Location: North India, Rajasthan
Places of Interest: Jaisalmer fort, Manak Chowk and the Havelis.
Area: 1470 Sq.Km.
Festive Attractions: Desert Festival.
Altitude: 225 mtr
Temperature: Extremely hot summers with maximum temperature
touching 47 °C. Cold winters - min 1°C
Ideal Time to Visit: October- March
Language: Rajasthani, Hindi, and English
An Over All View Of Jaisalmer
Amidst Thar Desert is crowned Jaisalmer the city of the golden fort built
in yellow sandstone. Rawal Jaisal, a Bhatti Rajput King, founded the city of
Jaisalmer in 1156.
This princely bastion of the desert kingdom is a paradox in itself with its
palaces and havelis booming with the artistic sense of the Rajput kings.
Epitomizing the charm of the desert the magnificent Jaisalmer submerged in
golden sandstone stands in pride on the Trikuta Hill.
Historic Perspective
Legend says that Lord Krishna predicted that a descendent of the Yadav Clan
would build his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. After hundred of years his
prophecy was fulfilled when Rawal Jaisal, a successor of the Yadav Clan
founded new capital Jaisalmer in 1156 AD.
The city life enthralls medieval glory that is quite prominent in its
magnificent palace, havelis, temples and omnipresent camels. Every house in
the city is exquisitely carved and is dated back to 12th - 15th century
making Jaisalmer a museum city.
Festooned with merriment and festivity, the golden city of Jaisalmer is
unerringly a swaying adventure for a right-winger nature lover on the
sparkling sands.
Charms of Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer Fort
Nearly a quarter of modern Jaisalmer lies in side the protective boundaries
of the fort, perched over Trikuta Hill at a height of 250 feet. The fort is
an abode to ravishing havelis, erotic Jain Temples of the 12th-15th century
A.D. and 5 royal palaces. The palaces have elegant craftsmanship of lattice
(jaali) work and artistic windows (jharokhas). The fort also has 4
gateways-Akhaiyal,Ganesh Pol,Suraj Pol and Hava Pol.
Jain Temples
The city also have 3 distinctively carved Jain Temples sacred to the Jain
Tirthankars- Rishabhdev, Sambhavnath and Paraswanath. Gyan Bhandar or
Library is another attraction housing some of the antique manuscripts of
India established in the premises of the Jain temples.
Gadsisar
Sagar Lake
The lake is a home to a wondrous avian population, numerous variety of
birds thronged the palace from far and wide areas making it a tourist
diverting place.
Gadsisar Sagar Lake is a spectacular rain water lake contrived in 1156 A.D.
with multitudinous exquisite shrines around the lake.
Manak Chowk
Manak Chowk is the main shopping area of the city just outside the fort.
The lanes housing the carved Havelis are easily reachable from this area.
Havelis/ Mansion
These virtual art museums are the personal residence built by the rich
traders of this erstwhile commercial hub. The visitor is wonder stuck by the
skill and workmanship involved in the construction and designing of these
beautiful mansions.
Most Havelis are constructed between 12th-15th century. Main attractions
are Patwon-ki-Haveli, Jaisalmer Haveli, Nathmalji-ki-Haveli, and Salim
singh-ki-Haveli. The attractions of these haveli lies in their delicate
carving, particular note are the blue roof and rows of peacocks beneath the
arched balconies.
Festivity in Jaisalmer
Desert Festival: Every year in the month of January - February the
Desert Festival is celebrated over the period of 3 day. During this time the
whole city echo with music, color and enthusiasm, exhibiting its delightful
past and glorious culture. The turban tying contest and Mr. Desert contest
are the main attractions adding to the charisma. Trips are organized to Sam
sand dunes where the tourist can enjoy the live performances of music and
folk dances by the talented artists.
Camel Safaris: Going for a camel safari tour one gets the
opportunity to hunt the great deserts of Rajasthan that can not be covered
on human foot. A trip to Sam Sand Dune on camel safari makes and excellent
excursion.
Palace on Wheels: Tour conducted by RTDC covers many cities of
Rajasthan including Jaisalmer. It's a most luxurious train journey across
the sands of the mighty desert.
Excursions
Lodurva (16 km) Once the ancient capital of Jaisalmer Kings, is a most
prestigious pilgrimage center of Jains. A 'magnum opus' of architectural
splendor is a decorated arch at the main entrance with its beautiful
carvings. 'Kalpatru' or the divine tree is another attraction.
A trip to Sam Sand Dune: 42km. creates a fascinating mirage,
definitely a photographer's delight. No trip to Jaisalmer is complete
without a trip to the most picturesque dunes of Sam. A journey to Sam sand
dunes on camel safari is accompanied with scenery of folk music and dance, a
real kaleidoscopic, memorable event for a visitor.
Desert National Park: (40km) The park lies to the south-west of
Jaisalmer preserves the Eco-system of the desert by making it a home for the
great Indian Gazelle, Chinkara Eagle and exotic avian variety.
Bada Bagh (6 kms away), an oasis on the bank of an artificial lake.
Wood Fossil Park: (17km) The park takes you back to the by gone era
of Jurassic period when the whole Thar region was submerged under the sea.
The park holds the attraction of 180 million-year-old fossils - the
geological landmark for the study of the Thar Desert.
Shopping in Jaisalmer
Thronged with tourist all the year round Jaisalmer has made it one of the
premium places in India to shop for souvenirs. Good buys include woven
jackets, tie-dyed cloth, wood products and silver jewelry. Puppets of
Jaisalmer are famous worldwide. Various government-run Khadi Gramodyog shops
dotted around town (biggest branches at Gadi Sagar Gate and Gandhi Chowk)
are quite notable for their fair prices. Other main outlets run by the
Rajasthan Government are: Pansart Bazzar, Sadar Bazzar, Manak Chowk, Sonaron
ka Bas.
Going Around
Air: The nearest airport is Jodhpur (285 km). The visitors can
board a flight to Jodhpur and can drive or take a train to Jaisalmer.
Rail: Jaisalmer is connected with Jodhpur by night train service .A
meter- gauge line connects Jaisalmer with other important cities of India.
Road: Jaselmer has well-connected roadways to all the major cities
of India. Direct bus services to Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Ajmer and Jaipur
are available.
