Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer is also called The Golden city which is located in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is crowned by the Jaisalmer Fort. This fort has a royal palace and many Jain temples. The town is in the heart of the Thar Desert. It is close to the Pakistani border. The length of the international border which touches to Jaisalmer District is 464 km. It is set around 790 kilometers far from the national capital Delhi.

Tourist Places in Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer has been developed by Jain community.  They decorated the city with beautiful temples. The most famous temples devoted to the 16th Tirthankara, Shantinath and 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvanath.

There are total seven Jain temples that were built during the 12th and 15th centuries. All are set in the Jaisalmer fort. These temples are Paraswanath Temple, Rishabdev temple, Kunthunath Temple, Shitalnath Temple and Shantinath Temple.  Attractive work of art and architecture have been done in these temples with yellow sandstone.

Jaisalmer Fort

Jaisalmer Fort is situated on Meru Hill which was built in 1156 by the Bhati Rajput ruler Jaisal. Its huge sandstone walls are like a lion colour during the day but Change magically into a honey-gold colour at the time of sun-set.  That’s why it is also known as the Sonar Quila or Golden Fort. A large number of populations still live inside the fort. Tourist attractions are inside the fort such as Raj Mahal (Royal palace), Jain temples and the Laxminath temple.  It is said that it is one of the very few living forts in the world. Even today around 25% of city's population resides inside the fort. This fort was the city of Jaisalmer.

Jaisalmer Fort is the second oldest fort in Rajasthan.It is also known as the Sonar Quila or Golden Fort.  The fort stands in the sandy area of the Thar Desert on Trikuta Hill. It is on hilltop and having the huge towers which can be visible for many miles around. Jaisalmer Fort along with 5 other Forts of Rajasthan is UNESCO World Heritage Jain heritage of

Lodhruva

Lodrawa is situated about 15 kilometers from Jaisalmer. It is a village in Jaisalmer district.  Lodrawa was the old capital of the Bhatti period. Jaisalmer was founded by Rawal Jaisal and moved the capital to Jaisalmer in 1156. It is famous for their historic temples, surrounding the village area. They all are mostly Jain temples that were constructed in the pre-12th-century.

Lodrawa is a famous tourist site. It attracts tourist for its architectural ruins and surrounding sand dunes. Lodrawa is also known for the Jain temple which is devoted to the 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvanatha. Muhammad Ghori attacked the city in 1178 and destroyed the original temples. It was reconstructed by Seth Tharu Shah. Others ancient temples are devoted to the Rishabhanatha, Hinglaj Mata, Chamunda, and Shiv.

Pokhran

Pokhran is a village which is located in the Jaisalmer district. It is famous for the test site for India's first underground nuclear weapon and ballistic missiles.

Fort Pokran

The 14 the century Fort Pokhran is also called Balagarh. It is located amidst the Thar Desert. This is the best fort of the chief of the rathore. Presently Fort Pokhran is being run as heritage hotel by the royal family of Pokhran. Now it is also open for visitors.

Pokhran Nuclear Test Range

The Pokhran Test Range is a main section of India's nuclear program. The test range was constructed sometime before 1974 and controlled by the Indian Army. Authorization was given to the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. India's first nuclear device had been made here.

Ramdevra

Ramdevra is a village which is located around 12 km from Pokhran in Jaisalmer district. The village is named after Baba Ramdevji who was a Tanwar Rajput and a saint. He took Samadhi at the age of 33. A temple around the samadhi was made by Maharaja Ganga Singh of Jodhpur Bikaner in 1931.There is a tank known as Ramsagar Talab near the village. It is believed to have been built by Baba Ramdevji himself.

Ramdevera Fair

A large fair is held from Bhado Sudi 2 to Bhado Sudi 10 (Aug - Sept). This fair is known as Ramdevera Fair. Lots of tourists and devotees attend it. They come in large groups from far and wide.  Devotees belong from different caste, creed and religion but these all worship the shrine dedicated to the saint. Groups of the devotees organize singing of bhajans and kirtans to pay homage to Baba at night.

Tanot Mata

Tanot Mata is a temple in District Jaisalmer. According to the Charan literature Tanot Mata is an avatar of goddess Hinglaj Mata. This village is very close to the India – Pakistan border. This place is near to the war place of Longewala of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Tourists cannot go directly to worship in this temple unless they get the document from the Authorities. Today It has become a tourist destination in India.

The temple is around 122 kilometers from the City of Jaisalmer. It takes around two hours to reach there by road. The road to Tanot is surrounded with sand dunes and sand mountains. The best time to visit the site is from November to January because in the summer season the temperatures can go up to 49 °C

Kuldhara

Kuldhara is a village in the Jaisalmer. It is an abandoned village. 13th century, it was a prosperous village which is established by Paliwal Brahmins. It was left by the early 19th century. The reason is not conform but it may be because of dwindling water supply. It is also said that Kuldhara and its nearby villages were abandoned due to an earthquake.

Day by Day Kuldhara got reputation as a haunted Place. Near by the villagers do not believe in the ghost stories but spread them to attract tourists. The Government decided to develop it as a tourist place in 2010. Nowadays it has become a tourist destination of the Jaisalmer. The visitor facilities such as cafe, lounge, folk-dance performance, cottages and shops all are there for tourists.

Desert National Park

Desert National Park is located near the towns of Jaisalmer and Barmer. It has around an area of 3162 km² and one of the biggest national Parks. Sand dunes are about 20% of the Park.

The area is a haven for migratory and local birds of the desert. These birds are eagles, harriers, falcons, buzzards and vultures. Tawny eagles and spotted eagles are common among them. Moreover desert fox, Bengal fox, desert cat, wolf, hedgehog and chinkara can be seen. This area has a collection of fossils of animals and plants. Some of them are 180 million years old. Dinosaurs’ fossils of 6 million years old have been found here. The best time to visit the area is between November and January.

Gadsisar Sagar Tank is very famous among the tourist places in Jaisalmer. Thousands of migratory birds reach here every year. Jeep Safari is also very popular among tourists to visit this area specially in foreign tourist and wildlife lovers

Desert festival

Desert Festival of Jaisalmer is the most famous festival and colorful event of Rajasthan. It is held in February every year. Camel races, Turban-tying and Mr. Desert competitions are made. This festival shows Rajasthani folk songs, dance and Rajasthani Culture. The most attraction of the Jaisalmer desert festival is Gair and Fire dancers. This is the best time to visit Jaisalmer to see the Kalbelia dances and folk songs and music. Desert Festival is very attractive to foreign tourists.

How to Reach

By Air: The nearest airport is Jodhpur Airport. It is about 300 km far from the city. Private and Government Buses, cabs and rented taxis can be taken easily from outside of the airport to reach the city.

By Rail: The Nearest railway station is the Jaisalmer railway station. It has good train connectivity with other major stations in Rajasthan and from Delhi, Ahmedabad and Kolkata. Jaisalmer railway station is also well connected to others tourist places in Rajasthan such as Jaipur and Udaipur. Traveling by train within Rajasthan is a good and cheap option.

By Road: Jaisalmer has good road connectivity to various part of the country. State transport buses are regularly available. Sleeper buses are available from Delhi or Ahmedabad to Jaisalmer. This journey is quite cheap and comfortable.

Best time to Visit

Jaisalmer can be visited any time of the year. The best time is to visit it from October to March. These months are enjoyable.