Wednesday 27 May 2009

Jophur (Blue City)

The Sun City

Jophur is the second largest city in Rajasthan. The city is known as the Sun City for the bright, sunny weather it enjoys all year. This means, it is real real hot during summer. It is also referred as the Blue City due to the indigo tinge of the whitewashed houses around the Mehrangarh Fort. The old city of Jodhpur is surrounded by a thick stone wall.

i heard a few theories of why the old city is blue:
1. The colour blue absorbs very little of the sun’s heat and this keeps the houses cool.
2. They started out as just being painted blue to mark the presence of a brahmin, but when it was discovered that the blue pigment used was an effective mosquito repellent, everything suddenly went a little blue around here.

Mehrangarh Fort is just around 125 meter above the city. It was an easy climb up just from the one of the small walking path around the city. Beware of dogs!


The fort spreads over an area of 5 sq km in the heart of the city. This 7 gates fort is a beautiful landmark in Jodhpur. I would said, this is the best fort in my whole journey in India. Magnificient, beautiful and well preserved.

What to see:


The narrow small street in the old city. There are many shops and activities going on in these small streets.

Donkeys prove to be a useful mean of transportation in the small alleys.

Small street performer with a huge turban in the fort. Don't forget to pay for his entertainment services.

What to eat:


The mangoes from the street stalls or bazaar. Sweet, fresh and cheap.

What to do:


Shopping ...


Join the local for a snack or drink : pakora, bhaji, chai ... (forget about the coffee though. It will taste like tea.)


Enjoy the luxury of beard shaving and massage by the barber. He could do eye liners and ears digging for your as well!

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