Jaisalmer is located 575km west of Jaipur in the state of Rajasthan.All construction done in the city of Jaisalmer has been done in yellow sandstone, which gives the city its name, “Golden City of India”.When the sun shines brightly on the yellow sandstone buildings, the view is stunning. The ancient architecture of the city, the medievial forts and havelis nestled in the warm golden sand seem ethereal to say the least.
In olden days, Jaisalmer was a popular trade hub betweeen Persia and countries of the West. The more than efficient trade routes that it was famous for, could only be accessed by camels.
Here are some of the major places that you can visit on your next trip to Jaisalmer.
Gadisar Lake – Gadisar lake is situated near Jaisalmer Fort. It was built by Raja Rawal Jaisal and is like an oasis amidst the vast sanddunes and offers a breathtaking sight when the sun’s rays are reflected by the clear water. You can enjoy a boat ride or have a lazy stroll around the lake.
Jaisalmer fort – Jaisalmer Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated in the middle of the Thar Desert. Although the name suggests so, but it is not just a Fort but an entire complex of shops, houses and temples. Built in 1156, it offers very picturesque views of Jaisalmer because of its high altitude.
Vyas Chhatri – Vyas Chhatri was built in honour of Sage Vyas and gets its name after him. It is an architectural marvel and perfect example of typical Rajasthani architecture. It is enirely constructed with sandstone and looks exquisite with golden sand around it.
The Badal Palace and Tazia Town – The Badal Palace, literally meaning, the cloud town, gets its name from its cloud-like appearance. The complex houses a five-storey tower called the tazia Tower. The Royal families used to live in this tower that was shaped like a Tazia by the craftsmen.
The Thar Desert: The vast Thar Desert surrounds Jaisalmer, providing visitors with a unique of desert safari experience just like Dubai. There are many must-do activities you can explore on the golden sand dunes like jeep and camel rides, dune bashing, parasailing, overnight camping, and cultural programmes. Spending a night in a desert camp under the stars offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience of Jaisalmer’s desert landscape.
The Famous Longewala War Sight & Memorial: Located near Jaisalmer is the historic war sight of Indo-Pakistani War of 1971- the Longewala War Memorial. This memorial pays tribute to the brave soldiers who defended India’s borders during the battle. Visitors can explore the site, as well as famous temple Tanot Mata Mandir where even after heavy bombardment in the wars of 1965 and 1971, none of the bombs exploded. BSF still manages this temple.
The best time to visit Jaisalmer is between October and March when the weather is perfect and the temperature is also not very high.
