Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer, the gateway to the Thar Desert, is different from the dazzling royal cities of Rajasthan. It is also among the popular tourist destinations in India that is notable for its incredible yellow stone architecture, the Jaisalmer Fort also known as ‘Sonar Quila’. Popularly known as the “Golden City”, Jaisalmer was established in the mid 12th century by Rawal Jaisal. Today with many artistic structures, monuments of local historical importance and abandoned villages, Jaisalmer has emerged as a slice of royal heritage from incredible Rajasthan.

History Jaisalmer boasts of a glorious past that draws heavily from the history of the Rajputana. For many years Jaisalmer remained out of bound from the foreign rulers partly because of its location and partly because of its relief. In the modern era, Jaisalmer was still a tough nut to crack and was the last among the Rajputana royals to sign the 'Instrument of Agreement' with the British establishment. In the year 1947, royals signed the agreement to remain in just independent India. Since then it has developed itself into a major tourist destination as well as a cultural hub of the western India.

Tourist Attraction Jaisalmer Fort is among the main tourist attractions here. The Fort is a massive yellow sandstone fortification that maintains the Raj Mahal and several havelis, gateways and temples. The architectural design of the fort having intricately carved windows, doors and walls is one of the fine examples of the rich heritage in India.

Camel Journey is another major tourist attraction in Jaisalmer. Being in the city of shifting sand dunes, the saddle journey is inescapable. A ride on a camel in the Thar Desert is one of the exciting things to do in Jaisalmer. Certainly, the more time you devote on your safari, the more remote places you are likely to see and the more you may adjust to and enjoy the desert tranquility.

Another best place for sightseeing tours in Jaisalmer is the Gadi Sagar Lake. The lake is enveloped with several temples, and the most notable temple is the Krishna Temple located on the top of the Tilon Gate. Boat riding in the Gadi Sagar Lake is yet another exciting thing to do in Jaisalmer. The best time to visit the Gadi Sagar Lake is during the Ganguar Festival, which is usually held in March or April.

Patwa ki Haveli in Jaisalmer is an impressive example of intricate architecture. It is one of the largest havelis in Rajasthan and maintains fine wall paintings, beautiful jharokhas, archways and gateways. History reveals that the ‘Patwas’ left the Havelis at the mercy of care takers who in due course became the owners. Later, the first haveli was sold to Mr. Jeevanlalji Kothari, and thereafter Patwa ki Haveli was renamed as the Kothari’s Patwa Haveli.

Fairs and Festivals Famed as “The Sun City”, Jaisalmer is popular for its colourful fairs and festivals. The different festivals celebrated in Jaisalmer reflect the rich cultural heritage of the city. These fairs and festivals attract visitors from various parts of India and the world.

Desert Festival is the main festival of Jaisalmer which is celebrated in the month of February at the Sam Sand Dunes which is located at a distance of 42 km from the city. Major attractions of the festival include camel races, folk performances and cultural events.

Ramdevra Fairis another popular festival which is celebrated in the city, and is celebrated to pay tribute to Saint Baba Ramdev.

The city is horded by tourists during these festivities.

Food Food habits and cuisines of Jaisalmer are famous all over the country. In this water scarce area, one can see very less use of green vegetables and more and more usage of beans and lentils are made for cooking. Both vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian foods are preferred here.

Best time to visit Jaisalmer The months between November to March constitute the winter season in Jaisalmer, and is also an ideal time to visit. Sightseeing and other outdoor activities like camel ride, desert safari are more enjoyable during this time as the maximum temperature does not go beyond 24 degree Celsius.

How to reach Jaisalmer By Air - Jaisalmer is not directly connected by air with any part of India. Jodhpur Airport, located some 300 km away from Jaisalmer, is the nearest airport to the desert land.

By Road - Jaisalmer serves rest of India by well maintained network of roadways. Deluxe and ordinary buses of Rajasthan Roadways, as well as many private buses connect Jaisalmer with Jodhpur, Jaipur, Bikaner, Barmer, Mount Abu, Ahemdabad etc.

By Rail - Direct trains from Delhi, Jaipur and Jodhpur can be availed to reach Jaisalmer. The luxury train 'Palace on Wheels' can also be availed to reach Jaisalmer.