Jaisalmer is an important part of Rajasthan's
tourism landscape. It is known as the Golden City because of its abundant
golden sand dunes and castles constructed with golden honey sandstones. It is
located in the north western part of the Indian state.
A variety of lagoons, ornamental Jain places of worship, and spacious havelis dot the cityscape. However, this is just one side of the storey. Jaisalmer is also renowned for its out-of-the-ordinary desert safaris. The city provides comfortable accommodations in the middle of the vast Thar desert, as well as a variety of adventure activities that will provide you with an unforgettable experience. The city is also home to a plethora of vibrant handicraft markets that will transport you back in time to give you a taste of Indian culture and heritage.
Below is a quick glimpse of Jaisalmer:
Places to
See in Jaisalmer
JAISALMER FORT: The Jaisalmer Fort is also known as Sonar Quila (Golden Fort) because it rises from the desert and appears to merge with the sand's golden hues. The setting sun brings its own charm to the fort, shrouding it in mystery. Local craftsmen designed the fort in the royal style of the time. This fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features prominently in one of Satyajit Ray's popular Feluda stories and film, Sonar Kela (The Golden Fortress).
JAISALMER GOVERNMENT MUSEUM: It was established by the Department of Archaeology and Museums and is a popular tourist destination in Jaisalmer. The trophy of Rajasthan's state pigeon, Godawan, is the most striking show (the great Indian bustard). Traditional household pieces, rock-cut crockery, jewellery, and sculptures from the 7th and 9th centuries AD are among the city's rich cultural heritage on display.
NATHMAL JI KI HAVELI: Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli was designed in the 19th century by two architect brothers. They worked on the haveli from both sides, and the result is a lovely blend of symmetrical architecture. Decorations include miniature paintings and mighty tuskers made from yellow sandstone.
SALIM SINGH KI HAVELI: This haveli was constructed in the first half of the 18th century, and descendants of the original settlers still live-in part of it. The carved brackets in the form of peacocks support the high arched roof. According to legend, there were two additional wooden storeys that would have brought it up to the same height as the Maharaja's palace, but he ordered the upper floor to be demolished.
PATWON KI HAVELI: This five-story structure, one of Jaisalmer's largest and most intricately carved havelis, stands proudly in a narrow lane. Although the haveli has lost some of its former glory, there are still a few paintings and mirror work art on the inside walls.
MANDIR
PALACE:
The five-story majesty of the Badal Mahal (Cloud Palace) is enhanced by the
Tazia Tower, which resembles a pagoda. An intricately carved balcony can be
found on each floor of the palace. The Badal Palace owes its beauty to Muslim
artisans who sculpted the tower in the form of a Tazia (a float used in the
Muharram procession).
JAIN
TEMPLES OF JAISALMER:
The Jain Temples within the Jaisalmer Fort were built between the 12th and 15th
centuries. Rikhabdevji and Shambhavdevji, two famous Jain hermits known as
'Tirthankars,' have temples dedicated to them (wise teachers who taught people
how to attain nirvana). The temples, like many of Jaisalmer's other buildings,
are made of yellow sandstone. They were constructed in the well-known Dilwara
style.
GADISAR
LAKE: Maharawal Gadsi Singh built Gadisar
Lake in the 14th century to meet the water needs of his arid lands. Because of
its significance, many small temples and shrines were built around it, turning
it into a pilgrimage site and a tourist attraction.
BADA
BAGH:
Bada Bagh, also known as Barabagh, is located about 6 kilometres north
of Jaisalmer (literally Big Garden). The chhatris, or royal cenotaphs, of the
Maharajas of Jaisalmer state, including that of Jai Singh II, are housed in
this garden complex, which is situated in such a way that tourists can enjoy
beautiful sunset views.
DESERT
NATIONAL PARK:
The Desert National Park showcases the Thar Desert's diverse ecosystem and
wildlife.
Undulating sand dunes, jagged rocks, dense salt lake bottoms, and inter-medial areas make up the Park. The Park is home to a variety of animals, including black buck, chinkara, and desert fox.Here you can see the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard, one of the world's largest flying birds. The park attracts a wide range of migratory raptors in the winter, including Himalayan and Eurasian Griffon Vultures, Eastern Imperial Eagles, and Saker Falcons.
KULDHARA: Kuldhara's underlying history has
piqued the interest of many a visitor, making it one of the most enigmatic
places to visit in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. A beautiful daughter, an unscrupulous
minister, terrified villagers, a midnight exodus, and no idea where the
villagers went are all part of the storey.This is not a movie plot, but the
enigmatic legend that surrounds the deserted village of Kuldhara. This old
town, located about 18 kilometres from Jaisalmer, was abandoned by its
villagers in the 1800s. It was as if the whole town had disappeared in a single
night.It's still a mystery how no one saw them leave with around 85 villages
full of people; in fact, no one knows where they all went to this day. The
village is now uninhabited and in the same condition as it was hundreds of
years ago when the villagers left it. People travel from all over the world to
marvel at the mysteries of the past at this location, which has become a major
tourist destination.
TANOT
MATA TEMPLE:
The Tanot Mata Temple is located 120 kilometres from Jaisalmer. Goddess Hinglaj
is said to have reincarnated as Tanot Mata. There are numerous accounts of
Tanot being heavily shelled and attacked during the 1965 India-Pakistan war.
None of the shells or explosives that were fired at the mosque, however,
detonated.People's trust in Goddess the temple was reaffirmed as a result of
this. The Border Security Force (BSF) restored the temple after the war, and it
is now run by a BSF Trust.
When
to Go:
November
to March:
In Jaisalmer, these months are known as the winter season. It's also a
fantastic time to go to Jaisalmer. The high temperature does not exceed 24
degrees Celsius, making sightseeing and other outdoor activities including
camel rides and desert safaris more enjoyable. Evenings are colder, and
temperatures in the desert region can drop to 7 or 8 degrees Celsius at night.
April
to August:
The summer season runs from April to August, and these are the hottest months
of the year. During this time, temperatures will range from 42 to 25 degrees
Celsius. For sightseeing and other tourist activities, the afternoons can be
very sunny. If you're travelling during the summer, bring a good sunscreen and
light cotton clothing. Since
it is off-season, this is the best time for budget travellers to take advantage
of the great deals provided by Jaisalmer's many hotels.
September
to October:
Although these are the monsoon months in Jaisalmer, there is very little rain
in this area. The rainfall is poor, and there will be no rain on some days. The
little rain that falls adds to the overall humidity of Jaisalmer's atmosphere.
The month of October, on the other hand, brings warm weather as the evenings
become cooler. Also,
the tourist season begins in this month, so the city may become crowded.
How to Reach Jaisalmer
Airports: The nearest airport is Jodhpur, which is 284
kilometres away.
Railway Station: Between Jaisalmer and Delhi, there is a direct train service, with a few trains connecting the two cities.
Bus Station or Road: By bus and taxi, Jaisalmer is linked to
Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Jaipur.
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