Jaisalmer Tourism

Jaisalmer is also quite famous for royal forts, havelis, palaces, museums and temples. The Pride of Jaisalmer, the Jaisalmer Fort or Sonar Quila is the most famous tourist attraction of Jaisalmer and is a World Heritage Site. Nathmalji ki Haveli, Salim Singh ki Haveli, Patwon ki Haveli, Manak Chowk, Jaisalmer Folklore Museum, Tazia Tower, Gadisagar Lake, Bada Bagh, Khuri Sand Dunes, Sam Sand Dunes, and Kuldhara are some of the popular tourist places to visit in Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer attracts a lot of tourists for its desert camel safari. A bumpy ride on a camel in the Thar Desert is one of the exciting things to do in Jaisalmer. Sam Sand Dunes and Khuri Sand Dunes are the popular dunes in Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer Desert Festival, a music festival typically held in the 2nd week of February is also hosted near Sam Sand Dunes. Jaisalmer is also known for various crafts such as silver jewellery, embroidery, stone, work, leather products, and printing work.

Jaisalmer Fort
Jaisalmer Fort is the central and most important icon of the city. Rising from the sandy desert plains, in all its majestic splendor, the fort looms in all its glory with massive battlements, thick walls of crenelated sandstone and has about 99 bastions around its imposing façades. The city was founded by Raja Rawal Jaisal, a Bhatti ruler, who ruled somewhere around 1156 AD. Today the Fort is one of the most important tourist spots and still houses the following generations of the original inhabitants of the city. Inside amidst the crumbling shacks and colorful stalls one may find instances of exquisite architecture in its numerous havelis and various other structures.

Camel Safari
A camel safari is one of the best way to explore the vast sands dunes and stretches of isolation and remoteness as far as the eyes can go. There are a number of tour operators that arrange these safaris, from a single day sojourn to excursions for over a month during which necessary items like food, water and shelter etc. are taken along. An escort is most certainly provided while most operators also ensure local entertainment for the guests in the evening. For most of the travelers, this is one of the most memorable experience of Jaisalmer or may be of India as well. Enjoying the local culture, views and sights during the day while sleeping under the canopy of stars at night is wonderfully amazing. Therefore, camel safaris are also most eagerly looked forward by the tourists and it is usually their first impression of the city. Thus, this amazing experience should not be missed.

Gadsisar Lake
Located on the outskirts of the main Jaisalmer town, Gadsisar Lake is another of the major tourist attractions for the people arriving in “The Golden City”. The Lake, however, is not an oasis but in fact a water conservation project, established around 1400 A.D by the then maharaja of Jaisalmer, Maharwal Gadsi Singh. At that time it served as the only water supply for the Jaisalmer town and due to its natural inclination and surroundings, also furnished as a site for rainwater conservation. In later years, however, a number of temples and religious shrines were added around it and it gained prominence as more of a pilgrimage spot. Now popular as a tourist point, visitors can venture out to the Lake in winters and if they are lucky enough, can get to see a variety of migratory as well as local birds, who descend here due to its proximity to the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Do not forget to carry a good pair of binoculars and a quality camera to capture some really stunning pictures, catching the mesmerizing essence of the place.

Sam Sand Dunes
Any excursion to the town of Jaisalmer is incomplete without venturing out to see the great deserts of Rajasthan and the Sam Sand Dunes is just the place to arrive for that. Sam has some really spectacular views of expansive sand dunes and layers upon layers of sand, stretching as far as the eye could see, with little or no vegetation dotting the area. Therefore, it’s a perfect place to enjoy the Desert Safari, which is organized here for travelers and guests, and is a leading tourist attraction. Visitors can join the Camel Safaris, taking them deep within the heart of Thar, where pitched tents are fastened, allowing them a comprehensive Indian desert experience. Watching the sun set behind the horizon and observing the fantastic view of the stars rising in the sky is breathtaking. During the months of February and March, entire area turns into a cultural hotspot with a number of festivals and events being organized, showcasing the colorful Rajasthani glory and way of life. Numerous attractions like various cultural competitions, camel races, folk dance performances, puppet shows other such festivities are hugely favored amongst the locals and travelers who turn up here to revel thoroughly in the surrounding ambience and a unique and distinct atmosphere, eminently characteristic of the area.

Salim Singh Ki Haveli
Constructed with a unique structure with an amazingly elegant architecture, Salim Singh ki Haveli is quite an attraction. The haveli which stands today at the site is built on an older haveli which was a late 17th century structure. The present structure was commissioned in 1815 by Salim Singh who was the Prime Minister of the kingdom, of which the Jaisalmer City was the capital at that time. The haveli is adorned with an excellent and magnificent design. The roof of the structure is built in the form of a peacock while the front facet resemble the shape of a ship stern, due to which the building is also called the Jahaz Mahal. There are in total of 38 balconies all with a distinct and intricately designed framework and style. Like all havelis dotting the area, Salim Singh ki Haveli is also embellished with sand-stone made tuskers which look quite charming. The site remain open from early morning till 5 in the morning and remains buzzed with visitors all throughout the day.

Patwon Ki Haveli
Patwon ki Haveli is one of the most important structures in Jaiselmer, being one of the most architecturally rich and historically valuable Havelis in the city. The structure assumes importance, primarily due to the fact that it was the first haveli constructed in Jaisalmer and also it is an assembly of 5 havelis constructed together, which is unique. The first of these structures, which is also the biggest grandest of all, was constructed in 1805 and 5 more stories were added later on. The whole edifice was however completed in about 60 years’ time. Today, it is a frequently visited spot and attract visitors to its threshold due to its exquisite architecture and elegant views. It is however currently in use and office of both The Archeological Survey of India and the State’s Art and Craft department are located inside the building itself. But its frequent use and consumption notwithstanding, it still has enough charm in the form of beautiful paintings, mirror world and elegant depictions on the walls to captivate its admirers.

Bada Bagh
A site of admirable structures and spots, Bada Bagh or literally the “The Big Garden” is a prominent tourist destination within Jaisalmer and has wonderful frames and complexes within its environs. Bada Bagh was ordered by Maharwal Jait Singh in the early 16th century but was completed by his son Lunakaran after his demise. Bada Bagh primarily has three major attractions; A garden, a tank and a dam. Besides there is a central pillar called Govardhan Stambh, which was built to commemorate the construction of the dam and the tank. The most enormous structure is however the dam measuring about 1200 feet by 350 feet. Another major highlight of the Bada Bagh is the number of beautifully carved Cenotaphs scattered all over the area. These cenotaphs or chattris as they are called locally are structures representing the rulers of the area, oldest amongst it being that of Maharwal Jait Singh himself who ruled somewhere around 1470-1506. The unique historical significance of the area combining with the allure of its surrounding area draws a large number of travelers to this place.

Tanot Mata Temple
The incredible rendezvous of Indians with magic and supernatural have been known since the time immemorial and there are numerous tales of such kind in the popular folklore throughout its history. Tanot Mata Temple is also associated with one such fascinating story due to which it has now become a popular tourist spot for the curious visitors, both local and international. According to the legend, during the contentious India-Pakistan War of 1965, the Pakistani Army dropped several bombs to destroy the temple, fortunately and surprisingly none of which hit the temple. Moreover, several bombs which fell in the vicinity of the temple did not even explode. Thus, the temple came to known in the area as acquainted with divine or magical powers. After the war, the management of the temple was handed over to India’s Border Security Force, whose jawans (soldiers) now man the temple. The temple now has a museum that showcases the several of the objects reminiscent of the war including the diffused and unexploded bombs.