Jaisalmer

The Golden City of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan is simply unmatched. The splendid Jaisalmer Fort stands proudly on its land and narrates the stories of the valor and chivalry of the Rajput rulers.

Jaisalmer Fort

Jaisalmer Fort is a monument worth visiting and worth retaining in your conscious mind. Like various other cities of Rajasthan, in Jaisalmer too you will find different facets of its own glorious heritage.The city is said to be founded by one Raja Rawal Jaisal, a Bhati Rajput ruler, in approximately 1156 A D. Legends go by that he did it on the behest of a local hermit named Eesaal.Jaisalmer fort is the second oldest in Rajasthan. Two hundred and fifty feet tall and reinforced by imposing crenellated sandstone wall 30 feet high; it has 99 bastions, 92 of which were built between 1633 and 1647.Jaisalmer Fort is a monument worth visiting and worth retaining in your conscious mind. Like various other cities of Rajasthan, in Jaisalmer too you will find different facets of its own glorious heritage.The city is said to be founded by one Raja Rawal Jaisal, a Bhati Rajput ruler, in approximately 1156 A D. Legends go by that he did it on the behest of a local hermit named Eesaal.Jaisalmer fort is the second oldest in Rajasthan. Two hundred and fifty feet tall and reinforced by imposing crenellated sandstone wall 30 feet high; it has 99 bastions, 92 of which were built between 1633 and 1647.

Patwon Ji ki Haveli

The Patwon Ji ki Haveli is an interesting piece of Architecture and is the most important among the havelis in Jaisalmer. This is precisely because of two things, first that it was the first haveli erected in Jaisalmer and second, that it is not a single haveli but a cluster of 5 small havelis. The first among these havelis was commissioned and constructed in the year 1805 by Guman Chand Patwa and is the biggest and the most ostentatious. It is believed that Patwa was a rich man and was a renowned trader of his time. He could afford and thus ordered the construction of separate stories for each of his 5 sons.

Bada Bagh

Bada Bagh, which literally means ‘Big Garden’, is located on the Ramgarh road. It was commissioned by Maharawal Jait Singh in the early 16th century and completed by his son Lunakaran after his death. The site has three different things to watch, a garden, a tank and a dam. In the vicinity itself you will find Govardhan Stambh (pillar). Location: 6 Km off the Jaisalmer city on Ramgarh Road How to reach: Take a cab or hire a Rickshaw Attraction: Garden and Cenotaph

Sam sand dunes

There is no point coming to the Thar Desert if you don’t go for the Desert Safari. That is why Sam sand dunes are becoming the major attraction in Jaisalmer. This is the closest place from where you can loose yourself in ‘the Great Thar Desert’. Sam has a truly magnificent stretch of sweeping dunes, with sparse or no vegetation. The best way to get here, of course, is on camelback.In the month of February/March, this whole place turns into a cultural hub. The desert festival organized amid these dunes is the showcase of Rajasthani culture as a whole. Location: In the outskirts of Jaisalmer, 42 K.M. from the main town How to reach: Jeep or any other 4 wheel drive SUV or Camel back according to your convenienceFamous for: Sand, sands and only sands

Khuri sand dunes

Khuri sand dunes are slowly picking up in the must visit charts of tourists. If you find Sam sand dunes a bit crowded then you can very well opt for Khuri sand dunes. Situated just 40 K.M. off the town, Khuri is a must visit for tourists seeking solitude in the desert. It is a peaceful place with houses of mud and straw decorated like the patterns of Persian carpets. Location: In the outskirts of Jaisalmer, 40 K.M. southwest from the main city How to reach: Take a camel safari or any powerful SUV Attractions: Camel safari, Mud houses and Desert solitude

Kuldhara village

Kuldhara village is 18 km to the west of Jaisalmer. This is among the 84 villages inhabited by the prosperous, hardworking Paliwals. Established by the Kuldhar sub-caste of Paliwal Brahmins in the year 1291, it was once a prosperous village with 600 houses. Kuldhara is a calm place and the ruins found around are examples of advanced sculpture and architecture. Most of the houses are double storied and are not affected by thunder or heat. Paliwals deserted theses houses owing to several reasons. Their one time richness can be seen in the wells, water tanks, temples and cenotaphs.