JaisalmerThe Golden City
Jaisalmer is the town in the state of Rajasthan with an area of 5.1 sq km. It lies in the heart of Thar Desert and stands on a ridge of yellow sandstone. It is named after the Rajput king Maharawal Jaisal Singh. The city is known as The Golden City due to many forts, palaces and Jain temples. The yellow sandstone used in the architecture of the city gives a golden look to the city.
Major Attractions
Some of the major tourist destinations of Jaisalmer are:
Patwon ki Haveli
Patwon-ki-Haveli is constructed by a wealthy banker and merchant known as Guman Chand Patwa. The haveli also known as the 'mansion of brocade merchants' is built in five stories is the largest, elegant and most attractive in Jaisalmer. Paintings and mirror-works can be seen on the walls of the haveli. The building is constructed in yellow sandstone and the main gateway in brown. The gateways and arches in the haveli is marvelous. The haveli is open from early morning till 5pm all days.
Salim Singh ki Haveli
Salim Singh-ki-Haveli constructed in 1815 by the then prime minister Salim Singh. This beautiful structure crowned with an arched roof with imposing blue cupolas. It has fantastic carvings of peacocks on the roofs and walls. The roof is constructed in the form of peacock. The haveli is situated beside the hills near the Jaisalmer Fort with 38 balconies. The front facet of the haveli is built in the form of ship stern and hence the haveli is also known as Jahazmahal. The haveli is open from early morning till 5pm all days.
Nathmal Ki Haveli
The Nathmal Ji ki haveli was a residence to Diwan Mohata Nathmal, the then prime minister of Jaisalmer. The structure is adorned with images of elephants, horses, cattles, flowers and birds. The haveli is designed in Rajput architecture as well as Islamic art. The haveli is open from early morning till 5pm all days.
Jaisalmer Fort
Jaisalmer Fort, the golden fortress was constructed by the Rajput ruler Jaisal in 1156. It is located at the majestic Trikuta hills. It is also known as Sonar Quila. The Jaisalmer Fort is built in yellow sandstones which reflect yellowish-brown lions color during the day time and the color changes to honey gold during the sunset. The major attractions of the fort are Raj Mahal, Jain temples and Laxminath temple. The fort is known for the Rajput and Islamic architectural styles. The four gates of the fort namely Ganesh Pol, Akshya Pol, Suraj Pol and Hawa Pol are specimens of fine architecture. The fort remains open from morning till 5pm all days.
Gadsisar Lake
Gadisagar is a man made reservoir built in 1156 AD by the King Jaisal and later it was reconstructed by Maharaja Garsi Singh in 1367 AD. It was renamed as 'Lake Gadsisar'. Earlier, this lake was the main water source of Jaisalmer. Major attractions of the lake are the chattris, shrines, carved temples and ghats. The lake has a beautiful yellow sandstone entrance known as Tilon-Ki-Pol.
Best time to Visit
The best season to visit Jaisalmer is from October to March.
How to Reach
By Air: The nearest airport is Jodhpur airport around 300km away from Jaisalmer.
By Rail: Jaisalmer is the nearest railway station
By Road: Jaisalmer is well-connected to other tourist destinations in Rajasthan by deluxe tourist buses.
Shopping in Jaisalmer
At Jaisalmer one can buy
- Traditional Rajasthani Handicrafts
- Rugs and Blankets
- Antiques and old stone work
- Tie-dye fabrics
- Carved wooden boxes
Where to Stay
There are many hotels and resorts at Jaisalmer. Few are listed below:
- Hotel Rang Mahal is located at Sam Road, Jaisalmer and the room costs around 4,000 rupees per day.
- Suryagarh is located at Sam Road, Jaisalmer and the room costs around 9,200 rupees per day.
- Hotel Victoria is located at Onfort, Jaisalmer and the room costs around 5,000 rupees per day.
- Hotel Shahi Palace is located at Shiv Street, Jaisalmer and the room costs around 1,500 rupees per day.
The rates in these hotels are not fixed and may vary from season to season and also on the facilities provided. It is therefore, advisable to check the rates in advance before booking any hotel.
Major Attractions
Some of the major tourist destinations of Jaisalmer are:
Patwon ki Haveli
Patwon-ki-Haveli is constructed by a wealthy banker and merchant known as Guman Chand Patwa. The haveli also known as the 'mansion of brocade merchants' is built in five stories is the largest, elegant and most attractive in Jaisalmer. Paintings and mirror-works can be seen on the walls of the haveli. The building is constructed in yellow sandstone and the main gateway in brown. The gateways and arches in the haveli is marvelous. The haveli is open from early morning till 5pm all days.
Salim Singh ki Haveli
Salim Singh-ki-Haveli constructed in 1815 by the then prime minister Salim Singh. This beautiful structure crowned with an arched roof with imposing blue cupolas. It has fantastic carvings of peacocks on the roofs and walls. The roof is constructed in the form of peacock. The haveli is situated beside the hills near the Jaisalmer Fort with 38 balconies. The front facet of the haveli is built in the form of ship stern and hence the haveli is also known as Jahazmahal. The haveli is open from early morning till 5pm all days.
Nathmal Ki Haveli
The Nathmal Ji ki haveli was a residence to Diwan Mohata Nathmal, the then prime minister of Jaisalmer. The structure is adorned with images of elephants, horses, cattles, flowers and birds. The haveli is designed in Rajput architecture as well as Islamic art. The haveli is open from early morning till 5pm all days.
Jaisalmer Fort
Jaisalmer Fort, the golden fortress was constructed by the Rajput ruler Jaisal in 1156. It is located at the majestic Trikuta hills. It is also known as Sonar Quila. The Jaisalmer Fort is built in yellow sandstones which reflect yellowish-brown lions color during the day time and the color changes to honey gold during the sunset. The major attractions of the fort are Raj Mahal, Jain temples and Laxminath temple. The fort is known for the Rajput and Islamic architectural styles. The four gates of the fort namely Ganesh Pol, Akshya Pol, Suraj Pol and Hawa Pol are specimens of fine architecture. The fort remains open from morning till 5pm all days.
Gadsisar Lake
Gadisagar is a man made reservoir built in 1156 AD by the King Jaisal and later it was reconstructed by Maharaja Garsi Singh in 1367 AD. It was renamed as 'Lake Gadsisar'. Earlier, this lake was the main water source of Jaisalmer. Major attractions of the lake are the chattris, shrines, carved temples and ghats. The lake has a beautiful yellow sandstone entrance known as Tilon-Ki-Pol.
Best time to Visit
The best season to visit Jaisalmer is from October to March.
How to Reach
By Air: The nearest airport is Jodhpur airport around 300km away from Jaisalmer.
By Rail: Jaisalmer is the nearest railway station
By Road: Jaisalmer is well-connected to other tourist destinations in Rajasthan by deluxe tourist buses.
Shopping in Jaisalmer
At Jaisalmer one can buy
- Traditional Rajasthani Handicrafts
- Rugs and Blankets
- Antiques and old stone work
- Tie-dye fabrics
- Carved wooden boxes
Where to Stay
There are many hotels and resorts at Jaisalmer. Few are listed below:
- Hotel Rang Mahal is located at Sam Road, Jaisalmer and the room costs around 4,000 rupees per day.
- Suryagarh is located at Sam Road, Jaisalmer and the room costs around 9,200 rupees per day.
- Hotel Victoria is located at Onfort, Jaisalmer and the room costs around 5,000 rupees per day.
- Hotel Shahi Palace is located at Shiv Street, Jaisalmer and the room costs around 1,500 rupees per day.
The rates in these hotels are not fixed and may vary from season to season and also on the facilities provided. It is therefore, advisable to check the rates in advance before booking any hotel.
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