Area : 5.1 sq. km.
Altitude: 225 mtrs.
Best Time To Visit Jaisalmer / Best Season : July to March, Rainfall : 30 cms.
Climate : Extremely
hot summers with maximum temperature touching 47 'C. Cold winters –
min 1'C
Clothing: Summer Tropical Winter Woollen
Season
: October to February
Language : Rajasthani, Hindi, English.
Excursion: Desert Safari, Desert National Park.
The golden beauty, etched in yellow sandstone. Perched atop the Trikuta Hill, it stands tall against miles of gleaming sand. Epitomising the desolate, awesome charm of the desert. Jaisalmer, the city of the golden fort is a fantasy in yellow sandstone in the heart of the Thar Desert.
The city was founded in 1156 by Rawal Jaisal, a Bhatti Rajput King. Legend has it, that Lord Krishna – the head of Yadav Clan, foretold Arjuna that a remote descendent of Yadav Clan would build his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. His prophecy was fulfilled, when in 1156 AD Rawal Jaisal, a descendant of Yadav Clan and a Bhatti Rajput, founded the city of Jaisalmer. This amber-hued city, in the heart of the desert, dazzles gloriously in the early morning. The sunset has a peculiar glow here. As the night descends, the sky goes up in flames, which fade leaving a few embers, till it becomes black. A breathtaking sight indeed! Jaisalmer is famous for cobbled streets, strewn with palaces, forts, temples and havelis. Every house, here, is exquisitely carved, having filigreed work all over. These houses date back to 12th – 15th century. And hence Jaisalmer is called 'the Museum city'.
The city has an intresting legend associated with it, according to which, Lord Krishna – the head of the Yadav Clan , foretold Arjuna that a remote descendent of the Yadav Clan would build his kingdom atop the Trikuta hill . His prophency was fulfilled in 1156 A.D when Rawal Jaisal , a descendent of the Yadav Clan and a Bhatti Rajput, Abandond his fort at Lodurva and founded a new capital – Jaisalemr , perched on the Trikuta hill.
Over the years the remote location of Jaisalmer kept it almost untouched by outside influences. In the 13th century Ala-ud-din Khilji Emperor of Delhi besieged the fort for nine years in an effort to take back the treasure taken by the Bhatti Rajput from his imperial caravan train. When the fall of the fort was imminent the women of the fort committed Jauhar, an act of mass self-immolation, while men donned
saffron robes and rode to their certain death. Duda son of
Jaitasimha, a Bhatti hero also perished in the battle. Dudas
descendants continued to rule Jaisalmer. In 1541 they even fought
Mughal Emperor Himayun. Though their relations with Mugshal was not
always hostile. Sabala Simha won the patronage of Mughal Emperor
Shaha Jahan for battle distinctions in Peshawar and the right to
rule Jaisalmer. In the days of Raj, Jaisalmer was the last to sign
the Instrument of Agreement with the British.
Places
to see- Jaisalmer Fort Renew
yourself amid the past galore, as you visit the commanding Jaisalmer
Fort. The fort stands guard over the desertscape from its 250 feet
high perch on the hill with its wall following the contours of the
hills. The steep cobblestone pathways leading to the royal palace
pass through four gates. The sharp twists and turns make the fort
invincible. The fort has five interconnected palaces with 'jaali'
screens and dainty 'jharokhas' – all showpieces of Jaisalmer
artisans' talent.
Within the fort are three exquisitely
sculptured Jain temples.
- Gadsisar LakeA rain
water lake, adorned with an arched gateway. Many small shrines and
temples are festooned a11 around the lake. Today, it is an ideal
picnic spot, famous for boating.
- Salim
Singh-ki-Haveli
Witness
the legendary architectural wealth of Jaisalmer at Salim Singh's
haveli, truly unsurpassed in splendour. Of particular note are the
blue roof and rows of peacocks below the arched balconies. The
haveli was once the residence of the Mohta family, ministers of
Jaisalmer rulers.
- Patwon ki HaveliIt is the
grandest mansion in Jaisalmer, not to be missed at all. This five
haveli wonder has its ceiling supported by exquisitely carved
pillars and its delicately chiselled balconies surely leave you
mesmerised.
- Nathmalji ki HaveliThis haveli
was carved by two brothers. One worked on right side and the other
on left, but the harmony in design exists still. Screened windows,
projected balconies and intricate carvings illustrate superb
craftsmanship.
Jain TemplesWithin the citadel
are the splendorous Jain temples, dedicated to Rishabdevji,
Sambhavnathji and Parshvanathji.
The Parshvanathji Temple
is the oldest and the most beautiful of the Jain temples. Human and
animal figures are carved on the walls of its sanctum and the rising
dome or 'shikhar' is crowned by an amalak and a waterpot containing
a lotus flower.
Gyan Bhandar or LibraryA part
of the Jain temples, the library contains some of the oldest
manuscripts of India.
Shopping in JaisalmerJaisalmer's
flourishing tourist trade has made it one of the best places in
India to shop for souvenirs . Prices are comparatively high and the
salesmen notoriously hard at work, but the choice of stuff on sale
puts the town on a par with Pushkar and Jaipur. Good buys include
woven jackets, tie-dyed cloth, wooden boxes and ornaments,
camel-leather slippers ( jhoolis ) and Western-style clothes.
Puppets are sold inside Number One (aka "First Fort")
Gate, but you'll get better prices buying direct from the
puppet-makers' quarter north of town, immediately below the "Sunset
Point"; to find it, pick your way through Bhatia Bazaar and
follow the main arterial road north past the Narayan Niwas Palace
hotel, turning left when you reach a junction that drops downhill
past a row of painted mud-and-thatch houses.
Camel
Safari in JaisalmerFew visitors who make it as far as
Jaisalmer pass up the opportunity to go on a camel trek , which
provides an irresistibly romantic chance to cross the barren sands
on a sturdy ship of the desert, sleeping under what must rank as one
of the starriest skies in the world. Sandstorms, sore backsides and
camel farts aside, the safaris are usually great fun.
How
to reach- AirwaysNearest airport
is in Jodhpur.
- RailwaysWell connected to cities
within Rajasthan. A broad gouge line connects Jodhpur to Jaislamer.
-
RoadwaysJodhpur is well connected to good roads to Udaipur,
Jaipur Ahemdabad.
