Jodhpur

Jodhpur is known as the Blue City for it azure-painted houses, especially impressive when viewed from the ramparts of Mehrangarh Fort. A bird's-eye view of the town makes it resemble a sea on the fringe of the Thar Desert. Jodhpur is encircled by a wall 9 km (6 mi) around, which keeps out the desert sands. The city, at the base of a sandstone ridge, was the capital of the Marwar kingdom for five centuries. It was named after its 15th-century founder, Rao Jodha, chief of the Rathore clan of Marwar. The clan traces its lineage to Lord Rama, hero of the ancient Hindu epic, The Ramayana.

Getting around Jodhpur is relatively easy. Take an auto-rickshaw up the hillside and walk through the massive, impeccably maintained Meharangarh Fort, saunter through the Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum, and wander through the chaotic and colorful markets full of fruit, textile, and handicraft stalls near the city's clock tower. Take special note of Jodhpuri pathar, peach-color stone that makes Jodhpur's houses and buildings stand apart from others in Rajasthan. If you have extra time, take a desert safari on camelback.