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 aisalmer reminds of certain age that came into existence between the time when fantasy and reality came together. It seems it is the last outpost of the
Thar Desert and nothing exists beyond it!
The unusual fort of 99 bastions seems to have sprung out from the triangular hillock over which the fort is seated. A walk through uphill serpentine route leads to the inside of the fort which surprisingly is STILL INHABITED! The inside of the fort is actually a maze of tightly packed lanes and labyrinths dotted with numerous houses, shops and temples.
The Jain temples here are renowned the World over as fine examples on stone carvings. The old palace is worth a watch simply for the views it commands from its terrace. The noteworthy feature to see from here is the HURLING STONES that are still kept on the walls of the fort!
The old
Jaisalmer tow n surrounding the fort is also full of labyrinths worth exploring for their
residents and unique architecture.
Patwon ki Haveli, a group of five adjoining havelis, was once home to the wealthiest merchant family of the region who were so rich that they lent money even to the
kings! These havelis are the finest examples of the
architecture of the region, the external faηade of the whole complex is so intricately
carved that it doesnt look as work on stone. A few more havelis like
Diwan Nathmalji ki haveli and Salim Singh ki Haveli are notable for excellent carvings. The town itself is a rare treat to wander through
as one discovers scores of tourists taking pictures all the time. 
Outside the town is the old water source of the town known as Gad Sisar
tank. The beautiful pond is surrounded by many noteworthy arches, temples and buildings including the main gateway having been built by a prostitute! The collection of folk art pieces by just one person in a museum located just outside the tank is worth studying. Two groups of
Cenotaphs (Vyas Chhattri for Brahmins and Bada Bagh for the royal families) are situated towards the other end of the town, have very fine carvings and are ideal for the spectacular views.
Jaisalmer town is a very interesting and culturally rich place, the kind of which is perhaps nowhere else in the World! It is quite easy to spend 3 days to a week in the town without ever feeling of having seen enough. It is a strict rule in the town that all houses to be made of yellow sandstone. Built in year 1156 by
Bhatti King Jaisala, Jaisalmer is popularly known as Golden
City due to the extensive use of yellow sandstone that glows under setting sun.
Having no dearth of attractions, Jaisalmer has many other places to see
around it. Lodurva is 15 kilometers from Jaisalmer, this former capital of Jaisalmer kings was sacked several times by Islamic invaders. It now has a beautiful
Jain temple with very fine sculptures and ornate torana. Kuldhera
is a haunting village deserted en masse by its Paliwal residents in one night some 400 years ago due to immoral intentions of the Prime Minister of Jaisalmer at that time. The ruins are now a great tourist attraction. Khurri and
Samm have stretches of perfect sand dunes ideal for camel safaris and watching sunsets.
Akal Wood fossil Park is just 16 kilometers from Jaisalmer having fossilized remains of a 180 million years old forest. Desert National
Park is a large area of Thar Desert which has been declared National Park to protect the amazingly large variety of animals found here.
| QUICK FACTS |
| Getting there |
Jaisalmer has its own airport with erratic air services in winter months only. Jaisalmers railway station has train connection only with Jodhpur. Jaisalmer is connected by extremely good highways with Jodhpur, Bikaner and Barmer. Jodhpur is the major city nearest to Jaisalmer. |
| Best time to visit |
Typical desert type extremes are experienced at Jaisalmer with warm/hot days and pleasant/cool nights. There is negligible rain in monsoons hence there are only two seasons, summer (March to October) and winter (November to February). Winter months are pleasant with chilling nights. |
| Important Festivals |
Desert festival full of spectacular folk performances is held for three days in the month of February every year. |
| Excursions |
Samm sand dunes, Lodurva temples, Kuldhera, Khurri,
Mool Sagar, Amar Sagar, Akal wood fossils Park and Desert National
Park. |
| TOURS TO JAISALMER | |
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