Kristian Bertel | Photography
Archive story
In this archive story we are seeing a blue and vivid scenery of the city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.
Read the background story of this archive photo by the photographer.
Glorious Mehrangarh fort mushrooms from beneth a huge rocky cliff to dominate the once indomitable 'Blue City'. At dusk you feel a part of a real-life movie, as the camera-shy palace peeks over awesome stone walls and citizens mill about in the hemmed-in chaos below. This photograph depicts the blue scenery of the city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.
Glorious Mehrangarh fort mushrooms from beneth a huge rocky cliff to dominate the once indomitable 'Blue City'. At dusk you feel a part of a real-life movie, as the camera-shy palace peeks over awesome stone walls and citizens mill about in the hemmed-in chaos below. This photograph depicts the blue scenery of the city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.
Kristian Bertel, Photographer By Kristian Bertel, Photographer
– Updated on March 21, 2024

Scenery in Jodhpur, India

Jodhpur proper stretches beyond the 16th-century border, but it is the immediacy and grandeur of the old city, once a stop on a vital trade route, that has more and more travelers raving. Mighty Mehrangarh, the muscular fort that towers over the blue city of Jodhpur, is a magnificent spectacle and an architectural masterpiece. From here you a spectacular sight and scenery of the 'Blue City' in India.




What does scenery mean in geography?

There are several words that are frequently associated with the word landscape, where the scenery is showing the natural features of a landscape considered in terms of their appearance, when picturesque with spectacular views of mountain scenery.


A popular tourist destination
Jodhpur is the second largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan and is often referred to as the 'Blue City' due to the distinct blue-painted houses in the old city. It is a popular tourist destination for its forts, palaces and temples, as well as its vibrant culture and the city was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, a Rajput ruler of the Rathore clan. It served as the capital of the Marwar kingdom and later the princely state of Jodhpur. Today, it is the administrative headquarters of the Jodhpur District, with a population of over 1.2 million.

The old city of Jodhpur is encircled by a 10 kilometer long wall, with 8 gates leading into the city. The Mehrangarh Fort is the most prominent landmark in the city and is located atop a rocky hill. This magnificent fort is one of the most impressive in Rajasthan, with numerous palaces and temples within its walls and it is also home to the world's largest cannon on wheels, the 'Jai Pol'.

Vibrant culture and festivals
The city is also known for its vibrant culture and festivals. The 'Marwar festival' is held every year in October and celebrates the culture and traditions of the region and during the festival, folk dances and music performances are held and traditional handicrafts, textiles and artworks are displayed and this city is also a popular shopping destination, with a bustling bazaar in the old city. Here, one can find everything from traditional Rajasthani jewelry and textiles to modern clothing and handicrafts. So it is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the rich culture and history of Rajasthan and with its stunning forts, vibrant culture and traditional markets, it is sure to be an unforgettable experience.




"Sceneries are a beautiful thing to behold and can often be a source of inspiration and relaxation and it is a term used to describe the landforms and natural features of an area and it can include mountains, rivers, forests, valleys, deserts and oceans, as well as man-made features like cities and towns and it is one of the most important components of any landscape. It can create a sense of awe and wonder, as well as a feeling of being connected to nature and the unique geography of an area often serves as the backdrop for a variety of activities and experiences. People often go to areas with beautiful scenery to take photographs, hike, camp and simply take in the beauty of the land"




Scenery of blue houses in Jodhpur
After Jaipur, Jodhpur is the second largest city in the state of Rajasthan and although the city is relatively small in comparison, with around one million inhabitants, it is one of the great attractions of India. Inside is a tangle of winding, glittering, medieval streets, which never seem to lead where you expect them to, scented by incense, roses and sewers with shops and bazaars selling everything from trumpets and temple decorations to snuff and 'Saris' and there are indeed many inexpensive rooftop restaurants and bazaars here. Jodhpur was the capital of the Rajput and later princely state of Marwar and is the second largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur and the city is a popular travel destination in India with several palaces, forts and temples in the landscape of the Thar Desert.

Jodhpur is also called the 'Blue City' as mentioned before, because most of the buildings in the city are painted blue. Originally this tradition was only reserved for 'Brahmins', which are priests. Traditionally, the color blue denoted the fact that the inhabitants belonged to the 'Brahmin' caste, but today 'Non-Brahmins' have also adopted this custom and the color is said to be an effective means of repelling mosquitoes. Around Mehrangarh's base, the old city, a jumble of 'Brahmin'-blue cubes, stretches out to the 10 kilometer-long, 16th-century city wall. The blue city really is blue. Over time, however, it was adopted by everyone and today the blue color is the city's trademark.




"Traditionally, blue signified the home of a 'Brahmin', the photographer learned, but 'Non-Brahmins' have got in on the act too. As well as glowing with a mysterious light, the blue tint is thought to repel insects, the photographer also learned"




A photographer's dream in Jodhpur
When visiting this extraordinary city with all the shades of blue colors it is aslo very clear as a photographer to see that Jodhpur is a historical city. A historcal city whose origin dates to the year 1459 AD when it was founded by Rao Jodha, the Rajput chieftan of the Rathores. The Rathore kingdom was also known as the 'Marwar' and was the largest in Rajputana and the city was built as the new capital of the state of Marwar to replace the ancient capital Mandore, the ruins of which can be seen near what is now the Mandore Gardens and the people of Jodhpur and surrounding areas are hence also commonly called as 'Marwaris'.




See this video about Jodhpur in India made by Distance between.




Modern Jodhpur stretches well beyond the city walls, but it is the immediacy and buzz of the old Jodhpur's 'Blue City' and the larger-than life fort in Jodhpur that capture travelers' imaginations. Scenery is a powerful thing that can greatly improve the lives of those who experience it. Whether you are looking to relax and recharge or just enjoy the beauty of the land, taking the time to appreciate the scenery can be a rewarding and beneficial activity.

"- This crowded, hectic zone is also Jodhpur's main tourist area and it often seems you cannot speak to anyone without them trying to sell you something and areas of the old city further west, such as Navchokiya, are just as atmospheric, with far less hustling. I think sceneries can also affect the mental health of those who visit it. Looking at beautiful scenery can help to reduce stress levels and improve moods and it can also provide an escape from everyday life and a chance to reconnect with nature. This can be incredibly beneficial for those who are feeling overwhelmed or burned out", the Photographer says.


Read also:  Jodhpur – The blue city of India



Jodhpur – The blue city of India


Read also:  Jodhpur – The blue city of India

More archive stories

India is a land full of stories. On every street, on every corner and in the many places in India, life is rushing by you as a photographer with millions of stories to be told. In the archive story above, you hopefully had a readable insight in the story that was behind the photo of the 'Blue City' in Jodhpur. On this website of Kristian Bertel | Photography you can find numerous travel pictures from the photographer. Stories and moments that tell the travel stories of how the photographer captured the specific scene that you see in the picture. The photographer's images have a story behind them, images that all are taken from around India throughout his photo journeys. The archive stories delve into Kristian's personal archive to reveal never-before-seen, including portraits and landscapes beautifully produced snapshots from various travel assignments. The archive is so-far organized into photo stories, this one included, each brought to life by narrative text and full-color photos. Together, these fascinating stories tell a story about the life in India. India, the motherland to many people around the world, a land of unforgetable travel moments. The archive takes viewers on a spectacular visual journey through some of the most stunning photographs to be found in the photographer's archive collection. The photographer culled the images to reflect the many variations on the universal theme of beauty and everyday life in India. By adding these back stories the photographer's work might immensely enhanced the understanding of the photographs.

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