- Sight Seeing around the Jaisalmer
Golden Fort
The fort stands about 100 meters over the city and in fact houses a citadel within its huge ramparts. Walking down the narrow cobbled stone lanes, one can feel the sheer magic of Jaisalmer. Several entrances called Pols, including the Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol, Bhoota Pol and the Hava Pol guard the Megh Durbar and ;the Jawahar Mahal which were occupied by the royal family. Outside the fort is the main market place called Manek Chowk. From Manek Chowk, one can walk into the lanes where the famous carved havelis are to be found.
Jain Temples
This group of fine Jain temples were built in the 12th to 15th century within the Jaisalmer Fort. They are beautifully carved and dedicated to Rikhabdevji and Sambhavanthji. The Gyan Bhandar, a library containing some extremely oldmanuscripts, it within the temple complex. The temples are open till 12 noon. There is also a Shiva and Ganesh temple within the fort.
Gyan Bhandar -Situated in the centre of the city, it was originally established as an adjunct to the famous Jain temples. But over the years it has accumulated a wealth of historical treasures. Some of the oldest manuscripts in the country are preserved here.
Patwon Ki Haveli - This is one of the largest and most elaborate havelis in Jaisalmer and stands in a narrow lane. It is five story high and is extensively carved. It is divided into six apartments, two owned by archaeological Survey of India, two by families who operate craft-shop and two private homes. There are remnants of paintings on some of the inside walls as well as some mirror work.
Nathmalji-Ki-Haveli - One very interestingSalim Singh Ki-Haveli fact about this haveli is that is two sides were carved by two brothers. Although the motif used by one is not similar to the other, they are in harmony. One has to look very closely to spot dissimilarities. The excellent craftsmanship of the stone carver is illustrated in the gossamer quality of the screened windows.
Haveli Museums Several owners of private haveli and the Department of Archeology have taken over the task of preserving the work, murals, wall paintings and art treasures in most of the noted havelis. Of special significance are the painted murals in 'Patwari Ki Haveli' and its pecially polished pillars supporting a 5-story high ceiling. 'Salim Singh Ji Haveli' has an arched blue roof and a surfiet of peacock shaped brackets.
- This haveli was built about 300 years ago and a part of it is still occupied. Salim Singh was the prime minister when Jaisalmer was the capital of the princely state and his mansion has a beautifully arched roof with superb carved brackets in the form of Peacocks. The mansion is just below the hill and it is said that once it had two additional wooden stories in an attempt to make it as high as the maharaja's palace, but the maharaja had the upper story torn down.
Tazia Tower-The Pagodas like Tazia Tower rises from the Badal Mahal (Place of Clouds). Each story of this five-tiered tower has a beautifully carved balcony.
Gadsisar Sagar Tank
This tank, south of the city walls, was once the water supply of the city and there are many small temples and shrines around the tank. In winter a wide variety of water birds flock here. The beautiful arched gateway across the road down to the tank is said to have been built by a famous prostitute. When she offered to pay to have this gateway constructed the Maharaja refused permission. He felt it would be unseemly since he would have to pass under it on going down to the tank. While he was away she built the gate anyway and added a Krishna temple on top of it so the king could not subsequently tear it down.
Excursions around Jaisalmer
Bada Bagh & Chatris (5 km from Jaisalmer) : Bada Bagh is a fertile oasis that supplies vegetable and fruits to the city of Jaisamler. There is a huge old dam and the place was built by Maharaja Jai Singh II. The place also houses royal chatris (cenotaphs) with beautifully carved ceilings.
Amar Sagar (7 km) : this was once a pleasant garden with a lake. The lake here dries up in the summer season. Close by is the Jain temple where one can see some beautiful carvings.
Mool Sagar (9 km from Jaisalmer) : This is another pleasant small garden and tank.
Lodurva (17 km from Jaisalmer) : this is the ancient capital of Jaisalmer, where some vestiges of former glory remain.
Kuldhera (25 km west of Jaisalmer) : Included in the camel treks is the small village of Kuldhera.
Aakal Wood Fossil Park (16 km from Jaisalmer) : It is a fossil park where 180 millions years ago stood a forest. The fossil trunks lie scattered in this part.
Desert National Park (40 km from Jaisalmer) : It preserves the eco-system of the desert within its confines. The monitor lizards, desert foxes, porcupines, occasional wolves and black bucks, and the Great Indian Bustard (a protected bird) are found here, forming an ecological chain revolving around cacti and other hardy desert plants.
Sam Sand Dunes (42 km from Jaisalmer) : It is the closest point to witness the total sandy desert. It is a great place to see patterns carved out by winds on the sand. Camel rides on the sand dunes are an unforgettable experience as is the sunset. Sam has a truly magnificent stretch of sweeping dunes, with little or no vegetation. The best way to see this and other sights around Jaisalmer is to take a camel safari. The standard trip lasts 4 days and three nights, and offers the opportunity to explore the area in authentic and leisurely fashion, with entertainment by folk performers, visit to villages, and chatter from colorful guides thrown in.
Khuri Out in the desert, and just 40 kilometers south-west of Jaisalmer, lies the village of Khuri. The main attraction here is the desert solitude and beautifully decorated houses of mud and straw. Accommodation options are also available here to get an authentic flavor of desert life.
The fort stands about 100 meters over the city and in fact houses a citadel within its huge ramparts. Walking down the narrow cobbled stone lanes, one can feel the sheer magic of Jaisalmer. Several entrances called Pols, including the Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol, Bhoota Pol and the Hava Pol guard the Megh Durbar and ;the Jawahar Mahal which were occupied by the royal family. Outside the fort is the main market place called Manek Chowk. From Manek Chowk, one can walk into the lanes where the famous carved havelis are to be found.
Jain Temples
This group of fine Jain temples were built in the 12th to 15th century within the Jaisalmer Fort. They are beautifully carved and dedicated to Rikhabdevji and Sambhavanthji. The Gyan Bhandar, a library containing some extremely oldmanuscripts, it within the temple complex. The temples are open till 12 noon. There is also a Shiva and Ganesh temple within the fort.
Gyan Bhandar -Situated in the centre of the city, it was originally established as an adjunct to the famous Jain temples. But over the years it has accumulated a wealth of historical treasures. Some of the oldest manuscripts in the country are preserved here.
Patwon Ki Haveli - This is one of the largest and most elaborate havelis in Jaisalmer and stands in a narrow lane. It is five story high and is extensively carved. It is divided into six apartments, two owned by archaeological Survey of India, two by families who operate craft-shop and two private homes. There are remnants of paintings on some of the inside walls as well as some mirror work.
Nathmalji-Ki-Haveli - One very interestingSalim Singh Ki-Haveli fact about this haveli is that is two sides were carved by two brothers. Although the motif used by one is not similar to the other, they are in harmony. One has to look very closely to spot dissimilarities. The excellent craftsmanship of the stone carver is illustrated in the gossamer quality of the screened windows.
Haveli Museums Several owners of private haveli and the Department of Archeology have taken over the task of preserving the work, murals, wall paintings and art treasures in most of the noted havelis. Of special significance are the painted murals in 'Patwari Ki Haveli' and its pecially polished pillars supporting a 5-story high ceiling. 'Salim Singh Ji Haveli' has an arched blue roof and a surfiet of peacock shaped brackets.
- This haveli was built about 300 years ago and a part of it is still occupied. Salim Singh was the prime minister when Jaisalmer was the capital of the princely state and his mansion has a beautifully arched roof with superb carved brackets in the form of Peacocks. The mansion is just below the hill and it is said that once it had two additional wooden stories in an attempt to make it as high as the maharaja's palace, but the maharaja had the upper story torn down.
Tazia Tower-The Pagodas like Tazia Tower rises from the Badal Mahal (Place of Clouds). Each story of this five-tiered tower has a beautifully carved balcony.
Gadsisar Sagar Tank
This tank, south of the city walls, was once the water supply of the city and there are many small temples and shrines around the tank. In winter a wide variety of water birds flock here. The beautiful arched gateway across the road down to the tank is said to have been built by a famous prostitute. When she offered to pay to have this gateway constructed the Maharaja refused permission. He felt it would be unseemly since he would have to pass under it on going down to the tank. While he was away she built the gate anyway and added a Krishna temple on top of it so the king could not subsequently tear it down.
Excursions around Jaisalmer
Bada Bagh & Chatris (5 km from Jaisalmer) : Bada Bagh is a fertile oasis that supplies vegetable and fruits to the city of Jaisamler. There is a huge old dam and the place was built by Maharaja Jai Singh II. The place also houses royal chatris (cenotaphs) with beautifully carved ceilings.
Amar Sagar (7 km) : this was once a pleasant garden with a lake. The lake here dries up in the summer season. Close by is the Jain temple where one can see some beautiful carvings.
Mool Sagar (9 km from Jaisalmer) : This is another pleasant small garden and tank.
Lodurva (17 km from Jaisalmer) : this is the ancient capital of Jaisalmer, where some vestiges of former glory remain.
Kuldhera (25 km west of Jaisalmer) : Included in the camel treks is the small village of Kuldhera.
Aakal Wood Fossil Park (16 km from Jaisalmer) : It is a fossil park where 180 millions years ago stood a forest. The fossil trunks lie scattered in this part.
Desert National Park (40 km from Jaisalmer) : It preserves the eco-system of the desert within its confines. The monitor lizards, desert foxes, porcupines, occasional wolves and black bucks, and the Great Indian Bustard (a protected bird) are found here, forming an ecological chain revolving around cacti and other hardy desert plants.
Sam Sand Dunes (42 km from Jaisalmer) : It is the closest point to witness the total sandy desert. It is a great place to see patterns carved out by winds on the sand. Camel rides on the sand dunes are an unforgettable experience as is the sunset. Sam has a truly magnificent stretch of sweeping dunes, with little or no vegetation. The best way to see this and other sights around Jaisalmer is to take a camel safari. The standard trip lasts 4 days and three nights, and offers the opportunity to explore the area in authentic and leisurely fashion, with entertainment by folk performers, visit to villages, and chatter from colorful guides thrown in.
Khuri Out in the desert, and just 40 kilometers south-west of Jaisalmer, lies the village of Khuri. The main attraction here is the desert solitude and beautifully decorated houses of mud and straw. Accommodation options are also available here to get an authentic flavor of desert life.
