Ranisar Padamsar Lake | Places to Visit in Jodhpur
Located near the Mehrangarh Fort, these picturesque lakes are one of the most famous water bodies of the city. Almost 500 years ago, the Ranisar lake was built by the Rajput Chief Rao Jodha’s wife, Queen Jasmade Hadi, mainly for water conservation. The lake never runs out of water, even during parched climates and offers peaceful waterside sceneries while the Fort offers spectacular sunrise and sunset sights.
Osian Temples
The Osian Temples are situated in the ancient desert town of Osian (also known as Osiyan), which is about 60 km away from the city of Jodhpur. The destination is famous for the cluster of Hindu and Jain temple ruins which date back to the 8th Century. The city was a major religious centre during the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty, and the beautifully sculpted temples are a testament to the architectural abilities of ancient India.
Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park
Built from a large rocky wasteland, the aim of the ‘Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park’ was to prserve the degraded terrain’s natural ecosystem. The park is densely populated with the indigenous flora of the Thar Desert, with over 200 different species. With the park being one of the only few places where the state’s real landscape and vegetation can be observed in its natural setting, the place is a haven for nature lovers and geologists.
Toorji Ka Jhalra
A sight that you certainly should not miss while visiting Jodhpur is the ‘Toorji Ka Jhalra’, a 250-year-old stepwell made of the famous rose-red sandstone. The elaborate structure depicted the remains of the traditional water management systems of the blue city and was designed by Maharaja Abhaya Singh’s queen-consort, which symbolizes the region’s age-old custom where the women from the royal family were responsible for overseeing the public water works. Submerged for decades in the past, the structure showed evidence of intricate carvings over 200 feet in size of medieval lions, portraits of deities, dancing elephants, etc.
Umed Garden | Places to Visit in Jodhpur
A lush garden spread across an area of over 33 hectares with sprawling lawns, fountains, and a library, the Umed Garden was built by Maharaja Umed Singh and offers tourists a chance to witness the beautiful flora and fauna of the place systematically. The garden is situated close to the Umed Palace and is a visual treat for visitors with multifarious blooming flowers, a zoo, and a ‘Walk-in Avery’ where various animals and exquisite birds can be seen in their natural environment.
Reference List
- Mehrangarh Museum Trust (2018). Mehrangarh Museum Trust [online]. Available at: https://www.mehrangarh.org/ [Accessed 12 October 2022]
- The Indian Hotels Company Ltd. (2016). Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur [online]. Available at: https://www.tajhotels.com/en-in/taj/umaid-bhawan-palace-jodhpur/ [Accessed 12 October 2022]
- The Culture Trip Ltd. (2017). The Story Behind Jodhpur’s Abandoned Mandore Gardens [online]. Available at: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/india/articles/the-story-behind-jodhpurs-abandoned-mandore-gardens/ [Accessed 12 October 2022]
- Rajasthan Tourism – Government of Rajasthan (2022). Best Places to Visit in Jodhpur, Attractions and Points of Interest- Rajasthan Tourism [online]. Available at: https://www.tourism.rajasthan.gov.in/jodhpur.html [Accessed 12 October 2022]
- Exoticmiles.com (2020). Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park | Exotic Miles [online]. Available at: https://www.exoticmiles.com/jodhpur/rao-jodha-desert-rock-park/ [Accessed 13 October 2022]
- Exoticmiles.com (2020). Osian Temples | Exotic Miles [online]. Available at: https://www.exoticmiles.com/jodhpur/osian-temples/ [Accessed 14 October 2022]
- Exoticmiles.com (2020). Ranisar Padamsar Lake | Exotic Miles [online]. Available at: https://www.exoticmiles.com/jodhpur/ranisar-padamsar-lake/ [Accessed 14 October 2022]
- Exoticmiles.com (2020). Toorji Ka Jhalra | Exotic Miles [online]. Available at: https://www.exoticmiles.com/jodhpur/toorji-ka-jhalra/ [Accessed 13 October 2022]
- Exoticmiles.com (2020). Balsamand Lake | Exotic Miles [online]. Available at: https://www.exoticmiles.com/jodhpur/balsamand-lake/ [Accessed 14 October 2022]
- Trawell | Tripzy Vacations Pvt. Ltd. (2017). Mahamandir Temple, Jodhpur [online]. Available at: https://www.trawell.in/rajasthan/jodhpur/mahamandir-temple [Accessed 12 October 2022]
- RajasthanDirect.com (2013). Umed Garden Jodhpur [online]. Available at: https://www.rajasthandirect.com/tourism/gardens/umed-garden-jodhpur [Accessed 15 October 2022]
- Rajasthan Tour Planner (2017). Umed Garden in Jodhpur [online]. Available at: https://www.rajasthantourplanner.com/Monuments-Citywise/Umed-Garden-Jodhpur.html [Accessed 16 October 2022]
- Rajasthan Tour Planner (2021). Ranisar Padamsar Lake [online]. Available at: https://www.rajasthantourplanner.com/blog/ranisar-padamsar-lake/ [Accessed 14 October 2022]
- Tour My India Pvt. (2016). Phool Mahal Palace Jodhpur [online]. Available at: https://www.tourmyindia.com/states/rajasthan/phool-mahal-jodhpur.html [Accessed 15 October 2022]
- Tour My India Pvt. (2016). Moti Mahal Jodhpur [online]. Available at: https://www.tourmyindia.com/states/rajasthan/moti-mahal-jodhpur.html [Accessed 15 October 2022]
