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Jodhpur is famously known as ‘the blue city’ because most of the houses, forts, palaces, and monuments here have a bright shade of blue. The city, with its natural beauty, appeals to tourists due to the charisma it holds, its rich history, and the numerous forts, palaces, and other places to visit in Jodhpur. Rao Jodha in 1459 founded the city of Jodhpur. If you are planning to explore the blue city, this guide is helpful as it lists the 10 best places to visit in Jodhpur.  

8 best places to visit in Jodhpur 

Mehrangarh Fort 

One of the best places to visit in Jodhpur is Mehrangarh Fort, built in 1460 AD by Road Jodha. It is an impressive fort covering the skyline of Jodhpur, wrapped in red sandstone. The fort has grand palaces with intricate carvings. It also holds many cultural festivals, like the World Sufi Spirit Festival in February and more. 

• Opening hours: 9 am to 5 pm
• Charges: INR 70 (for Indians); INR 600 (for international tourists, audio guide included).

Jaswant Thada

After your trip to Mehrangarh Fort, visit the adjacent Jaswant Thada, a collection of majestic cenotaphs built around 1899 AD using white marble. It is dedicated to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, with the prime cenotaph holding portraits of multiple Rathore rulers. The morning sun rays on the walls of Jaswant Thada light it up—a vision you must see.

• Opening hours: 9 am to 5 pm
• Charges: INR 15 (for Indians); INR 30 (for international tourists, audio guide included).

Mandore Gardens

A stunning place to visit in the blue city, Mandore Gardens has an old temple, cenotaphs, and more; it is a must-visit. The garden also has a ‘hall of heroes’ which is dedicated to many deities and Rajput folk heroes. The garden also has a shrine dedicated to ‘three hundred million gods’, a tourist attraction. 

• Opening hours: 8 am to 8 pm (garden, every day): 9 am to 6 pm (museum, Saturday-Thursday).
  Charges: None

Osian Temples

Osian Temples is another one of the best places to visit in Jodhpur, only 65 km away. The desert town of Osian has 15 Jain and Hindu temples with beautiful interiors that were built around the 7th and 8th centuries. 

• Opening hours: morning to evening
• Charges: None

Umaid Bhawan Palace

Umaid Bhawan Palace is currently known for many Bollywood marriages. It is a luxurious palace; it is known for being the largest private residence. It has over 347 rooms. It also has a museum of regal items like vintage cars, royal clocks, and more. 

• Opening hours: Palace: 9 am to 5 pm (Sunday to Saturday); Museum: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday to Saturday).
• Charges: INR 25 (for Indians); INR 50 (for international tourists); INR 30 (for adults); INR 10 (for children); INR 100 (for international tourists).

Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park

Near Mehrangarh Fort lies this park, spread across 72 hectares of massive land. In 2006, the park came into existence, restoring the rocky area’s ecology while encouraging greenery too. Here, you can see over 80 species of plant species local to the Thar desert. 

• Opening hours: 9 am to 5:30 pm (Sunday to Saturday)
• Charges: INR 30 (adult); INR 10 (student).

Bishnoi Village

Bishnoi village is another interesting place to explore here. It is known for its many cultural activities, like cane spotting, camel treks, village walks, desert excursions, and more. Also, the village has an impressive handicraft and art collection for you to enjoy.

• Opening hours: 9 am to 5 pm
• Charges: None 

Kalyana lake

Kalyana Lake, one of the most gorgeous artificial lakes situated in the western region of Jodhpur, is a popular tourist destination. There are many attractions for you to visit near the lake, like Masuriya Hill Garden, Bhim Badak Cave, and Gypsy Restaurant. 

• Opening hours: 8 am to 6 pm
• Charges: none
  
  

Things to know before visiting Jodhpur

• The best time to visit: is in winter, as the weather is pleasant. From October to March.
• Starting price of a tour package: The basic tour package starts at INR7500, which you can customize.
• Total days needed: 3–4 are ideal for visiting the maximum tourist places in Jodhpur.

Short Itinerary: Here is a three-day itinerary to follow:

• Day 1: Reach Jodhpur, and visit Mehrangarh Fort, followed by shopping, trying street food, and enjoying dinner at Pal Haveli restaurant. 
• Day 2: Enjoy breakfast and head to Umaid Bhawan Palace. Have a hearty lunch of ‘dal baati churma’ and head to Mandore Gardens. End the day by visiting Kailana Lake while enjoying ice- cream or gorging on street foods.
• Day 3: On your last day, head to Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park and trek in the rocky mountains. Enjoy lunch, head to Jaswant Thada, and end the day with dinner in the famous ‘Rocky Mountain Dhaba.’ 

Conclusion 

These are the 10 best places to visit in Jodhpur. If you are here for a day or two, cover the main sights and come back again to explore the local life of Jodhpur and its hidden gems. The sights, palaces, forts, and shrines all have a history to tell. Ensure you book a tour guide when visiting historical monuments to have a better experience.