Jaisalmer: The Golden City
December 5, 2013 | 1 min read
Jaisalmer, the “Golden City”, is located on the westernmost frontier of India, in close proximity to the Thar Desert. The city is dominated by the Jaisalmer Fort. Unlike most forts in India, the Jaisalmer Fort is a living fort. There are shops, hotels, age old havelis inside the fort area. Other attractions in the city are Nathmal’s Havel, Gadsisar Lake and Museums. Excursions nearby include Amar Sagar, Ludarva, Pokhran, Akal Wood fossils Park ( Having 180 million years old wood fossils), Sudhasari Desert National Park, Sam Sand Dunes. The Desert Safari in the sand dunes of Jaisalmer is an unforgettable experience. Best time to visit Jaisalmer is between October and March when the days are warm but nights very cold. Jaisalmer can be accessed by rail directly or the nearest airport is Jodhpur. The travel by road from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer is one of the best highway experiences one can have with well-built broad, traffic-less roads amidst the sandy terrain.
Jaisalmer , the desert heartland of the state of Rajasthan, is the famous “The Golden City” of India, thanks to its bright yellow sandstone buildings, forts and architecture. This unique fortress shot into world attention when the legendary film director Satyajit Ray made a gripping adventure film “Sonar Kella” (The Golden Fortress), where the fort and its surrounding desert lands provided an intriguing backdrop to a nerve-wracking chase for the detective Feluda to save a little boy from his kidnappers.
Located almost in the heart of the Thar Desert, on the Meru Hill, Jaisalmer was built in 1156 AD by the Bhati Rajput ruler Maharawal Jaisal Singh, from whom it draws its name Jaisalmer.
Extremely popular among Indian and foreign tourists, the desert Safari in the sand dunes of Jaisalmer is a memorable experience. The tough desert terrain and scorching heat are offset by the warmth of the local people here, their colorful dresses and their spontaneous hospitality.
A travel enthusiast and voracious reader. Lipi Bhattacharya spends her free time travelling to historical places and those lesser known terrains.
