Jodhpur: Majesty Music Magnificence!

make a Jodhpur trip in October to watch the chilly wind take over the barren desert landscape. It is also one of those moments when the Blue City is at its most beautiful. The music of the desert is best represented in the Jodhpur RIFF – the Rajasthan International Folk Festival. From the collection of vintage cars at Umaid Bhawan Palace to the tranquil lake of Jaswant Thada; of the ravanhatta players from the Mehrangarh Fort to the bracelet sellers of Mochi Bazaar, Jodhpur is an explorer’s dream.

The hike to Mehrangarh Fort may seem daunting, but the view from the top is worth it. Here you will learn the true meaning of the name Blue City! The fort was built in 1460 by Rao Jodha, after whom the city got its name. The Mehrangarh Fort, also known as the Citadel of the Sun, houses several palaces within its fortifications.

One of the most interesting rooms in the Mehrangarh Fort is the Phool Mahal. With stained glass windows, gold ceiling and typical diwan beds of the era define this part of the fort. Sunlight streaming through the windows dances with the mirror work, creating a kaleidoscope of colorful rays!

The Clock Tower is about 3 km away from the fort. It is a famous site in the city, bringing together traders, tourists and locals. Here you will find endless rows of aromatic herbs, exotic handicrafts and beautiful glassware. The sight of locals haggling with vegetable hawkers while the foreigners fix their camera lenses is a pleasant sight.

Jodhpur is much more than polo and desert safaris. An adventure sports enthusiast will find an abundance of activities to enjoy here! Zip lining, paragliding, desert safari and boating are some of the activities you can enjoy while in the city.

RIFF music of the desert. Party for the soul.

The soulful symphony of the string quartet blends effortlessly with the soft tones of the flute to give you a warm welcome, even when the pinch in the air starts to tug at your heart. You will have no choice but to be mesmerized by the songs of the sand as they beautifully merge with world music. So you will have the ragas of a thumri blending into the harmonies of the bauls and jazz rhythms mingle with Celtic sounds.

Folk Performance (from RIFF's official Facebook page) — Folk Performance (from RIFF’s official Facebook page)

This year the event will be held from October 23-27. Held against the backdrop of the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, the festival is supported by UNESCO and is a presentation of the Mehrangarh Museum Trust and the Jaipur Virasat Foundation. The festival sees musicians and artists from all over the world, including Brazil, Finland, Spain, Ghana and Israel.

All That Jazz! (via RIFF's official Facebook page) — All That Jazz! (via RIFF’s official Facebook page)

Winter is playing in the pony, ready to commit the murder at any moment. Times have changed and the sands are shifting. So let go of the blues and plan Jodhpur trip to enjoy the magic that is this walled city!