The ‘Golden City’ as it has come to be known as a majestic
place. A huge fort sits atop a hill in the center of the city, overlooking the
sun-kissed houses. Sand dunes not far from the city are a tourist hotspot for
camel safaris and jeep tours. There are so many great little spots I discovered
and awesome things to do in Jaisalmer, the ‘Golden City’ of India.
Jaisalmer Fort is situated in the city of Jaisalmer, in the
Indian state of Rajasthan. It is believed to be one of the very few
"living forts" in the world, as nearly one fourth of the old city's
population still resides within the fort. For the better part of its 800-year
history, the fort was the city of Jaisalmer.
Jaisalmer Fort is an important hub of Rajput Bhati rule.
More popularly known as the Golden Fort or Sonar Quila, this yellow sandstone
regal structure was raised by Rajput ruler Raja Jaisal in 1156.
It was the centre of a number of historical encounters
between the Bhattis, the Mughals of Delhi, and the Rathores of Jodhpur. The
Jaisalmer Fort history also talks of multiple attacks on the fort by the Muslim
kings like Ala-uddin-Khilji and Mughal Monarch Humayun.
Jain Temple:-
The Jaisalmer Fort is the Jain Temple. There are many throughout India but I’ve only been inside the Jaisalmer Temple. What I can tell you is that if they are all as spectacularly detailed and intricate as the Jaisalmer Jain Temple, you should visit the one closest to you. The minute details inside the multi-roomed, multi-level temple are phenomenal. I studied one wall for what seemed like an eternity unable to fathom the person chipping away carving such an awesome piece of work. Hundreds of Buddhas sit throughout the temple.
The Jaisalmer Fort is the Jain Temple. There are many throughout India but I’ve only been inside the Jaisalmer Temple. What I can tell you is that if they are all as spectacularly detailed and intricate as the Jaisalmer Jain Temple, you should visit the one closest to you. The minute details inside the multi-roomed, multi-level temple are phenomenal. I studied one wall for what seemed like an eternity unable to fathom the person chipping away carving such an awesome piece of work. Hundreds of Buddhas sit throughout the temple.
It is a little hidden away but is near the main parking lot
and there are multiple signs and helpful shopkeepers to point you in the right
direction. The Jaisalmer Fort is a bit of a maze but sometimes it’s nice to get
lost anyway. Visiting Jain Temple really is one of the best activities in
Jaisalmer.
Bada Bagh: -
Bada Bagh from the city center. It only took us about 15 minutes driving towards the huge wind turbines to find the temple site. Bada Bagh translates to ‘big garden’.
Bada Bagh from the city center. It only took us about 15 minutes driving towards the huge wind turbines to find the temple site. Bada Bagh translates to ‘big garden’.
The entrance fee was 100 rupees and not a single tourist was
at the site when we arrived in mid-morning. Essentially Bada Bagh is a
cemetery. Years ago the founder of Jaisalmer commissioned a dam to create a water
tank to be built at the site, which meant it was the only green area in the
region at times during the year. It is also the reason why there is a lake next
to Bada Bagh, seemingly in the middle of a huge desert. This is how it earnt
the name Bada Bagh or ‘Big Garden’. The Maharajah had a cenotaph built for his
father atop the hill and many more cenotaphs more followed after for important
figures.
Gadi Sagar Lake, but we were also up early to escape the
relentless Jaisalmer sun. Alas, there was not much of sunrise but we watched
old men relaxing by the lakeside, played with stray dogs and then watched the giant
catfish of the lake get some chapati from the locals.
Temples sit out in the water, almost as if they were
floating and the sound of traffic from the city is too far to break the
serenity. Visiting Gadi Sagar Lake would be rated as one of the best things to
do in Jaisalmer for sunrise in my opinion. Hanging out on the walls of the fort
for sunrise could be epic also.
Haveli’s are usually detailed exquisite exteriors and are a
sight to behold. There are many Haveli’s to explore in Jaisalmer and we were
asked to pay to enter inside them but decided our view from the outside was
good enough. You will find Haveli’s throughout the city but if you are looking
for them specifically, my favorite was the Patwaon-Ki-Haveli.
Golden City it’s likely you will be offered a camel safari
in Jaisalmer. It’s the most popular tourist attraction in the western region of
Rajasthan. The Sam Sand Dunes are on the outskirts of Jaisalmer in the Desert
National Park provide the perfect landscape for slow-paced trekking and
escaping the city.
Make your vacation a special one while you head out on an
amazing Jeep safari in Jaisalmer and drive through the deserts. During this
village jeep safari, you will get a chance to explore the villages and basti,
where you get a chance to see the cultural life and daily life of these places.
Get a chance to witness the daily life of the famous Basti, as you take this
amazing jeep ride. As you move on from the bustling activity of the village to
the serenity of desert, one is at times able to spot a trek of the famous Black
Buck Antelope. The drive continues across the desert to the Lakhmanna, Sam
village, Bhillo ki Basti and more places where a number of migratory birds come
in the season of winter, and provide a splendid view
Indulge in the Jeep safari activity and travel amidst
Lakhamana Dunes for 2 KM in the desert for about 35 minutes. Take the
photographs with your family to make the trip memorable and end your tour by heading
back to the desert camp after indulging in the enthralling fun of 45 minutes.
Timings: You can pick any spot from 8:00 AM till 6:30
PM in a day.
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