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INTRODUCTION

Jaisalmer, popularly referred as the "golden city of India", is one of the most alluring tourist destinations in Rajasthan, India.Jaisalmer,the golden city of fiery tenderness of creativity,is one of the most remote and unique towns of India. Founded by Prince Jaisal Bhatti eight hundred years ago, Jaisalmer the biggest town of the biggest Parliamentary constituency in the world, with an average of six persons per square kilometer is like a dreamland where the setting sun, like a big ball of bright copper seems so near that you feel almost touching it, and where everything slumbers into eerie serenity. Located in the heart of the Thar Desert, few cities in the world can match its magnificence.

HISTORY

It was in 1156 AD,Jaisalmer was founded by the Bhatti Rajput chieftain. The legend behind Jaisalmer's history states that in order make the capital more secure a saint advised the usurper to build a castle on the Trikuta hill. It is believed that Lord Krishna as a revelation of divine wanted a descendant or heir of his Yadav clan would build a kingdom here. The Trikuta hill also had supply of water which is mainly due to a miracle performed by Krishna to quench the thirst of Arjuna.The Lunar clan of Bhattis is Krishna's descendant, valiant and most feared of the dessert marauders, perennially locked in territorial skirmishes with Jodhpur and Bikaner. One Bhatti scion-Gaj Singh had founded the city of Ghazni in Afghanistan but ultimately lost it to forces from Khorasan. One of his grandsons reclaimed Ghazni, embraced Islam, and came to be called Chagattas (Mughals). They later plundered the land of their ancestors between 1000 and 1025 A.D. Again, led by Babar they came to found the Mughal Empire in India.

LOCATION

Jaisalmer is a border district of India located in the state of Rajasthan and touching Pakistan on its western side. On its south, there is the beautiful city of Bikaner. The eastern part of the place is bordered by Jodhpur, another city of color and tradition

BEST SEASON

The ideal time to visit Jaisalmer is between the months of October and March.

PLACE OF INTEREST

KEDARNATH TEMPLE

The imposing shrine stands near the head of the Mandakini valley on a level ground against fascinating backdrop of magnificent snow. The present temple built by Adi Shankaracharya is next to the site of an earlier temple that legend says was built by the Pandavas of the Mahabharata. At the entrance is a huge bull, the mount of Shiva. The walls inside are exquisitely carved with images. The temple is made out of gigantic, evenly cut grey slabs of stone.

JAISALMER FORT

The Golden Fort or Sonar Killa grows out of a rockin an undulating sea of sand. Built in yellow sandstone the imposing of fort stands in awesome splendour, domnating the amber hued city. The entire living area is well protected inside the ramparts of the fort. The fort houses excellent palaces and old Jain temples dating back to 12th to 15th century.Jaisalmer fort is the second oldest in Rajasthan. Even today, you will find that nearly one fourth of the old city's population resides within the fort.

SAM SAND DUNES

Sam Sand Dunes, 42 km from Jaisalmer offers a good adventurous trip on the desert sand with camel safari. The sand dunes are eternal but they keep shifting with the movement of the winds, which marks as one of the nature's most interesting and picturesque phenomena. The wind draws enormous images on the sand as the time goes by. Each time the pattern generated would be different. The sand dunes look golden in the sunlight and turn into a silvery texture once the moon sets in. It is amazing to see the remarkable structure and patterns that the winds create with the sand as the day waxes and wanes. Sand dunes are created by the flow of wind and this is also called as the Eolien process. The sandd dunes of Rajasthan create an excellent backdrop for its rich forts and palaces. A visit to Rajasthan is incomplete without a visit to the sand dunes.

The best way to enjoy the sand dunes is to undertake a camel safari trip. The camel safari trip is well organised and the camel owners know the behavioural patterns of the dunes. The dunes are best visited during the months of October to February when the heat is relatively less in the region. Evenings and night are the best time to visit the dunes because at this time the silver rays of moon spread its radiance in the entire region thereby making it glow. Rajasthani folk lore can be best experienced here. Caution should also be undertaken when visiting the sand dunes as they become dangerous under extreme weather conditions like strong winds. It is also easy to get lost in the eternal sand dunes as the place seems to look the same everywhere. Kuldhara and Khuri village are a good base to set out on an expedition to watch the Sand Dunes of Rajasthan.

JAISALMER JAIN TEMPLE

The Jaisalmer Jain temples are noted for its Dilwara style of architecture which is famous all over the world and they belong to the 12th and 15th centuries. The presiding deities or the idols of the Jain temple are the gods Rikhabdevji and Sambhavnathji and are mainly dedicated to various Jain Tirthankars.Like the rest of the fort the temples here is also craved out of yellow sandstone. A visit to these temples promises a divine feeling of peace being felt. The Jain temple of Lodhruva, which reminds of the glory of the former capital city Lodhruva, is a place worth visiting.

PARASWANATH TEMPLE

The presiding deity of this temple is Parshvanath which is featured with multiple hoods in the shape of serpents and is built only of black stone. The Parswanath temple is also noted for its art work where engravings of animals and humans adorn and beautify the walls of this shrine. The dome with Amalak and a beautiful water vase containing a lotus ends to the beauty of the temple. It was not maintained in good condition until Seth Tharu Shah who rebuilt it in 1615.There is an emerald statue of Lord Mahavira within the Paraswanath Temple sanctum that exudes an aura of peace and tolerance.

TAZIA TOWER

A pagoda like structure looming up from the ‘Badal Mahal’ with beautiful 'Taazias'-ornately decorated bamboo,

paper and tinsel replicas of a bier, carried out in procession during Moharram by the Muslims.

GADSISAR

Gadsisar Sagar is a beautiful scenic spot ideal for a days outing. It is one of the important source of water for Jaisalmer.A number of migratory birds flock this place during the winter season.

HAVELI

Jaisalmer is renowned for its intricately carved and chisled haveli's which illustrates superb craftsmanship. Some of the most important Haveli's are

SALIM SINGH - KI - HAVELI

This Haveli is named after Salim Singh who was the prime minister when Jaisalmer was the capital of a princely state and it was built nearly 300 years ago.Salim Singh-Ki-Haveli just below the hill has a beautifully arched roof with superb carved brackets in the form of peacocks.

PATWON - KI - HAVELI

Patwon-Ki-Haveli has a remarkable carved work of pillars and extensive corridors and chambers. It is divided into six apartments.

DESERT CULTURE CENTRE AND MUSEUM

The Desert Culture Centre and Museum is a place which gives visitors an inside view of Jaisalmer, its people and the area around it. The museum has an extensive collection of old coins, textile, weaponry, traditional Rajasthani musical instruments and fossils found in the desert.

GUPTKASHI

Famed for the Ardhanareeshwar and Viswanath temples, Gupt Kashi is closely associated with Hindu mythology which states that Lord Shiva makes himself hidden here for some time. The temple premises reflect the architectural style of the bygone eras.Arthanareeshwar deity takes up the form of half man and half woman. The temple has two streams of water, which symbolizes the holy rivers, Ganga and Yamuna. The entrance of the temple is guarded by the image of Nandi bull.

SHOPPING

Jaisalmer is famous for the traditional handicrafts of Rajasthan which includes Rajasthani mirror work, rugs, blankets, antiques and old stonework. Wooden boxes and trinkets are extremely popular in the city of Jaisalmer. The tourists may collect the Bandhani or the tie-dyed cloth which is one of the specialties of the city. The place is also noted for its embroidery work. The main shopping area are Sadar Bazar, Sonaron ka Bass, Manak Chowk, Pansari bazar, Gandhi Darshan, Seema gram, Rajsthani Govt. shop and Khadi Gramuddyog Emporium.

EAT OUTS 1.MOONLIGHT RESTAURANT Opp Head post office, Hanuman Circle, Jaisalmer 02992 250267 2.Hotel Jaisalgarh H-2, Shilpgram, Near MES IB, Jaisalmer 0299 2255641 3.Poolside Barbeque At the Fort Rajwada Hotel Jaisalmer 4.Little Italy, inside the Fort Jaisalmer 5.Monica Restaurant, near the first Fort Gate Jaisalmer 6.Natraj Restaurant Jaisalmer 7.Trio, near the Amar Sagar Gate Jaisalmer 8.Bhang Shop, outside the first gate at the Fort Jaisalmer 9.Vyas Meal Service, at the Jain temple Jaisalmer 10.Dhanraj Bhatia Sweets Jaisalmer ACCOMODATION 1.Hotel Moon Light Opp. Head Post Office Near Hanuman Circle, JAISALMER-345001 (Rajasthan) India. +91-2992-250267 , 254359 2.Hotel Jaisal Palace Near Gandhi Chowk & Behind Royal Palace, JAISALMER-345001 (Rajasthan) India. +91-2992-252717 , 251417 3.Hotel The Royale Near Fort Dhibba Para Jaisalmer Rajasthan - 02992252601 4.Deoki Niwas Palace Navkhunia, Opp. Kishan Ghat Prol, Jethwai Road , Jaisalmer-345001 (Rajasthan) India. +91-2992-252599 5.Hotel Garh Jaisal On Fort, Kotri Para Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India 345001 6.Hotel Golden Haveli Bera Road Jaisalmer 345001 Rajasthan India - 02992 250821/2 7.Fort Rajwada 1, Hotel Complex, Jodhpur-Barmer Link Road Jaisalmer,345001 02992 253233 8.Gateway Hotel Rawalkot Jodhpur-Jaisalmer Road Jaisalmer,345 001 02992 251874 9.Mandir Palace Gandhi Chowk Jaisalmer, 0 02992 252788 10.Rang Mahal, Jaisalmer 5, hotel complex, Sam Road, Post Box No. 50, Jaisalmer. Phone:-91-2992-250907,250908

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GETTING THERE

BY AIR
The nearest airport that caters to Jaisalmer - bounded travellers is at Jodhpur. Jodhpur is connected to many other indian cities by air.

BY BUS
Rajasthan Roadways run very comfortable deluxe & air conditioned buses from Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner. The roads are very good and fairly comfortable.

BY TRAIN
The nearest railway station that caters to Jaisalmer - bounded travellers is at Jodhpur. Jodhpur is connected to many other indian cities by train.

LOCAL TRANSPORT
In the city you can travel by un-metered auto-rickshaws, buses, cycle-rickshaws or you can also use car cabs and car-taxi. The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation operates regular bus service for local city tour.