Jodhpur is the second largest city in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan. It is home to over 1.5 million people, as well as an extensive cultural history, with a series of impressive architectural feats. Jodhpur is also known as the “Blue City”, due to its almost dreamlike collection of blue-tinted houses, tightly packed together in the beautiful old town.
The stretch of blue homes runs along the walls of the historic old city. Originally, the blue paint used to indicate that a Brahmin – a priest, and a member of the highest group both socially and spiritually in the Indian caste system – lived there. A blue house was, therefore, a sign of status and respect.
As time went on, however, the blue coating became part of the identity of a wider group of Jodhpur natives. It means that now when you look down on the city, it gives off the unique quality of being almost entirely blue.
This view is most commonly found from the Mehrangarh Fort – a stunning attraction in its own right. First constructed in the mid-15th century, the visible history is on display in tours of the fort, and it is also home to an ancient temple. It sits impressively on top of a hill, the city in its shadow.
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At the bottom of the rock, you find the 6-mile (10km) wall. This wall was erected in the 16th century, and now contains the vast majority of the blue homes in Jodhpur. These buildings are tightly packed together on winding, narrow streets with impressive arches decorated with intricate detail. Home to shops selling goods from incense and roses to local street food and musical instruments, it’s a striking, unique place to visit.
As well as being known as the Blue City, Jodhpur is also called the “Sun City.” This is because of the abundant sunny days it experiences, sitting right on the edge of the Thar Desert, lighting up not only the blue homes and Mehrangarh Fort, but the many temples, gardens, galleries and towers in the city.
While this makes it a popular travel hub for tourists to fly into when visiting in northwestern India, it is also a key base for the Indian armed forces, particularly the Air Force. Located just over 150 miles from the Pakistani border, Jodhpur has been a key strategic point since India’s independence. It is said that it was nearly made the capital of Rajasthan, but the title went to Jaipur instead due to its closer proximity to Delhi.
