The city of Rajasthan popularly known as golden city of Rajasthan. The city is around 575 kms from Jaipur the capital of Rajasthan. Jaisalmer is an old city of Rajasthan which was a great attraction for traders in time immemorial. The city is a fortified citadel in the arid Thar desert. The city is like a gem in the ocean of Desert. It is a living city where the Royal Kings and general people lived inside the fortification of Jaisalmer. The attractions in Jaisalmer city is its fort built on a hight. Jaisalmer listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 2013.
King Rawal Jassal built this city and fort for the protection of their subject in 1156. The state of Rajasthan is a union of many provinces and regions of Mewar and Marwar. Now it has 33 districts of Rajasthan to govern properly. It has many attractive city but few are distinct because of the historical, and cultural richness. The Jaisalmer is one among many beautiful cities in Rajasthan
The Fort of Jaisalmer
The fort of Jaisalmer is the major attraction in all the different attractions in Jaisalmer city. This fort is a massive fort located on the west of Rajasthan. The long stretch of the Thar desert that covers most of the western Rajasthan and parts of Gujrat is the great Indian desert. The Jaisalmer fort built on a hill top of around 250 meter high, 1500 meter long and 750 meter wide. This citadel is probably the second most massive, old and complex fort after Chittorgarh fort in Rajasthan.
The base of this fort is surrounded with 15 meter high solid rock wall. Jaisalmer fort is in the enclosure of 99 bastions of ramparts that was not easy to infiltrate by the enemy. Inside this enclosure there are many buildings, Palaces, Hawelis, Temples and Markets.
From the very first entrance one can easily see the the Raj Mahal or the Royal Palace and other buildings. The sand stone of yellow color is mostly used to build this massive fort. In the day time from a distance it appears like a mound of gold and attracted many traders and Invaders as well.
What are the major attractions in Jaisalmer city to explore
In the old times there were no trace of people living outside of the fort. But now a days the city has sprawled outside of the fort as well. This development took place as the population got increased and safety was not a matter of concern. When there were attacks from the invaders this fort city kept their resident in its periphery.
The fort is itself a great attraction and exploring the fort requires time and patience. The high sturdy walls and narrow streets filled with various stuff of arts and artifacts have positive impression on the mind of visitors. From the top the rampart walls one can see the new cities around the fort and the desert of Rajasthan.
The old buildings of kings and their people are a great source of exploration in this fort. The Raj Mahal used by the Royal kings has Rang Mahal, Raj villas and others converted into the museum. One can reach the Raj Palace using its right side stairs to explore the beautification in its chambers.
The havelis and their intricacy
The havelis of Jaisalmer city are really worthy to explore. A rich merchant of the city used their money to build havelis (or Villas). They are called Patwao ki haveli built in 18th century in the middle of the city. These four buildings of five storeys show many intricate designs and artistic features. The fine architecture of its exterior which has many layers of carved stones and sculpture designs. The hanging balconies and latticed panel covered by the conical spiral roof make you think differently.
The Havelis of Patwon with its great designs on its exterior wall, has glass mosaic, paintings of gold, and work of shells inside the haveli. These havelis built of sandstone of different colors. They used different Indo-Islamic features and added many new architectural features as well.
The other havelis in the city
The other havelis like Nathmal ki haveli and Salim singh ki haveli are really a piece of great artwork. The Nathmal ki haveli built by two architect brothers in 19th century. These havelis are in the center of the city on the either side of the Road. The exterior of these havelis have different designs as they competed to each other. They used various architectural features and decorated it with multiple artistic and sculpture designs. Their interior and inner rooms are also have variety of designs and paintings. These havelis are great attractions in Jaisalmer city.
The Salim singh ki haveli is another attraction. Salim singh was deewan or courtier who built his mini palace to enhance the richness of art and architecture of this city. This beautiful and big haveli is in yellow sandstone. The carving on stone is attractive, but the main attraction of the haveli is its top. The ceiling and their supporter balconies with arch and semi spiral roofs expresses its creative artwork.
The Jain Temple are also the attractions of Jaisalmer city
In the fort of Jaisalmer you can visit manay temples of Jains. These Temples are equally the attractions of Jaisalmer city as the havelis and the desert. The architecture of these temples goes back to the architectural styles of 12th to 15th century. These are ancient and very attractive Temples are famous for its handwritten books collection.
These temples of Rishavh devji, Chandraparbhu ji, Sambhav nathji, Parshav nathji adn Mahavir Swami ji are explicit attractions of art, sculpture and architecture. In the Temple of Sambhav nathji it has great collection of scriptures on different subjects. These are available for the researchers and the people love to explore the knowledge of ancient India and its cultrual attributes.
The Gadisar lake of Jaisalmer
The Gadisar lake is an important source of water for the People of this city. Raja Rawal Jaissal singh built this lake to harvest the rain water. It has many temples and Ghats (stairs to use water) or bathing spots which increase its charm. The lake could be explored by boat easily available on its bank. The lake is equally attractive for the birds lover during the winter.
Bara bagh or the resting Place of Rajput kings
Bara Bagh or golden complex built near Jaisalmer is a group of cenotaphs. Jai singh II of Jaisalmer built a dam here to store rain water later a cenotaph or Chhatri built in his memory in 18th century. it has many cenotaph built later for different Rajput kings and their family members. It is on a hill about 6 km from Jaisalmer city.
The Chhatris of different sizes built according to their rank and status in Royal Families. These are beautifully carved stone and the description of the deceased member are on the marble slab. A symbolic image of the Rajput kings do appear on it. It has different chhatris belong to18th to 20th century. The beautiful green garden of this complex give you a positive impression.
The evening in Sam sand dunes with camel safari
The evening in Jaisalmer is great attraction of this thar desert. The Sam sand dunes is popular among the visitors to experience the beautiful sunset. Camel safari is a major activities and it reaches you the sand dunes. Here one can enjoy the folk dance and music of Rajasthan while enjoying the changes of color on the horizon.
There are many camp and resort arrangement for the visitors to enjoy the night on the sand. They provide you local dinner and all different facilities with the dance and music. The culture of Rajasthan is vividly present and the scene of night on the desert has a wonderful charm on the viewer.
The famous Maru festival in Jaisalmer
It is a great attraction of the city when in the month of February the Maru festival is celebrated. The Maru festival organised by Rajasthan state tourism corporation every year in February. In 2021 this festival celebration take place from 24 to 27 February. It is a major festival to attract the domestic as well as Foreign tourists in Rajasthan.
Popularly known as desert festival of Rajasthan. It present a great traditional and modern activities. These include turban competition, camel decoration, camel race and Diya competition. The sand dunes 45 kms from the Jaisalmer city come alive with dance and music.
The presentation of folklore in their traditional attire make the desert a colorful and enchanting. All type of Rajasthani delicious cuisines, creative art and artifacts attract millions of tourists around the world.
How to reach Jaisalmer from Delhi
From Delhi there are many ways to reach Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer has its own domestic airport. The railway connects Delhi and Jaisalmer via other cities of Rajasthan. The Palace on Wheels an initiative to to provide Royal facilities to the Tourists connects many destinations and Jaisalmer on its route.
The distance between Delhi to Jaisalmer is fairly enough by road. It is around 766 km, but it is better to take a halt in Bikaner before proceeding to Jaisalmer. The best time to visit Jaisalmer is October to March as the summer season are very hot. The Best and popular ways are exploring different cities of Rajasthan and stay during night to relax. The transportation and the highways are now a day comfortable as well as safe. This also keep you informed about the places, local and their lifestyle on the way.