Places to visit in Jaisalmer
Deep in the heart of the Thar Desert lies Jaisalmer, one of the last princely strongholds of Rajasthan. Fondly known as the Golden City, Jaisalmer continues to captivate travelers with its golden sandstone architecture, rich heritage, and timeless charm. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Rajasthan, the city offers an enchanting blend of royal history, magnificent forts, intricately carved havelis, and the endless golden dunes of the Thar Desert. Jaisalmer tours provide the perfect opportunity to relive the tales of the Arabian Nights while exploring the glorious legacy of the Rajput rulers.
Founded in 1156 AD by Rawal Jaisal, Jaisalmer flourished as an important trading center on the ancient caravan routes connecting India with Central Asia and the Middle East. The prosperity of its merchants is reflected in the city's magnificent sandstone mansions, where master craftsmen created exquisite facades adorned with intricate latticework, carved balconies, elegant pavilions, and beautifully sculpted windows. Many of these architectural masterpieces remain inhabited today, while the city's colorful festivals, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality continue to attract visitors from around the world.
The city's most iconic landmark is the magnificent Jaisalmer Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's largest living forts. Built in the 12th century, the golden sandstone fortress still houses thousands of residents, along with ancient Jain and Hindu temples, shops, cafés, and traditional homes. Just beyond the city lie the spectacular Sam Sand Dunes, one of Rajasthan's most breathtaking desert landscapes. Camel safaris across the rolling dunes, jeep safaris, mesmerizing sunsets, luxury desert camping, and the vibrant annual Jaisalmer Desert Festival make a trip to the desert dunes an unforgettable experience. Visitors can also enjoy mesmerizing folk music and the famous Kalbelia dance, a traditional art form recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Beyond the fort and desert, Jaisalmer offers numerous attractions worth exploring. Wander through the narrow lanes of the old city to admire magnificent havelis such as Patwon Ki Haveli, Nathmal Ki Haveli, and Salim Singh Ki Haveli, each showcasing exceptional craftsmanship. Visit the serene Gadisar Lake, explore the beautifully carved Jain temples within the fort, and browse the colorful local markets for handicrafts, embroidered textiles, leather goods, silver jewelry, and traditional souvenirs. Combining history, architecture, culture, adventure, and warm Rajasthani hospitality, Jaisalmer promises an unforgettable desert holiday and remains one of the most fascinating destinations in India.
The Laxminath Temple is situated in the heart of the Fort. This Temple is one of the less decorative temples in the fort. It displays an exciting dome of fine paintings
Gadi Sagar Tank: Gadi Sagar Tank was once the source of water supply to the city. The tank is encircled by shrines and temples and a variety of waterfowl can be spotted here in the winter months.
The Jaisalmer Fort was constructed in 1156 by the Bhati ruler, Rao Jaisal. This fort stands over the 80 m tall Trikuta hill, and is delimited by 3 walls and 99 bastions. The Golden sandstone fort over the centuries witnessed many battles between the Bhatis, Mughals and the Rathores of Jodhpur. The Jaisalmer Fort is said to be the oldest and largest living Fort in the World
Jain Temples: In the fort complex there are many beautifully carved Jain Temples constructed in the 12th and the 15th century. The Maharawals (rulers) of Jaisalmer were sincere Hindus, but were humane on Jainism and encouraged art and religion. There are seven Temples in the complex: Chandraprabhu, Parasnath, Shitalnath, Sambhavanth, Shantinath, Kunthunath and Rikhabdev Temple. All this temples are connected by an array of halls and alleys. The Gyan Bhandar, a library established in 1500 A.D. is also close to the Fort. This Library stocks some of the priceless manuscripts and other displays like the astrological charts.
Just outside the city of Jaisalmer, lie the panoramic dunes of Sam, a visit to which will remain in your memory as one of the highlights of your Rajasthan tour. The spirits of the desert, the ripples of the Dunes create a fascinating mirage that stretches for miles and miles. The tour includes a short camel ride, giving you wonderful views of the sunset over the dunes.