Location:
285-km From Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Tourist
Attractions: Jaisalmer
Fort, Manak Chowk & Havelis
Festive
Attraction: Desert
Festival
Best Time
To Visit: October To
Februay |
Tourism in
Jaisalmer
The name Jaisalmer evokes a vivid picture of
sheer magic and brilliance of the desert.
The exotic, remote and beautiful, Jaisalmer
is a bit of a paradox. So far west that it
is in the heart of the desert, one would
expect barren near-desolation. Yet this
frontier town is today one of Rajasthan's
best-loved tourist destinations. Local
colour and warmth prevail over the
inhospitable and forbidding terrain, imbuing
the medieval town with a special magic.
Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the Yadav Clan
and a Bhati Rajput, laid the foundation of
this city in 1156 AD. Trikuta was the hill
chosen and Jaisal abandoned his old fort at
Lodurva and established his new capital
here.
The Bhati Rajputs of Jaisalmer were feudal
chiefs who lived on the forced levy on the
caravans that crossed their territory
en-route Delhi. These caravans, laden with
precious cargos of spices and silk brought
great wealth to this town. Because of its
remote location, Jaisalmer for years
remained untouched by outside influences and
during the British Raj, the rulers of
Jaisalmer were the last to sign the
instrument of agreement with the British.
In medieval times, its prosperity was due to
its location on the main trade route linking
India to Egypt, Arabia, Persia, Africa and
the West. The glory of Jaisalmer faded when
sea trade replaced the old land routes. But
there is still an 'Arabian Nights' quality
about the town. The narrow streets in the
walled city preserve a traditional way of
life : the craftsmen still work at the
ancient crafts of weaving and stone carving,
the making of silver jewellery and
embroidery. And the stately, nonchalant
camel is everywhere.
Just a walk through Jaisalmer, savouring the
medieval glory of old Rajasthan, is a
marvellously rewarding travel experience.
Desert Festival, celebrated in January/
February, is a must on any itinerary. The
desert seems to bloom in a thousand colours.
There are camel races and folk dances. Craft
bazaar and traditional balled singing. A
sound and light spectacle on the sand-dunes
of Sam on the full moon night. And all the
colour and excitement of the best in
Rajasthan.
The perfect time to visit the golden city is
during the Desert Festival every year when
the city reverberates to the sound of
melodious tunes and rhythms. Folk dances,
exciting competitions and contest especially
the turban-tying contest, Mr.Desert contest
and camel races enlighten the festivities.
Jaisalmer is a marvel of beautiful culture
and harsh climatic conditions, together
amounting to a memorable experience. This is
a city to be visited.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
IN JAISALMER ( TOURIST ATTRACTIONS JAISALMER)
FORTS AND PALACES
The Jaisalmer Fort: The golden - hued
Jaisalmer Fort 'Sonar Kila' can be seen
miles away before reaching the town. more...
Manak Chowk and Havelis: - A main
marketplace outside the fort leads to the
narrow lanes dotted with famous 'havelis'.
more...
Havelis: Some of the most exotic
mansions or 'havelis', all intricately
latticed, are stretched all over Jaisalmer,
each with a different facade.more...
LAKES
Gadsisar Sagar Tank: - A scenic rain
water lake with numerous beautiful shrines
around. The lake is an idyllic spot for
outings. more...
TEMPLES
Jain Temples: - The fort has three
exquisitely carved Jain Temples dedicated to
the Jain Tirthankaras - Rishabhdevji and
Sambhavnathji. more...
OTHERS
Gyan Bhandar or Library: Some of the oldest
manuscripts of India are found in this
library established as a part of Jain
temples.
EXCURSIONS
CITIES
Akal (16 kms from Jaisalmer) : It
looks like a army frozen in its tracks,
standing petrified in the forest of Aakal,
in a bare hillside of mica, and red and
yellow stone. It is a fossil park where 180
millions years ago stood a forest. The
fossil trunks lie scattered in this part.
Barmer (153 kms from Jaisalmer ) : It
is famous for wood carvings, embroidered
fabrics and block printed textiles.more...
Lodurva (17 kms from Jaisalmer) : The
ancient capital of Jaisalmer, some vestiges
of former glory remain.
WILDLIFE
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
cactii and other hardy desert plants.
GARDENS
Bada Bagh (6-km from Jaisalmer) : 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. more...
OTHERS
Camel Safaris :
These are conducted on many routes.
Wood Fossil Park (17-km from
Jaisalmer) : It has fossils dating to 180
million years ago. more...
Sam Sand Dunes (42-km from Jaisalmer)
: It is the closest point to witness the
total sandy desert. Sam (pronounced 'sum')
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 came 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,
visits to villages, and chatter from
colourful guides thrown in. more...
HOW TO GET THERE (JAISALMER
TRAVEL INFORMATION)
Rail: Jaisalmer is 290-km from Jodhpur via
Pokhran, Dechu and Balesar or 330-km from
Bikaner via Pokhran and Phalodi. It is well
connected by train with Jodhpur and other
major cities of the country by a meter gauge
line.
Road: A good network of roads joins
Jaisalmer with Jodhpur and many other
destinations in and around Rajasthan.
PLACES TO STAY IN
JAISALMER (HOTELS IN JAISALMER)
Being one of the major cities of Rajasthan,
Jaisalmer is well equipped with standard and
luxurious hotels as well as budget
accommodations.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
IN JAISALMER
The Desert Festival takes place in
January-February of each year. Camel races
and dances, folk music, desert ballads,
puppeteers - they're all part of the
activity. At the full moon night, a sound
and light drama is performed at Sam.
SHOPPING IN
JAISALMER
Jaisalmer is famous for mirror work,
embroidered articles, woollen pattu and
other items made of good quality, locally
produced wood, wooden boxes, trinklets,
silver jewellery and curios.
The main shopping areas are Sadar Bazaar and
Sonaron Ka Bas, Manak Chowk, Pansari Bazaar
and also Rajasthali - Government shop for
handicrafts and Khadi Gramodyog.
TOURIST INFORMATION
CENTRES JAISALMER
Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation
Ltd. (RTDC) - Tourist Information Bureau,
Hotel Moomal, Jaisalmer 345 001 (Rajasthan)
India
CLIMATE JAISALMER
Jaisalmer has got extreme climate. Best time
to visit from October to February.
NEARBY CITIES
JAISALMER
Lodurva - 16-km
Barmer - 155-km
Pokhran - 112-km
Khimsar - 295-km
Jodhpur - 285-km
Daspan - 280-km
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Travel Guide / States / Rajasthan / Cities / Jaisalmer Travel
