Rajasthan is one of India’s cultural gems. The most vibrant culture mixed with royal history makes it a heaven for tourists. With the weather conditions being extreme: very hot in summers and shivering cold in winters, the state that covers almost 10.4 percent of the geographical area of the country has a very unique experience to offer. For people who love to just set on an expedition on a bike, Rajasthan is nothing short of an experience. In this piece we look at exploring Jodhpur on a bike. Magnificent forts, bustling lanes, mouth-watering food and a ride of a lifetime, Jodhpur will leave you with some splendid memories.
Best Time To Visit
The best time to plan a trip to Jodhpur is between October and March. The beginning of winter is the most chosen time for tourists to visit Jodhpur. Temperatures hover around 24°C and go as low as 10°C in the night. As the winter progresses, the temperature drops down to below 5°C in December and January. From March onwards, summer sets in and it becomes pretty difficult for people to bear the heat; temperatures soar above 40°C.
Avoid traveling to Jodhpur in summers as the desert heat can leave you drained and exhausted, tampering with the fun of the trip. Plus, riding in dry heat wearing your safety gear is nothing short of a nightmare. Post June, the rainy season kicks in and again, it is not an advisable time to visit Jodhpur. You won’t be able to enjoy the sight-seeing and the travel as much as you would enjoy it during the winters.
Jodhpur has its own airport connected to major cities in India. You can land in Jodhpur and begin your bike journey. Or you can also travel to Jaipur and enjoy a road trip to Jodhpur via NH 48. You’ll pass through Ajmer while on this route.
Mehrangarh Fort
Feel like a royal whilst you get transported to the Rathore dynasty. Rajasthan has always been a land of royals and Mehrangarh Fort situated in Jodhpur narrates the great history that it nestles. The magnificent fort is situated around 400 feet above the city and it is considered to be one of the biggest forts ever constructed. The fort has been converted into a museum that gives the tourists a look at some of the ancient weapons, ancient paintings, intricate carvings and much more of what it boasts. If you’re starting your expedition from Jaipur, the Capital City of Rajasthan, and moving directly to Mehrangarh Fort, it will take you about six hours to reach via NH 48.
Jaswant Thada
Jaswant Thada is a Cenotaph made of pristine white marble in remembrance of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. It is said to be the cremation ground of the Marwar family. The distance between Jaswant Thada and Mehrangarh Fort is barely 3 minutes. So after exploring the Mehrangarh Fort, you can head to Jaswant Thada and do it all in a day’s work.
Toorji Ka Jhalra
Jodhpur is one of the best places to witness architectural brilliance in Rajasthan. Toorji Ka Jhalra, a step-well built by a Queen in the 1740s is truly one of a kind, contributing to Jodhpur’s architectural treasures. Made of rose-red sandstone, Toorji Ka Jhalra holds some ancient carvings of dancing elephants, medieval lions and cow water-spouts.
Kaylana Lake
After soaking in all the architectural and ancient beauty, you can head to Kaylana Lake to enjoy a nice boating experience. It is a manmade lake situated 8 kilometers away from Jodhpur city. It was built by Pratap Singh in 1872. During the winters, you may get lucky enough to spot Siberian Cranes by the lake. Another lake that you can visit when in Jodhpur is Balsamand.
Apart from these, you can also visit markets in Jodhpur like the Ghanta Ghar Market, Umaid Bhawan Palace Market, Mochi Bazaar, etc. Shopping for handicrafts here will be a delight.
Things to remember
Jodhpur is fairly developed. With petrol pumps easily available, bikers don’t have to worry much about refuelling before heading out. When exploring Jodhpur by bike, it’s always advisable that you begin your journey early in the morning so that you are greeted with timid sunrays, making your journey a pleasant one. While riding through Jodhpur you’ll have to keep a check on the speed; the infrastructure of the city consists of many narrow lanes giving it an old-world charm, but the narrow and crowded lanes may get frustrating if you’re one to enjoy the thrill of speed.
When in Jodhpur, all you need to remember is to be like a local: submerge yourself in the prettiness of the city and feel like a royal with its heritage. DO NOT miss out on feasting on some of the most amazing delicacies in Jodhpur. The Blue City, as it is called, is not very vast to explore. If you have the time, you can take several stops and eat the local cuisine that’ll leave you satisfied and how! We recommend that you carry at least a few water bottles along with you, given the dry and sometimes humid nature of Jodhpur. At almost every given tourist attraction, parking space is available.
Apart from exploring Jodhpur on a bike, we also suggest that you experience the Desert Safari in Jodhpur. Riding through the sand dunes can elevate your Jodhpur expedition to a whole new level. Generally bikers prefer to club a trip to Jodhpur on a bike with a trip to Jaisalmer, approximately 281.2 km away. You can travel to Jaisalmer from Jodhpur via NH125 and NH 11.
See Also: Bike Trip From Udaipur To Jodhpur
