Like a scene from a dream, Jodhpur India—Rajasthan’s blue city—is almost too beautiful to be real. Originally used as a way to ward off pests during the hot summer months, Jodhpur’s Old Town is painted in every shade of blue under the sun. From pale dusty tones, patinaed over the centuries from the blistering heat, to vibrant azure as bright and saturated as the sea, a walk through Jodhpur India’s historic city center is a truly memorable experience for the traveler. If you’re planning a trip, keep scrolling and, for more of India, see my Jaipur & Udaipur travel guides and my journey with Aman.
After two days in Udaipur we hopped in our car (if traveling by automobile, a private driver is a must) and headed north to Jodhpur India. Since the historic Umaid Bhawan Palace was closed for a private event, we decided to stay in town at the RAAS Jodhpur—a boutique hotel housed inside an 18th-century Haveli. The hotel is overlooked by Mehrangarh, an awe-inspiring 15th century fort looming 400 feet above the Jodhpur skyline, and features a lovely spa where we enjoyed incredible Ayurvedic treatments.
As we only had one full day in Jodhpur India, we decided to squeeze in as much as we could and hired a private guide to lead us on a walk through the city’s historic old town. We soaked up the vibrant blue tones of the Indoislamic architecture, enjoyed incredible Samosas, visited local temples, and even toured our guide’s former primary school where we met the liveliest group of students. We also visited the stunning 18th century stepwell, Toorji Ka Jhalra Bavdi, and Jaswant Thada—the cremation ground of the royal family of Marwar.
“To other countries, I may go as a tourist. But to India, I come as a pilgrim.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
We also spent a day in the countryside, driving through golden fields of wheat dotted with women in beautiful red saris carrying water and grains on their heads. Our destination was the Ranakpur Jain Temple—an extraordinary structure built in 1437 carved out 1,444 marble columns decorated with ornate carvings of elephants, lotus blossoms, and geometric patterns. We had the privilege of meeting the High Priest who, after he gave us a tour of the property, bestowed a birthday blessing for Ryan (whose birthday was the next day). It was a truly extraordinary experience and one we will cherish forever.
Jodhpur India photos by by Molly Carr Photography | Images via Minolta CLE and iPhone 14 Pro
