Jaisalmer city

Jaisalmer is a small town in the state of Rajasthan. The town is named after its founder Maharawal Jaisal Singh, a Rajput king. It is also called as the "Golden City of India" because of the yellow sand and yellow sandstone used in the town's architecture giving a golden tinge. Jaisalmer is located at around 575 km west from Jaipur the capital of Rajasthan. It is situated near the border of India and Pakistan in West Rajasthan and is the administrative headquarters of Jaisalmer District.

Jaisalmer has an average elevation of 229 m and covers an area of 5.1 sq km. The climate is dry is hot summers and pleasant winters. Average rainfall is 209.5 mm. Jaisalmer is just about entirely a sandy waste and forms a part of the Great Indian Desert. The west is covered with log bushes and the east with bunch of long grass. Water is scarce and there are no permanent streams, except one small river, Kakni, which flows at a distance of 48 km. It also forms a Lake Orjhil "The Bhuj Jhil".

Tourism is a major industry in Jaisalmer. It is full of artistic structures and monuments of local historical importance. The medieval fortress and the walled township make it a popular tourist destination. The surrounding barren landscape supports its austere beauty. The camel safaris in the nearby desert dunes are popular among tourists. Some of the popular tourist attractions in Jaisalmer are: Jaisalmer Fort, Raj Mahal (Royal palace), Jain temples, Laxminath temple, Desert Culture Centre & Museum, Jaisalmer Folklore Museum, Government Museum, Jaisalmer fort palace museum, Gadsisar Lake, etc.

Some basic information about Jaisalmer City is necessary before touring the golden city of Rajasthan. Known for its Havelis and sand stone made palaces, Jaisalmer is one of the greatest tourism destinations in the country. The beautiful city lies within the great Thar Desert. The geographical location of the city falls between North Latitude 26° 01' and East Longitude 69°03'.

Basically a desert city, Jaisalmer witnesses extreme climatic conditions. The summers are extremely hot but the winters are equally cold. The maximum temperature rises above the 42° in summer Centigrade mark and in winter, the temperature comes down to 7° to 6° Centigrade. All throughout the year, the days are very warm but in the evenings the temperature drops quite a few degrees.

Jaisalmer has an excellent transportation system with wonderful rail and road networks. To reach Jaisalmer by air, one has to land at the nearest Jodhpur Airport and resume his journey towards the city by road or train. The local auto-rickshaws and bicycles are the best way of transportation to move within Jaisalmer City.

Important places to visit

Jaisalmer fort : The Jaisalmer fort stands about 100 meters over the city and houses a citadel within its huge ramparts. Just walk through the fort and you can experience the Jaisalmer. Several entrances called Pols, including the Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol, Bhoota Pol and the Hava Pol guard the Megh Durbar and the Jawahar Mahal which were occupied by the royal family.

Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli : This Haveli was built by two architect brothers in the 19th century. One of the brothers concentrated on the right and the other concentrated on the left, but the result is awesome. Paintings in miniature style monopolize the walls in the interior. Mighty tuskers carved out of yellow sandstone stand guard to the haveli.

Salim Singh Ki Haveli : This haveli was built about 300 years ago and a part of it is still occupied. Salim Singh was the prime minister when Jaisalmer was the capital of the princely state and his mansion has a beautifully arched roof with superb carved brackets in the form of Peacocks.

Patwon-Ji-Ki-Haveli : This is one of the largest and most elaborate Haveli in Jaisalmer and stands in a narrow lane. With five storeys, extensively carved, it is divided into six apartments, two owned by archaeological Survey of India, two by families who operate craft-shops and two private homes. There are remnants of paintings on some of the inside walls as well as some mirror work.

Tazia Tower : The delicate pagoda like Tazia Tower rises from Badal Mahal (Cloud Palace). Rising in its five-tiered splendor, with each storey graced by a delicately carved balcony, the tower is of historical significance. Muslim craftsmen built it in the shape of a Tazia and gifted it to their royal patron

Desert National Park : The Desert National Park is an excellent example of the ecosystem of the Thar Desert and its rich fauna. The Sudashri forest post is the most ideal place for observing wildlife in the Desert National Park. Its inhabitants include the blackbuck, chinkara, wolf, Indian fox, desert fox, hare and desert cat.

Jaisalmer fort » Akal Wood Fossil Park : It is situated just 17 kms from Jaisalmer and a kilometre away from the Barmer Road. It is fossilized remains of 180 million-year-old forests.

Godi Sagar : This tank, south of the city walls, once held the town water supply, and befitting its importance in providing precious water to the inhabitants of this arid city, it is surrounded by small temples and shrines.