Travel India Jaisalmer
The Golden City
Where would you go if you wanted to see sand, desert and sand dunes in India?
It is crowned by a fort, which contains the palace buildings and beautiful Jain temples.
Many of the houses and temples are beautifully sculpted.
History
According to legend, Lord Krishna told Arjuna that a remote descendent of the Yadav clan would build his kingdom on top of Trikuta Hill.
In keeping with this prophesy, Rawal Jaisal, a descendant of Yadav clan, founded Jaisalmer in 1156.
Deoraj, a famous prince of the family known as ‘Bhati’ family, is considered to be real founder of the Jaisalmer dynasty. He adopted the title of Rawal.
Jaisalmer, meaning “the Hill Fort of Jaisal”, was named after him.
Alauddin Khilji was angered by Bhatis’ raid on a caravan filled with treasure.
Alauddin Khilji’s army captured and sacked the fort and the city of Jaisalmer.
For quite some time, Jaisalmer lay deserted.We do not know what happened during the next decades.
Next, we find Rawal Sahal Singh, who acknowledged the supremacy
of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.The major opponents of Jaisalmer rulers were the powerful rulers of Jodhpur and Bikaner.
They used to fight for the possession of forts, waterholes or cattle.
However, the importance of Jaisalmer declined when Bombay emerged as a port, and sea trade replaced the traditional land routes.
The partition of India in 1947 led to the closing of all trade routes through the Indo-Pak border.
But the skirmishes between India and Pakistan gave Jaisalmer a strategic importance and it became an army supply depot.
Later, the Rajasthan Canal revived the surrounding desert areas.
And the Government built roads and railways, knitting the remote Jaisalmer with the rest of Rajasthan.
From its 250 feet high vantage point on the hill, the Fort stands vigil over the surrounding desert.
Its massive walls follow the contours of the hills.
The Fort has five interconnected palaces with intricate ‘jaali’ screens and beautiful ‘jharokhas’.
Steep cobblestone pathways passing through the four gates lead to the royal palace.
The sharp twists and turns make the fort invincible.
Jain Temples
Inside the fort, there are four Jain temples, dedicated to Rishabdevji Sambhavnathji and Parshvanathji.
Human and animal figures are carved on the walls of its sanctum.
The dome or ‘shikhar’ is crowned by an amalak and a water pot containing a lotus flower.
The Jain temples have a library containing some of the oldest manuscripts of India.
Excavated in 1367 by Rawal Gadsi Singh, the Gadsisar is a beautiful rainwater lake surrounded by small temples and shrines.
Today, it is an ideal picnic and boating spot.
Salim Singh-ki-Haveli – This was once the residence of the Mohta family, ministers of Jaisalmer rulers.
Its ceilings are supported by exquisitely carved pillars and the balconies are delicately chiselled.
One worked from the right side and the other from the left.
But the entire construction is harmonious.
Places to see around Jaisalmer
The former capital of Jaisalmer rulers is an important pilgrimage centre for Jains.
An architectural masterpiece of Lodurava is the ‘Toran’ or ornate arch at the main entrance with its exquisite carvings.
‘Kalpatru’, or the divine tree, is another great attraction.
The not to be missed thing to see in Jaisalmer are the sand dunes.
The shifting ripples on the sand dunes, caused by the wind, some as high as 150 feet, constantly create and recreate new designs.
They are the photographer’s delight.Various cultural programs are organised against the backdrop of these fascinating dunes.
A lot of Hindi films are shot around the sand dunes.
If you are fond of adventure, you can go out on a camel safari – in the desert on camel back.
This park, on the Barmer Road, takes you back to the Jurassic period.
You can see 180 million year old fossilized trees.
This 3162 sq. kms. vast Biosphere Reserve lies to the south-west of Jaisalmer.
This is one of the largest National Parks in India, but very different from the ones we are accustomed to. Here you can see sand dunes.
You can see the Indian Gazelle, Chinkara and a lot of birds.
You can see the rare and endangered Great Indian Bustard in relatively large numbers.
This bird migrates locally in different seasons.
There are a lot of other migratory and resident birds – eagles, harriers, falcons, buzzards, kestrel and vultures. Short-toed Eagles, Tawny Eagles, Spotted Eagles, Laggar Falcons and Kestrels.
You can see the Sand grouse near small ponds or lakes.The best time to visit the wild life is between November and January.
You can see and hear folk dancers swing to the enchanting folk music under the full moon.
You can watch the unique turban tying contest and the Mr. Desert contest.
Reaching there
Air
The nearest airport is Jodhpur (285 kms).
Jaisalmer has a railway station and is connected with Jodhpur by night train.
Distances
Bikaner 325 km Pokaran (112 kms)
Jaipur (558 kms)
Jodhpur (285 kms Via Pokaran)
Mumbai (1177 kms)
New Delhi (864 kms)
Recommendation
Satyajit Ray, the famous Indian film director, wrote a detective novel based on this fort.
He later made it into the film – Sonar Kella (The Golden Fortress).
Most of the houses date back to the 12th to 15th centuries.
And hence, Jaisalmer is also called ‘the Museum city’.
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