The city of Jaisalmer is found in the state of Rajasthan and is one of the most historically rich places in India, which gives it a magic of its own. Located in the heart of the Great Indian Thar Desert, Jaisalmer is visited by any and everyone who plans a visit to Rajasthan. Having a typical princely outlook, this city is known for its havelis, palaces and lakes. Jaisalmer is famous and most widely known for the Jaisalmer Fort, also known as the Sonar Kila (Golden Fort) which is still inhabited by people, especially during the tourist season.
The Golden City, Jaisalmer [photo credit: Koshyk via photopincc]The city architecture is mostly made of yellow sandstone and also, the sand inside and surrounding the city is yellow in colour. This gives the impression, that everything in the city is made of gold, and hence, it is no wonder that Jaisalmer is also known as ‘The Golden City’. Such is the beauty and glow of this place that, whenever one visits Jaisalmer, it seems as though the famous Arabian tales depicting true royalty have come to life.
How to Get There
Jaisalmer is situated at the western most border of Rajasthan. Being a popular tourist destination, this city has a wide connectivity which gives multiple options to get there. The best and most enjoyable way to get there is to plan a road trip with your friends or family. While it may seem far as it is situated 800 kilometres from Delhi, it gives you an amazing and enthralling opportunity to travel all around Rajasthan, in which you can travel through the beautiful places of Rajasthan like Jodhpur (which is closest to Jaisalmer), Jaipur and Bikaner, and thus, take in the surroundings of Royal Rajasthan.
Best Time to Enjoy Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer is a place that should be visited keeping the weather in mind. Being located in the midst of a desert, it can be utterly hot in the summers. Also, as a characteristic of a typical desert, the nights are really cold because of the sandy areas. Hence, the best time to visit Jaisalmer is between the months of October to March, when the mornings are cool and breezy and as for the nights, make sure to carry adequate clothes and necessities to avoid any hassles.
What to Do
Jaisalmer is a city that is high on royalty. It offers innumerable options to explore what a royal life must have felt like. Palaces, beautiful old-fashioned houses, serene lakes and other such things are sure to make you forget that you are in a desert. Also, there are numerous temples influenced by the Jain culture, for people seeking to fulfil their spiritual desires. The camel rides on the sand dunes of Khuri, are also a unique experience. However, out of so many options, the following places should not be missed.
The Royal Jaisalmer Fort [photo credit: juicyrai via photopincc]1. Jaisalmer Fort – Also known as The Golden Fort or Sonar Kila (locally), Jaisalmer Fort was built by the famous Bhati ruler, Jaisal. This fort is one of the very few remaining ‘living forts’. Yes, people still live and work within the walls of this fort. The Jaisalmer fort has immaculate interiors among which the Raj Mahal and the numerous Jain temples steal the show. A definite must here is to visit the top of the Fort, which offers an unparalleled view of the entire city and sprawling desert.
The Breathtaking Gadsisar lake, Jaisalmer [photo credit: terrypresley via photopincc]2. Gadsisar Lake – This Lake was excavated by Raja Gadsi in 1367. It is a rainwater lake that is the epitome of scenic beauty. It is surrounded by various tombs and shrines. At one point of time, it used to supply water to all of Jaisalmer. Visiting this lake always leaves the tourists awestruck.
Patwon ki Haveli,Jaisalmer [photo credit: DarkLantern via photopin3. Patwon ki Haveli – Out of the many famous havelis that are found all over Jaisalmer, Patwon ki Haveli is the best. It is a ten-minute walk from the main gates of the Fort. This Haveli is a combination of five houses, out of which one has been converted into a museum. This Haveli offers a great insight into the lives of merchants back in the days.
Bada Bagh,Jaisalmer [photo credit: surrealpenguin via photopincc]4. Bada Bagh – Located at a distance of 6 kilometres from the main town, this is a huge isolated cenotaph garden. Not visited by many people, it offers a peaceful outing where the several chattris (Indian name for cenotaphs because of the design) for different rulers can be seen. This place has minimal resources, hence, proper planning should be done before visiting this land of empty tombs.
Jaisalmer Specialties
The Special Jewellery of Jaisalmer [photo credit: clara & james via photopincc]1. Shopping – Enriched with royal traditions, Jaisalmer offers a lot of items like silk Shawls, various statues made of Bronze and the typical traditional Silver jewelry trademark of Rajasthan. The shops are found within the walls of the fort itself, which offers a great experience. The shopkeepers tend to ask for exorbitant prices, so do keep your bargaining skills ready, as they will come in handy.
Traditional Food of Jaisalmer [photo credit: Tomas Belcik via photopincc]2. Eating – Where there is a royal town, royal food will follow. The characteristic royal thalis offering a great variety of vegetables, breads and sweets are an absolute must. The ‘Dal Bati Churema’ is a specialty of this area, and is prepared in all traditional restaurants. Chaas, a variant of Lassi, is the most consumed drink in these parts.
The Festive Mood in Jaisalmer [photo credit: Sudhamshu via photopincc]3. Festivals – The Desert Festival is held every year in the months of January/ February for three days. This is the best time to visit Jaisalmer. One can experience the various types of folk dance and music which are the symbol of people living in this area. Apart from this the usual festivals of Hindus, Muslims and Jains are celebrated with utmost enthusiasm.
With a charm that draws you into it, Jaisalmer has so much to adorn, that once inside the city, you will forget your way out. The artistic architecture and the rich history behind every monument, artifact or even the little things that one can buy from there, is sure to leave you spell-bound and dreaming as though it was all just a fairy tale.
