The peak of a rising road drops low and the stunning town of Jaisalmer spreads in view. You gaze in awe at the wide-spread Jaisalmer Fort standing atop a hill that rises out of this small civilization established in the Thar Desert. Built entirely in yellow sandstone, the golden city of Jaisalmer is a site to behold.
The yellow-golden houses of Jaisalmer blanket the entire hill right up to the base of the fort. You glimpse the intriguing lifestyle of Jaisalmer as you drive up a steep slope towards the fort. The narrow roads meandering through the plainly built houses reveal the simple residents of Jaisalmer going quietly about their business.
The Jaisalmer Fort is a grand spectacle. Nearly a quarter of Jaisalmer’s population resides inside the fort, making it one of the rare inhabited forts of India, possibly the highest populated. The small township inside the Jaisalmer Fort is formed of regal palaces, artistically built temples and old houses. Cobbled streets weave together these structures to perfectly craft settings of the medieval period. Apart from the motorcycles bustling through the narrow lanes, much of the life inside Jaisalmer Fort is still reminiscent of the olden ways.
The most highly visited place inside Jaisalmer Fort is the Royal Palace, referred to as Rajmahal. Built late in 19th century, the seven-storied palace has a beautiful façade adorned with artistic stonework. From inside, Rajmahal is formed of opulently beautified chambers, which have been turned into an exhibition highlighted by the display of royal items. The display of weapons at Rajmahal, right from the swords to the guns, is particularly impressive.
There are the seven beautiful Jain Temples in Jaisalmer, some of the best in India. The detailed stonework demonstrated by these temples is truly baffling.
The rich traders that thrived in Jaisalmer during the 18th and 19th centuries left behind some spectacular havelis, their luxurious residences. Some of the celebrated havelis in Jaisalmer are Patwon-ki-Haveli, Haveli Shreenath, Nathmalji-ki-Haveli, Salim-Singh-ki-Haveli and Mehra Haveli. The Sheesh-Mahel, a multi-storied palace made of mirror walls and ceilings, is also a must-see place in Jaisalmer.
Gadisar Lake is a good spot to visit during evenings. The picturesque temples on the artistically built ghat of Gadisar Lake cast a glamorous reflection in the water. When water is abundant, the Gadisar Lake offers quite a beautiful view, especially enjoyed on a boat ride.
Jaisalmer is one of those tourist destinations that remain inside your head in form of memories you cherish for a long time. Ideally, you should take out four days to enjoy Jaisalmer completely, including the town and the Thar Desert excursion of Camel Safari. There are hotels of every choice and cost range available in Jaisalmer, including the camps in desert.
To conclude, it will be just fitting to say that your experience of Rajasthan cannot be complete without a visit to the fabulous town of Jaisalmer.
Note: Please visit Jaisalmer Desert Outposts to find out about the famous desert safaris in Jaisalmer.
Back to article
Quick Reference
The vivid city of Jaisalmer serves the cultural taste, especially during winters when you can enjoy Desert Safaris followed by folk music, folk dances and puppetry shows. Major tourist attraction of Jaisalmer is Jaisalmer Fort, an extremely interesting place, inside of which there is an entire town. In here, there are some more attractions such as Royal Palace, Jain Temples and grand Havelis. Outside the fort, Jaisalmer has some other interesting site seeing options such as Gadisar Lake and Desert Culture Centre and Museum. Sam and Khuri Sand Dunes is where the tourists go for Desert Safaris and night camping, which can be an experience to be cherished for a long time.
Destination Grade: |
A (What is this?) |
Rating: |
8/10 |
Population: |
58,286 (2001) |
5 Star Hotels: |
Hotel Rawalkot jaisalmer,Fort Rajwada Jaisalmer |
Luxury Hotels: |
Jaisal Vilas,Suryagarh |
Airport: |
Jaisalmer Airport (5 km) |
Railway Station: |
Jaisalmer Railway Station |
Nearest Major City(s): |
Jodhpur,Bikaner |
How to reach: |
Well connected to the rest of state by well-maintained roads, the roads are given special attention due to the proximity of the Indo-Pak border |
Major Tourist Attraction: |
Jaisalmer Fort,Jaisalmer Havelies,Gadsisar Sagar Tank,Bara Bagh,Tazia Tower,The Desert National Park,Sam |
Speciality(Famous for): |
Forts,Havelies |
Food speciality: |
Laddoos |
Back to article