Places to visit in Jaisalmer
Deep in the heart of the Thar Desert is Jaisalmer, one of the last princely bastions in the region. The pride of the former Rajputana, the city till date is as glorious and amazing. Undoubtedly, it is among the most popular tourist destinations in Rajasthan. The lure for Jaisalmer tours is the golden Thar Desert and even more the treasures of the bygone era in the city. Where else can you relive the tales of the Arabian Nights and have an amazing quest to learn about the royal past.
Founded on what was the crossroad of lucrative trade routes, this remote settlement came to be celebrated for the valour of its rulers, and for the aesthetic sense represented by their palaces and havelis. The rich merchants engaged stone-craftsmen who worked with great diligence on the sandstone mansions they built, filling up facades with sculptural filigree, screen windows, delicate pavilions and beautiful balconies. These veritable art-museums are still inhabited, and their colourful celebrations and festivals have placed Jaisalmer firmly on the world tourism map.
The most attractive of the tourist attractions in Jaisalmer includes the yellow-sandstone Jaisalmer Fort. The hill fort in Rajasthan is listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The 12 th century fortress has many amazing sights and shelters more than half the population of the city. Another unique attraction which increases its appeal is the unique location. Right on the edge of the miles and miles of sand dunes, it is India's most popular destination for camel safaris. The Sam Sand dunes is one of the most scenic place sin Rajasthan. The barreness of the land is beauty beyond words. Travellers enjoy the thrill of exploring the sand-sea on the ship of the desert. In addition, camping in the desert, watching the sunset, and attending the annual colourful Desert Festival make the trip to the desert dunes a truly unforgettable memory. On your trip, it will be amazing to indulge in some of the performances by the nomadic tribes of the desert, Kalbelia. The Kalbelia’s traditional form of dance is one of the intangible heritage in India listed as an UNESCO World heritage.
Places to see in and around Jaisalmer include the many Havelis, located in the bylanes of the old city, of course the imposing Jaisalmer Fort, known as the World’s largest living Fort, the many Hindu and Jain temples inside the Fort, Gadisar lake, etc. Besides sightseeing, shopping in Jaislamer is worth- trying. You never what treasures you might discover!
Laxminath Temple
The Laxminath Temple is situated in the heart of the Fort. This Temple is one of the less decorative temples in the fort. It displays an exciting dome of fine paintings
Gadi Sagar Tank
Gadi Sagar Tank: Gadi Sagar Tank was once the source of water supply to the city. The tank is encircled by shrines and temples and a variety of waterfowl can be spotted here in the winter months.
Jaisalmer Fort
The Jaisalmer Fort was constructed in 1156 by the Bhati ruler, Rao Jaisal. This fort stands over the 80 m tall Trikuta hill, and is delimited by 3 walls and 99 bastions. The Golden sandstone fort over the centuries witnessed many battles between the Bhatis, Mughals and the Rathores of Jodhpur. The Jaisalmer Fort is said to be the oldest and largest living Fort in the World
Jain Temples
Jain Temples: In the fort complex there are many beautifully carved Jain Temples constructed in the 12th and the 15th century. The Maharawals (rulers) of Jaisalmer were sincere Hindus, but were humane on Jainism and encouraged art and religion. There are seven Temples in the complex: Chandraprabhu, Parasnath, Shitalnath, Sambhavanth, Shantinath, Kunthunath and Rikhabdev Temple. All this temples are connected by an array of halls and alleys. The Gyan Bhandar, a library established in 1500 A.D. is also close to the Fort. This Library stocks some of the priceless manuscripts and other displays like the astrological charts.
Sam Sand Dunes
Just outside the city of Jaisalmer, lie the panoramic dunes of Sam, a visit to which will remain in your memory as one of the highlights of your Rajasthan tour. The spirits of the desert, the ripples of the Dunes create a fascinating mirage that stretches for miles and miles. The tour includes a short camel ride, giving you wonderful views of the sunset over the dunes.
