Jaisalmer is an enchanting city in Rajasthan, India. This city has a rich tradition and culture and takes you back in time filled with breathtaking and fascinating fort that resembles a sandcastle. This awe-inspiring fort still houses a variety of homes, temples, hotels, shops selling local artefacts as well as a majestic palace. Everything in the fort is made of golden sandstone, which is why Jaisalmer is aptly referred to as the “Golden City”. The city of Jaisalmer, surrounded by the Thar Desert, has been shaped and moulded by the maharajas and wealthy merchants. Today, we can find remnants of a variety of architectural structures that remain unchanged with the ravages of time. The fort is the focal point in this vibrant and colourful city of Rajasthan, which also features a variety of other tourist attractions. The Jaisalmer Tourist Reception Centre is situated near the fort and offers tourists guidance and information on this interesting sightseeing destination. You can find the reception centre to the First Fort Gate’s South East on the Gadi Sagar Road.

 

Millions of tourists visit Jaisalmer every year to enjoy the beautiful temples, havelis, shrines and the Gadi Sagar Lake. Jaisalmer is famous for its exciting camel safaris, which take visitors into the desert. This memorable ride shows tourists some stunning and fascinating locations inside the desert such as the Sam Sand Dunes. Safari packages include overnight camping, food, enchanting view of the stars and a bonfire. Jaisalmer Fort features seven Jain temples that are skilfully interconnected. The structure starts with the Chandraprabhu temple featuring Indian architecture at its best. You can find on the interior walls finely detailed carvings on stone and endless lacework adds to the elegance of the structure. Parasnath temple is also popular in Jaisalmer with its elaborately painted ceiling and a grand, majestic gateway.

 

The city of Jaisalmer has many museums including the Desert Culture Centre and Museum along the Gadi Sagar Lake. Tourists enjoy visiting the Folklore Museum where they learn a lot about Western Rajasthan’s rich Indian heritage. Here you can find on display old opium bottles and historical camel ornaments.

 

As a tourist, it is highly recommended to take the day trips to the Akal Wood Fossil Park and the Desert National Park where you can find ancient sequoia trees and Jurassic specimens. Nearby attractions in Jaisalmer, include local craft shops in Barmer, ruins of Lodhruva, sand dunes of Khur and the havelis and fort of Bikaner.

 

Rajasthan has a lot on offer for tourists by way of traditional food. If you are a good eater, then Jaisalmer has on offer a variety of Rajasthan dishes, which reflects the rich cultural heritage of this city. Ker Sangri is a dish that is unique to this city. If you are starving, you can try the tandoor thali or the murgh-e-subz, which is nothing but boneless chicken strips with vegetables that are stir-fried.

 

Jaisalmer offers tourists a variety of accommodation options ranging from affordable lodges to five star hotels. Local transportation is best on bicycles, which are available on rent, cycle-rickshaws or auto rickshaws. These modes of transportation are especially useful when you want to visit monuments located in close alleys. Alternately, you can also opt for the private and government operated cabs.

 

Do not forget to experience a ride on the train called “Palace on Wheel”. This train from Delhi takes you through Rajasthan, including Jaisalmer on a seven-day tour.

 

 

 

There are numerous tourist attractions in and around Jaisalmer. Thousands of tourists visit this golden city to enjoy a memorable vacation.

 

Gadsisar Lake is a most enchanting expanse of water. This lake can be found at the city wall’s southern side. Beauty is added to this lake especially during winter months when a large number of waterfowls flock here. Tourists enjoy these tranquil waters as they go boating on it. Boats are offered on hire for 30 minutes and more.

 

The majestic and mysterious havelis of Jaisalmer take the visitors back in history. There are numerous havelis scattered around this historic city. These monuments are made out of sandstone built decades ago by the affluent merchants. Some of the prominent havelis here include Salim Singh-ki-Haveli, Patwa-ki-Haveli and Nathmal-ki-Haveli. Salim Singh-ki-Haveli is a private residence today and it housed the prime minister of our country once. This haveli has attractive balconies, peacock carvings and enchanting sky-blue cupolas dating back to the seventeenth century.

The magnificent and stunning Patwa-ki-Haveli offers the most fascinating views from the rooftop and features exquisitely carved stonework. Nathmal-ki-Haveli is well known for its majestic and awe-inspiring facade with elaborate and fine carvings of exotic flowers, elephants and birds. On the first floor of this haveli, you can find valuable gold paintings. All these havelis are open seven days a week and admission is free.

 

It is impossible to come back from a visit to Jaisalmer without visiting the Jaisalmer Fort. Made of yellow sandstone, this fort was constructed in the 12th Century by Jaisala, the Rajput leader. Over centuries, the fort has been enhanced and maintained by other rulers. Inside the fort you can find seven Jain temples, 80 metres above the city on top of the Trikura Hill. From the Vyas Chatri, visitors enjoy the most fascinating and memorable sunset view.

Inside the fort, you can find a labyrinth of alleys with many shops, restaurants, temples, private residences and the palace. The entrance gates are grand and majestic and the seven-storied palace architecture is stunningly attractive.

A visit to the fort is not complete without visiting the seven Jain temples. These stunning temples are popular local landmarks and are interconnected.

 

• The Chandraprabhu Temple contains at least 100 images of Parasnath and is the first temple structure inside the fort.

• The Kunthunath Temple features some enchanting and sensual carvings dating back to the sixteenth century.

• The Parasnath temple features an impressive expanse of attractively painted ceiling and the most imposing and grand entrance.

• Rikhabdev temple is built in honour of the first Jain Tirthankaras Lord Rikhabdev.

• Sambhavnath Temple is predominantly used by the Jain priests to grind sandalwood and can be found at the main courtyard.

• Shantinath Temple dates back to the year 1536 and is located near the Gyan Bhandar library.

• Shitalnath Temple features a huge image of the tenth Jain Tirthankar and is dedicated to him.

 

Apart from these, there are various art galleries and museums in Jaisalmer such as the Jaisalmer Folklore Museum and the Desert Culture Centre and Museum. Tourists visit these attractions to learn more about the unique and vibrant culture of this enchanting city.

 

 © 2009 Abiyoyo SL