The golden city of Jaisalmer, which lies courageously as the western sentinel of India, is a place worth visiting. The golden ray of the setting sun draws a heavenly picture on the sands of Jaisalmer. The magnificent wood- and stone-carved mansions and buildings display the love of the Rajputs towards the fine arts. This desert city lying on an old trade route connecting India to Central Asia, is an important tourist destination today famous for camel rides across Thar Desert and its golden sand dunes.

Jaisalmer is a city of forts, havelis, and sand dunes with added attraction of camel rides. The main attraction is Jaisalmer Fort along with Jain Temple, Salim-singh-ki-Haveli, Patwon-ki-Haveli, Gadsisar Sagar Tank, Bara Bagh, and Jaisalmer Culture Center.

The most famous of the local festivals is the Jaisalmer camel fair that is held during the winter season of the year.

Check out the following all-inclusive tour packages and holiday offers that will make your travel or desert tour to Jaisalmer comfortable and enjoyable. We provide you a range of tour packages and holiday offers for the Jaisalmer that will suit your requirements and budget. As per the nature, duration and the accommodation required during the holiday trip or adventure expedition to Jaisalmer, the tour packages vary.

 

The name Jaisalmer evokes a vivid picture of sheer magic and brilliance of the desert. The exotic, remote and beautiful, Jaisalmer is a bit of a paradox. So far west that it is in the heart of the desert, one would expect barren near-desolation. Yet this frontier town is today one of Rajasthan's best-loved tourist destinations. Local colour and warmth prevail over the inhospitable and forbidding terrain, imbuing the medieval town with a special magic.

Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the Yadav Clan and a Bhati Rajput, laid the foundation of this city in 1156 AD. Trikuta was the hill chosen and Jaisal abandoned his old fort at Lodurva and established his new capital here.

The Bhati Rajputs of Jaisalmer were feudal chiefs who lived on the forced levy on the caravans that crossed their territory en-route Delhi. These caravans, laden with precious cargos of spices and silk brought great wealth to this town. Because of its remote location, Jaisalmer for years remained untouched by outside influences and during the British Raj, the rulers of Jaisalmer were the last to sign the instrument of agreement with the British.

In medieval times, its prosperity was due to its location on the main trade route linking India to Egypt, Arabia, Persia, Africa and the West. The glory of Jaisalmer faded when sea trade replaced the old land routes. But there is still an 'Arabian Nights' quality about the town. The narrow streets in the walled city preserve a traditional way of life : the craftsmen still work at the ancient crafts of weaving and stone carving, the making of silver jewellery and embroidery. And the stately, nonchalant camel is everywhere.

Just a walk through Jaisalmer, savouring the medieval glory of old Rajasthan, is a marvellously rewarding travel experience. Desert Festival, celebrated in January/ February, is a must on any itinerary. The desert seems to bloom in a thousand colours. There are camel races and folk dances. Craft bazaar and traditional balled singing. A sound and light spectacle on the sand-dunes of Sam on the full moon night. And all the colour and excitement of the best in Rajasthan.

The perfect time to visit the golden city is during the Desert Festival every year when the city reverberates to the sound of melodious tunes and rhythms. Folk dances, exciting competitions and contest especially the turban-tying contest, Mr.Desert contest and camel races enlighten the festivities. Jaisalmer is a marvel of beautiful culture and harsh climatic conditions, together amounting to a memorable experience. This is a city to be visited.

 

JAISALMER-THE GLORY OF THE GOLDEN FORT

Rising from the heart of the Thar Desert like a golden mirage is the city of Jaisalmer. A commanding fort etched in yellow sandstone stands, with all its awesome splendor, dominating the amber-hued city.

The city has an interesting legend associated with it, according to which, Lord Krishna-the head of the Yadav Clan, foretold Arjuna that a remote descendent of the Yadav Clan would built his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. His prophecy was fulfilled in 1156 A.D. when Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the Yadav Clan and a Bhatti Rajput,abandoned his fort at Lodurva and founded a new capital -Jaisalmer,perched on the Trikuta Hill.

Bahti Rajputs of Jaisalmer were fedual chiefs who lived off the forced levy on the caravans laden with precious silks and spices that crossed the territory enroute Delhi-or-Sind. These caravans earned the town great wealth.


For years Jaisalmer remained untouched by the outside influences. The rise of shipping trade and the port of Mumbai saw the decline of Jaisalmer. But the desert fortress, that seems to be straight out of the ‘Tales of the Arabian Nights’ still enchants.
The life within the citadel conjures up images of medieval majesty visible in its narrow lanes stewn with magnificent palace, havelis, temples and of course skilled artisans and ubiquitous camels.

The setting sun turning Jaisalmer into a beautiful golden brown is a spectacular sight.
The perfect time to visit the golden city is during the Desert Festival, held in Jan/Feb. every year, when the city reverberates to the sound of melodious tunes and rhythms.

Folk dances, exciting competitions an contests, especially the turban-tying contest. Mr. Desert contest and camel races enliven the festivities. Colorful craft bazaars are set up for the occasion and a sound and light spectacle is organized wit folk artists performing against the splendid backdrop of the famous Sam sand dunes on the full moon night. Surely a not-to-be missed event.

 

ACCESS

Air  :  The airport is open only during the high season, from 1 October to 31 march. There are three weekly flights between Jaisalmer and jodhpur, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai. SEE AIR SCHEDULE For further details visit : www.indian-airlines.nic.in , www.jetairways.com www.airsahara.net Train  :Trains  from Jaisalmer are available up to Jodhpur. From Jodhpur  one can get a railway connections to other destinations. For further details visit : www.indianrail.gov.in Road : Located near the railway station is the main Roadways Bus stand. There are frequent buses moving to Jodhpur, Jaipur, Bikaner, Ajmer, Mount Abu, Udaipur and Delhi. For further details visit : www.rsrtc.gov.in