Jodhpur:

Beyond the pale in the Blue City

The whole experience was wonderful, stimulating and very exciting! Travel Scope did a great job in making all the arrangements and we would definitely recommend this trip to our friends!

Nancy Schapiro and Gerald Portnoy

There is a stark strength to Jodhpur. The city stands as the last frontier – coexisting with the sand-dunes of the Thar Desert.

A walk through the marketplace, Jodhpur

Perhaps it’s the muscle of Meherangarh Fort which towers protectively over the skyline. Or the sprawling handsomeness of Umaid Bhawan Palace, whose dome is a landmark for miles around.

There is wildness here – in the black buck that roam the scrubby forests, in the Bishnoi tribes who are scattered around the city, in the breeze – warm by day, but chilly at night – which reminds you that this city is your final bastion against the desert’s seductive mirage. (Don’t miss our Running Wild post on Instagram!)

Most people spend just a couple of days here – or simply pass through overnight – without exploring beyond the pale, but at Travel Scope we know that there’s so much more that lies within the walls of in the blue city and the people behind them.

Jodhpur’s old city is tinted a faint indigo and hence its name – The Blue City. There are many beliefs propounded for the coloring of the walls. Some say it is to ward off the harsh desert sun and keep the limestone walls just that much cooler. Others say it was to demarcate the homes of the Brahmins who lived here centuries ago, and the tradition has simply continued. We believe that it could just be that a little colour helps to lighten up everyone’s life!

The Blue City, Jodhpur

(Click here for our Facebook post on the Blue City: Indigo to Jodhpur!   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Travel-Scope-India-Pvt-Ltd/456637484377809)

Meherangarh Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has evolved from being a stoic reminder of the heroes of Rajputana, to become a cultural axis on the world stage.

Come spring and the desert air fills with the sound of music at the Flamenco and Gypsy Music Festival that is held at Meherangarh. This music from across the world comes to find its roots in the deserts of the Thar and the cool air reverberates with rhythm and the haunting echoes of long ago.

Click here to see a video clip from past festivals:

RIFF – The Rajasthan International Folk Festival – is in its fifth year now and is a terrific showcase of the performing arts throughout the region. Held in October each year, it has created a platform for the artistes of the desert – and raised the bar for Jodhpur – the destination.

Live performances at Meherangarh Fort, Jodhpur

Click here to see a video clip from past festivals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Aj0J-IFkM4

Splendour in the sand…Jodhpur has risen on the world’s stage as the place for extravaganza. Whether it’s destination weddings, or couples who elope and ride off into the sunset, it’s a place that embraces the exaggeration of the spirit – a spirit of strength and resilience in the face of all adversity.

 Perhaps this is why polo is so popular here. Polo in Jodhpur is not for the faint-hearted. These are die-hard equestrians who are rough and tumble and it’s not unusual for a little blood to be shed into the sand – but it’s a spirit that comes from the heart, it’s about the way you play the game – not the end.

(connect with us on Facebook to visit our post on Polo!) 

But they’re born gentlemen in Jodhpur and the Rajputs like to dress well and the Jodhpur pants have become a staple in equine fashion. This is why its no surprise that one of India’s best known fashion icons – Raghuvendra Rathore, is a son of the city and chooses to base his atelier here.

And it’s worth dandying it up in Jodhpur for it’s a city where once the party begins – it doesn’t end. Whether its literally a feast fit for a king at the Mewar Hall at Umaid Bhawan Palace, or strawberries and champagne on the sand-dunes of the Thar, there’s always an opportunity to cut a fine figure here. Throw in a safa (a traditional turban) and some fine leather mojris (Rajasthani slippers) and you’re a prince among men! Hotels in Jodhpur take a fashionable turn too – from classic grandeur to cutting edge design.

Handmade Jootis (shoes) in Jodhpur

Raas Haveli – Jodhpur

But Jodhpur has depth that goes beyond the parties and the festivities and this ethos begins at the doorstep of Umaid Bhawan Palace. Conceived as a means of livelihood to a draught stricken region, Umaid Bhawan Palace stands the test of time. It’s eclectic sandstone exteriors makes it shimmer golden in the sun, while its

cavernous interiors are beautifully decorated with Art Deco murals by the artist Norbilsk, who came from Poland. Legend has it that the ship that carried the original furnishings for the interior of the palace sank – and everything had to be reordered to decorate it in its royal splendor.

Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur  

Art has its place in Jodhpur and we take you beyond the treasures of Umaid Bhawan Palace’s museum to offer up another completely different perspective – the art of the painted truck. Visit a workshop where trucks literally get dressed up and decked out to ply on Indian roads – this fast dying tradition is one of the most intriguing and complex forms of pop art in the context of modern India.

India’s roads are dotted with heaving vehicles and the concept of the vehicle itself is sacred to Hindu mythology, Every deity in the Hindu pantheon has one of his or her own. Whether it’s Ganesha’s mouse or Saraswati’s swan, the vehicle is a revered being and therefore our four-wheeled variety is uniquely decorated to celebrate going places!

The Rajputs of Jodhpur love to celebrate – and there’s no celebration feast that doesn’t include the local favourite – Laal Maas or Red Lamb, so called because it is marinated for days in a complex blend of spices before being slow-cooked beneath the earth for several hours, taking on a rosy hue. As you eat it, the meat is so tender, that it simply falls off the bone and melts onto your tongue.

If you’re looking for a reason to celebrate life, love, or simply to enjoy a moment in time – call us and we’ll take you to visit our Jodhpur on a journey deep beyond the pale.