Jodhpur

The appearance of the colossal Mehrangarh fort, an eagle's nest crowning a promontory, comes as something of a shock for visitors arriving in Jodhpur. Its name, the "majestic fort" evokes the heroic past of the princes of Jodhpur. Its interior, the decor of which could come straight out of "a thousand and one nights" provides an insight into the courtly lives of the Rajput kings. Although Jodhpur uses local pink sandstone to build its houses, as you explore the heart of the old city, with its houses painted in indigo, you'll quickly understand why it is known as the "blue city".