“The Golden Jewel on Desert Land”
Residing on the ridge of yellowish golden sand dunes, Jaisalmer is the most notable desert city of India that owns a cultural and archaeological history spanning a thousand years back. From over the impressive sandcastle to the royal mansions of rich merchants, the town of golden beauty is jeweled by some amazing artistic features that are broadly highlighted in its architectural jewels. Owing to the charm of age-old Rajasthani culture and tradition, this place lures its guests by offering a lot of incredible ways to enjoy their holidays in Jaisalmer.
Be it the warm hospitality or enchanting desert diaries, Jaisalmer is all set to win the hearts of tourists within its first sight. Once a prosperous trading centre Jaisalmer is today a major hub of travelers who seek an exciting holiday trip that blends equally the cultural heritage and dozens of fun over the dunes.
Things to do
Desert Safari in Jaisalmer
Getting around on camelback, Desert safari will let you explore the desert stretch of Jaisalmer while including the village areas as well. These rides offer a great taste of the desert lifestyle by providing you a great fun trip to the city tour. When booking the camel rides in Jaisalmer it is highly recommended to check out the temperature and climate in the city as it should be moderate to enjoy a great desert trail.
Boating at Gadisar Lake
At the time of dawn, spending some leisure time over the lakeside by enjoying a paddle boat will soothe your mind and soul in a great way. Enjoying this activity in Gadisar Lake is a perfect retreat for romantic couples who can cherish some leisure time and recall their sweet memories of love while relishing the scenic vistas of the lake.
Overnight Camping in the desert
Camping overnight in Jaisalmer will add a splash of the fun-filled and exciting experience of life to your journey. It would surely be a great way to soak up in the desert charm. Camping with a bonfire and proper arrangements of dinner along with the company of friends would surely lift up your experience in a great way.
Dune Bashing
Also known as Sand surfing, Dune bashing is a great adventure sport to try-out. The sand dunes of Jaisalmer offers a thrill of enjoying dune bashing and enjoy a speedy drive through the terrains. It will for sure give a perfect adrenalin kick to all the adventure lovers.
Best time to visit
Due to the locality around the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, Jaisalmer observes hot and humid climate all throughout the year. Especially the days of summer bring unbearable scorching heat of the sun and many desert activities remain closed during the summer season, thus it is not recommended to travel during this season in the city. Monsoon brings rainfall with greenery in desert areas while winters are the best time to visit Jaisalmer which starts from November and lasts till March.
Otherwise named as Sonar Quila or Golden Fort, this historic castle was dated back to 800 years. The ancient fortress emits golden radiance as it glows proudly under the stunning sun rays. Jaisalmer Fort is one of the very few lively forts in the world which beholds around 1/4th of the old city population. Its impressive architecture glows like a jewel under the moonlight in the dark shed of the sky.
A beautiful man-made reservoir, Gadisar Lake was built by the first ruler of the city, Raja Rawal Jaisal and was further revamped during the reign of Maharawal Gadsi Singh after whom the lake was named as Gadisar Lake. It is an absolute paradise for bird watching as many migratory birds can be spotted around the lake that adds up to the beauty of this artificial water reservoir.
The famous royal mansions of rich merchants in Jaisalmer include Patwon ki Haveli, Salim Singh ki Haveli, and Nathmal ji ki Haveli. These mansions were basically the dwellings of prosperous traders or prime ministers of the city. All of these three are widely known for their astounding architectural designs that show the finest art of artisans of the bygone era.
Jaisalmer is well-known for its Jain Temples that are devoted to Jain Tirthankaras and is mainly famous for marvelous Dilwara style of paintings. The structure of these shrines is comprised of yellow sandstone which is somehow distinctive from other jewels of Jaisalmer. Lodurva Jain temple is one of the famous among the group of temples located in Jaisalmer.
A huge garden complex area made with cenotaphs or chhatris, Bada Bagh is located almost 7 kilometers away from the heart of the city. It comprises of chhatris that are made in remembrance of old kings or royal families of Jaisalmer. These chhatris are designed in Mughal, Rajput, and Paliwal style of architecture.