Rising from the heart of the Thar Desert like a golden mirage is the city of Jaisalmer. A commanding fort etched in yellow sandstone stands with all its awesome splendor, dominating the amber - hued city.

The city has an interesting legend associated with it, according to which, Lord Krishna - the head of the Yadav Clan, foretold Arjuna that a remote descendent of the Yadav Clan would build his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. his prophecy was fulfilled in 1156 A.D. when Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the Yadav Clan and a Bhatti, abandoned his fort at Lodurva and founded a new capital Jaisalmer, perched on the Trikuta Hill.

The Fort : The golden hued fort is a sentinel to the bleak desert scape from its 80 meter high perch on the hill, housing the entire township within its ramparts.

Manak Chowk and Havelis : A main marketplace outside the fort leads to the narrow lanes dotted with famous havelis.

Gadisar Lake : A scenic rain water lake with numerous beautiful shrines around and a spectacular avian variety. The lake is an idyllic spot for outings.

Havelis : Some of the most exotic mansions or havelis, all intricately latticed, are strewn all over Jaisalmer - each with a different facade.

Nathmalji ki Haveli : The late 19th century haveli with intricate architecture a display of sheer craftsmanship. The left and right wings of the mansion which were carved by two brothers are not identical but very similar and balanced in design.

Patwon-ki-Haveli : The most elaborate and magnificent of all the Jaisalmer havelis. It has exquisitely carved pillars and extensive corridors and chambers.

Salim singh-ki-Haveli : This 300 year old haveli of Jaisalmer's Prime Minister to Maharaja Rawal Gaj Singh - Salim Singh, has a beautiful blue cupola roof with superbly carved brackets in the form of peacocks.

Jain Temples : The fort has three exquisitely carved Jain Temples dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras - Rishabdev, Sambhavnath and Parswanath.

Gyan Bhandar or Library : Some of the oldest manuscripts of India are found in this library established as a part of Jain Temples.

Lodurva (16 km) : The ancient capital of Jaisalmer and an important pilgrim spot of the Jain community with some magnificent Jain temples.

Wood Fossil Park, Aakal (17 km) : Lying on the Barmer Road, this park takes you back to the Jurassic period (when the whole Thar region lay under the sea) with 180 million year old fossils - the geological landmarks for the study of the Thar Desert.

Sam Sand Dunes (42 km) : No trip to Jaisalmer is complete without a trip to the most picturesque dunes of Sam. The ripples on the wind-caressed dunes, that create an enchanting mirage, are surely a delight for a trigger happy photographer.

Desert National Park (45 km) : The landscape of the Desert National Park is dominated by rolling sand dunes and scrub covered hills. The prominent fauna of the park includes blackbuck, chinkara, desert fox and the great Indian bustard.

Bada Bagh (6 km) :  A fertile oasis on the bank of an artificial lake. Much of the city's fruits and vegetables are grown here. Surrounded by dense trees are the royal cenotaphs with beautifully carved ceilings and equestrian statues of the former rulers.

Camel Safari : Camel Safaris are the most interesting means to explore the desert scope and are conducted on various circuits.

Desert Festival : A spectacular event coinciding with the full noon in Jan/Feb. The rich culture of the region is on display during this three day long festival. The famous Gair and Fire dancers are the major attractions of the celebrations. Interesting contests including a turban - tying competition and a Mr. Desert contest further enhance the fun of the occasion. A trip to the Sam sand dunes marks the grand finale, where one can enjoy camel rides and brilliant performances by the folk artistes under the full moon against the backdrop of picturesque dunes.

Rural Rajasthan

more >