Demography (2001 census)

Population (2001 census)

2,880,777 (5.10% of the state)

Literacy rate (2001)

57.38%

Below poverty line

13.60%

Infant mortality rate (IMR)

65

Density of population (persons/sq km):

126

Men:

1,509,563 (52.40 %)

Women:

1,371,214 (47.60%)

Total rural population:

1,908,518

Total urban population:

972,259

% of Scheduled castes:

15.3%

% of Scheduled tribes:

2.8%

Birth rate

34.01

Death Rate

7.9

Sex-ratio (females/1000 males):

908

Climate

Max Temp

45 �C

Min Temp

5.3 �C

Average Rainfall

303 mm

Getting There

Air

Jodhpur has a domestic airport: Indian Airlines operates flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur and Jaipur

Rail

Connected by Western Railway, with a station at Jodhpur. Jodhpur is connected by rail with Delhi, Jaipur, Howrah, Ahmedabad and Lucknow

Road

Jodhpur is well-connected with Delhi (597 km), Udaipur (260 km) and Jaipur (336 km)

Physical

Geographical Location

Between 26�0' and 27�37' north latitude and 72�55' and 73�52' east longitude

Area

22,850 sq km

Adjoining Districts

North: Bikaner and Jaisalmer

South: Pali and Barmer

East: Nagaur

West: Barmer and Jaisalmer

Major Urban Centers

Jodhpur, Phalodi, Pipar, Bilara

Major Crops

Millets, sesame

Major Rivers

Luni, Jojri

# of Sub-districts

3

Language

Language

Rajasthani and Hindi

Economy

Industries

Zinc, oil mills, textiles, iron, cement, marble chips, chemicals, village cottage industries

Industrial centers

Jodhpur

Main markets

Bilara, Pipar City, Bhopalgarh, Mathania, Pholodi, Balesar, Jodhpur City

Main banking centers

Jodhpur, Pholodi, Pipar

Medical Facilities

Hospitals

Community health centres: 5, primary health centres: 75, mother and child welfare centres: 4, sub-centres: 448, TB hospitals: 2

Health facilities

The district has a network of government-run health facilities. There are 80 community health centres

Blood banks

2

Food

Food

Wheat chappatis, pulses, vegetables, curd, ghee, buttermilk

Transportation and Communication

Post and telegraph services

Post offices: 402, post & telegraph offices: 40 (1998-99)

State highways passing through the district and road services

Jodhpur is easily accessible by state highways. State Highway 16 connects Jodhpur with Pali district. State Highway 28 connects Phalodi with Jodhpur. NH 15 connects the district with Jaisalmer and Bikaner dsitricts. Other important roads of the district are: Chadi-Phalodi road, Phalodi-Jodhpur road, Soila- Jodhpur road, Kharia-Jodhpur road, Kankani- Jodhpur road

Important railway stations and railway services

Jodhpur

Culture and Religion

Fairs and Festivals

Shitalamata utsav, Birpuri mela, Porikroma mela, Bijanath mela, Noa Sati mela, Pal Balaji Pashu mela, Mukam mela of BISHNOIs

Religious Places

Jodhpur, Bhondor, Arna

Hotels

Umaid Bhawan Palace, Taj Hari Mahal, Ratnada Polo Palace, Ajit Bhawan, Balsamand Palace, Hotel Karni Bhawan, Quality Inn Chandra, Durjan Niwas Palace

Places to See

Mehrangarh Fort (5 kms) : Guarding the city below, crowning a perpendicular cliff, the fort was founded by Rao Jodha in 1459 AD when he shifted his capital from Mandore.
Jaswant Thada (5 Kms) : Built in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II , in 1899 , the imposing white marble memorial marks the site of a royal crematorium. The cenotaph houses portraits of successive rulers. These four cenotaphs commemorate notable acts of bravery, generosity of the four successive rulers. Timings: 0900 to 1700 hrs.
Umaid Bhawan Palace : Built by Maharaja Umaid Singh (1929 -1942) and named after him, this exquisite palace is also known as Chittar Palace.
Government Museum : Nestling in the middle of the Umaid Public Garden, this museum houses a rich collection of exhibits - armoury, textiles, local arts and crafts, miniature paintings. Portraits of rulers, manuscripts and images of Jain Tirthankars. Umaid Public Garden houses a zoo also. Timing : 1000 to 1630 hrs (Friday closed)
Girdikot and Sardar Market : Throbbing with activity, the colourful bazaar, near Clock tower, has narrow lanes dotted with tiny shops selling exquisite Rajashani textiles, handicrafts, clay figurines of camels and elephants, marble curios with inlay work and exquisite Rajasthani silver jewelry.
Maha Mandir Temple (2 kms) : Leterally, the great temple, a place where sacred glory reigns in a peaceful tranquility. Situated on Mandore road, the temple is an architectural splendor, supported by 84 pillars and ornamented with detailed designs and figures depicting various postures of Yoga. The entire structure is marked by a unique and original style.

History

Once the capital of Marwar state, Jodhpur was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha, chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs, who claimed to be descendants of Rama, the epic hero of the Ramayana. The massive 15th century AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125 metres above the plains. The city is encompassed by a high wall, 10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions.A major trade centre of the 16th century AD the fortress-city of Jodhpur is now the second largest city of Rajasthan.
While the graceful palaces, forts and temples strewn throughout the city bring alive its historic grandeur, exquisite handicrafts, folk dances, music and the brightly-attired people lend a romantic aura to the city. At best it is a doorway to the wonderland of sand dunes and shrubs, rocky terrain and thorny trees. The home of the Rathroes - the awesome princely state of Rajasthan. They conquered Marwar or Maroodesh, land of the sand after the fall of Delhi and Kannauj.