The city is often referred to as the Golden City. Jaisalmer has one of the most beautiful structures in Rajasthan, the Jaisalmer Fort.
Jaisalmer is a former medieval trading center and a princely state in the western Indian state of Rajasthan, in the heart of the Thar Desert. Known as the "Golden City," it's distinguished by its yellow sandstone architecture. Dominating the skyline is Jaisalmer Fort, a sprawling hilltop citadel buttressed by 99 bastions. Behind its massive walls stand the ornate Maharaja's Palace and intricately carved Jain temples.
It is the fort, the second oldest in Rajasthan (oldest being Chittorgarh). The fort stands on a hill 250 feet above the surrounding country. The fort of Jaisalmer was founded by Maharawal “Jaisal” in 1156 A.D. The fort stands on a hill which overlooks the town from the south. Many round shaped stones left on the towers were used as weapon to check the enemy from entering the fort during battle. It has four gates- Akhai Pol (Ganesh Pol), Suraj Pol, bhuta Pol & Hava Pol.
This rain water lake, was once the major supplier of potable water in the town. Today, it is a big attraction for the picnickers in the desert city. Sacred shrines and well laid gardens flank the lake. A rick variety of beautiful birds can be observed fluttering overhere.
There are five beautifully carved Havelies (Houses) near Mahaveer Bhawan, build by Patva brothers in 1800-1860 A.D. From the top of the Havelis we can see Golden view of the city and fort. It looks very fine during sun-rise time and full moon night.
Timing – 10.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m
The front of Haveli and arched windows appear to be pure Magic. All the designs and finishing are very attractive. There are many features decorated even on the front face, upon which a series of motifs viz. Steam engines cycles, soldiers caparisoned horses, elephants and birds on stone are carved.
It is a very grand edifice of six storeys of cur-stones and much ornamentation especially on the top storey. There are 38 balconies in different designs on the front.
Badal Vilas was build free of cost by Muslim Silavata craftsman in the shape of a Tazia and gifted by them to their royal patron. The balcony of each storey beautifully carved is the symbol of Muslim culture. The New palace is still the home of the last kind and his family.
A group of cenotaphs of Vyas Brahmins on a small hillock near the city, this spot offers a magnificent view of the city especially at sunrise and sunset./p>
JAISALMER FORT
NATHMAL JI KI HAVELI
GADISAR LAKE
Sand Dunes
Scattered across the vast scrubland that surrounds Jaisalmer city are some beautiful monuments. To get to them is not difficult, taxis and jeeps are available. Other options are bicycles or even camels.
It is about 15 km. From Jaisalmer town. It was the old capital of Jaisalmer. There were beautiful ancient Jain temple which was reconstructed by tharushah Bhansali in 1600 A.D.
Bada (big) bagh (garden) is called Bada bagh. It is 5 km from Jaisalmer. On the hill there are beautiful historical chataris or memorials of the Maharajas of Jaisalmer. Each chhatari preserves inside it an inscribed tobel with a statue of the Maharawal Maharani
Amar Sagar tank and garden are 7 kms from the Jaisalmer city. There are many wells with chhataris Maharawal Amar Singh had build the tank and Shiva Mandir in 1740 A.D. It is situated at the back of the tank. The front of this temple is beautifully marble and the temple attracts the attention of the visitors.
One of the 84 renowned palliwal villages around Jaisalmer which are said to have been abandoned overnight. These villages show great sophistication in their buildings, roads and houses, clever techniques for storing water and irrigation were employed. (20 kms. approx)
Wool fossils of Akal is an example where the process of fossilisation took place about 180 milliom years ago and the whole forest composed of huge trees was partified. These wood fossils are considered to represent Gymnosperms, non-flowering types of plants and provde a clue to the age of deposition of the sediments in which they occur.
About 45 kms from Jaisalmer Sam Village is located. These dunes are 3 km long and 1 km wide and ½ high. No vegetation can be found on them and their surface is ever changing due to the winds. The wind either heaps the sand into hills or scoops it into deep hollows.
Khuri is the most beautiful village and is situated 40 kms from Jaisalmer town. It consists of a few circular huts of dried tree branches on stones loosely put together and painted with local clay. The beautiful sand dunes are about 1 km from Khuri village and is the main attraction for visitors.
A desert national park was established in 1980 in the Thar desert near kanoie and sam village. About 3162 sq. km. Area is covered, and is about 32 kms from Jaisalmer. Scrub trees and flowers can usually be seen. The chinkara and black buck can also be seen near the village.
The Jaisalmer War Museum, popularly known as JWM, has an Honour Wall engraved with the names of the Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra gallantry award winners, two large Information Display Halls - Indian Army Hall and Laungewala Hall, an Audio Visual Room, a souvenir shop and a cafeteria.
The temple is some 122 kilometres from the City of Jaisalmer and it takes about two hours to reach by road. It is said that during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Pakistani Army dropped over 3000 bombs targeting the temple but not even one exploded! The Pakistani Tank regiment was stupefied and kept shelling but not one bomb exploded.