Jodhpur - The Sun City

Jodhpur "The Sun City" sets at 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.

Jodhpur was previously known as Marwar. Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan. It is divided into two parts - the old city and the new city. The old city is separated by a 10 km long wall surrounding it. Also it has eight Gates leading out of it. The new city is outside the walled city.

Jodhpur is a very popular tourist destination. The landscape is scenic and mesmerizing. Jodhpur city has many beautiful palaces and forts such as Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhavan Palace and Rai ka Bag Palace. Other charms of Jodhpur include Government museum and its beautiful Umed garden. The city is known as the "Sun City" because of its bright and sunny weather throughout the year. Read on for more Jodhpur information.

The massive 15th century A.D. Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125 Mts. Above the plains. The city is encompassed by a high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions. A major trade centre of the 16th century A.D. the fortress-city of Jodhpur is now the second largest city of Rajasthan.

While the graceful palaces, forts and temples strewn throughout the city bring alive the historic grandeur, exquisite handicrafts, folk dances music and the brightly attired people lend a romantic aura to the city. The jumbles of wide winding streets are flanked with pavement stalls.

The lifestyle in Jodhpur is unusually fascinating with folks wearing lovely multihued costumes, artistically designed. Women folk wear wide gathered skirts and a hip length 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 popularity worn baggy - tight, horse riding trousers- ‘Jodhpurs’ took their name.

Shopping in Jodhpur bazaars is a heady experience with a colorful display of the rich collection of exquisite handicrafts. The tie and dye fabric, embroidered ‘jutis’ or slippers in suede, camel skin, velvet and more color to the city. It was form here that the popularly worn baggy-tight horse riding trousers,-" Jodhpurs",took their name Countless festivities celebrate the rich past and culture of the princely state. The Marwar Festival held annually is one such spectacular bonanza.

Places to Visit

Umaid Bhawan Palace: The only 20th century palace built under the famine relief project that gave employment to famine struck population. The palace was completed in 16 years.

This opulent edifice in sandstone is still the residence of the former rulers with a part of it running as hotel and remaining part as a museum.

Girdikot and Sardar Market: These colorful markets with tiny shops dotting the narrow lanes are situated in the heart of the city and are popular for a wide range of handicrafts, making them the favorite haunt of shoppers.

Mehrangarh Fort: The 5 km long majestic fort on a 125 meter high hill is one of the most impressive and formidable structures. Although invincible from the outside, the fort has four gates approached by a winding road. Within the fort are some magnificent palaces with marvelously carved panels, latticed windows and evocative names. Not worthy of these are the Moti Mahal, the Phool Mahal, the Sheesh Mahal, the Sileh Khana and the Daulat Khana. These palaces house a fabulous collection of trappings of Indian royalty including a superb collection of palanquins, elephant howdahs, and miniature paintings of various schools, musical instruments, costumes and furniture.

Jaswant Thada: A cluster of royal cenotaphs in white marble built in 1899 A.D. in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Within the main cenotaph are the portraits of various Jodhpur rulers.

Museum: The museum has an exquisite ensemble of paintings, sculptures and antique weapons.

Excursions from Jodhpur

Balsamand Lake and Gardens (5 km): A pretty lake built in 1159 A.D. A splendid summer Palace stands by the lake side surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Mandore (8 km): The ancient capital of Marwar has cenotaphs of the Jodhpur rulers. The Hall of heroes has fifteen figures carved out of the rock on the wall which represent Hindu deities. Its beautiful gardens with high rock terraces make it a popular picnic spot.

Mahamandir Temple (9 km): Built in 1812 A.D. it is noteworthy temple with 84 carved pillars.

Kailana Lake (11 km): The beautiful lake is an ideal picnic spot.

Osian (58 km): An oasis in the desert, situated on the diversion off the main Jodhpur-Bikaner Highway. A drive to this ancient township takes one past undulating terrain, punctuated by desert stretches and little hamlets. Osian has 15 beautifully sculptured Jain and Brahmanical temples. Of these the most outstanding ones are the earlier Surya or Sun Temple and the later Kali temple, Sachiya Mata Temple and the main Jain temple dedicated to Lord Mahavira.

Dhawa (45 km): A wildlife sanctuary with the largest number of Indian antelopes.

Nagaur (135 km): An imposing fort with beautiful murals. It is also the venue for beautiful murals. It is also the venue for a week long cattle fair held in Jan/Feb every year.

Rohit Fort (40 km): Now a heritage hotel, the fort is worth a visit.

Luni Fort (20 km): Now converted into a heritage hotel, this fort and its surroundings are worth a visit

Udaipur - City of Lakes & the Venice of East

Udaipur city, formally known as the city of lakes and Venice of East. Udaipur is the jewel of Mewar - a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 years. The foundation of the city has an interesting legend associated with it. According to it, Maharana Udai Singh, the founder, was hunting one day when he met a holy man meditating on a hill overlooking the Lake Pichola.

The hermit blessed the Maharana and advised him to build a palace at this favorably located spot with a fertile valley watered by the stream, a lake, an agreeable altitude and an amphitheater of low mountains. Maharana followed the advice of the hermit and founded the city in 1559 A.D.

Overlooking the aquamarine expanses of the Lake Pichola stands the splendid City Palace - a marvel in granite and marble.

Of the original eleven gates of the Udaipur City, only five remain. The Surajpole or Sun Gate on the eastern side is the main entrance to the city.

This city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around the azure water lakes, hemmed in by the lush hills of the Aravalis drenched in romance and beauty. Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sounds and experiences - an inspiration for the imagination of the poets, painters and writers.

Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavor of heroic past, epitomizing valor and chivalry.

Exquisite Lake Palace of Udaipur, shimmering like jewel on Lake Pichola is overwhelming in splendor.

Several places of interest around Udaipur, including the majestic Chittaurgarh, the mountain fortress of Kumbhalgarh, beautiful Jain temples of Ranakpur, religious townships of Eklingji and Nathdwara and the cool retreat of Mount Abu, make the visit to this region a memorable one.


Udaipur was named Asia’s 2nd best city of 2007 and Travel & Leisure magazine named hotel Oberoi Udaivilas as the “World’s best hotel” for 2007. Udaipur is a favorite marriage destination. Many celebrities (from Bollywood like Raveena Tandon) were married in Udaipur.

James Bond buffs may well recognize Udaipur's famous Lake Palace, since it made an appearance in the past 'Octopussy' movie, which was filmed on location in Udaipur itself

In all Hindustan there is no more picturesque a city than which Udai Singh, when driven from Chittorgarh, founded amongst the mountains."- said King George V, visiting Udaipur in 1905. Udaipur, the city of the Suryavansi Rajputs, hidden amongst the hills that encompass the great Pichola Lake -- has been called the `Venice of the East`. Indeed with its enchanting palaces surrounded by mirror-like lakes, undulating hills and colorful bazaars, Udaipur looks as though it has been lifted straight from the pages of an Arabian Night’s fairy tale book. The hills, the lakes and the altitude give Udaipur an extremely agreeable climate. Probably no other city in Rajasthan is quite as romantic as Udaipur. A visit to Udaipur is a must for travelers who want to experience the unique and vibrant history of Rajasthan.

Varanasi - The holy city of India

Varanasi, the holy city of India, is also known by the name of Kashi and Benaras. Kashi, the city of Moksha for Hindus since centuries, is known for its fine-quality silks, 'paan' and Benares Hindu University and Avimukta of the ancient days; Varanasi is the most popular pilgrimage point for the Hindus. One of the seven holiest cities, Varanasi city is also one the Shakti Peethas and one of the twelve Jyotir Linga sites in India. In Hinduism it is believed that those who die and are cremated here get an instant gateway to liberation from the cycle of births and re-births.

The city of Varanasi is situated along the west bank of the Ganges in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Sarnath, is located 10 kms from the holy city Varanasi, where Buddha preached his first sermon. Visiting this holy venerated Buddhist place will be like cultivating one's mind and soul. So, if u wish to purify your mind, body and soul this is a rightful choice for you. We understand your expectations of something different. Once you go through our realm at India Luxury Car you will feel the difference. Because we are confident that sitting in our ravishing cars at India Luxury Car will give you a mind-boggling experience.

Considered as the abode of Lord Shiva, Varanasi is situated on the west banks of River Ganges, which is believed to have the power of washing away all of one's sins. As pundits here will tell you, whatever is sacrificed and chanted here or given in charity reaps its fruits thousand times more than those good deeds performed at other places because of the power of that place. It is believed that three nights of fasting in Varanasi city can reap you rewards of many thousands of lifetimes of asceticism!

Varanasi is the oldest city of the world. Varanasi is more than 3000 years old and is famous as the city of temples. In Varanasi, there are temples at every few paces. Looking at the number of temples in Varanasi, it is hard to believe that a large number of them were demolished during the medieval times. Jyotirlinga Visvanatha Temple or Golden Temple, rebuilt in 1776, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Jnana Vapi well (meaning 'Well of Wisdom) is believed to have been dug by Lord Shiva himself. It is believed that the majestic Alamgir mosque has replaced one of the most ancient shrines known as the temple of Bindu Madhava. The thirty-three hundred million shrines fill one with awe and wonder with sheer numbers.

The Ganga Ghats (river front) are the most popular pilgrimage spot of Varanasi and are centers of music and learning. There is a great tradition of Yatras in the holy city of Kashi and the most sacred path is that of Panchkoshi Parikrama, the fifty-mile path with a radius of five miles that cover 108 shrines along the way, with Panchakoshi Temple as its main shrine. Other popular pilgrimage route is Nagara Pradakshina, which covers seventy-two shrines along the way. Since time immemorial Varanasi is a great center of learning. The holy city has been a symbol of spiritualism, philosophy and mysticism for thousands of years and has produced great saints and personalities like Guatama Buddha, Mahavira, Kabir, Tulsi Das, Shankaracharaya, Ramanuja and Patanjali.