Jodhpur is the second largest city of the state, Jodhpur is situated on a sandstone mountain 236 m high. The city had its found­ations laid in 1459 by the chief of the Rathore Rajputs, Rao Jodha. The city derives its name from Baggy-tight trousers Jodhpurs.

In the past, Marwar or the desert capital of the Rathore kings was in Jodhpur. The Rathore Rajputs are said to have descended from Ramchandra of the Ramayana and the epic mentions Jodhpur as Northern Marwar. In the past, the caravan route to the Middle East was via Jodhpur-Jaisalmer and because of this, Jodhpur flourished owing to the wealth acquired through trade. The people of this part of the country are better known as Marwaris. Jodhpur is popular with tourists because of its 2 forts and the lake. Equally popular are its tie-and-die-print and shoes.

The desert region starts from Jodhpur. In the 16th century a 10 km long wall was built to save the city from the encroaching sand. In summer the temperature varies from 36.6-42.2° Celsius and in winter from 15.5-27.5° Celsius. The best time to pay a visit is from October to Mareh.

History
Jodhpur was founded by the Rajput chief Rao Jodha in 1459. The city was the erstwhile capital of the Marwar state. A 10-km-long wall made of stone surrounds the city. Eight doors stand all through the wall leading to different places of Jodhpur. The city has about 100 towers most of which are surrounded by defensive battlements. The guards' chambers, constructed high up above the ground and fitted with iron spikes on top, could be seen alongside these walls.

The labyrinthine old city is a more visually exciting experience than Jaipur, but besides exploring these medieval streets and visiting Mehrangarh Fort and Umaid Bhawan Palace, there's not much to hold you here for more than a day or two -- most people use Jodhpur only as a jumping-off point to Jaisalmer or as an overnight stop before traveling on to Jaipur or Udaipur -- though a stay at Bal Samand Lake Palace or Umaid Bhawan Palace may have you wishing you'd extended your time here.

Climatic Conditions
The temperature in summer is 36.6 degree to 42.2-degree Celsius. In winters the temperature falls to 15.5-degree Celsius to 27.5 degree Celsius. Maximum Rainfall recorded in Jodhpur is 31.87 cm.

Sightseeing

• Umaid Bhawan Palace
  The palace is counted amongst the finest palaces in India. The palace has 347 rooms and a museum. The palace has now been transformed in a luxury hotel.
• Mehrangarh Fort
  Mehrangarh Fort is situated at the hilltop. This is one of the largest forts in India. The fort is under the administration of the Maharaja of Jodhpur. The Mehrangarh Fort museum has antiques, ornaments and weapons.
• Mandore Garden
  The beautiful garden has few Cenotaphs of Jodhpur's former rulers and small temples.
• Jaswant Thada
  Jaswant Thada is also known as Taj Mahal of Marwar. Milky-white marble centaph was built in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II in 1899.

How to reach

• Air
  Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur lie on the Airlines route that links Delhi and Mumbai.
• Rail
  Jaipur is well connected by train to main cities of India. Indian Railway reservation office opens from Monday to Saturday. There are several trains from Jaipur to Agra, Bombay, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota, Chittorgarh, Alwar, Shekhawati and Delhi. There is a Shatabdi Exp. between Jaipur and Delhi and continue to Alwar and Shekhawati.
• Road
  The state Roadways coaches link most tourist places and business centres in and around the state. Chauffeur-driven airconditioned cars can be hired thourgh the State Tourist Offices and other approved operators.