Ghanta Ghar is the clock tower of old Jodhpur, built by Maharaja Sardar Singh and standing in the middle of Sardar Market. It has three storeys, red sandstone walls and a working English clock, and its shape mixes Gothic and Indian styles. Lanes of shops around its base sell spices, textiles, silver jewellery and pottery, and small stalls fry kachori and mirchi vada. After dark the tower is lit in bright colours. Locals still use it as a meeting point and as a landmark for finding their way through the old city.
The tower and its clock
Ghanta Ghar means clock tower, and it is the best-known landmark of old Jodhpur. It was built by Maharaja Sardar Singh, and the market around it carries his name. Sources give different dates for the construction, so it is safest to say only that it dates from his reign.
The tower is about 60 feet tall, made of red sandstone, and rises in three storeys. Its design blends Gothic and Indian styles, and its slim form looks closer to a minaret than to a square clock tower. Carved ornament and Rajput motifs cover the structure and stand out against the skyline of the old city.
The English clock in the tower is still working. It is mechanical and needs to be wound by hand every week. The clock is reported to have been a costly purchase for its time. Before personal watches were common, the tower was the main way to tell the time in Jodhpur.
Seeing the tower and the view
The tower can be climbed, and the upper levels give a view over the market street and the surrounding old city. Mehrangarh Fort is visible from the area as well. Photography is allowed.
The tower looks different at different hours. In the early morning the light is good for photographing the structure itself, and the square is quieter. After sunset it is lit in several bright colours, and the square fills with shoppers, vendors and people simply passing through. Many locals and visitors use it as a meeting point, so it is easy to arrange to find someone here.
Sardar Market around the tower
Sardar Market is the largest and busiest market in Jodhpur, and it is the main reason to spend time here beyond the tower. Stalls and small shops fill the lanes and sell spices, grains, vegetables, fabric, block-print garments, pottery, clay figurines, miniature camels and elephants, marble inlay work and silver jewellery. Some shops also sell footwear, sarees and household goods, so locals shop here too.
The lanes behind the main square lead to smaller alleys with antique shops. Walking them gives a better sense of everyday Jodhpur than the tower alone. The market is also popular with photographers because of the colourful saris, turbans and busy vendors.
When buying, compare quality and prices in a few shops before deciding. Some sellers describe their goods as original or made by themselves and quote a high first price. Bargaining is normal, and there is no need to buy from the first shop you enter.
What to eat around Ghanta Ghar
Jodhpur is known for its street food, and the area around the tower is a convenient place to try it. Fried snacks are the usual choice. Mirchi vada is a chili fritter, and kachori comes with onion or moong dal filling. Mawa kachori is the sweet version. Shahi samosa and lassi are also sold nearby.
Small local eateries, cafes and restaurants stand among the stalls, so a longer break is easy to arrange after walking the lanes. Jodhpur is also known for its sweets, and the market is a good place to look for them.
FAQ
Who built Ghanta Ghar in Jodhpur?
Maharaja Sardar Singh of Jodhpur built it. Sardar Market, which surrounds the tower, is named after him.
When is the best time to visit Ghanta Ghar?
The evening is best, because the tower is lit after sunset and the market is lively. Early morning is quieter and good for photographs. October to February is the most comfortable season for walking around.
Does the clock still work?
Yes. It is an English mechanical clock and has to be wound by hand every week.
Can you climb Ghanta Ghar?
Yes, visitors can climb the tower and look over the market street and the old city. Photography is allowed.
What can you buy at Sardar Market?
Spices, textiles, block-print garments, silver jewellery, pottery, clay figurines, marble inlay work and miniature camels and elephants. Compare prices at several shops before buying.
How do you get to Ghanta Ghar without parking trouble?
Take an auto-rickshaw. The market area is crowded and parking is hard to find nearby.
