Jaisalmer – The Golden City

The stunning city of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan is known for its striking beauty, which includes rolling hills of honey-hued sand dunes, wide stretches of desolate terrain, striking colors, and captivating historical artifacts. At the center of the city is the still-inhabited Jaisalmer Fort, which appears to be rising out of the desert like a mirage and is bathed in golden sunlight.

This fairytale-like fort, surrounded by 99 bastions, captivates you with its majesty. Rajasthan is a remote city that draws travelers from all over the world with its well carved temples, winding lanes, and practically hidden treasures that may be discovered by riding camels through the ethereal desert. The Akal Wood Fossil Park contains artifacts from Jaisalmer’s prehistoric past.

The Tanot Mata Temple, which is near the border between India and Pakistan, is a must-see. It gained notoriety during the 1965 war when bombs dropped there failed to disperse. The movie “Border” also featured it. According to legend, his younger half-brother was crowned king and Rawal Jaisal, the eldest successor of the Rawal of Deoraj, was passed over the throne of Lodurva.

He was searching for a new capital in an attempt to atone for his transgressions when he encountered a sage who informed him of an old prophecy. As a result, in 1156 Rawal Jaisal built a mud fort nearby and gave it the name Jaisalmer in honor of himself. The name Jaisalmer literally means “Hill Fort of Jaisal.” Its position along the historic trade routes contributed to its legendary wealth and opulent architectural design. Jaisalmer is renowned for its wood carvings, regional artistic talent, and extraordinarily rich performing arts cultural legacy.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The ideal time to visit Jaisalmer is between October and March because of the excellent weather during this period. Located in the center of the Thar Desert, one should avoid the intensely hot and dry summers. Your body would undoubtedly suffer from the heat, making it impossible for you to fully enjoy your trip.

Warm clothing is required throughout the winter months because the temperature might drop as low as one or two degrees Celsius, especially at night. Another fantastic time to visit Jaisalmer is during the monsoon season. You may catch a glimmer of some greenery blooming on the parched turf during this period. It’s a necessity to see Jaisalmer, a colorful and energetic city with an even more exquisite culture.

ATTRACTIONS

Jaisalmer Fort: The hill fort known as Jaisalmer Fort is home to residences, temples, stores, and eateries. Within the fort’s walls reside more than 3,000 inhabitants. It provides an amazing, wide-angle picture of Jaisalmer City, which is covered with a golden yellow hue. It’s also referred to as Sonar Quila and is the most visited location in Jaisalmer.

Gadisar Lake: It was once the source of drinking water for the whole town of Bikaner and was constructed in the fourteenth century. With several temples and shrines encircling the lake, it has now grown to be a popular tourist destination. Views of Gadisar Lake and the nearby fort are breathtakingly beautiful.

Sam Dand Dunes: Sam Sand Dunes, one of the most well-liked sights in Jaisalmer, are among of the greatest and most genuine in all of India. Ideally, you should visit these dunes between 4 and 7 p.m. or between 6 and 7 a.m. Other than camel and jeep safaris, there are plenty of other activities that one can enjoy.

Kuldhara Village: Kuldhara, some 20 kilometers from Jaisalmer, is an abandoned settlement. To protect their honor and lives from the despotic minister, the villagers left the village during night. While there isn’t much to do, visiting the village’s remains is nevertheless a popular destination.

Tanot Mata Temple: The ancient temple of Tanot Mahal is located in Rajasthan near the Longewala border, 122 kilometers from Jaisalmer. Several stories around the temple pique the interest of each visitor. Despite being extremely close to the border between India and Pakistan, it was unaffected by the 1971 war.

Camping: Sand dunes, a golden fort, and charming palaces make Jaisalmer the perfect place for a cultural evening and camping. For those who want to truly understand the true spirit of Rajasthan, a camping vacation has to be at the top of their bucket list.

Amar Sagar Lake: Amar Singh’s palace is not far from the Amar Sagar Lake, an oasis. On the outskirts of Jaisalmer city, Maharawal Akhai Singh built this 17th-century fortification. The palace complex has several ponds and wells, as well as chhatris and an old marble Shiva temple from the 18th century.

Where to Stay

There are many different hotels and resorts in Jaisalmer that can accommodate your comfortable stay. In the dessert region, camping is also an option with cultural programming.

HOW TO REACH

About 300 kilometers away is the closest airport, Jodhpur. One can take the train from there. Jaisalmer has excellent train connections to all major cities. Jaisalmer can also be reached by the well-known “Palace on Wheels.” The city has excellent road connections to the other cities in the state.

By Flight

Jodhpur is often served by flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. From the other cities, this location can be reached by connecting flights. From the Jodhpur airport, it is best to take a taxi to Jaisalmer.

By Train

The railway network is extremely well connected in Jaisalmer. Particularly with large trains like the “Howrah Jaisalmer Express,” “Jodhpur Jaisalmer Express,” and “Delhi Jaisalmer Express,” which go through towns like Delhi, Jaipur, and Jodhpur.

By Road

Jaisalmer has good road connectivity to the majority of the surrounding cities. Because it is such a well-liked tourist site, buses are also readily available.