PLACES TO VISIT IN JAISALMER
Table of Contents
JAISALMER CITY
Rao Jaisal founded this beautiful city Jaisalmer in 1156. People call it Golden city because of its unique yellow stone. Surprisingly, almost every house, haveli even the newly built hotels, used yellow stone. In my opinion, it is the best desert city, which has a lot to offer to its visitor. There are many places to visit in Jaisalmer. Undoubtedly, the city’s main attraction is its gigantic Fort built on a hillock Meru and surrounded by bazaars. In the evening you can enjoy adventure activities at sam dunes.
Population of Jaisalmer: Around 65000.
Famous product : Cloth sheets with handwork.
Famous food : Ghotuaa.
SONAR QILA OF JAISALMER
Rao Jaisal of Bhati Rajput built this magnificent hill fort in 1156. According to history, there was a hillock meru; it was triangular. To protect their forts, local kings always preferred hillocks to build their palaces. Hence, Rao Jaisal decided to make a fort on the top of Meru.
Sonar Qila or Golden Fort is unique because of its colour. The most interesting thing here is people still live inside the Fort; they have houses inside the Fort. Surprisingly, many restaurants shops sell regional clothes and antiques inside Sonar Qila, making it the best place to visit in Jaisalmer. There are four different gates. First, Akshay pol, Second, Suraj pol Third, Ganesh pol Fourth and last, Hawa Pol.
Most local guides cheat; they do not tell you about King and Queen palaces. They take you to visit only the free part of the Fort. You have to buy tickets to see the king and queen palace because govt maintains this part. Above all, King and queen’s palaces are worth watching and very beautiful. Where is King and Queen castle? On the right of Hawa Pol.
Moreover, If I talk about some facts about Fort, there are many. The castle is 460 meters long and 230 meters wide, and the Hill height is around 76 meters. Interestingly, the Fort has 99 bastions built with yellow stone. There is no comparison when this Fort and the entire Jaisalmer shines with sunlight; you will not stop yourself saying it is the best place to visit in Jaisalmer. Truly, it looks like glittering gold.
ENTRANCES: INR/- 50 INDIAN INR/- 500 FOREIGNERS
TIMINGS: 8:30 TO 5:00
CAMERA FEE: 100/- FOR ALL
JAIN TEMPLE INSIDE FORT
Before the partition, Jaisalmer was a very important place of commerce. Surprisingly, many Jain business people were living in this town. In earlier days, everyone lived inside the Fort because invaders looted them. As a result Jain community asked the King to build a temple inside the Fort. The outstanding artwork on stone makes it one of the best places to visit in Jaisalmer.
There are seven beautiful temples inside the Fort, and they used again yellow stone to build them. The artwork inside the temples is just beyond explanation. Moreover, there is some ancient text of the Jain religion. The Parsvnatha temple is the most beautiful. Apart from PARSVNATHA TEMPLE, THERE ARE SAMBHAVANATHA TEMPLE, SHITALANATHA TEMPLE, SHANTINATHA TEMPLE KUNTHUNATHA TEMPLE, CHANDRA PRABHA TEMPLE, RISHABHANATHA TEMPLE.
ENTRANCES: INR/- INDIAN 50/- INR 250/- :FOREIGNERS
TIMINGS: 8:00 TO 12:00
HAVELIS OF PATWA AND NATHMAL
As we know, Jaisalmer was very famous for commerce. Many business people were residing. Accordingly, they built big Havelis for themselves. Guman chand Patwa, a renowned businessman, lived in Jaisalmer and made five big Havelis for his family.
Undoubtedly, the beauty inside and outside is eye-catching and makes it essential Jaisalmer tourist places. The artist who made all these big havelis did remarkable work. I am personally a big fan of its architecture; every window and Jali is made with yellow stone. Surprisingly, they carved every stone with mastery. Do not hesitate to go inside. All are museums now.
Nathmal ki haveli is another architectural jewel of Jaisalmer. It was the residence of the prime minister of Jaisalmer during the king days; Interestingly, two brothers built this beautiful haveli. Undoubtedly, they did remarkable work on stone.
ENTRANCES: INR/- 20/- INDIAN INR 100/- FOREIGNERS
TIMINGS: 9:00 TO 5:00
GADISAR LAKE
It is doubtful that we see a lake in the desert. As opposed to Jaisalmer being diffrent, the founder of the town Jaisal built an artificial lake in the 12th century. Moreover, Gadsi Singh again rebuilt it in later centuries. According to history, it was the only water source during those days.
If I talk about architecture, there are many chattris and temples. After visiting the fort, you are at the right place if you are coming here. Undoubtedly, it is the best Jaisalmer tourist place to take a boat ride for relaxing and immersing yourself in the magic of the desert.
Surprisingly, all the water you see in the lake is rainwater. Now water supply relies on another network ( water canal ) built by state govt.
BAZAR OF JAISALMER
Whenever people visit any place, we first think about its local culture and local product. In India, the essential feature of its tourism sector is the diversity of the vast country. Every place and city has some local products, now let me tell you where you can go shopping.
1. Bazar inside the fort: As we already know, this fort is different because people still live inside the fort. These people have shops inside the defence; you will see many shops selling local stuff when you enter the first gate.
2. Bazar outside the fort: This market is next to the fort, you will find lots of shops. One of the most exciting things here is you will see local people. Apart from this here you also can buy camel leather. Moreover, try ghotuaa ( besan laddu ) in this market.
3. Bazar outside Havelis and inside shops: Another small market sells local things here. Inside haveli, there are shops where you can try some shawls and sheets. All these markets are the best places to visit in Jaisalmer for shopping.
BADA BAGH CHATTRI
First of all, it is among the best Jaisalmer tourist places, especially if you are looking for a sunset view. According to local people, there was a big garden, that is why people call it bada bagh. During the 17th century, kings started to build chhatris (places of cremation ). Notably, the Royal family still uses this bada bagh for performing last rights.
I strongly recommend visiting bada bagh in the evening. You will see an incredible sunset view from this point, and it will look like gold.
In Hinduism, there is no concept of building a tomb. When Muslim people started ruling here, they brought their architecture. As a result, new architecture emerged Indoislamic; it was a mixture of Hindu and Islamic architecture.
ENTRANCES: INR 20/- INDIAN INR 100/- FOREIGNERS
TIMINGS: 8:30 TO 6:00
LODURVA TEMPLE AND AMAR SAGAR
Lodurva: It was an old city of Bhati Rajput. After lodurva Rawal Jaisal built Jaisalmer, it was an important centre of Jainism. There are temples of yellow sandstone dedicated to Jain religious figures, and beautiful work on stone and carving is worth watching. Interestingly, there is a branch of kalpvraksha ( under which Mahavira got enlightenment ). You can see it on the top of the temple. It is among the best places to visit in Jaisalmer for Jainism followers.
Amar Sagar : It is small lake. In the 17th century, Akhai Singh built a palace and lake here. Moreover, you can enjoy boat riding. In my opinion, the important thing here is temples. Beautifully carved yellow temples here are worth watching, and you can enjoy photography.
LODURVA TEMPLE PHOTOGRAPHY: INR 100/-
AMAR SAGAR PHOTOGRAPHY: 100/-
WAR MUSEUM
Jaisalmer war Museum is worth visiting and one of the best places to visit in Jaisalmer. In 2015 Indian army dedicated this museum to the nation. Importantly, it displays the rich history of the Indian military and its role in the war. If I talk about the museum’s location, it is around 10 km away from Jaisalmer city.
There is an Indian Army hall: There are showcases of 1947-48 war, 1965 war, 1999 Kargil war. Interestingly, you can see the arms and equipment of the enemy, and the Indian army captured these things from the enemy. Moreover, there are also some facts displayed about the role of the Indian military during disaster and relief programs.
Laungewala hall: In this hall, there are showcases of the Indo-Pak war in 1971. In laungewala, two armies fought, and you can see the equipment used in that war. 1971 Indo-Pak war is very famous for making Bangladesh.
Apart from this, there is Hunter aircraft and many types of equipment.
ENTRANCES: FREE
TIMINGS: 9:00 TO 6:00
SAM SAND DUNES
Sam dunes are around 45 km away from Jaisalmer city, and it is among the best Jaisalmer tourist places for desert adventurers. We mean dunes, camels, and jeep safari when talking about the desert. This is why Jaisalmer is a unique destination; it gives you everything from a beautiful fort attractive bazaars to an adventurous desert.
Interestingly, you can enjoy many things during your sam dunes visit. For example, Desert camping is the best option; you can enjoy local dance and food during your camping, and it will be a unique experience at night there. Apart from this, you can go for a camel ride on dunes, and I enjoy a jeep safari, which is very enjoyable.
I recommend you visit sam dunes during the evening. If you are camping there, then it is a different case. If you are coming from Jaisalmer, then visit 2:30 hours before sunset in the evening so that you can enjoy adventure activities and sunset there.
QUICK INFO OF THAR DESERT
The great Indian Thar desert is in the northwest region of the Indian subcontinent and a vast arid region. If I talk about the area, it is about 200000 sq km. During partition, around 85% of the desert remained in India, and the rest of 15% is in Pakistan now. There is also an international boundary between India and Pakistan.
If I talk about water resources, then the Luni river is the only river in the Thar desert. Rainfall is deficient here, around 100 to 500 mm per year. Interestingly, you can see some saltwater lakes like Sambhar and artificial lakes like gadisar Sagar.
If you talk about the famous tree in the desert, this is the khejri tree you can find everywhere. There are also animals in the desert most famous are Blackbucks, Deer, etc.
INTERESTING FACTS OF JAISALMER
Before the 19th century, everyone was living inside the fort. Many invaders from the west part of the subcontinent used this way to go into India. For securing their life and goods, they all lived inside the fort. Jaisalmer had many Havelis also before partition; it was the hub of silver. Lots of business people were living here.
During Mughal with an agreement, it became an ally of the Mughal empire with complete control on the governance. After the Mughals, the king of Jaisalmer signed the same treaty with British Empire. It became an ally of the British Indian govt. During partition, it became part of independent India.
The exciting thing about Rajasthan is that every king wanted to build his fort on a hillock. There is an Aravali range of mountains, and a hillock gives the castle a proper defence. It was very tough for invaders to capture the fort on a hillock.
PLACES NEAR JAISALMER
If you have extra time or plan to visit, there are many options around Jaisalmer. Now you all know about the best places to visit in Jaisalmer, and now let’s talk about other places near Jaisalmer.
1 Kuldhara village: This haunted and abandoned village is around 17 km far away from Jaisalmer. According to history, 300 years ago, the Paliwal brahmin caste lived in this village under the Jaisalmer state. Unfortunately, Salim Singh, the prime minister of Jaisalmer, committed atrocities against villagers. Then they cursed nobody would be able to live here.
2 Desert national park: In the Thar desert, we have many birds. Interestingly, the Desert region is a paradise for residents and migratory birds. You can see Eagles, Harriers, Falcons, Buzzards, Kestrel, Vultures. etc. There are mammals also desert fox, Bengal fox, desert cat etc.
3 Jodhpur: The blue city of India is about 260 km away from Jaisalmer, where you can visit Mehrangarh fort and Jaswant Thada.
HOW TO GET TO JAISALMER
By Air: Jaisalmer has Airport, it is well connected with major cities, like from Delhi there is a daily direct flight. One important thing is that Jaisalmer airport is 14 km far away from the city.
Train: Jaisalmer has a railway station and is also the last railway station. You can book your train from your destination.
Road: Roads are good in Rajasthan; it is 270 km from Jodhpur, 330 km From Bikaner Around 600 Km from Jaipur.
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