The
Golden City of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan is simply unmatched! It was the
part of the famous Silk Route during the days of yore. The splendid
Jaisalmer Fort stands proudly on its land and narrates the stories of
the valor and chivalry of the Rajput rulers. Jaisalmer still retains its
medieval charm, which is evident in its colorful narrow streets,
splendid
The otherwise barren land of Jaisalmer comes alive once every year
during winters. It is the time when the festivities of
slowly start engulfing the Desert City. During the
, the city displays the wealth of its culture and
traditions to the rest of the world. The festival expresses the people's
zeal for the life and is a colorful extravaganza of fun, frolic,
laughter and adventure.
The Jaisalmer Fort
The fort of Jaisalmer, which resembles a gigantic sandcastle, is home
to several thousand people. Crowned over the Trikuta Hill, the golden
yellow Jaisalmer Fort dates back to more than 800 years. The fort has
many gates including Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol, Bhoot Pol and Hawa Pol. In
addition to this, it also has a number of beautiful havelies and a group
of Jain temples that make it a special place to explore.
Gadsisar Tank
The huge Gadsisar Tank was once the main source of water supply to the
city. In winters, a variety of birds flock here and make the whole
environment enchanting. The beautiful arched gateway across the road
down to the tank adds to its attraction. A number of exquisite temples
and tanks located around the lake add to its pristine beauty.
Manak Chowk
Manak Chowk has successfully retained its ancient charm since time
immemorial. Various lanes with exquisitely carved havelis lead to the
chowk that remains abuzz, most of the time, with various activities.
Exploring the chowk is an experience in itself.
Nathmalji-Ki-Haveli
One very interesting fact about this haveli is that its two sides were
carved by two brothers. Although the motif used by one is not similar to
the other, they are in harmony. One has to look very closely to spot
dissimilarities. The excellent craftsmanship of the stone carver is
illustrated in the gossamer quality of the screened windows.
Climate
¤ Dry and hot
¤ Rainfall ranges from 2.8cms to 6.8cms
¤ Temperature ranges from 64 F to 155 F
Celebrations
The royal city of Jaisalmer starts wearing a festive look just a few
days before the spring full moon according to the Hindu Calendar. The
splendid Jaisalmer Fort provides the perfect backdrop to the
celebrations that take place across the city. The entire town echoes
with the enchanting folk music during the festival.
The
Desert Festival of Jaisalmer provides a perfect opportunity
to the local craftsmen to display their exquisite artwork. Festival
witnesses the trade of intricately embroidered skirts, shawls, rugs,
bags and silver jewelry. Desert festival comes to an end with a grand
finale that includes various completions like 'Best Decorated Camel',
'Mr. Desert' and various others.
Facts & Figures
¤ Time of the year : February
¤ Duration: Three Days
How To Reach
Jaisalmer is well connected to the nearby towns and cities by rail,
road and air. To get there by train there is a meter-gauge train that
connects this place with the rest of the small and big places. If you
wish to travel by air, there are flights from Mumbai to
Jodhpur-Jaisalmer and from Jaisalmer to Jaipur-Delhi. By rail, there is
an overnight journey from Jodhpur.Jaisalmer is well connected with
important towns by road.
Places Of Interest
There are many places that are worth paying a visit to: The Royal
Cenotaphs at Bada Bagh, Lodruva Jain Temples, the Sand Dunes at Sam,
Khudi desert, Akal Fossil Park and many more.