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Explore one of the best cities of Rajasthan,
famous for its temples, festivals and forts.
 Amber
Fort
Jaisalmer
Fort
Jaisalmer
Jain Temples
Desert
Festival
Budget
Hotels
Decide your favourite colour and pick a city to
match, Rajasthan's kaleidoscope of colours covers all.
Bastions of history, bristling with memories,
these splendid treasures stand battling the vageries of time.
Fort Amber
The City Palace, Jaipur
Wind Palace, Jaipur
Chittaurgarh Fort
City Palace, Udaipur
Jaisalmer Fort
Mehrangarh
Fort
Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur
The desert sands shimmer and pulsate with an
energy and a spirit of festivity permeates the air, every season
provides many reasons to celebrate.
Camel Festival
Mewar Festival
Elephant Festival
Gangaur Festival
Pushkar Festival
Desert Festival
Ride a camel over the dunes or horses through
the hillside, speed ahead in a jeep and camp under open skies.
A delicate ecosystem, part desert part marshy
lands and even a small section of lush water filled valleys, sports a
wildlife rich in variety.
Whichever Budget Hotel you choose you will
always experience a traditional hospitality that you may never want to
forget.
Jaipur Budget Hotels
Jaisalmer Budget Hotels
Bharatpur Budget Hotels
Bikaner Budget Hotels
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Rajasthan Tours Travel » Fascinating
Cities of Rajasthan » Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer Rajasthan
A land of shifting, singing sands, miles of undulating desert dunes, sun
dappled houses gently glowing in gold and in the distance a fort of
burnished bronze. Jaisalmer is what you may have dreamt a desert town
looks like but it will far surpass anything you may have imagined, its
exotic timeless beauty invites you to explore another era, a time when an
entire city thrived within the four walls of a fort, when men and women
dressed as if each day was a celebration, a time when human will could
soften even the harshness of an arid desert. What is more, this delightful
medieval town hasn't changed much at all, its remoteness has protected its
culture and kept its poignant magic alive.
History of Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer was founded by Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the Yadav Clan and
a Bhati Rajput, in 1156 AD and named after him as well. In the medieval
times Jaisalmer became an important trade destination as it lay on the
caravan trail that connected the cities on the silk route. It became an
important trade link with the countries of Africa, Arabia, Egypt, Persia
and the west. The Bhati Rajputs of Jaisalmer at the time were feudal
chiefs, who grew rich on the forced levy on these caravans carrying
precious silks and spices on-route to Delhi. Jaisalmer also became an
important town for rich merchants many of whom have left behind a legacy
of exquisite havelis. Its importance lessened as sea towns replaced old
land routes as centres of trade. But it still retains all its old world
charm, traditional architecture, narrow streets, craftsmen still working
at the ancient crafts of weaving and stone carving, men wearing fiery
turbans, balladeers singing in shaded avenues and the stately nonchalant
camel, very much a part of the scene.
Places of Interest in Jaisalmer
The Jaisalmer Fort
The Jaisalmer Fort rises above its city like a mirage from the sands. The
second oldest fort in Rajasthan, it was built in 1156 by the Rajput ruler
Jaisala. At the time the entire city lay within the fort but as the town
prospered and its population grew it spilled out into the land below where
merchants set up beautiful havelis. The most amazing thing though is the
fact that till this day 25% of Jaisalmer's population resides within the
fort, its temples and palaces are now monuments and part of heritage but
the streets are packed with shops, people and children playing hopscotch.
Its an extraordinary experience to walk around these still inhabited lanes
and feel like you have somehow been transported back in time.
Painted Havelis
The havelis of Jaisalmer are in a league all their own and the foremost
among these is the Patwa Haveli. This haveli is actually made up of five
different houses that a rich merchant called Guman Chand built for his
five sons. The intricate stone carvings and stone decoration make these
havelis perhaps one of the most ornate houses anywhere in the world. The
Salim Singh Haveli and the Nathmal Haveli are two more outstanding
architectural creations.
Gadisar Lake
The Gadisar Lake is an important historic symbol as it was once the only
source of water for the kingdom of Jaisalmer. This soothing desert oasis
has now become a popular picnic spot and pedal and paddle-boats are
available on hire.
Camel Safari
This deep into Camel country, how can one possibly resist a safari? For
your satisfaction, they come tailored in all shapes, sizes and budgets.
Take a little ride atop the ship of the desert and choose how far you'd
like to go, a little spin around sunset or is the adventurer in you asking
for more, you could choose to take a weekend safari and sleep in comfy
tents or ride for days and recline under a canopy of stars each night.
Shopping
This remote town in the interiors of the great Thar desert has
beautifully preserved its traditional arts and handicrafts. The markets
are laden with embroidered articles, woollen pattu, locally produced
wooden boxes and trinkets, curios, mirror work objects and jewellery
fashioned in such ethnic designs as is hard to find anywhere else.
The main shopping areas are Sadar Bazaar and Sonaron Ka Bas, Manak Chowk,
Pansari Bazaar and also Rajasthali - the Government shop for handicrafts
and Khadi Gramodyog.
Jaisalmer also has a government-licensed bhang shop at Gopa Chowk which
offers a menu of cannabis concoctions. Order a fresh bhang lassi for an
instant reaction or get a a few bhang cookies packed to take home.
Weather Watch
Jaisalmer is at the far western end of India, tucked into the lap of the
Thar desert, it has an extreme climate, scorching summers and chilly
winters, but despite the cold the winter months (October to March) are the
best time to visit, the days are pleasantly sunny and the nights cool
enough for you to wrap up, sit by a bonfire under the starry desert sky
and watch dancers swirl around the flames. If your schedule permits try
and visit Jaisalmer during the 'Desert Festival', usually held in January
and you'll be glad you took our advice.
Getting There
Air : The nearest airport is in Jodhpur about 300 kms
away.
Rail : Jaisalmer has its very own railway station and
is well connected with most major metro cities in India.
Road : A good network of roads connects Jaisalmer with
Jodhpur and many other destinations in and around Rajasthan. Jaisalmer is
290-km from Jodhpur and 330-km from Bikaner. Regular bus-service is also
conducted between Jaisalmer and allmost all the other cities in Rajasthan.
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