Travel in Jaisalmer

Overview

The golden city of "Jaisalmer" lies deep in the heart of Thar Desert bordering Pakistan in the west of Rajasthan. This enthralling city has been labeled as the "Golden City" because of the honey colour that bestowed on its stone bastion by the posing sun. The Jaisalmer City portrays the picture of massive forts, romantic palaces, magnificent havelis and exquisite temples that bask in the glory of setting sun. Most importantly the vision describes the thirsty desert and imperial fort, that can sheer you down with the magic of haze in the sand dunes of Jaisalmer. This elegant fort is impressive enough to brush you with the lost memories of Arabian Nights. 

 

 

Deewan Salim Singh Ki Haveli

This haveli is actually worth seeing from outside only. It was built in the first half of the 18th century and a part of it is still occupied. Salim Singh was the prime minister of Jaisalmer a princely state in 19th century AD. The mansion has a beautifully arched roof with superb carved brackets in the form of peacocks. It is just below the hill near the fort. It is said that once it had two additional wooden stores in an attempt to make it as high as the Maharaja's palace, but the Maharaja had the upper store demolished.

 

 Jaisalmer fort

The Jaisalmer fort, known as Sonar Quila or the Golden fort, rises from the sand and merges with the golden hues of the desert ambience. The setting sun in its most colourful shades gives it a fairy tale appearance. It is simply magical – as the bastions envelop a whole township that consists of the palace complex, the intricately carved havelis of rich merchants, several temples and the residential complexes of the armies and traders placed strategically on the trade route.

It was from this trade route that the ancient caravans passed, distributing the riches for the prosperity to an otherwise non resourceful kingdom. These merchants served and acquired a great deal of power and noble status in the royal courts of Bhatti Rajputs who founded the state in the 12th century AD and proceeded further. However, the rich merchants inspired by the classic style of the royals, constructed huge mansions (havelis) adjacent to each other in the nature of medieval culture and profusely decorated the walls and ceilings and intricately carved the outdoors and interiors. The colourful art forms had some how relegated the royal heritage to a position of secondary importance. The craftsmen were usually Muslims who were induced on their journey to exhibit their skills in art forms. The result was an architectural purity that cannot be seen elsewhere

 

Tazia Tower