Jaisalmer holds a major place in the tourism landscape of Rajasthan. Located in the northwestern part of the Indian State, it is popularly called as the golden city because of its bounteous golden sand dunes and castles built with golden honey sandstones. The city is adorned with a number of lagoons, ornamental Jain places of worship, and lavish havelis. This is however one side of the coin. Jaisalmer is also known for its offbeat desert safari experience. The city offers pleasant stays in the middle of the vast spread Thar desert and loads of adventure activities to give you a completely unforgettable experience. The city is also packed with colorful handicraft marketplaces that will take you back in the timeline to offer you an experience of Indian culture and heritage.
Jaisalmer is a beautiful border city lying on the western end of the country offering plenty of things to do and places to visit for tourists across the world. When looking for activities to do in Jaisalmer, you will find something to do for every one. If you like the wilderness, then a camel safari in the Thar desert is for you. If you are more interested in the history of the region, a trip to the ruins of Kuldhara is a must. Jaisalmer is home to some of the most sought after attractions of the nation like the majestic Jaisalmer Fort, full of live desert national park, ancient Kuldhara Village, beautifully designed Jain temples, surreal Gadisar Lake, rustic Sam Sand Dunes, artistic Tazia Tower and Badal Palace, intricately designed Patwon ki Haveli, glorious bada bagh, and many more significant places of tourist attractions.
In the course of your visit to the city of Jaisalmer, you can indulge in a number of desert experiences which are not only adventurous but also filled with fun. Heading out on a safari tour on a jeep or camel and traversing your way through the sands is certainly a great experience. The desert camps have also got loads of other fun for you. You will be spending amazing evening hours at the campsite witnessing the traditional performances of music and dance. The campsites are also known to offer the best ever authentic Rajasthani dishes to delight your taste buds.
Jaisalmer remains hot all through the year. It experiences very hot summer days from the month of April to the month of July, rainy season from the month of July to the month of August, and milder winter days from the month of December to the month of March.
Camping at Sam Sand Dunes, Camel Safari, Visit Jaisalmer Fort, Boating at Gadisar Lake, Visit Kuldhara, Pray at Tanot Mata Mandir, Visit the Famous Bhang Lassi Shop, Visit the Salim Singh ki Haveli, Explore the Patwon ki Haveli, Visit Khaba Fort, Visit Tazia Tower, Sunset at Vyas Chhatri, Visit Longewala War Memorial and many more.
What to do in Jaisalmer can have different answers for different kinds of travellers. If you are a nature lover, you can enjoy camping under the stars at Sam Sand Dunes or go for a camel safari in the desert. For all the history buffs, the city has many museums on offer, from the Jaisalmer War Museum to the Baa Ri Haveli cultural museum. However, the crowning glory of Jaisalmer is the Jaisalmer Fort which forms a magical backdrop to all the bazaars, rooftop restaurants and cenotaphs spread throughout the city.
The city’s tourism industry is one of the most booming and profitable sectors in Jaisalmer. The desert city’s scenic beauty attracts thousands of tourists every year from within the country and abroad. A majority of Jaisalmer’s revenue comes from its tourism industry, while the city also earns foreign exchange in huge numbers from the international tourists who are welcomed by the warm and friendly natives.
The government of Rajasthan has provided sufficient infrastructure to support Jaisalmer’s tourism industry. The city’s transportation is well connected by railways, roads and air routes to the major cities in India, while the city homes numerous accommodation facilities that fits every kind of pocket.
Jaisalmer is so loaded with its cultural heritage that every corner of the city has a past to depict. Though it is a little tough to list all the places you simply cannot miss visiting whilst in the city, there are a few extremely famous places in Jaisalmer that even our school history books could not exclude.
Jaisalmer Fort: The second oldest fort in Rajasthan (the oldest being Chittorgarh), the Jaisalmer Fort rises from the very heart of the city atop the Trikuta hill. The fort was built by Raja Jaiswal in the year 1156 AD and is an embodiment of Indian architecture, design and military brilliance.
Patwon-ki-Haveli: One of the largest and most intricate Havelis in Jaisalmer, the Patwon-ki- Haveli was built by five brothers of the Jain religion between the year of 1800 and 1860. It is famous for its beautiful mirror work on the ceilings and wall as well as exquisite paintings of the bygone era.
Nathmalji-ki-Haveli: Built in the 19th century by two architect brothers, the Nathmalji-ki-Haveli is one of Jaisalmer’s most prominent tourist attractions. The Haveli mainly served as the residence of Diwan Mohata Nathmal, who was the Prime Minsiter of that place during that period.
Salim Singh-ki-Haveli: Built nearly 300 years ago, Salim Singh-ki-Haveli is named after its owner Salim Singh Mohta who served as the Prime Minister when Jaisalmer was the capital of the princely state. The haveli, a part of which is still occupied, has an elegantly arched roof with impeccable carved roofs in the shape of peacocks.
Museums: Jaisalmer boasts of numerous museums which home goods and antiques some of which are as old as a hundred and fifty million years, giving tourists a glimpse of the city’s rich historical heritage. The Government Museum is situated on the western bounds of the Jaisalmer Fort and was opened during 1984. The Folklore Museum was founded by a local connoisseur named N.K. Sharma in the year 1984. It is situated on the bank of Gadsisar Lake in Mehar Bagh.
Gadi Sagar Lake: A rain-water lake, Gadi Sagar is situated in the southern part of Jaisalmer and supplies water to the entire city. The banks of the lake are surrounded by temples, Chattris and holy shrines. A very interesting fact of this lake is that it is never dry despite being in the middle of a desert, as it is fed by the Indira Gandhi Canal.
Desert safari: You cannot leave this desert city without a desert safari. Tourists seldom miss out on the camelback rides that give them the feel of once what was a hobby of the royal Rajputs. Jeep safaris are also available with the ideal places being Sam Sand Dunes and Phalodi, while one can also opt for such safaris in the Desert National Park. Desert festivals are also organized during the month of February and March.
These were just a few of the famous tourist spots around Jaisalmer which you cannot miss visiting if you are in the city. There are numerous other havelis, palaces, museums and tourist attractions that will leave you with memories of a grandeur past of the Rajputana sect.
By Air: The nearest airport to Jaisalmer is the Jodhpur Airport (appox. 285 kilometers). One has to take a train, bus or book a cab/taxi to reach Jiasalmer. Jaisalmer has its own airport but it only serves military purposes and is not used for commercial uses.
By Train: Jaisalmer is well connected by trains. There are several trains to and from the city. There are direct trains from the Jaisalmer Railway Station to Jodhpur and Delhi, and vice-versa.
By Road: Jaisalmer’s road network is good with buses running from the city to other important cities of Rajasthan. One can also reach Jaisalmer as well as tour around the city by hiring a taxi or jeep.
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