Jaisalmer the golden City of Rajasthan (INDIA)-----Part 1
Jaisalmer:
The Golden City
This city Located in the heart of Thar Desert. Jaisalmer is known as the Golden City for its beautiful sun-soaked sand dunes, exuberant forts, and rich culture and traditions. One of the top 5 cities to visit in Rajasthan, Jaisalmer is known for its forts, palaces, and temples. The city has got its name from Maharaja Jaisal Singh. Interestingly, an aerial view of the city is like an image of a prince sitting on the ridge of sand dunes, crowned by the Jaisalmer fort.
Looking at attractions, Jaisalmer has got some of the most important places to visit in Rajasthan in 3 days including a couple of museums and heritage temples. The city also hosts the annual Desert Festival in January-February and attracts travelers from across the globe to witness the magic of Rajasthani art forms.
Planning a visit to Jaisalmer? Jaisalmer is home
to numerous interesting places that will surely make your vacation a memorable
one! Every old city has fact to declare, tales to impress,
uniqueness to wonder and spirit to live, Jaisalmer in Rajasthan is one
such city.
Jaisalmer Fort:
Duration: 2-2.5 hours.
About Jaisalmer Fort
Jaisalmer Fort is famously known as Golden Fort of Rajasthan. It was constructed by Raja Jaisal, Rajput ruler in the year 1156 AD. It ranks amongst the largest forts in the world. The golden and yellow mixed sandstone offer magical look to the Fort. Rising from the desert sands like a mirage, the fort is a real sight with its 99 turrets during night. The Fort stands tall and proud displaying the magic of Rajasthani architecture.
Things to Do
around Jaisalmer Fort
Street shopping.
Sampling cuisines in the many eateries.
Bada Bagh:
Visitor
Information
Famous for: History, Architecture, Photography,
Gardens.
Opening Timings: Open all days (9 AM – 6 PM).
Duration: 45 min to 1 hour.
About Bada Bagh
Bada Bagh means ‘Huge Garden’. Maharawal Jait
Singh’s period saw its construction, which was in the beginning of 16th
century. His son Lunakaran completed the construction after the death of his
father. The garden served as a memorial where the nobles and their families
were cremated. The garden offers a stunning view. The place is isolated. If you
visit the place during sunrise and sunset, you are guaranteed of beautiful
moments, which you cannot avoid clicking.
Visitor
Information
Famous for: History, Architecture, Photography.
Opening Timings: Open all days (9 AM – 5 PM).
Duration: 1-1.5 hours.
About
Patwon-Ki-Haveli
Patwon-Ki-Haveli is located in the main city. It was
built by a famous trader named Guman Chand and his sons. This massive
five-storied construction has five intricately decorated huge suites. The large
corridors and the decorated walls are excellent representations of the art form
that prevailed. The entire construction is made of yellow sandstone. The
grandeur and the architecture of the monument add immense value to the cultural
heritage of the city. Out of the five havelis, one is converted into a museum.
The third haveli houses the works of local craftsmen of the bygone era.
Visitor
Information
Famous for: History, Architecture, Photography.
Opening Timings: Open all days.
Duration: Depends upon the activity you perform
here.
About Sam Sand
Dunes
To have a feel of the desert, you need to undertake
Desert Safari. Sam Sand Dunes is the ideal location to set off for
the Desert Safari. You will love the safari on camelback that would take you
along crests and troughs and you could watch the picturesque sunset on the
desert. Jeep safaris are available as well. Desert festival is organized in the
months of February and March. If you are around this time, you would not want
to miss the folk dances, camel races and other cultural events conducted here.
Things to Do at
Sam Sand Dunes
Desert Camping.
Desert Safari.
Paragliding and other adventure sports.
Camel rides.
A visit to the nearby Desert National Park and
Sanctuary.
Thar Heritage Museum:
Famous for: History, Photography.
OpeningTimings: Everyday (9AM – 8 PM).
Duration: 2 hours.
About Thar Heritage Museum
Thar Heritage Museum is located at the main market
of the city. Laxmi Narayan Khatri was the founder of this museum. The museum
presents you the history, culture, art and architecture of the famous Thar
Desert. Sea fossils aging over million years let us in on how the sea
eventually became the Thar Desert. The museum houses unique ornaments of the
ship of the desert and horses. Documents and coins of Jaisalmer, ancient
manuscripts and weapons are some of the collections found in this museum.
Things to Do at
Thar Heritage Museum
Enjoy a puppet show (charges separate).
Visit the nearby Silk Route Art Gallery.
Visitor Information
Famous for: History, Architecture, Photography.
Opening Timings: Open all days (8 AM – 8 PM). Duration: 2-2.5 hours.
About Gadisar Lake
Gadisar Lake is located a kilometer away from the fort. It was constructed by the first ruler of the land, Raja Rawal Jaisal and later reconstructed by Maharawal Garsi in the year 1367 AD. The people of the desert city depended on this tank for their water needs. You will find temples, Holy shrines and Chattris around the banks of this lake. The artistically carved entrance made of yellow sandstone offers breathtaking view.
Things to Do around Gadisar Lake
Picnic.
Boat riding.
Visit the historic Tilon Ki Pol gate.
Visit the Folklore Museum nearby.
Nathmal Ki Haveli:
Visitor
Information
Famous for: History, Architecture, Photography.
Tickets: No fee.
Opening Timings: Open all days (8 AM – 7 PM).
Duration: 1-2 hours.
About Nathmal Ki
Haveli
Nathmal Ki Haveli was built by two Muslim jeweller
brothers not stone carvers on the order of the then prime minister. The
brothers started working on the opposite sides of the building which lead to a
similar but non identical left and right side. Apart from its extraordinary
outer carvings, this haveli is known for its beautiful interiors filled with
paintings and equipped with modern facilities. An amalgamation of Islamic and
Rajputana architecture, Nathmal Ki Haveli is well justified as being one of the
most beautiful haveli in Jaisalmer.
Visitor Information
Famous for: History, Architecture, Photography,
Pilgrimage.
Tickets: No fee.
Opening Timings: Open all days (7 AM – 12 PM).
Duration: 1-2 hours.
About Jain Temples
Located inside Jaisalmer Fort, Jain temples are
a series of temples dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras and can be traced back to
the 12th century. The temples are are known for their distinctive architectural
style modelled after the Dilwara temple of Mt. Abu. Beautifully carved and well
interconnected, these temples are a vision to behold and are completely made up
of yellow sandstone.
Things to Do near Jain Temples
Visit the Gyan Bhandar library.
Visit the Jaisalmer Fort.
Salim Singh Ki Haveli:
Visitor Information
Famous for: History, Architecture, Photography.
Opening Timings: Open all days (8 AM – 6 PM).
Duration: 45 min.
About Salim Singh Ki Haveli
Among all the havelis in Jaisalmer, Salim Singh Ki
Haveli is known for its distinctive and eye catching architecture. It was
built by the then minister, Salim Singh who wanted to make as high as the fort
but was prohibited by the king. It has 38 balconies with their own distinctive
style of architecture and a peacock shaped roof. This haveli provides a good
glimpse in the past and the photographs taken here would be awe inspiring.
Kuldhara:
Visitor Information
Famous for: Ruins, Ghost Town, History.
Tickets: Entry free.
Opening Timings: Open all days from 8am – 6pm.
Duration: 1 hour.
Distance from Jaisalmer: 49 min (32.0 km).
About Kuldhara
An abandoned ghost town, Kuldhara was once a prosperous
town occupied by Paliwal Brahmins. The reasons for why a whole city was
abandoned within a night is not clear but the popular belief holds the then
state minister Salim Singh responsible for the same. The minister wanted to
marry the village chief’s daughter and therefore delivered an ultimatum to the
village chief to accept his demands or let the whole community face dire
consequences. Rather than giving in to the minister’s demands, the whole
village decided to move away. Before leaving, they cursed this place to never
have any kind of human settlement and this has been proven true to this date.
Visit Kuldhara to get a glimpse of the past and get spooked by its tales.
Other attractions:
Desert National Park – For An Encounter With The
Wild
Sadar Bazaar – For A Shopping Spree
Silk Route Art Gallery – For An Insight Into
Rajasthani Art
Sonaron Ka Baas – For A Great Street Market
Experience
Amar Sagar Lake – For Blissful Views Of The Sunset
Khaba Fort – For Detailed Artwork
Vyas Chhatri – For The Blessings Of Sage Vyas
Surya Gate – For Stunning Views Of The Golden Fort
Akal Wood Fossil Park – For The Rare Fossils Of
Rajasthan
Shantinath Temple – For Seeking Inner Peace
Desert Culture Centre And Museum – For A Peek At
Rajasthan’s Heritage
Tazia Tower – For Delectable Rajasthani Food
Lodurva – For Traditional Dance Performances
Maharaja’s Palace – For Grand Art And Architecture
Khuri Sand Dunes – For A Night Of Fun And
Entertainment
Nathmal-Ki-Haveli – For Witnessing Paintings In Pure
Gold
Thar Heritage Museum – For Rajasthani Artifacts
Mandir Palace – For Dazzling Interiors And Wall
Carvings
Chandraprabhu Temple – For A Spiritual Awakening
Jaisalmer War Museum – For Paying Respect To The
Indian Army
Tanot Mata Temple – For A Mystical Day Tour
Dussehra Chowk – For Endless Festivities
Pokaran Fort – For An Offbeat Experience
Manak Chowk – For An Unmatched Retail Therapy
Bhatia Bazaar – For Colorful Handicrafts
Indo-Pak Border – Feel Patriotic
Jaisalmer Wind Park – The Second Largest Wind Farm
Jaisalmer Government Museum – A Peek Into The Past
Comments
Post a Comment