Jaisalmer is a heritage city of Rajasthan in India. The city is a famous tourist destination in the country. This city is surrounded by the largest desert in India the Thar Desert. It is a beautiful city ornamented with wonderful Haveli’s, Jain Temples, and crowned with the magnificent Sonargarh Fort. However, tourist visit here for experiencing the desert safari as well as various adventures here. Jaisalmer is the third-largest city in the country and the largest in the state.
This city was founded by Rawal Jaisal in 1156 to shift his capital. He commissioned Jaisalmer fort on Trikuta hill which is also known as Sonargarh Fort. This fort is wholly made of sandstone and is the second oldest fort in the state. The city was the major trade route between Gujrat and Afghanistan. Therefore, it was a rich region during the time as its income mostly generates from taxes. This city is also known as the Golden city because the houses in the city are made of sandstone which gives it a golden color when sunlight falls on them.
Major attractions
- Jaisalmer Fort :- This is the second largest sandstone fort of the state. It is a living fort as thousands of people still live here in the fort. This fort has adorable architecture on its balconies as well as on its windows. Here you can see the biggest underground museum in the country. However, from the terrace of the fort, you can have panoramic views of the golden city.
- Gadisar Lake :- This lake is the evergreen lake of the city. It is founded by Rawal Jaisal the water consumption in the city and was reconstructed by Rawal Ghadsi in the 14th century. This place has a beautiful arched gateway known as Tilon-ki-pol. Here you can do boating in the lake as well as enjoy it near the lake. It is a good place where you can see different species of birds and also do photoshoots.
- Patwon ki Haveli :- It is an attractive mansion having astonishing architecture. This haveli is a group of five mansions that took 50 years to complete. The place was built in 1805 by a trader of the city for his five sons. The Haveli is famous for its incredible balconies, gateways, and wall paintings. Here you can see the old luxurious household items and the clothes made with gold and silver threads.
- Bada Bagh :- This place is a garden between the Thar desert. Here you can see astonishing cenotaphs of Jaisalmer and witness the Jaitsar tank. This place is a famous shooting location as well as a beautiful sunset point in the city. However, near these cenotaphs, you can see the biggest power generation plant in the state.
Other attraction
- Kuldhara Village :- This haunted village is in 18km away from the city center. It was once the residence of Paliwal Baramins. According to the old stories the village abounded in a single night due to some unknown reasons at the start of the 19th century. After that in 2010, some paranormal activities were discovered here by the Indian Paranormal Society.
- War Museum :- This museum is situated on the Jodhpur highway in the city. Here you can see the tanks, military weapons, guns, etc. used in the war of 1965 and 1971. The place has two separate halls first is the Indian Army hall showing all the important wars fought by the country. And second is Laungewala hall which displays the Laungewala battle of 1971.
- Tanot Mata Temple :- The temple is a very famous as well as worshiped temple here. The goddess of this temple is also known as Thar ki Vaishno devi. It is a miraculous temple that was not destroyed during the war of 1965 when various bombs were fired here. However, the soldiers in the temple were also safe. The temple is under the high security of the Indian Army.
- Sam Sand Dunes :- This is the place where you can enjoy the extraordinary beauty of the Thar desert. It is the place where tourists experience the desert safari which is the most famous as well as must to visit place location. This place is a major attraction of the city. Most of the tourists visit the city to explore the desert from here.
History of Jaisalmer
The history of this beautiful city is full of glory and royalty. This city was founded by the Bhati Clane of Rajasthan in the 12th century. When Maharawal Jaisal Singh passed through the village Lodrawa near the region. He saw a 75meters high rock standing between the massive desert and found sage Eesul living on this rock. Therefore, he met the sage who told him that according to mythology once Lord Krishna and Bhima came here. And forecasted that one day a ruler from the Yadhuvanshi clan would come and establish his kingdom here. After listening to his words Rawal Jaisal being a successor of the Yadhuvanshi Clan decided to shift his capital to this region. Hence, he commissioned the Sonargarh Fort here on this rock in 1156.
The history of Rajasthan is graced with so many stories of bravery and chivalry. These stories include the sacrifices of women of royal families known as Jauhar. In Jaisalmer first, jauhar was done in 1294 when Alauddin Khalji attacked the region. However, after that, the fort was abandoned for several years before it is regained by Bhatis. Again in the 14th century, the Turkic ruler Firuz Shah Tughluq besieged the city and led to the second jauhar here.
Safari trip of the Thar Desert
Staying in the middle of the desert feels something different. The experience is amazing and the visuals of the sunset in the desert are like standing between a gold mine. Tourist visit here from across the world to participate as well as enjoy the traditional culture of Rajasthan. Here you can stay in the camps and adore the Rajasthani culture with delicious food. However, the place offers many adventures along with panoramic views of the desert.
The largest desert of the country hosts a large number of activities as well as experiences. The safari trip in the desert is the must to do a thing here. The ride on the sand dunes in the desert is the most thrilling experience one can have. Additionally, here you can also enjoy parasailing near the Sam Sand Dunes which are 40 km away from the city center. This safari trip is beneficial only when you stay a night here in the desert camps and enjoy the vibes of this stunning beauty of Rajasthan.
Best time to visit Jaisalmer
The glory of the city can be witnessed in any season but the best time to visit is in the winter season. During the months of October to March, the weather here is best for sightseeing and the climate is moderate to trail around the city. In these months it is easy to explore the old mansions and palaces here because in summer the temperature is too high. Therefore, it is advised to travel to the city in winter so that you can comfortably experience the royal life of Rajasthan.
Conclusion
Hence, it can be concluded that Jaisalmer is a magnificent city with so much to experience and explore. This city is a perfect picture of Rajasthani culture and traditions. The desert safari with the feel of traditions as well as breathtaking adventures is the unique feature of the city. However, it is good to make a trip of at least 2 days to the city with your family and friends. It is a wonderful place to spend your holidays and weekends.
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