Information on Sightseeing in Jaisalmer Rajasthan

Jaisalmer Fort: Jaisalmer's most prominent feature and certainly the first place to visit- is the
awesome Jaisalmer Fort. This majestic fort, built of golden sandstone, is the second oldest in
Rajasthan (the oldest is the fort of Chittaurgarh) and stands at a height of 80 mt, looking down
over the sprawling city below. Approached through a series of four gates Akhai Pol, Suraj Pol,
Bhuta Pol and Hawa Pol- the fort dates back to the 15th century, when its first buttress wall
was built. Major additions to the citadel were made over the following centuries, and the fort
today is a vast complex containing within it palaces, havelis, courtyards and temples. Of the
palaces, the five main ones Akhai Vilas, Gaj Mahal, Rang Mahal, Moti Mahal and Sarvottam
Vilas are a splendid example of local architecture, replete with finely carved lattice screens,
exquisite murals and delicate arches and balconies. The Jaisalmer Fort also contains Hindu and
Jain temples; the three Jain temples within the fort are particularly beautiful, and their carving
is distinctly reminiscent of the Delwara Temples at Mount Abu.

An interesting feature of the Jaisalmer Fort is that it is still a living fortress: nearly a third of
Jaisalmer's total population dwells within the fort. The fort's interior is a labyrinth of streets and
narrow bylanes through which a traveller can wander, savoring the matchless atmosphere of
the fort.
Patwon ki Haveli: After the Jaisalmer Fort, the city's main sights are its havelis- the ornate and
opulent mansions constructed by its noblemen over the years. Of these, the Patwon ki Haveli,
built between 1800 and 1860, is one of the best. The haveli was constructed by Guman Chand
Patwa and his five sons, who were traders in brocade, opium, and gold and silver embroidery,
with a business network stretching as far as China and Afghanistan. The haveli is a fitting tribute
to the wealth of the Patwa family: it is a five-storied structure, with vast corridors and
chambers, delicately carved pillars and balconies. Of particular interest is a beautifully painted
apartment the walls of which are ornamented with well-executed murals.

Salim Singh ki Haveli: Another of Jaisalmer's stunning havelis, the 300-year old Salim Singh ki
Haveli was once the residence of Salim Singh Mohta, the despotic Prime Minister to Jaisalmer's
Maharaja Rawal Gaj Singh. The highlight of Salim Singh's haveli is a striking blue cupola with
magnificently carved brackets shaped like peacocks. The haveli, which is built of Jaisalmer's
hallmark golden stone, has a beautifully carved balcony and intricate carvings throughout the
mansion.

Nathmalji ki Haveli: Dating back to the late 19th century, Nathmalji ki Haveli was built by
Nathmal, a prime minister to the Maharaja of Jaisalmer, as a gift to his liege who allowed
Nathmal to retain it. The haveli was built in 1885, and consists of two separate sections- the
right wing and the left wing of the mansion. The two wings look more or less identical, but
closer inspection reveals minor discrepancies a testimony to the fact that the two wings had
in fact been built by Nathmal and his brother, as a result of which slight differences in carving
and decoration crept in. The interior of the haveli, replete with carvings and murals, is stunning.

Desert Culture Centre and Museum and Folklore Museum: A must-see for the traveller keen
on getting a glimpse of the Thar Desert in a neatly-packaged and comfortable environment, the
Desert Culture Centre and Museum is one of Jaisalmer's few museums. It, as you would expect,
contains a collection of artifacts related to the desert, including old coins, weaponry, textiles
and traditional folk music instruments. The museum is privately operated by a local family that
also runs the Folklore Museum, an equally interesting place. The Folklore Museum has a fine
display of objects, including paintings, travelling temples, musical instruments and some lovely
wooden statues of Krishna and Radha.

Gadsisar Lake: An artificial lake that is replenished by rainwater, the Gadsisar Lake dates back
to 1156 as a source of water for Jaisalmer. Rebuilt in 1367, the lake is surrounded on its
northern and eastern banks by a string of bathing ghats, cenotaphs, gardens and temples, all of
which makes for a very picturesque setting. The Gadsisar Lake is a popular picnic spot and is a
major attraction of Jaisalmer.

Shopping in Jaisalmer

The 'shop-till-you-drop' clich can very aptly and without any exaggeration be applied to
Jaisalmer. This city is great for stocking up on souvenirs of Rajasthan woodwork, textiles
(including tie-and-dye fabrics, block prints plus mirrorwork, appliqu and soft Jaipuri quilts),
camel leather jootis, ethnic silver jewellery, rugs, shawls and wall hangings. The vast number of
local handicrafts on sale is mind-boggling, and avid shoppers may well find themselves with
significantly thinner wallets than they started off with especially as handicrafts, in many
cases, tend to be a little more expensive than they would be in cities like Jaipur.

Jaisalmer's top shopping districts lie within the Jaisalmer Fort, where beside privately-owned
shops; there are also the two government run emporiums of Rajasthali and Khadi Gramodyog.
Also worth checking out is the UMBVS (Urmul Marusthali Bunkar Vikas Samiti) outlet, where
excellent local textiles and garments can be bought at comparatively low rates. The UMBVS is a
co-operative aimed at eliminating middlemen and thus empowering artisans, who receive all
profits and benefits accruing from the sale of Urmul products.

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