Make a Jodhpur trip in October to witness the chilly winds take over the barren desert landscape. It is also one of those times when the Blue City is at its charming best. The music of the desert is best represented in the Jodhpur RIFF–the Rajasthan International Folk Festival. From the vintage car collection at Umaid Bhawan Palace to the silent lake of Jaswant Thada; from the ravanhatta players of the Mehrangarh Fort to the bangle sellers of Mochi Bazaar, Jodhpur is an explorer’s dream.
The walk up to the Mehrangarh Fort can seem daunting but the view from the top is worth it. It is here that you will get to know the true meaning of the name Blue City! The fort was built in 1460 by Rao Jodha, after whom the city gets its name. Also known as the Citadel of the Sun, the Mehrangarh Fort houses several palaces within its fortifications.
One of the most interesting rooms at the Mehrangarh Fort is the Phool Mahal. With stained glass windows, golden ceiling and quintessential diwan beds of the era define this part of the fort. Sunlight streaming through the windows dances with the mirror work, making a kaleidoscope of colourful beams!
Around 3 km away from the fort is the Clock Tower. It is a famous site in the city, bringing traders, tourists and locals together. Here you will find endless rows of aromatic spices, exotic handicrafts and exquisite glassware. The sight of the locals haggling with vegetable hawkers as the foreigners fix their camera lens is an enjoyable sight.
Jodhpur is much more than polo and desert safaris. An adventure sports enthusiast will find a plethora of activities to enjoy here! Zip lining, paragliding, desert safari and boating are some of the activities you can indulge while in the city.
Zip Lining (by www.firefox.asia)
RIFF-Music of the Desert. Feast for the Soul.
The soulful symphony of the string quartet blends effortlessly with the mellow notes of the flute to give you a warm welcome even as the nip in the air tugs at your heartstrings. You’ll have no choice but to be mesmerised by the songs of the sand as they come together beautifully with world music. So you will have the ragas of a thumri merging into the harmonies of the bauls and jazz rhythms blending with Celtic sounds.
Folk Performance (from the official Facebook page of RIFF)
This year, the event will be held from 23-27 October. Held against the backdrop of the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, the festival is endorsed by UNESCO and is a presentation of the Mehrangarh Museum Trust and the Jaipur Virasat Foundation. The festival sees musicians and performers from around the world, including Brazil, Finland, Spain, Ghana and Israel.
All That Jazz! (from the official Facebook page of RIFF)
Winter is playing around the fringe, ready to make the kill at any instant now. The times, they are a changin’, and the sands are shifting. So let go of the blues and plan your Jodhpur trip to revel in the magic that is this walled city!
About the Author:
A wordologist, Etti Bali loves playing around with words, creating a world of absurd. In an ideal world, she would never wake up as she thinks slumber is the answer to all world problems.
