Jaisalmer
About Jaisalmer
, ' The Jaisalmer Fort stands as a citadel with narrow alleys inhabited by people for generations and shops selling colourful handicrafts.Jaisalmer is a town, and to reach the Sand Dunes, travellers have to take a jeep safari followed by a camel ride. Thus, Jaisalmer is an amalgamation of exotic Indian desert culture, heritage and adventure.
Explore on Map
Top Attractions
Jaisalmer Fort
Jaisalmer Fort is a hill fort with houses, temples, shops, and restaurants. More than three thousand people live within the fort walls. It offers a stunning and panoramic view of Jaisalmer city draped in golden yellow. Also known as Sonar Quila, it is the most popular place to visit in Jaisalmer.
Desert Safari
Jaisalmer in Rajasthan is frequented by tourists for its large stretches of desert sand. Popular Desert Safaris in Jaisalmer takes place in Sam Sand Dunes. A Jeep takes you to a point near Sam Sand Dunes (around 45km from the city) from where the camel ride starts and lasts for around 90 minutes.
Gadisar Lake
Built in the 14th century, it was once the source of drinking water for the entire town of Bikaner. Now it has developed as a tourist spot with many temples and shrines surrounding the lake. Gadisar Lake offers scenic and picturesque views of the lake and the adjacent fort.
Patwon ki haveli
Dipped in an enchanting shade of yellow, Patwon ki Haveli grabs the attention of every visitor. It is a cluster of 5 Haveli which was believed to be built by Patwa, a wealthy trader who constructed the stories for each of his 5 sons. Locals also refer to the haveli as Kothari’s Patwa Haveli.
Sam Sand Dunes
One of the most popular attractions in Jaisalmer, Sam Sand Dunes are among the best and most authentic in India. The best time to visit these dunes is either sunset (around 4-7 pm) or sunrise (4-6 am). There are many other activities which one may enjoy as camel safari and jeep safari.
Jain Temples
This group of beautiful temples within the Jaisalmer Fort walls have carved structures which depict pictures of sages, hermits, animals, etc. Built in the Dilwara style that is famous all over the world for its architecture, these temples are dedicated to Rikhabdevji and Shambhavdev Ji, the famous Jain hermits known as 'Tirthankaras'.
Nathmal Ki Haveli
Nathmal ki Haveli is an ornate architecture in the heart of Jaisalmer. It was commissioned to serve as the residence of the then prime minister Diwan Mohata Nathmal. The haveli is built of yellow sandstone. Thus when the sun rays fall on these structures, they radiate like gold.
Kuldhara Village
Kuldhara is an abandoned village, located around 20 kilometres from Jaisalmer. The village was abandoned overnight by its residents to save their honour and lives from the hands of the tyrannical minister. There is nothing to do as such, but to see the ruins of the village make up for a popular attraction.
Vyaas Chhatri
Vyas Chhatri is the assemblage of golden sandstone, an edifice of Rajasthani architecture. It was dedicated to sage Vyaas, the writer of epic Mahabharata whose cenotaph is situated on the north of the fort.
Desert National Park
Desert National park is one of the largest national parks, covering an area of 3162 km. It is an excellent example of the ecosystem of the Thar Desert and houses wildlife such as camels, desert fox, Bengal fox, chinkara, wolves, desert cat, and the Blackbuck.
Tanot Mata Temple
Situated 122 km from the city of Jaisalmer, Tanot Mahal is a historical temple at the Longewala border in Rajasthan. The temple is enveloped with numerous legends that instil curiosity in every visitor. Although it is located very close to the India-Pakistan border, it remained untouched during the war in 1971.
Jaisalmer War Museum
Jaisalmer War Museum, also known as Laungewala War Memorial, is established in the military station designed with the view of honouring the war heroes. It embraces the bravery and sacrifices of the Indian Army. The museum popularly known as JWM, houses two information display halls, an audio-visual room and a souvenir shop.
Tazia Tower and Badal Palace
Situated at the beautiful Badal Palace complex, the five-storey Tazia Tower is a replica of the mausoleum of various Muslim imams with intricate carvings on the walls. The Badal Palace has a cloud like appearance and has the Tazia Tower emerging from it. This tower is quite different from the usual Rajputana architecture of Rajasthan.
Indo-Pak Border
Visiting the Indo-Pak Border is one of the most exotic things to do in Jaisalmer. The area is situated near the Tanot Mata temple and can be visited by prior permission and permits from the Indian Military Forces.
Camping & Cultural Evening
The golden fort, sand dunes, and the enchanting palaces make Jaisalmer an ideal destination for Camping and Cultural evening. A camping tour is a must on the bucket list of anyone who wishes to dig deeper the real essence of Rajasthan.