Jodhpur, get lost in the blue labyrints

Jodhpur is often called the blue city or even the sun city. You can see a sea of blue houses and roofs from the Mehrangarh Fort. This was the last city on my tour around Rajasthan. Unfortunately, Udaipur and Jodhpur had no train connection, so the second best was a bus. On the other hand, I wanted to see a couple of sites on the way, between these two cities. So I opted for a third option, hiring a one-way private driver. Usually, this is something I do not do, but once in a while, even I can ride a car. I also spent New Year’s Eve in Jodhpur.

Kumbhalgarh Fort

Kumbhalgarh Fort and five other forts in Rajasthan were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites under the Hill Forts of Rajasthan. Like so many forts in India, it is beautifully situated on a hilltop. It is not too large, but it has a beautiful interior. Since it is not so easily reached without a car, most visitors were Indian, primarily young men. So I was probably the oldest and the only one with a gray beard since most Indians colour their hair and beard until quite old age.

It is not a very long walk up, but of course, it is steep, so some young men were impressed by this gray-bearded man climbing and wanted to take a picture of me. The fort is built about 1100 meters above sea level, so on a sunny day, there was a comfortable breeze, and I had a lovely walk up and a look around. I am pleased that I made the effort to come here. The wall of Kumbhalgarh is one of the longest continuous walls in the world, spanning 36 kilometers.

Ranakpur Jain Temple

On my way to Jodhpur, I also wanted to visit Ranakpur Jain Temple, which is not far from Kumbhalgarh Fort. Jainism is an Indian religion. Trying to understand and explain it here will take too much effort. I am not so interested in going too much into it, but you can read about it on Wikipedia. However, the temple is fantastic, all in white marble, and is from the 15th century. This temple is famous for its intricate carvings and unique architecture.

The 1444 marble pillars, carved in exquisite detail, support the temple. Each pillar is individually carved, and no two are the same. Legend says that it is impossible to count the pillars. Again, I am so impressed by how far people go to worship their religion. I hope I did not walk around with my mouth open, haha—wonders of the world.

Final destination, Jodhpur

In the late afternoon, I arrived at the final city on my journey around Rajasthan. Like most cities in India, Jodhpur is a busy and crowded city. I stayed in a mid-standard hotel, which was perfectly okay, but for lunch on December 31, I went to a five-star hotel. Behind high walls and guards was an oasis in the middle of the city. The waiters were more posh than I, but that was just an observation, which was okay. The food was tasty anyway.

As you can see in this picture, blue is widely used on city walls, roofs, and graffiti. Blue is also my favorite colour, so I felt it was a must for me to visit Jodhpur. It was tranquil to walk around in the narrow, colourful streets. I also found a charming art cafe.

Mehrangarh Fort

This fort was probably the most impressive of all the forts I visited on my journey in India. Just look at those enormous walls built around it. Within its boundaries are several palaces known for their intricate carvings, expansive courtyards, and a museum that houses various relics. A winding road leads to and from the city below. This was the perfect site to visit on January 1st 2025. I hope the rest of the year can keep this up!

Even though they do not celebrate New Year’s like the Western world, there were still many fireworks, but not so much partying. I was standing on the rooftop of my hotel watching the spectacle. There are still many nice things to see in this city, and I may return to India one day. I know I have seen so little of this large country. I will end my Indian experience with a picture of Jodhpur’s step well, Toorji Ka Jhalra Bavdi.