JAISALMER

JAISALMER

Jaisalmer is a desert city of Rajasthan. There is shore less views of sands. The city is guarded by walls made in 1750 and four pole or gates --- Malka in the North, Amarsagar in the West, Gadi sagar and Baron ki Pole in the South-East. The two other poles are closed now. Golden yellow dune and walls of yellow sandstones make this city golden. Minakari ornaments are famous here. Desert Festival takes place for 3 days in February.

HEIGHT:

793m

WEATHER:

Weather is rough and there is no rain for years. Highest temperature is 45C and lowest temperature is 3C.

FAVOURABLE SEASON:

From October to March.

PLACES OF INTEREST:

The golden fort made of Jurrassic yellow sand stone, Patwan ki Haveli, Nathmalji ki Haveli, Selim Singhji ki Haveli, Raja ka Mahal, Gadisar, Fokrole Museum, Jawahar Nivas, Tajia Tower, Amar Sagar, Bara Bag, Desert National Park, Kuldhra etc.

MARKET:

Central market is famous for needle work, mirror work dresses and ornaments, stone made objects, woolen blanket etc.

PLACES OF INTEREST:

JAISALMER FORT

Foundation : 1156, Height : 76m, Area : 457x129m, Height of Wall : 405m.

It is the second oldest fort of Rajasthan. It has no ditch and surrounded by walls. There are 99 bastions, some of which has cannons. It has few gates --- Akshay pole, Ganesh pole, Suraj pole, Hawa pole. The death well is after the second gate and the main chowk starts after fourth gate.

MAHARAWAL : This seven storied umbrella shaped palace has five sections or mahals. Presently there are museum and heritage centre. Time : 10am – 3pm.

Juna mahal, Jenana mahal, Chauhata chowk, Mardana mahal are also nice.

Glass and mural painting decorated Rang mahal is above Hawa pole. Sarvottam Vilas has high foundation, blue tiles and glass mosaic. Excellent Gaj Vilas and Moti mahal attract tourists. Another unique thing is Badal Vilas or the clouds palace. Tajia Tower is on the roof of Badal Vilas. The throne of Dewan-e-Aam and Narayan and Shakti pillars are good as well.

7 Jain temples and 4 Hindu temples are there inside the fort. There are 6666 Jain idols which are jewel studded, emerald made idol of Mahaveer, dancing idols, painting of mythological stories, painting on ceilings, nice sculptures, Rishavnath, Shantinath, Sambhavnath etc. in these temples. Time : 7am – 12 noon. Leather is not allowed intemples.

JEENBHADRA SURI GYAN BHANDER

Jeenbhadra Suri was an acharya in 12th century. Collections : 1126 plam leaves manuscripts, 2257 paper manuscripts, the logest plam leave manuscript is 0.9m or 331/3 inches long and has a wooden cover. Time : 9am – 6pm, Entry fee – Rs.30.

PATWAN – KI HAVELI

Foundation : In 1805 by textile nad metal trader Guman Chand. Attraction : Mural paintings in walls and balcony, guilted ceiling, hanging lattice work in window.

NATHMALJI – KI – HAVELI

Foundation : 1885, Attraction : Miniaturre painting in walls, statue of two elephants in the front door, net work on the stones.It is closed now.

SELIM SINGHJI – KI – HAVELI

Foundation : 1800, Attraction : Arches in roof, peacock shaped bracket. It had two stories made in wood. But the Maharaja destroyed it as its height was more than the royal palace.

Raja -- ka – mahal is also a nice haveli.

GADISAR LAKE

It is like an oasis in the desert. There is a chattis in the centre of the lake. Attraction : Beautiful archway, temples surrounding the lake,temple of Ld. Krishna on the archway, boating on lake and migrated birds inwinter. Foundation : By Rawal Ghat Singh in 1367.

FOKROLE MUSEUM

Collector : N K Sharma, Time : 9am – 12 noon & 3pm – 6pm, Entry fee : 5.

TAJIA TOWER

Muslim sculptors gifted this five marble tower to Rana.

AMAR SAGAR

It is an oasis. But the garden is almost destroyed and there is shortage of water in the lake. Pleasure Palace (1661-1703) and beautiful Jain temple are situated on the bank of the lake.

DESERT NATIONAL PARK

Area : 3025 sq km, Favourable Season : October to March, Attraction : Leafless trees, Indian Bustard Bird, Chinkara, Black Buck, Gazel, Jackel. Permission is required to visit the park.

SAM SAND DUNES

Area : 3km, Attraction : Sand storm “Aandhi”, Endless dunes, Camel safari, Nice sunset. Weather : Excessive heat in day time and much cold at night.

MOOL SAGAR

Foundation : King of Maharawal Mool. It is man made oasis. The garden and lake are surrounded by endless wave of golden sands. Crevasse is also here. Sunset is very nice.

You can see Lodurwa Palace, Pareshnath Jain Temple, Rupasi Village, Ramkund, Fruit garden of Barabagh, Vatiyani Chattis, museum city Kuldhra, heritage village Kuldhra and another beautiful oasis Khuri.