Jaisalmer Desert: Rajasthan’s Golden City
Jaisalmer, lovingly called the Golden City of Rajasthan, lies in the middle of the barren yet beautiful Thar Desert and stands tall as an everlasting tribute to the strength and willpower of Rajasthan’s Rajputs. Life in the surprisingly-active fort city of Jaisalmer revolves around the mighty Jaisalmer Fort, which was built almost from nothing in the year 1156 by Bhatti Rajput Rawal Jaisal. The entrance to the fort is via a series of massive doorways that lead one to the central courtyard.
Jaisalmer has long been a major land-trade centre as it lies on the direct path between Delhi and the kingdoms located to the west of the Indus. This travel destination is perhaps the most prolific fort city in India in that almost a third of the city’s population, even today, resides within the walls of the city. This has led many to conclude that Jaisalmer is the most active museum in India.
Places to visit in Jaisalmer
- Jaisalmer Fort is the predominant tourist attraction in this beautiful fort city. Within the walls of the fort, one can find many palaces and houses that are essentially timeless.
- Prominent among the many intricate structures within the fort is the Tazia Tower, a majestic five tier structure that rises from the Badal Mahal (literally Cloud Palace).
- Prominent among the many havelis and palaces enclosed within the might fort’s walls are Salim Singh-Ki-Haveli, Patwon-Ki-Haveli and Nathmalji-Ki-Haveli. Lodhruva, Barmer, Bada Bagh and Desert National Park are some of the other attractions of the region.
- The Gadsisar Lake is also very popular with both tourists and natives and offers significant seclusion.
- The desert dunes (more correctly, sand dunes) of the Thar Desert are also an excellent tourist attraction. Perhaps the most famous sand dune in the whole of Rajasthan is the Sam (pronounced as “s-u-m”) Sand Dune which is 42 kms away from Jaisalmer.
Jaisalmer- Travel tips, languages spoken, cuisine
- Languages: Hindi and English are widely spoken, and as such communication should not be a problem.
- Cuisine: Due to the upmarket-ness and maturity of the hospitality industry of the region, cuisine catering to all tastes is available here. However, it is recommended that one stick to local food.
- Climate: If visiting during the summer, it is advisable that one wear white clothing, as temperatures can often touch 40°C. Jaisalmer is found in the itinerary of the desert tours of many tour operators.
Best time to visit Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer, like most desert cities, experiences extreme desert climate with hot summers and cold winters. In summer, the temperatures often reach as high as 40–45°C. The winters (October to March) are much cooler with temperatures largely remaining bellow mid-20s. In winter, minimum night temperatures often drop to 8–9°C. Consequently, most tourists prefer to visit Jaisalmer during the winter months of October to March. However, perhaps the best time to visit the city is between the months of January and February when the Golden City is all polished up for the Annual Desert Festival. A celebration of the tradition and valour that defines Jaisalmer, the event features melodious tunes and rhythms along with folk dances, exciting competitions and contests, with the most peculiar being the turban raying contest.
Best way to reach Jaisalmer
- By Air: Jaisalmer has a well-equipped national airport with regular connectivity to major Indian cities such as Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Mumbai, etc.
- By Rail: Jaisalmer is an important railway junction and is well connected to most cities in the region. Jaisalmer is also well-connected to the metros of Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, etc.
- By Road: Jaisalmer is well-connected to all major tourist destinations in Rajasthan.
Accommodation
Hotels, inspection bungalows, private cottages, etc. are available to suit all budgets. One can obtain excellent discounts on accommodation via Rajasthan tour packages. Many Jaisalmer hotels have some connections to the erstwhile royalty of the region. This unique Rajasthan desert destination is home to many desert resorts, desert hotels, desert inns and desert spas.