Jaisalmer is a major tourist spot located in the northwestern state of Rajasthan in India. It is known as the 'golden city' due to its bounteous golden dunes and castles clad in golden honey sandstone. Jaisalmer is adorned with lakes, ornate Jain temples, and Havelis. Climb on to the camel saddle and make your way through this desert or camp under the night sky in this golden land for an unforgettable experience.
The Jaisalmer Fort stands as a citadel and is surrounded by narrow alleys inhabited by people residing there for generations. With shops selling colorful handicrafts and Havelis that will make you travel back in time, Jaisalmer is an amalgam of exotic Indian desert culture, heritage, and adventure.
Best Time To Visit :
October to March is the best time to visit Jaisalmer as the weather during this time is pleasant. Situated in the heart of the Thar Desert, the summers are extremely dry and hot and must be avoided. The heat will definitely take a toll on your body, and you will not be able to enjoy your trip to the fullest. During winters, the temperatures fall up to 1 or 2 degrees Celsius, especially during the night, so warm clothing is necessary. The monsoon season is also a good time to travel to Jaisalmer. During this time you might get a glimpse of some greenery growing on the arid turf. Jaisalmer is a colorful and vibrant place with an even more beautiful culture that should be a must-visit.
Places To Visit :
1. Jaisalmer Fort :
Jaisalmer Fort, nestled on the golden sands of Thar Desert, is not just a fort but a mini-town with houses, temples, shops, and restaurants. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it falls under the category of 'Hill Forts of India'. Built-in 1156, Jaisalmer Fort gets its name from the former Bhati Rajput ruler Rao Jaisal. More than three thousand people live within the fort walls with multiple entrance gates on the path up top, the last of which directs you to the popular public square named Dashera Chowk. The fort stands at an impressive height of 250 ft. and is surrounded by 30 ft. tall walls. Owing to its altitude, it offers a stunning and panoramic view of Jaisalmer city draped in golden yellow!
Jaisalmer Fort
2 . Desert Safari In Jaisalmer :
Jaisalmer in Rajasthan is a place frequently visited by tourists for its large stretches of desert sand. Most of the visitors prefer going for the desert safaris and planned packages. These tours are conducted either in the early morning or during the evening to avoid the scorching heat. Also, once the desert safari in Jaisalmer gets done, you can enjoy a delicious meal alongside a musical dance program that showcases the local culture of Rajasthan. The desert safari is usually conducted in jeeps or personal cars; you can also enjoy the camel safari over the dunes that will give you a feeling of having stepped back in history. Although visitors usually prefer taking these safaris early in the morning, the night time is when the desert indeed comes alive.
Desert Safari In Jaisalmer
3 . Kuldhara Village :
Kuldhara Village, located around 20 kilometers from the Golden City Jaisalmer is one of the most interesting and intriguing attraction sites that you should absolutely include in your itinerary. The village, rich with its fair share of legends and myths, is said to be a spooky and haunted village. The abandoned and eerily beautiful appearance of it, standing solitary amidst the vast stretches of desert, lives up to its reputation. There have been stories of ghostly and paranormal activities in and around the village, but like always no one could provide any solid proof of it. Visit it, if you wish to be surrounded by an air of mystery.
Kuldhara Village
4 . Jain Temples :
Situated in the Jaisalmer Fort, Jain Temples in Jaisalmer are a must-visit while you are in the city. The temples, though ancient, have a high religious significance and ancient knowledge attached to them. Built-in the Dilwara style that is famous all over the world for its architecture, these temples are dedicated to Rikhabdevji and Shambhavdev Ji, the famous Jain hermits known as 'Tirthankaras'. Being a significant pilgrimage spot, the Jain Temples are truly a treasure of the Jaisalmer city and a fun place to be for all those tourists who are interested in history and religion. All the seven temples are connected to each other and are built using the same golden-yellow Jaisalmer stone.
Jain Temples
5. Desert National Park :
Situated near the town of Jaisalmer, Desert national park is among the largest of its kind in the country, encompassing an area of 3162 sq kms. The park covers a huge area extending from Jaisalmer/Barmer all the way to the India-Pakistan border. In spite of being right in the middle of an arid, dry, and sandy desert, the desert national park presents a wonderful opportunity to see the wildlife such as camels, desert fox, Bengal fox, chinkara, wolves, desert cat, and the Blackbuck. The intriguing landmark offers everything one can expect from a desert ecosystem, craggy rocks and compact salt lake bottoms, intermedial areas, and fixed dunes. The dunes consist of about 20% of the park. The entire area is covered with thorny bushes, cacti, and a few desert plants. If you want to explore the majestic wildlife at the Desert National Park, then the best way to do so is by going for an adventure-filled jeep safari which will be an entirely new exciting experience.
Desert National Park
6 . Gadisar Lake :
On the outskirts of Jaisalmer in the arid state of Rajasthan lies the beautiful Gadisar Lake, which sits like an oasis in the heart of a desert. Back in the middle ages, there were no canals or irrigation system,s or other scientific methods to bring water to the arid regions of Rajasthan. This reservoir was built by Raja Rawal Jaisal keeping in mind the need of his people. Located close to the fort of Jaisalmer, the lake is an easy respite from the hot and dry desert climate. Gadisar Lake offers scenic and picturesque views of the lake and the adjacent fort, especially when the eastern sky is blood red and the sun rises, striking its rays on the top floors of Jaisalmer Fort.
Gadisar Lake
How To Reach :
1 . By Flight :
There are regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore to Jodhpur. One can take connecting flights to this place from the other cities. It is advisable to take a cab from the Jodhpur airport to Jaisalmer. The picturesque view will make the 4-5 hours journey worthwhile.
2 . By Road :
Jaisalmer is well connected via a network of roads to most nearby cities. Buses are also easily available since it is such a popular destination among tourists.
3 . By Train : Jaisalmer is really well connected in terms of the railway network. Especially with cities like Delhi, Jaipur, and Jodhpur, with major trains like “Delhi Jaisalmer Express”, “Jodhpur Jaisalmer Express”, and “Howrah Jaisalmer Express”. Rickshaws and autos are easily available outside the railway station. It usually takes about INR 40-50 for an auto ride to the centre of the city from the railway station.