Why Jodhpur City is Known as Suncity & Blue City of India? Interesting Fact & History

Jodhpur city is also known as the blue city of India and the suncity of india. Every tourist and the local population has experienced the beauty of the blue streets and houses from the Mehrangarh Fort. It is a virtual treat to the eyes seeing a picturesque view of blue-painted houses from Fort Road. The sun rises from the east and reflects its powerful rays on the city.

Jodhpur city was founded in the year 1459 by Rao Jodha of Mandore. After its establishment, this city was given the nickname of the Blue city and Suncity. There are numerous theories that answer the question, WHY?

WHY JODHPUR CALLED AS SUN CITY??

• CLIMATE OF JODHPUR

 Jodhpur city has a hot and semi-arid climate, and it receives brief rains between July to August. The temperature limits are extreme from March to October (excluding the rainy season), and mostly it ranges above 40-degree Celcius. Because of the hot climate, it receives the maximum sunlight; hence, it is called suncity.

• MYTHOLOGY

The mythology depicts that Lord Surya (Sun) stays maximum in the city (the days are longer), and because of this, it is also known as Surya Nagri  (sun city).

WHY JODHPUR KNOWN AS BLUE CITY?

• CALMNESS OF BLUE COLOUR:

As above mentioned, the sun rays are powerful and strong in this city, because of this, the houses built of stone turns hot and blue colour soothes the hot sun rays. Blue colour calms the sun rays reflected on the houses and makes the environment cooler.

• MYTHOLOGY:

According to the mythology, during Samundramanthan (churning of the sea), when there was confusion that who will drink Amrit; the drink of immortality and who will drink vish; the poison. At that time, Lord Shiva drank the bowl of poison, and he stored that in his throat. As per the sayings, Lord Shiva is also known as Neelkanth Mahadev (because of the poison, his entire body turned blue). Proceeding with the fact, Rao Jodha, the Founder of Jodhpur established the temple of Chamunda Mata (Hindu Goddess), who is also referred to as Goddess Kali. As per Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva can only control the Goddesses anger. In context to this, to calm Goddess Kali, who resides in the temple in the Mehrangarh Fort, the houses of the city are painted blue.  When seen from the ramparts of the fort, the houses are painted blue.

• BRAHMIN HOUSE:

As per theories from ancient times, it was suggested, the Brahmins, the privileged caste insisted the king to built their houses different from other lower caste houses. Hence, their houses were painted blue to distinguish them from the other caste.

• PROTECT FROM THE INSECTS

One theory also suggests that blue color protects the house from insects; hence, individuals paint their houses blue.