Jaisalmer Travel Guide

A land of shifting, singing sands, miles of undulating desert dunes, sun dappled houses gently glowing in gold and in the distance a fort of burnished bronze. Jaisalmer is what you may have dreamt a desert town looks like but it will far surpass anything you may have imagined, its exotic timeless beauty invites you to explore another era, a time when an entire city thrived within the four walls of a fort, when men and women dressed as if each day was a celebration, a time when human will could soften even the harshness of an arid desert. What is more, this delightful medieval town hasn't changed much at all, its remoteness has protected its culture and kept its poignant magic alive.

Jaisalmer History
Jaisalmer was founded by Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the Yadav Clan and a Bhati Rajput, in 1156 AD and named after him as well. In the medieval times Jaisalmer became an important trade destination as it lay on the caravan trail that connected the cities on the silk route. It became an important trade link with the countries of Africa, Arabia, Egypt, Persia and the west. The Bhati Rajputs of Jaisalmer at the time were feudal chiefs, who grew rich on the forced levy on these caravans carrying precious silks and spices on-route to Delhi. Jaisalmer also became an important town for rich merchants many of whom have left behind a legacy of exquisite havelis. Its importance lessened as sea towns replaced old land routes as centres of trade. But it still retains all its old world charm, traditional architecture, narrow streets, craftsmen still working at the ancient crafts of weaving and stone carving, men wearing fiery turbans, balladeers singing in shaded avenues and the stately nonchalant camel, very much a part of the scene.

Places to See in Jaisalmer

The Jaisalmer Fort
The Jaisalmer Fort rises above its city like a mirage from the sands. The second oldest fort in Rajasthan, it was built in 1156 by the Rajput ruler Jaisala. At the time the entire city lay within the fort but as the town prospered and its population grew it spilled out into the land below where merchants set up beautiful havelis. The most amazing thing though is the fact that till this day 25% of Jaisalmer's population resides within the fort, its temples and palaces are now monuments and part of heritage but the streets are packed with shops, people and children playing hopscotch. Its an extraordinary experience to walk around these still inhabited lanes and feel like you have somehow been transported back in time.

Painted Havelis
The havelis of Jaisalmer are in a league all their own and the foremost among these is the Patwa Haveli. This haveli is actually made up of five different houses that a rich merchant called Guman Chand built for his five sons. The intricate stone carvings and stone decoration make these havelis perhaps one of the most ornate houses anywhere in the world. The Salim Singh Haveli and the Nathmal Haveli are two more outstanding architectural creations.

Gadisar Lake
The Gadisar Lake is an important historic symbol as it was once the only source of water for the kingdom of Jaisalmer. This soothing desert oasis has now become a popular picnic spot and pedal and paddle-boats are available on hire.

Camel Safari
This deep into Camel country, how can one possibly resist a safari? For your satisfaction, they come tailored in all shapes, sizes and budgets. Take a little ride atop the ship of the desert and choose how far you'd like to go, a little spin around sunset or is the adventurer in you asking for more, you could choose to take a weekend safari and sleep in comfy tents or ride for days and recline under a canopy of stars each night.

Shopping
This remote town in the interiors of the great Thar desert has beautifully preserved its traditional arts and handicrafts. The markets are laden with embroidered articles, woollen pattu, locally produced wooden boxes and trinkets, curios, mirror work objects and jewellery fashioned in such ethnic designs as is hard to find anywhere else.

The main shopping areas are Sadar Bazaar and Sonaron Ka Bas, Manak Chowk, Pansari Bazaar and also Rajasthali - the Government shop for handicrafts and Khadi Gramodyog.

Jaisalmer also has a government-licensed bhang shop at Gopa Chowk which offers a menu of cannabis concoctions. Order a fresh bhang lassi for an instant reaction or get a a few bhang cookies packed to take home.

Weather
Jaisalmer is at the far western end of India, tucked into the lap of the Thar desert, it has an extreme climate, scorching summers and chilly winters, but despite the cold the winter months (October to March) are the best time to visit, the days are pleasantly sunny and the nights cool enough for you to wrap up, sit by a bonfire under the starry desert sky and watch dancers swirl around the flames. If your schedule permits try and visit Jaisalmer during the 'Desert Festival', usually held in January and you'll be glad you took our advice.

How to Reach :

Air : The nearest airport is in Jodhpur about 300 kms away.

Rail : Jaisalmer has its very own railway station and is well connected with most major metro cities in India.

Road : A good network of roads connects Jaisalmer with Jodhpur and many other destinations in and around Rajasthan. Jaisalmer is 290-km from Jodhpur and 330-km from Bikaner. Regular bus-service is also conducted between Jaisalmer and allmost all the other cities in Rajasthan.

Rajasthan Travel Guide
Ajmer Travel Guide	Bharatpur Travel Guide	Bikaner Travel Guide
Jaisalmer Travel Guide	Jodhpur Travel Guide	Jaipur Travel Guide
Mount Abu Travel Guide	Pushkar Travel Guide	Shekhawati Travel Guide
Udaipur Travel Guide

Jaisalmer Travel Guide : Reservation Form

(* represents compulsory fields)
* Name :		* Tentative Date of Travel :
* Phone : (Include Country/Area Code)		* Duration of Travel in India (Approx.) :
* Your Country :		No. of People Travelling :
* E-Mail Address :		Adult :
* Validation Code :		Children :

* Any Specific Requirements :


Rajasthan Tour Packages \| Rajasthan Monuments \| Heritage Hotels in Rajasthan \| Sightseeing Safari \| Rajasthan Pilgrimages \| Rajasthan Wildlife



Home \| Profile \| Contact Us \| Hotel Reservation \| Tour Booking \| E-mail \| Sitemap

Copyright © Rajasthan Tourism, All Rights Reserved Site Developed by Web Designing Company & Online Business Directory