to miss.
To dismiss your confusion about selecting the most popular tourist attractions from the never-ending options, this list has you covered by chronologically enlisting the Top-10 main attraction sites in Jodhpur.
Scroll down below:
1. Mehrangarh Fort
This magnificent fort stands on a 400 ft. tall upright cliff, overlooking the Blue City’s sprawling skyline. Made of burnt red sandstone, this fort complex spreads across 1,200 acres. Commenced by Rajput ruler ‘Rao Jodha’ around 1459, this magnificent fort’s final construction concluded 5 centuries later. Its historic legacy hails it as one of the most popular attractions in Jodhpur.
Mehrangarh Fort has 7 exits with ‘Jai Pol’ (victory gate) as its prime entrance. The ‘Fatteh Pol’ was built to commemorate the Rajput’s grand victory over the Mughals. Considering the intricately elaborate Rajasthani-style wall carvings on the grand structure, author Rudyard Kipling addressed this colossal architecture as “the work of giants”.
The fort complex encloses wide courtyards, ‘Kuldevi Temple’ dedicated to Goddess Chamunda, an artifact museum, iron artilleries, etc. Visiting the museum galleries of ‘Daulat Khana’, ‘Armoury’, ‘Paintings’, and ‘The Turban Gallery’ is a must. This museum houses precious Rajputani artifacts like ‘Elephant howdahs’, ‘Palanquins’, ‘Paintings’, ‘Rajput-style turbans’, and the ‘Royal Red Tent’.
Additional Details
Address: Sodagaran Mohalla, Near Vaara Cafe, Jodhpur – 342001, Rajasthan
- Entry Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM (Everyday)
- Website: https: //www.mehrangarh.org/
- Entry Fees:
- Indians: Approx. Rs. 100/- per head (Rs. 50/- per head for senior citizens)
- Foreigners: Approx. Rs. 600/- per head (Rs. 400/- per head for foreign students)
What an incredible experience at Mehrangarh Fort! It’s seriously well taken care of, kudos to the authorities for preserving it so well. And I totally appreciate the no outside…..
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Lovey Joshi
2. Jaswant Thada
The Jaswant Thada was built in 1899 by Maharaja Sardar Singh in the beloved memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, his father. Today, the mortal remains of Marwar’s royal Rajput family are officially cremated herein even today. The ‘Mehrangarh Museum Trust officially monitors this attraction site.
This Indo-Persian-styled cenotaph complex qualifies as one of the most beautiful attractions in Jodhpur. It reflects grand Rajputani architecture made of fine Makrana Marble sheets. The solar radiation from these luminously polished sheets warmly illuminates its exquisite interiors and arches. This aesthetic appeal asserts its affluent reputation as the “Taj Mahal of Marwar”.
This cenotaph complex encloses a beautifully manicured gazebo surrounding a small lake. The premises also nurture a multi-tiered garden. Four cenotaphs are located therein, from which Maharaja Jaswant Singh’s shrine is decorated with the portraits of famous Jodhpur rulers. This site visually depicts Marwar’s glorious history.
Additional Details
Address: Lawaran, near Statue of Rao Jodha, Jodhpur – 342001, Rajasthan
- Entry Timings: 9.30 AM – 5 PM (Everyday)
- Website: https://www.mehrangarh.org/visit/jaswant-thada/
- Entry Fees:
- Indians: Approx. Rs. 30/- per head
- Foreigners: Approx. Rs. 50/- per head
Jaswant Thada is a beautiful cenotaph located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. It’s a stunning architectural marvel made of white marble, built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. It’s known for its intricate carvings and serene surroundings….
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Ankur Kumar
3. Umaid Bhawan Palace
Established on a 41-acre plot, Umaid Bhawan Palace is reputed as one of the world’s largest private residences, which makes it one of the top attractions in Jodhpur. During the 1920s-40s, this lavish palace was built by Maharaja Umaid Singh, to provide employment opportunities for the region’s epidemic-stricken farmers. Today, his grandson, Gaj Singh, owns this luxurious property.
The opulence of this extensive sandstone architecture can be credited to its marvelous Indo-Saracenic aesthetics with those grand domes, pillars, and minarets. The Rathore family’s ‘Coat of Arms’ is at the palace entrance. Its gallery and passage floorings are of black granite, pink sandstone, and marble. The neoclassical-style art-deco interiors are captivating. One must also check out the royalty’s swanky car collection.
The palace premise is tri-divided into a ‘royal-family residential area’, the 5-star ‘Taj Palace Hotel’, and the public museum. Beautifully landscaped gardens flank the grand 26-acre residential complex. Housing 347 rooms, the palace has a throne chamber, ‘Durbar Hall’ for public attendance, a banquet hall, a ballroom, an indoor swimming pool & spa, etc. The property also involves a billiards room, tennis, and squash courts.
Additional Details
Address: Cantt. Area, Near Risala, Jodhpur – 342006, Rajasthan
- Entry Timings: 10 AM – 4.30 PM (Everyday)
- Website: https://shorturl.at/jkxUY
- Entry Fees:
- Indians: Approx. Rs. 30/- per head (Rs. 10/- per head for kids aged 5-11 yrs)
- Foreigners: Approx. Rs. 100/- per head
My experience was too good here and also I got some facts to know and to see some historical things which I haven’t seen before…..
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Aniket Sharma
4. Balsamand Lake and Garden
The Balsamand Lake is located around 5 km away from the Blue City. Spreading across 200 acres, it serves as one of the most popular getaway attractions in Jodhpur. This site hails as India’s first-ever man-made lake, which was built in the 13th Century by Balak Rao Parihar, a then-ruler of the Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty. Maharaja Jaswant Singh I built the serene garden which surrounds this lake.
This refreshing ecological site preserves a suitable cultivation locality for exotic flowering plants, shrubs, and trees. It also comprises a mini-zoo supporting a variety of fauna like rabbits, peacocks, crocodiles, and even migratory birds. Tourists can also enjoy horse rides to explore the garden or sit on a bench for leisure time.
This lake cum garden landmark is a perfect venue for nature lovers seeking some peace and tranquil solace from bustling city life. Visitors touring Jodhpur spare a day from their travel itinerary to enjoy this venue’s naturally placid beauty. You can also organize picnics and small social gatherings amidst the garden’s lush foliage or visit the nearby Balsamand Palace.
Additional Details
Address: Mandore, Near BSF, Jodhpur – 342007, Rajasthan
- Entry Timings: 8 AM – 5.30 PM (Everyday)
- Entry Fees: Free
Excellent. Can’t wait to be back! The grounds are beyond beautiful, like an ancient hidden kingdom….
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Nayana Bhandari
5. Kaylana Lake
Kaylana Lake is also a 35 – 40 ft. deep artificial water reservoir built in 1872 by Maharaja Pratap Singh. Located 8 kms away in Jodhpur’s outskirts, tourists can also travel here for quick city getaways. Despite being man-made, the igneous landscape lying underneath supported this waterbody’s construction.
The ‘Hathi Nehar’ (Elephant Canal) is the main water supplier of this lake, which in turn gets inundated by the water flow from the ‘Indira Gandhi Canal’. Besides its scenic beauty, Kaylana Lake is considered one of the crucial attractions in Jodhpur for serving as the primary source of Jodhpur’s drinking water.
This lake’s surrounding vegetation cover consists of indigenous flora species like ‘Babool’, ‘Gum Arabic Tree’, and ‘Kumat Trees’. In winter, specifically from December to February, tourists can also spot migratory birds like Siberian cranes. At other times, they can unwind in nature by enjoying boating, bird watching, trekking, photography, and picnicking.
Additional Details
Address: Kaylana Lake, Near Kailashoham Gaureshwar Mahadev temple, Jodhpur – 342001, Rajasthan
- Entry Timings: 24×7 (Everyday); Recommended Time: 9 AM – 5 PM (Everyday)
- Entry Fees: Free
6. Machiya Safari Park
Wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers, or tourists wanting a break from visiting Blue City’s popular historic sites consider this satellite zoo as one of the most interesting attractions in Jodhpur. This biosphere reserve cum safari space was founded between 1982-83 to relieve stress from Jodhpur’s old and heritage zoological park.
Situated near Kalyana Lake, the park encloses some distinctly rare fauna species; including rabbits, mongooses, wild cats, deer, monkeys, desert foxes, and monitor foxes. Other animals available are monitor lizards, spiny-tailed lizards, tortoises, and hedgehogs. Tourists can hike up Machia Fort’s summit to catch breathtaking sunset views.
Adventurists avail their thrilling daytime safari services. You can take a jeep ride through the wild nature reserve to spot big cats and bigger herbivores like the Royal Bengal tigers, Asiatic lions, leopards, blackbucks, and gazelles. Trained naturalists guide the tour and impart essential information on ecology and its preservation.
Additional Details
Address: HI Area, Phase-II, Basni, Basni, Near Jodhpur Water Filtration Plant, Jodhpur – 342001, Rajasthan
- Entry Timings: Summer: 8 AM – 6 PM (Except for Tuesdays); Winter: 8.30 AM – 5 PM (Except for Tuesdays)
- Entry Fees:
- Indians: Approx. Rs. 30/- per head (Rs. 15/- per head for school students with IDs)
- Foreigners: Approx. Rs. 300/- per head
- Additional Taxes: Entry Fee + Rs. 80 (Still Camera users); Entry Fee + Rs. 200 (Video Camera users)
7. Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park
The Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park stands out as one of the most fascinating attractions in Jodhpur. Spatially spread across 170 acres, this geological park was founded in Rajasthan in 2006. It encloses sandstone and igneous rock formations of volcanic origin amidst the Thar Desert. The Geological Survey of India’ (GSI) has tagged the ‘Jodhpur Welded Tuff’ as the ‘National Geological Monument of India’ to preserve its geomorphic ecology.
Historians, archaeologists, geologists, and geo tourists mostly visit this natural heritage site. ‘Rhyolite’, ‘breccia’, and ‘welded tuff’ are the prominent volcanic features spotted herein. This landmark also preserves a rich desert-compatible flora-fauna diversity. Various plant and animal species like old trees, mammals, and migratory birds are seen here.
Its ‘Interpretation Gallery’ imparts geological, zoological, and botanical information to the visitors. It also comprises a plant nursery for cultivating indigenous saplings, a fancy cafe, and a small souvenir outlet. Four 880 – 1115 m long walking trails, identified as ‘red’, ‘blue’, ‘green’, and ‘yellow’; enable visitors to stroll through the jungle under the guidance of trained naturalists.
Additional Details
Address: Fort Rd., near Mehrangarh Fort Sunrise Point, Jodhpur – 342001, Rajasthan
- Entry Timings: 7 AM – 6.15 PM (Every day)
- Website: https://www.raojodhapark.in/
- Entry Fees:
- Regular Tourists: Approx. Rs. 100/- per head
The Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park in Jodhpur is a stunning initiative to conserve and showcase the natural desert ecosystem of the region. It’s known for its unique rock formations, indigenous plant species….
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Ankur Kumar
8. Chamunda Mataji Temple
The Blue City is also famous for hosting many holy landmarks. The Chamunda Mataji Temple is considered one of the most divine attractions in Jodhpur. It is located along the Southern flanks of the Mehrangarh Fort. In 1460, Rajput ruler Rao Jodha consecrated Goddess Chamunda’s idol herein.
The royal Rajput families worship Goddess Chamunda as a fierce incarnation of Goddess Durga. They consider her as their ‘Isht Devi’ (legacy-savior). Legendary tales preach that the goddess once transformed into an eagle to save the city of Jodhpur from atrocities.
Thus, the Jodhpuri citizens with national and foreign tourists mandatorily visit here at least once a year. Glorious celebrations are held here in full swing during Vasant and Sharad Navratri, the two prime events celebrating the triumph of ‘Shakti’ over evil. Tourists and devotees flock here to celebrate Dusshera twice every year.
Additional Details
Address: Mehron ko bass, Gulab Sagar, near Blue Corridor, Jodhpur – 342001, Rajasthan
- Entry Timings:
- Day time: 5 AM – 12 PM (Everyday)
- Night time: 4 PM – 9 PM (Everyday)
- Puja Timings: 5 AM & 8 PM (Everyday)
- Entry Fees: Free
Chamunda Mataji Mandir is situated inside Meherangarh Fort Complex. You need to remove your shoes before starting to climb the stairs to the temple…..
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kashif najam
9. Sardar Government Museum
History buffs visit the Sardar Government Museum as one of their top attractions in Jodhpur. Constructed in 1909, Maharaja Umed Singh paid a loving tribute to his father, Maharaja Sardar Singh. The Government of Rajasthan currently monitors this 18,000 sq. ft. museum complex.
The 4 segregated sections of the Sardar Government Museum include; ‘History’, ‘Archaeology’, ‘Art & Crafts’, and ‘Armory’. Additionally, different galleries dedicatedly showcase thematic artifacts. The museum comprises an elegant courtyard. A beautiful garden externally flanks the museum complex. This garden encloses an animal zoo for family leisure.
Regular tourists tour this heritage site to revisit Rajasthan’s glorious reign and rich cultural history. Its exquisite artifacts collection involves ‘inscriptions’, ‘sculptures’, ‘miniature paintings’, ‘ancient currencies’, ‘terracotta illustrations’, etc. Besides warplane & battleship models, this museum also displays indigenous Rajasthani stuffed animals.
Additional Details
Address: Mali Street, Paota, near Ummed Garden, Jodhpur – 342006, Rajasthan
- Entry Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (Everyday, closed on Fridays)
- Entry Fees:
- Indians: Approx. Rs. 20/- per head
- Foreigners: Approx. Rs. 100/- per head
The Sardar Government Museum in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, showcases an impressive collection of artifacts, manuscripts, weapons, and sculptures reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the region. It’s a must-visit for history enthusiasts and those interested in understanding the vibrant history……
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Ankur Kumar
10. Mahamandir Temple
Built-in 1812 by the Rajput ruler Shiv Singh, the Mahamandir Temple is one of those divine attractions in Jodhpur whose construction lasted for almost a decade. This Hindu temple is famous for serving as Lord Shiva’s divine abode.
Made of red sandstone, its interior walls and 84 supportive pillars possess intricate carvings of Hindu scriptures and mythological lores. These carvings are uniquely different from one wall/ pillar to another. Lord Shiva’s black deity (Shiva Lingam), which settles in the temple’s womb, is made of black basalt. Devotees sing and chant their Lord’s name in the central courtyard, whose borders are flanked by smaller temples, housing the deities of other Gods and Goddesses.
Tourists are advised to visit this temple on the occasion of ‘Maha Shivratri’ when the worship complex comes to life for mortally witnessing the immortal union of Shiva and Shakti. Every February, devotees decorate the temple with rangolis and flowers. They offer fruits, flowers, milk, and all milk products to the Lord to celebrate this divine event.
Additional Details
Address: Mandore Road, near Mansagar Park, Jodhpur – 342001, Rajasthan
- Entry Timings:
- Day time: 5 AM – 12 PM (Everyday)
- Night time: 4 PM – 9 PM (Everyday)
- Entry Fees: Free
The architecture of temple is very unique and beautiful.What makes it one of the most beautiful places to see in jodhpur is the marvelling beauty and attractive architecture…..
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A P
Revisiting the Landmarks
Jodhpur is known for attracting millions of national and international tourists almost every year. To make the trip memorable, their bucket list mostly overflows with the mainstream attractions in Jodhpur.
In case you’re planning a trip to Jodhpur, this blog has hit your screen at the right time by shortlisting the 10 top attractions in Jodhpur from the expansive lot. Besides exploring the state’s rich historical heritage, tourists are privileged to indulge in Hindu culture and mythology, even if it’s for a day.
The history buffs can head straight to the Mehrangarh Fort and Umaid Bhavan Palace. Geotourists may be keen on exploring the Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park. Meanwhile, devotees of Mata Parvati and Lord Shiva can restore faith in the Chamunda Mataji and Mahamandir temples.
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