Do you know that the descendants of the then maharajas’ workers are still inhabiting the Jaisalmer Fort and running soaps and stalls within the walls?
Also, a total of 99 big bastions are found here across the winding streets, temples and palaces which have been carved out of yellow sandstone. Let’s figure out five best places of the old city, peppered with sandstone havelis, undulating dunes, wind turbines, and villages of the omnipresent Thar Desert present in the Golden City which will take you into the glorious past of India:
Jaisalmer Fort
The Fort sitting atop the Trikuta Hill is also called as the Sonar Quila (Golden Fort) which has been the epicentre of a number of wars between the Rathores and Mughals. The bastion is surrounded by two imposing walls and one enters through a number of sky-high gates that lead to an airy inner courtyard. The fort has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.
The main courtyard takes you to the seven-storied Maharaja Mahal, the king’s former palatial residence which has now been converted into the Fort Palace Museum.
The Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), with a collection of rare Rajput stamps, and Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) with rich porcelain tiles work speak of Jaisalmer’s opulence. The 7 Jain Temples within the fort date back to the 12th and 16th century.
Timings:
Fort Palace Museum: 8 AM – 6 PM (April – October),
9 AM – 6 PM (November – March);
Jain Temples: 8 AM – 12 PM (Chandraprabhu, Rikhabdev, Gyan Bhandar),
11 AM – 12 PM (other temples)
Entry Fee:
Fort Palace Museum: INR 100 for Indians,
INR 500 for Foreigners (audio guide included);
Jain Temples: INR 50 for Indians, INR 200 for Foreigners
Salim Singh ki Haveli: Standing out as a magnificent example of Rajput architecture, the 300-year-old haveli is narrow along the lower floors and then blooms into arched balconies and light blue cupolas.
Salim Singh was a prime minister of Jaisalmer whose poor behaviour with the locals led him to be murdered on orders of the maharaja. Although he wasn’t a pleasant person to be around, his havelis are aesthetically carved. No mortar was used in the construction of this mansion and locals call in Jahaj Mahal.
Timings:
8 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fee:
INR 10-50 for Indians; INR 100 for Foreigners
Patwon ki Haveli: This makes the largest aristocratic mansions in the Golden City. Constructed in the 1800s by the Patwa brothers who were brocade and jewellery merchants, this haveli stands out as an architectural wonder among all the places to visit in Jaisalmer.
While the exterior walls of these mansions as arresting as possible. Patwon ki Haveli has intricately carved windows and balconies, while the interior contains a tiny museum, mirror work, and a few crackling paintings.
Timings:
9 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fee:
INR 50 for Indians; INR 200 for Foreigners
Nathmal Ki Haveli: This is a mansion that a mansion that still houses residents. The 19th century haveli has the beautiful paintings on the first floor that made use of nearly 1.5kg of gold!
Timings:
8 AM – 7 PM
Entry Fee:
Token payment
Gadi Sagar Lake: This is the 14th century tranquil reservoir which was built in 1367 by Maharaja Gadsi Singh to provide water to the old city. The reservoir is dotted with shrines and temples erected by the inhabitants in honour of this man-made oasis. Hire a boat and while away your time at this picturesque location. Gadi Sagar is one of the most mesmerising places to visit in Jaisalmer.
Timings:
8 AM – 9 PM
Entry Fee:
Free
