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Jaisalmer
Unlike any other city, this desert fortress is one of Rajasthan's most exotic and unusual towns. Jaisalmer, an important ancient trading centre because of its strategic location on the camel trade routes, is often described as the 'golden city'. The havelis, built by merchants of the 19th century, are exquisitely carved from golden-yellow sandstone and are still in a beautiful condition. The fort built by Rawal Jaisal in the 12th century, stands on the 80 metre high Trikuta hill, with beautifully carved Jain temples.
| State | : | Rajasthan |
| Location | : | Jaisalmer District, Rajasthan |
| District Area | : | 5.1 km sq. (2 sq mi) |
| Altitude | : | 225 meters |
| Population | : | approx. 58,286 (in 2001) |
| Sex Ratio | : | 921 females : 1000 males |
| Literacy | : | 64% |
| ISD/STD Code | : | +91 2992 |
| Best time to visit | : | October - February |
| Rainfall | : | 150 millimetres (5.9 in) |
| Temperature | : | Summer: 41.6°C Max. to 25.0°C Min. Winter: 23.6°C Max. to 7.9°C Min. |
| Clothing | : | Summer: Light topical Winter: Heavy woolen |
| Local Languages | : | Rajasthani, Hindi and English |
Jaisalmer Fort
The golden hued fort is a sentinel to the bleak desert escape from its 80 meter high perch on the hill, housing the entire township within its ramparts. It has an enchanting cow-web of narrow lanes dotted lanes doted with some lovely havelis, three beautiful sculptured Jain temples of the 12th-15th century A.D. and five interconnected palaces.
The fort is approached through four gateways-Akhaiya Pol, Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol and Hava Pol.
Manak Chowk and Havelis
A main market place outside the fort leads to the narrow lanes doted with famous havelis.
Gadsisar Lake
A scenic rain water lake with numerous beautiful shrines around and a spectacular avian variety. The lake is an idyllic spot for outings.
Tazia Tower
A pagoda like structure looming up from the "Badal Mahal" with beautiful Taazias' - ornately decorated bamboo, paper and tinsel replicas of a bier, carried out in processing during Moharram by the Muslims.
Nathmal ji ki Haveli
The late 19th century haveli with intricate architecture a display of sheer craftsmanship. The left and right wings of the mansions, which were carved by two brothers, are not identical but very similar and balanced in design. The interior walls are ornate with splendid miniature paintings.
Desert Festival (JAN - FEB)
Once a year in winters and on the middle of the continually rising and falling stark yellow sands of the great Thar Desert, the empty sands around Jaisalmer come alive with the brilliant colour, music and laughter of the Desert Festival. The festival is organised by the tourist authorities as tourist entertainment around January-February.
Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli
Two architect brothers built it in the 19th century. Interestingly, while one concentrated on the right, the other concentrated on the left and the result is a symphony epitomising the side by side symmetry during construction. Paintings in miniature style monopolise the walls in the interior. Mighty tuskers carved out of yellow sandstone stand guard to the haveli.
Akal Wood Fossil Park
Just 17 kms from Jaisalmer and a kilometre away from the Barmer Road are fossilised remains of 180 million-year-old forests. These are beautiful forest vistas and any forester around can show you. There is a ticket to visit the Park for foreigners Rs 20 and locals Rs 5 plus Rs 10 for vehicle.
Patwa ki Haveli
The most elaborate and magnificient of all the Jaisalmer havelis. It has exquisitely carved pillars and exquisitely carved pillars and extensive corridors and chambers.
One of the apartments of this five story high haveli is painted with beautiful murals.
Salim Singh ki Haveli
This 300 year old Haveli of Jaisalmer's Prime Minister to Maharaja Rawal Gaj Singh Salim Singh, has a beautiful blue cupola roof with superby carved brackets in the form of peacocks. This extraordinary mansion in yellow stone is covered with intricate carvings and has an elaborate projecting balcony on the top storey.
The mansion is one of the most notables of the array of havelis.
Jain Temples
The fort has three exquisitely carved Jain temples dedicated to the Jain Tirthankara-Rishabdev, Sambhavnath and Parswanath.
Gyan Bhandar of Library
Some of the oldest manuscripts of India are found in this library established as a part of jain temples.
Desert National Park
The Desert National Park is an excellent example of the ecosystem of the Thar Desert and its rich fauna. The Sudashri forest post is the most ideal place for observing wildlife in the Desert National Park. Sand dunes form less than 20 percent of the Park, which consists of craggy rocks, pavements and compact salt lake bottoms, intermedial areas and fixed dunes.
The golden hued fort is a sentinel to the bleak desert escape from its 80 meter high perch on the hill, housing the entire township within its ramparts. It has an enchanting cow-web of narrow lanes dotted lanes doted with some lovely havelis, three beautiful sculptured Jain temples of the 12th-15th century A.D. and five interconnected palaces.
The fort is approached through four gateways-Akhaiya Pol, Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol and Hava Pol.
Manak Chowk and Havelis
A main market place outside the fort leads to the narrow lanes doted with famous havelis.
Gadsisar Lake
A scenic rain water lake with numerous beautiful shrines around and a spectacular avian variety. The lake is an idyllic spot for outings.
Tazia Tower
A pagoda like structure looming up from the "Badal Mahal" with beautiful Taazias' - ornately decorated bamboo, paper and tinsel replicas of a bier, carried out in processing during Moharram by the Muslims.
Nathmal ji ki Haveli
The late 19th century haveli with intricate architecture a display of sheer craftsmanship. The left and right wings of the mansions, which were carved by two brothers, are not identical but very similar and balanced in design. The interior walls are ornate with splendid miniature paintings.
Desert Festival (JAN - FEB)
Once a year in winters and on the middle of the continually rising and falling stark yellow sands of the great Thar Desert, the empty sands around Jaisalmer come alive with the brilliant colour, music and laughter of the Desert Festival. The festival is organised by the tourist authorities as tourist entertainment around January-February.
Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli
Two architect brothers built it in the 19th century. Interestingly, while one concentrated on the right, the other concentrated on the left and the result is a symphony epitomising the side by side symmetry during construction. Paintings in miniature style monopolise the walls in the interior. Mighty tuskers carved out of yellow sandstone stand guard to the haveli.
Akal Wood Fossil Park
Just 17 kms from Jaisalmer and a kilometre away from the Barmer Road are fossilised remains of 180 million-year-old forests. These are beautiful forest vistas and any forester around can show you. There is a ticket to visit the Park for foreigners Rs 20 and locals Rs 5 plus Rs 10 for vehicle.
Patwa ki Haveli
The most elaborate and magnificient of all the Jaisalmer havelis. It has exquisitely carved pillars and exquisitely carved pillars and extensive corridors and chambers.
One of the apartments of this five story high haveli is painted with beautiful murals.
Salim Singh ki Haveli
This 300 year old Haveli of Jaisalmer's Prime Minister to Maharaja Rawal Gaj Singh Salim Singh, has a beautiful blue cupola roof with superby carved brackets in the form of peacocks. This extraordinary mansion in yellow stone is covered with intricate carvings and has an elaborate projecting balcony on the top storey.
The mansion is one of the most notables of the array of havelis.
Jain Temples
The fort has three exquisitely carved Jain temples dedicated to the Jain Tirthankara-Rishabdev, Sambhavnath and Parswanath.
Gyan Bhandar of Library
Some of the oldest manuscripts of India are found in this library established as a part of jain temples.
Desert National Park
The Desert National Park is an excellent example of the ecosystem of the Thar Desert and its rich fauna. The Sudashri forest post is the most ideal place for observing wildlife in the Desert National Park. Sand dunes form less than 20 percent of the Park, which consists of craggy rocks, pavements and compact salt lake bottoms, intermedial areas and fixed dunes.
Jaisalmer is extremely hot during summer (March to May) with mercury levels in the range of 25°C to 42°C. Winter is pleasant with low temperature ranges between 24°C to 8°C. Jaisalmer receives less rainfall during monsoon.
Best season to visit this beautiful place is between October to March, avoiding hot summer days. February is attractive with Desert festival conducted with many cultural programs and enthusiasm. September has Ramdevra fair attracting many tourists.
Best season to visit this beautiful place is between October to March, avoiding hot summer days. February is attractive with Desert festival conducted with many cultural programs and enthusiasm. September has Ramdevra fair attracting many tourists.
By Air:
Jodhpur 285km is the convenient airport.
By Railway:
A good connection with major cities of the country through Jodhpur.
By Road:
A good network of roads joins Jaisalmer with many destination in and around Rajasthan.
Jodhpur 285km is the convenient airport.
By Railway:
A good connection with major cities of the country through Jodhpur.
By Road:
A good network of roads joins Jaisalmer with many destination in and around Rajasthan.
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