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If you’ve watched the Bollywood blockbuster film Rang De Basanti, you’d probably remember that scene in which Aamir Khan and his gang of friends deep dive from a high platform after gulping down bottles of beer. When you visit Toorji Ka Jhalra bavdi in Jodhpur, you can actually witness this scene come to life. Or, even better — put on your adventurous hat and try the stunt yourself!
A hidden gem and one of the most interesting places to visit in Jodhpur, Toorji Ka Jhalra stepwell is worth a visit for its stunning architecture, cultural significance and enthralling diving experience. Here’s a detailed guide to finding this stepwell, understanding its history and exploring the area. Let’s begin?
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Best Part About Our Visit To Toorji Ka Jhalra Bavdi Jodhpur
I clearly remember the first sight as we walked towards the stepwell. A huge number of people had gathered around the square, with all their gazes on something common. Curiously, we went further inside to check what the commotion was for.
Soon, we realized what was going on. A bunch of foreign tourists had gotten together with the local boys to perform high dives. They didn’t stop at one. Everytime they jumped into the well, they swam out, climbed up the steps again and performed the same stunt repeatedly! It was almost like a live entertainment program for all of us watching from the top.
The dive show went on for over half an hour and we found ourselves settling down to watch them, enjoying ourselves thoroughly at this rare sight, which we don’t get to see in our cities. Even after they stopped, the spirit of the place was so compelling that I didn’t want to leave. We just sat there silently, immersing ourselves in the stepwell’s aura and vibrant culture.
When we realized it had been more than an hour and that we had to reach our next destination before it closes, we had to pick ourselves up and walk away, all the while craving for some more time here. Eventually, this visit to Toorji Ka Jhalra turned out to be my favorite memory from our Jodhpur trip.
TWT Tip: When you enter Makrana Mohalla, schedule your visit to Toorji Ka Jhalra first. If you finish exploring Toorji Ka Jhalra in the afternoon, you can visit the nearby Mehrangarh Fort right after, as it closes at 5 PM. Reserve your shopping at the Clock Tower Market for the evening, so that you can get a glimpse of the magnificently lit-up fort standing 400 feet above, on an overlooking hill. It looks absolutely surreal from the market, when viewed under the night sky.
Brief History Of Toorji Ka Jhalra Bavdi Jodhpur
Tucked away in the inner bylanes of old Jodhpur, Toorji Ka Jhalra bavdi was constructed in the 1740s by Maharani Toorji, the wife of then king Maharaja Abhay Singh.
As per their traditional customs, all the queens of Jodhpur built stepwells for their people as a source of water. In order to honor their traditions, Maharani Toorji initiated its construction, modeled around the stepwells in Patan (Gujarat), her hometown. Eventually, Toorji Ka Jhalra also became a spot where locals came together for cultural events or simply to bond.
With time, the stepwell fell into ruins and lay submerged for more than a 100 years. In recent times, it was revived by RAAS Hotels along with the JDH Foundation, which took 3 long years to complete. As part of the restoration, the individual sandstone slabs had to be taken out and cleaned!
Things To Know About Toorji Ka Jhalra Jodhpur
- Depth of Toorji Ka Jhalra: 300 feet
- Architecture of Toorji Ka Jhalra: The 7-storey stepwell is constructed using Jodhpur sandstone with symmetrical steps and a geometric design. It is adorned with intricate jharokhas that are designed in the typical Marwar style. The walls of the stepwell feature carvings of dancing elephants, lions, cows, floral motifs and Hindu gods.
- How much time can be spent at Toorji Ka Jhalra: You can easily spend 1-1.5 hours in and around Toorji Ka Jhalra soaking in the vibe and exploring the neighborhood.
- Entry timings & fee at Toorji Ka Jhalra: Toorji Ka Jhalra is an open to public stepwell with no entry timings or fees. You can visit it at any time for free.
TWT Tip: The steps of Toorji Ka Jhalra can be quite slippery. So, you might want to wear non-slippery shoes and descend the steps very carefully to avoid mishaps. Wear comfortable cotton clothes for a pleasant experience during the day.
8 Things To Do At Toorji Ka Jhalra Jodhpur
# Dive with the locals – One of the most exciting and memorable things to do at Toorji Ka Jhalra bavdi is to deep dive into the stepwell. If you’re not up to the adventure, simply watch the locals take a dive.
# Explore the surroundings – Check out the many cafes & stores that envelop the stepwell, such as Royal Blue, Good Earth, Forest Essentials, Stepwell Cafe and Sam’s Art Cafe.
# Go on a heritage walk – Jodhpur’s traditional blue houses can be found very close to Toorji Ka Jhalra. Post your visit, take a walk through the blue streets of Makrana Mohalla leading to Pachetia Hills for a visual treat. Get a local guide to accompany you for a more immersive experience.
# Try creative photography – The stepwell and its neighboring areas are a photographer’s paradise! You will surely be able to capture some stunning shots if you look for the right angles. Use any of the walls of the stepwell or a human element as a foreground for some cinematic shots.
# Taste local food – Mingle with the locals present here & get invited for an authentic home cooked Rajasthani lunch. You can always gift them something in return or invite them to your own place later.
# Admire the architecture – Just sit for a while and soak in the view of the stepwell for a relaxing experience. When you observe, you will find the deeper intricacies created by the craftsmen.
# Enjoy shopping – Shop for souvenirs at the main Ghanta Ghar market of Jodhpur situated close to the bavdi. You can look for fabrics, handicrafts, juttis, Mathania chillies and rugs.
# Visit the other tourist spots – Since Toorji Ka Jhalra is located in old Jodhpur, which houses most of the city’s attractions, it makes sense to explore them all before or after your visit to the stepwell.
Best Time To Visit Toorji Ka Jhalra Bavdi Jodhpur
Early in the morning or late afternoon (between 4 PM and 6 PM) is the most ideal time to visit Toorji Ka Jhalra. The weather is usually pleasant around this time, making your experience at the outdoor destination more satisfying. In terms of the season, Monsoons and Winters (July to February) are always the best time to visit Jodhpur, as the temperatures are more bearable during the day.
How To Reach Toorji Ka Jhalra Bavdi Jodhpur?
Once you reach Jodhpur’s Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower Market), Toorji Ka Jhalra is just around 400 meters away. However, it is situated in the narrow bylanes of Makrana Mohalla, where most taxis refuse to go.
You can take a short 5-minute walk from the Clock Tower market, and take a right turn after crossing Shivam Guest House. A short stroll later, you’ll come across this step well on your left side. You can also use Google Maps to find its exact location.
Other Tourist Attractions Near Toorji Ka Jhalra Jodhpur
Toorji Ka Jhalra is located in close proximity to many major tourist attractions of old Jodhpur, which you can easily explore on foot. Here are some tourist attractions of Jodhpur that must not be missed when you visit the stepwell:
- Mehrangarh Fort
- Jaswant Thada
- Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park
- Pachetia Hills & Nawchowkia (for the blue streets)
- Clock Tower Market
- Ranisar Padamsar Lakes
- Jodhpur Sweets
Reserve a guided heritage walking tour of the blue city here!
Accomodations Near Toorji Ka Jhalra Jodhpur
The bavdi is at a walkable distance to hostels as well as luxury hotels of Jodhpur. These are some top rated stays near Toorji Ka Jhalra:
- RAAS Jodhpur
- Zostel Jodhpur
- The Arch Boutique Homestay
- Jhankar Haveli
- Krishna Prakash Heritage Haveli
- The Stepwell Hotel
- Borunda Haveli
- Amritara Manak Haveli
Book your room from this list of the top places to stay in Jodhpur!
TWT Experience Summary Of Toorji Ka Jhalra Jodhpur
I remember being absolutely smitten by Toorji Ka Jhalra bavdi and the vibe around the place. In fact, I pestered my husband that we should visit this stepwell again on our last day in Jodhpur.
Though we couldn’t revisit due to time constraints, I am sure that I am going to spend more time here on my next visit. Whether it’s the stunning architecture of Toorji Ka Jhalra, or the sight of locals diving into the well along with foreign tourists, or the vibrant cafes and stores nestled around the blue bylanes near it, this Jodhpur stepwell will make you fall in love.
Frequently Asked Questions About Toorji Ka Jhalra Jodhpur
1. Is Toorji Ka Jhalra open for visitors at all times?
Toorji Ka Jhalra is situated by the road in Jodhpur’s Makrana Mohalla and has no entry gate. It is open to the public throughout the day and year.
2. What is the ticket price for Toorji Ka Jhalra?
Though massive efforts went behind restoring Toorji Ka Jhalra, it is not a ticketed place and you can visit the stepwell for free.
3. Which places of Jodhpur can be visited along with Toorji Ka Jhalra in one day?
You can easily cover Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Pachetia Hills and Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park before or after visiting Toorji Ka Jhalra. After finishing these tours, when you go back to Clock Tower market, you can indulge in some shopping and relish the delicious local Kachoris at Jodhpur Sweets, located just outside the market.
4. Why is Toorji Ka Jhalra popular among many tourists?
Toorji Ka Jhalra was in a dilapidated state for several decades before it was restored recently into a gorgeous stepwell. Since then, it has become a hub for locals to meet and youngsters get together to dive here. Owing to this unique cultural factor, tourists enjoy watching or joining the locals in their dives.
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