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Jaisalmer is located in the west of the capital, Jaipur in Rajasthan. Jaisalmer named

after a Rajput king Maharawal Jaisal Singh, who founded the city 1156 AD. Jaisalmer

means the Hill Fort of Jaisal . Sometimes it is also known as the golden city

because of the yellow sand desert and yellow sandstone architecture of the city which

gives it a yellowish – tinge to the city and its surrounding area.

It is one of the World Heritage Site. It has marvellous sculptures. It has several

monuments, temples, museum, and lakes.

Jaisalmer Fort is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the largest

fortifications in the world. It was built by Rawal Jaisal in 1156 AD. The fort stands in

amidst expanse of the great Thar Desert (the Great Indian Desert), on the Trikuta Hill.

It witnessed the battles with, Mughal Emperors three generation Babur, Humayu and

Akbar, Ala- ud – din – khilji. The Marathas also relates history with the fort.

The fort is 1500 ft long and 750 wide and built on a hill that rises above a height of

250ft above the surrounding countryside. The basement of the fort has a 15 ft tall wall

forming double lines of defence. The bastions form a double a chain about 30 ft. It has

four entrances into the town side, one of which used to be guarded by canon.

The major attractions of the fort are Raj Mahal, Laxminath temple, 4 massive gateways,

and Merchant Havelis.

Its huge walls are ochre lion colour during the day, fading to honey – gold as the sun

sets, thereby camouflaging the fort in the yellow desert. That’s why the fort is also

known as Sonar Quilla or Golden Fort .

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Bada Bagh means a big garden, is a garden complex on the way of Ramgarh, built by

descendent of Mahrawal Jaisal Singh, founder of the city , Jai Singh II commissioned a

dam to create a water tank during his reign in the 16th century, to make the desert

area green. After his death, his son Lunkaran built a cenotaph or chhatri for his father.

Later there were many chhatris takes place.

Salim Singh ki Haveli has been built on the remains of the older haveli built in the late 17th century, later the new building was built in 1815, was occupied by the Mehta family of the city, they were the most influential family of their time. Salim Singh was the prime minister of the princely state, when the city was a capital, commissioned the haveli.

The haveli is situated beside the hill of Jaisalmer Fort. This haveli has distinct architecture. It is built in the form of peacocks, it has as many as 38 balconies, and they all have diverse designed for themselves. People said that Salim wanted to build the haveli as high as the fort, but the king was not taking it in good spirit, so he has torn it down. The haveli has narrow surface in the bottom and wide spread surface on the upper floors. It is built by the yellow sandstones and the front facet of the haveli resembles ship silhouette that’s why it is also known as Jahazmahal .

Patwon ki Haveli is constructed by the Marwari businessman Guman Chand Patwa

and his five sons, for trading purpose until the Mumbai dock yard trading route shifted

to the sea. There are the five haveleis in the complex for five brothers. They were

dealing with brocade & gold. After some time they were moved from here. Once while

travelling with helicopter Prime Minister Indira Gandhi identify the beauty of the

building and took steps to conserve it.

This is an example of Indo –Islamic architecture. Inside the havelies there are galleries

and places of House temple, Drawing room, Dining Hall, Bed room, Kitchen room,

Turban collection, Locks collection, Chambers, Painting collection and fans. The turban

gallery displays types of turbans used by people reflecting different casts and cultures

of the state. Another gallery displays different types of musical instruments used by

different folk communities. There is a gallery displaying different types of locks used in

those days. There are secret places like basement and behind a painting and those

were used for storing treasure and other valuables and the address or location was

passed to next generation by verbal communication. One such location is in display

where a locker is available behind a painting.

Gadidsisar Lake is south of the city walls. It is surrounded by the small temples and

shrines. The beautiful yellow sandstones magnificent arching entrance through Tilon –

ki – pol is adorned with Hindu deity Vishnu. In addition, you can see here the

migratory birds, which also gives a picturesque view. You can boat here in the evening,

look at the sun set in the sky is gives the panoramic view.

You can visit many more best places in Jaisalmer like Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli, Jain temples,

Longewala war museum, desert culture & museum and many more places.

If you like to visit haunted places, then you can’t miss the Kuldahara abandoned

village , is a haunted place, the story is derived from 300 years ago, no one knows the

truth but people still believe in that.

Don’t forget to take a camel safari; after all you are in desert, so how can you forget to

take a ride on ship of the desert .