The name jaisalmer evokes a vivid picture of sheer magic and brilliance of the desert. The exotic, remote and beautiful jaisalmer is a bit of a paradox. So far west that it is in the heart of the desert, one would expect barren near-desolation. Yet this frontier town is today one of rajasthan's best-loved tourist destinations.

A peep into the past
The city has an interesting legend associated with it. It is said that, Lord Krishna had foretold Arjuna that a remote descendent of the Yadav Clan would built his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. His word came true in 1156 AD when Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the Yadav Clan who was a Bhatti Rajput, abandoned his fort at Lodurva and founded a new capital -Jaisalmer, on the Trikuta Hill.

Bahti Rajputs of Jaisalmer were feudal thieves who lived off the forced levy on the caravans laden with precious silks and spices that crossed the territory en-route Delhi-or-Sind. These caravans earned the town great wealth.

Jaisalmer Fort
the golden - hued jaisalmer fort 'sonar kila' can be seen miles away before reaching the town. Standing proud to a height of hundred metres over the city with its 99 bastions, the fort is a splendid sight in the afternoon sun. In fact the fort is a part of the desert citadel, walking up and down the cobbled and narrow lanes, one gets the feeling of a different age altogether

Nathmalji-ki-Haveli
Two architect brothers built it in the 19th century. Interestingly, while one concentrated on the right, the other concentrated on the left and the result is a symphony epitomising the side by side symmetry during construction. Paintings in miniature style monopolise the walls in the interior. Mighty tuskers carved out of yellow sandstone stand guard to the haveli.

Patwon -ki-Haveli
Patwon -ki-Haveli is the most elaborate and magnificent of all the havelis of Jaisalmer. It reflects the exquisitely carved pillars and extensive corridors and chambers. The havelis is painted with white murals, which take your attention towards it.

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. The mansion is just below the hill and it is said that once it had two additional wooden storeys in an attempt to make it as high as the maharaja's palace, but the maharaja had the upper storey torn down.

Manak Chowk
Manak Chowk is the main market place which is just outside fort. From Manak Chowk, one can walk into the lanes where the famous carved havelis are to be found. Each haveli's facade differs from other. Built mainly during the 18th and 19th centuries, the carving in the havelis of Jaisalmer is of a very superior quality.

Jain temples
This group of fine Jain temples were built in the 12th to 15th century within the Jaisalmer Fort. They are beautifully carved and dedicated to Rishabdevji and Sambhavnathji. The Gyan Bhandar, a library containing some extremely old manuscripts, is within the temple complex. There are also Shiva and Ganesh temples within the fort.

Gadsisar Sagar Tank
Gadsisar Sagar Tank lies south of the city walls. It was once the main source of water supply to the city and there are many small temples and shrines around the tank. In winter a wide variety of water birds flock here.

How To Get There

Rail:
Jaisalmer is 290-km from Jodhpur via Pokhran, Dechu and Balesar or 330-km from Bikaner via Pokhran and Phalodi. It is well connected by train with Jodhpur and other major cities of the country by a meter gauge line.

Road:
A good network of roads joins Jaisalmer with Jodhpur and many other destinations in and around Rajasthan.