Jaisalmer Fort: Jaisalmer Fort also known as Sonar Qilla(Fort of Gold) was built by Rao Jaisal of Bhati Rajput clan in 1156 AD. The fort is standing proudly in the middle of The Great Thar Desert for centuries. The city of Jaisalmer which was inside this magnificent fortress acted as a very important point for the traders using the ancient silk route, on a barren land of Thar Desert this fort has its own significance.
It is the world’s largest fortified city. The name Sonar Qilla (fort of gold) is because of its golden appearance in sunlight. The color of fort’s wall changes with the daylight it is golden in the daytime, honey-colored at the time of sunset and camouflage in the night. The fort has some very interesting architectural buildings.
The fort has witnessed Jauhar when attacked by Allauddin Khilji and a massive bloodshed in battles with Mughals till Rawal signed a treaty with Mughal Emperor Akbar & daughter of Rawal was married off to Akbar as the seal of relationship Between Agra & Jaisalmer. Mulraj was the king who got this magnificent fort back to his control in the 18th century.
Gadisar Lake: Gadisar Lake also called as Gadsisar Lake is an artificial tank built by Maharawal Gadsi Singh in around 600 years ago. It was built with the purpose to meet the water needs of Jaisalmer city. After the construction of Krishna Temple on the bank of this lake, the lake became more of a pilgrimage site for local people. The beautiful architecture of temples built around the lake has the charm to attract any tourist. In winters due to close proximity to Bharatpur migrating birds can also be spotted on the lake. Boating on this green lake has its own charm.
Desert Safari: Jaisalmer & desert safari are a synonym to each other. Jaisalmer probably is the only place in India where desert safari can be arranged with such scenic beauty & royal hospitality. Sam dunes located at a distance of nearly 50 km from Jaisalmer city center is the hub for the desert safari, a large number of resorts providing accommodation in world class tents are functioning here. Spending a night in these tents at the Great Thar Desert can be serious traveling goals for any traveler looking for adventure with experience full of peace, royal treatment. Apart from Sam Dunes, Khuri is also a rising offbeat location to feel the vibes of Thar Desert. Spotting a group chinkara (Gazelle), black bug, desert fox & stripped hyena is a common trait in these dunes.
Jain Temples: Apart from fact that Jain population is very less in Jaisalmer, the Jain temples built here are the perfect example of elegance & architectural craftsmanship. There are many Jain temples which could awestruck any heritage loving traveler. The structures built using mainly sandstone & marble in itself are worth gazing at. The carvings on the pillars, walls & ceiling in these temples are of extraordinary beauty.
Bada Baag: Bada Baag literally means “Large Garden” in Hindi; Bada Baag is a garden which facilitates the cenotaphs of former Kings of Jaisalmer. These cenotaphs are pronounced as chatari in the local language. These beautiful structures are also famous for the mystique sunset views from here. It is located at a distance of 5 km from Jaisalmer city center.
Tanot Mata Temple: Tanot Mata Temple is located near a village known as Tanot at a distance of 120 km from Jaisalmer city center in west direction; the main deity worshipped in this temple is of Goddess Durga in the nature of Hinglaz Devi. This temple got fame after the war between India & Pakistan in 1971 when the mortars, bombs fired from Pakistani army targeting the temple didn’t explode; after heavy shelling of nearly 3000 bombs from Pakistani Army but miraculously not even a single exploded & the temple was safe. To the highest level of amazement again Pakistani army marched towards this temple with tanks but again their tanks were stuck in the sand of Thar Desert & ultimately Pakistani army had to retreat. This incident got a high-level dedication for Tanot Mata in local people. Today a large number of pilgrims & tourists visit this temple to witness the live bombs dug into the walls of the temple. The location of this celebrated also plays a vital role in making it a perfect tourist destination.
Havelis: In Hindi “Haveli” means palatial home; in Jaisalmer, there is a large number of havelis which could be considered as the fine example of beauty & royal lifestyle of people in that golden era of history. There are some popular havelis like Patwo Ki Haveli, Nathmal Ji ki Haveli. Salim Singh ki Haveli; these havelis are world famous because of their unmatched beauty & great architectural intelligence.
Fairs And Festivals Of Jaisalmer
Fair & Festival in Jaisalmer plays a vital role. In Jaisalmer, there are many festivals celebrated like Kite Festival, Teej Festival, Gangaur Fair, Dusshera, etc.
How To Reach Jaisalmer
By Air
By Road
By Train
Best Time To Visit In Jaisalmer
Best time to visit in Jaisalmer is winter season. This time starts from starting of November and End of March.
Jaisalmer – Discover the “Golden City” Rajasthan INDIA, this fascinating medieval city of yellow sandstone, founded in 1156 which seems to arise out of nowhere. Lost in the depths of the Thar desert, Jaisalmer owes its historical importance and richness to its role as a caravan stage on the road between India and Persia, Arabia and the West, and its pre- Military post. The trade in brocades, silks and other spices as well as tolls allowed the wealthy merchants to embellish the city and establish its fame. His princes became so rich that one of them was able, at the end of the 19th century, to offer himself some 770 pieces of furniture entirely made of silver to furnish his palace.
JAISALMER Visit In the evening, sunset at the cenotaphs in the old royal garden, the Bara Bagh. The chhatri of the Maharawal (sovereigns) of Jaisalmer were built on a rocky hill near a small lake below.
Like an immense sand castle on a hill, Jaisalmer can watch the desert that surrounds it and thus prepare itself in case of attack. The city is nevertheless surrounded by a rampart of five kilometers with a hundred bastions and corner towers. This beautiful city is located inside a huge fort, the second oldest fort of Rajasthan. Between 1750 and
1850, a second wall pierced by gates surrounded the lower town where were built, among the stalls, havelis of ocher sandstone. Built around courtyards and decorated with elegant balconies with small columns, they do not have murals, but they are not
Less remarkable for the splendid work of the sandstone which served for their construction. This beautiful city is a meander of lanes winding between palaces, havelis and Jain temples.
Places to Visit in Jaisalmer -Visit of the Fort of Jaisalmer whose interior, built by five different sovereigns, is a maze of courts and halls. Beautifully worked balconies, courtyards decorated with tiles Ceramics, rooms covered with blue earthenware until reaching the terrace which offers a spectacular sight on the city and the ramparts.
Stroll in the most inhabited part around the fort where the bazaar and the most beautiful havelis are. Visit of the magnificent “Patwon-Ki Haveli”, the brocade merchant’s house, built in 1805 by a banker-exporter of opium named Patwa for his five sons. Its unique architecture and unique construction made up of five small six-story havelis make it a particularly remarkable site; 50 years were also necessary for its completion. It is by the way, the oldest haveli of the city. Similarly, the beautiful façade of “Diwan Nathmal-Ki Haveli”, built at the end of the 19th century, is the work of some of the most famous Muslim sculptors of their time. You have to stroll in this labyrinth of alleys to discover the windows and doors delicately chiselled. Then, visit the Jain temples built in the 15th century and discovered in this labyrinth of venelles. Near the ramparts of the lower town, Lake Gadisar surrounded by small temples and oratories still very frequented. This rainwater conservation lake created in the 14th century by Maharajah Gadsi was at the time the main source of drinking water for the entire city. Today, this natural oasis is the place of winter gathering of many varieties of waterfowl.
