Jaisalmer
The desert weaves its magic around you when you visit Jaisalmer, the fabulous desert city, situated in the Jaisalmer district of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Called Rajasthan’s golden city, on account of the magnificent yellow sand stone buildings, Jaisalmer offers a unique and unforgettable experience. Rawal Jaisal founded the city in 1156 on the Tricuta hill and made it his capital after abandoning his old fort at Lodurva.
Jaisalmer being situated right on the caravan route, the Bhatti Rajputs amassed great wealth by levying taxes on the caravans that crossed their area. These caravans, laden with silk and spices, brought prosperity to the town. Princes and merchants, alike reaped the benefits from the caravans and built enormous mansions to display their wealth. The remote location of Jaisalmer in the heart of the Thar Desert has left it untouched by external influences. A travel to this city surrounded by sand dunes is like going back in time to enjoy another era.
The main attraction in Jaisalmer is the Jaisalmer Fort or Sonar Quila that seems to rise out of the haze of the endless desert sands. The Fort stands about 100 meters above the city and used to house an entire population with in its ramparts. Even today one third of the city’s population lives inside the fort. There are four gateways- Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol, Bhoota Pol and Hawa Pol – to enter the fort. Within the walls, there are cobbled streets, palaces and some Jain temples constructed between twelvth and fifteenth centuries. Just outside the fort is the main market place. The famous havelis of Jaisalmer, renowned for their beauty and exquisite carvings are excellent examples of Rajasthani architecture. Patwon-ki-Haveli, Nathmalji- ki- Haveli and Salim Singhji-ki-Haveli are some of the well known havelis. Nathmal ki Haveli built for the Prime Minister Diwan Mohata Nathmal, in the nineteenth century by two brothers Hathi and Lulu is unsurpassed for the intricate and exquisite carvings. Guarding the entrance to the Havelis are two life size yellow sandstone elephants.
Patwon-ki- haveli built by Guman Chand Patwa is one of the most outstanding havelis in Jaisalmer. It is five storeys high and intricately carved. Well known as dealers in brocade, gold and silver embroidery from Afghanistan to China, Guman and his five sons poured their wealth in to constructing mansions that seem to have come right out of fairy tales. The five suites, built between 1800 and 1860 are fine examples of Jaisalmer’s legendary architectural wealth. The intricate and delicate carving on stone surpasses the beauty of work done in gold and silver. One of the suites is painted with stunning murals.
The six storied mansion of Salim Singh has 38 balconies, each with a different design. The entrance is guarded by a stone elephant. The upper storeys of the building jut out like a ship’s prow, with a narrow base which widens at the top, giving the haveli the title ‘Jahazmahal’ or Ship’s Palace.
2 km from Jaisalmer is the famous Hindu shrine Bhattiani Rani temple built in honour of the 19th century Bhatti princess. The Gadsisar Lake, one of the major tourist attractions in Jaisalmer, is a water conservation tank made around 1400 A.D. This popular spot for picnics and outings houses a wide variety of migratory birds too. Also, a number of temples and shrines surround the lake, making the spot a place of pilgrimage. 16km from Jaisalmer is Lodurva, the erstwhile capital of the Bhatti Rajputs and an important centre of Jains. Another interesting place is the Wood Fossil Park at Aakal with fossilized tree trunks and sea shells that are 180 million years old. The Desert National Park, 43 km from Jaisalmer gives one an excellent idea of the eco system of the Thar Desert and its flora and fauna. Consisting of sand dunes and rocks, the Park is home to the black buck, the desert fox, wolf and birds like sand grouse, partridges, bee eaters, steppe eagles and the great Indian Bustard.
Winter season finds Jaisalmer holding camel fairs with camel dances, camel races, folk dances etc. Another popular attraction is the famous Desert Festival which brings together all that is quaint, colorful, exotic and exciting in Rajasthan. The most well known tourist attraction after the Sonar quila is the Sam Sand dunes situated 45 kms west of Jaisalmer. One has to stay overnight to soak in the beauty of the changing aspects of the desert at different times of the day. An evening spent in watching the shifting, shimmering sand dunes in the mellow light of the setting sun, with the wind constantly creating new patterns on the sand, and a night spent under the light of millions of twinkling stars can make Jaisalmer an unforgettable experience. The camel safari on the sand dunes or a Jeep safari is an additional attraction.
Jaisalmer is famous for its rugs, blankets, fine embroidery work, antiques and crystals. Any traveler visiting India should include a trip to Jaisalmer in his travel itinerary.
Jaisalmer being situated right on the caravan route, the Bhatti Rajputs amassed great wealth by levying taxes on the caravans that crossed their area. These caravans, laden with silk and spices, brought prosperity to the town. Princes and merchants, alike reaped the benefits from the caravans and built enormous mansions to display their wealth. The remote location of Jaisalmer in the heart of the Thar Desert has left it untouched by external influences. A travel to this city surrounded by sand dunes is like going back in time to enjoy another era.
The main attraction in Jaisalmer is the Jaisalmer Fort or Sonar Quila that seems to rise out of the haze of the endless desert sands. The Fort stands about 100 meters above the city and used to house an entire population with in its ramparts. Even today one third of the city’s population lives inside the fort. There are four gateways- Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol, Bhoota Pol and Hawa Pol – to enter the fort. Within the walls, there are cobbled streets, palaces and some Jain temples constructed between twelvth and fifteenth centuries. Just outside the fort is the main market place. The famous havelis of Jaisalmer, renowned for their beauty and exquisite carvings are excellent examples of Rajasthani architecture. Patwon-ki-Haveli, Nathmalji- ki- Haveli and Salim Singhji-ki-Haveli are some of the well known havelis. Nathmal ki Haveli built for the Prime Minister Diwan Mohata Nathmal, in the nineteenth century by two brothers Hathi and Lulu is unsurpassed for the intricate and exquisite carvings. Guarding the entrance to the Havelis are two life size yellow sandstone elephants.
Patwon-ki- haveli built by Guman Chand Patwa is one of the most outstanding havelis in Jaisalmer. It is five storeys high and intricately carved. Well known as dealers in brocade, gold and silver embroidery from Afghanistan to China, Guman and his five sons poured their wealth in to constructing mansions that seem to have come right out of fairy tales. The five suites, built between 1800 and 1860 are fine examples of Jaisalmer’s legendary architectural wealth. The intricate and delicate carving on stone surpasses the beauty of work done in gold and silver. One of the suites is painted with stunning murals.
The six storied mansion of Salim Singh has 38 balconies, each with a different design. The entrance is guarded by a stone elephant. The upper storeys of the building jut out like a ship’s prow, with a narrow base which widens at the top, giving the haveli the title ‘Jahazmahal’ or Ship’s Palace.
2 km from Jaisalmer is the famous Hindu shrine Bhattiani Rani temple built in honour of the 19th century Bhatti princess. The Gadsisar Lake, one of the major tourist attractions in Jaisalmer, is a water conservation tank made around 1400 A.D. This popular spot for picnics and outings houses a wide variety of migratory birds too. Also, a number of temples and shrines surround the lake, making the spot a place of pilgrimage. 16km from Jaisalmer is Lodurva, the erstwhile capital of the Bhatti Rajputs and an important centre of Jains. Another interesting place is the Wood Fossil Park at Aakal with fossilized tree trunks and sea shells that are 180 million years old. The Desert National Park, 43 km from Jaisalmer gives one an excellent idea of the eco system of the Thar Desert and its flora and fauna. Consisting of sand dunes and rocks, the Park is home to the black buck, the desert fox, wolf and birds like sand grouse, partridges, bee eaters, steppe eagles and the great Indian Bustard.
Winter season finds Jaisalmer holding camel fairs with camel dances, camel races, folk dances etc. Another popular attraction is the famous Desert Festival which brings together all that is quaint, colorful, exotic and exciting in Rajasthan. The most well known tourist attraction after the Sonar quila is the Sam Sand dunes situated 45 kms west of Jaisalmer. One has to stay overnight to soak in the beauty of the changing aspects of the desert at different times of the day. An evening spent in watching the shifting, shimmering sand dunes in the mellow light of the setting sun, with the wind constantly creating new patterns on the sand, and a night spent under the light of millions of twinkling stars can make Jaisalmer an unforgettable experience. The camel safari on the sand dunes or a Jeep safari is an additional attraction.
Jaisalmer is famous for its rugs, blankets, fine embroidery work, antiques and crystals. Any traveler visiting India should include a trip to Jaisalmer in his travel itinerary.
