Introduction
of Jaisalmer
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Jaisalmer
is the exotic city and is known for its forts and palaces of breathtaking
grandeur and whimsical charm. Jaisalmer is situated at an altitude of 225
meters above sea level and covers an area of 5.1 square km. Jaisalmer is
also known as "Golden City". Earlier the old city of Jaisalmer
was surrounded by an extensive wall. But now nothing remains except the
gates and the massive fort which rises above the city and is the essence
of Jaisalmer. In summers the temperature is around 41.6 degree Celsius and
in winters it is about 7.9 degree Celsius. Hindi, Rajasthani, Marwari and
English are the languages which are spoken here. |
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| History
of Jaisalmer |
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"Golden City" of Jaisalmer was founded in the
year 1156 AD by Rao Jaisala, a Bhati Rajput King.
Ludurva was the capital of Bhati Rajputs before Rao
Jaisal founded Jaisalmer. Ludurva was a flourishing town
in 10th and 11th century AD. The Lunar clan of Bhatis
were the Lord Krishna's descendant. There was royal
rivalry and ferocity between the various Rajput rulers
and the Bhati Rajputs of Jaisalmer were regarded as a
formidable force throughout the region.
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Tourist
Attraction in Jaisalmer
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The
main tourist attractions in Jaisalmer are the Jaisalmer Fort,
various exquisitely carved havellis like the Nathmalji-ki-Haveli,
and Patwon-ki-Haveli, Gadsisar Lake, fine Jain Temples, Ludurva,
royal cenotaphs at Bada Bagh and Aakal, the fossil park.
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How
to get here |
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By
Air:
Jaisalmer
is well connected to various towns and cities of
Rajasthan. The nearest airport is Jodhpur which is
about 285 km.
By
Rail:
There
are various trains that connects Jaisalmer with
various small and big towns and cities of Rajasthan.
By
Road:
A
good network of roads joins Jaisalmer with many
destinations in and around Rajasthan.
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Map
of Jaisalmer
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Jaisalmer Tour
4
Days / 3 Nights
Jodhpur
- Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
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Day
1: Jodhpur - Jaisalmer
(about 290 km)
In the morning arrive at Jodhpur airport or railway station. Upon arrival in Jodhpur you will be met by our representative and drive to Jaisalmer. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel in Jaisalmer. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 2: Jaisalmer
Today we have sightseeing in Jaisalmer. In our today's sightseeing we will visit the Gadsisar Lake, Ludurva and Desert National Park. Ludurva is about 16 km north-west of Jaisalmer. Ludurva was a flourishing town in 10th and 11th century AD. Ludurva was a centre of art and architecture. The exquisite carvings and other remains of ancient monuments provide a glimpse of Ludurva's glorious past. After visiting the Ludurva we drive to visit the Desert National Park. This park with its rolling landscape of sand dunes and scrub covered hills commands a panoramic view. Great Indian Bustard, Chinkara and Desert Fox are the animals which are found in this park.
Day 3: Jaisalmer
Today we have sightseeing of the medieval city of Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer's crenellated golden sandstone walls and its narrow streets lined with exquisitely carved buildings makes this city unique. Jaisalmer is famous for its carved havellis (grand mansions). Today we have a walk through the old city and visit the Sonar Kila, the Jaisalmer Fort. The foundation of the Sonar Fort in Jaisalmer was laid in 1156 by Bhatti chief Jaisal. This fort is also known as Golden Fort as this fort is made of yellow sandstone which glows into a golden flame when the sun shines on it. In the afternoon we visit the Jain temple and beautiful havellis. In the evening we drive around 40 km away from Jaisalmer to Sam sand dunes where we enjoy the sunset before we drive back to Jaisalmer.
Day 4: Jaisalmer -
Jodhpur (about 290 km)
After having breakfast drive to Jodhpur. Transfer to the airport or
railway station.
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Inclusions:
Standard
Rooms on twin sharing basis.
Breakfast in the Hotel.
One
Dinner will be with a presentation of Indian music and
dance in Jaipur.
Elephant ride in Amber (Jaipur).
Driver allowances.
Toll Tax and Parking.
Hotel Transfer at all places.
Vehicle Insurance included.
Petrol/Gas cost included.
All Transfers and departures by Indo Vacations
representative.
All
Transfers and Sightseeing throughout the tour by an individual
air-conditioned
vehicle
(car/Jeep etc.) with driver (reliable, experienced and
English speaking - have
a look at the references on our website from all over the world).
Exclusions:
Any
Kind
of Personal Expenses such as Tips, Laundry, Telephone
Bills and Alcoholic
beverages.
Entrance/administrative
fees.
Camera
fees (still or movie).
Unspecified
meal etc.
International
or Domestic Flights.
| We
always look forward for any changes in the
itinerary as wished by you for your individual
trip |
Major
Tourist Attractions in Jaisalmer |
Patwon ki
Haveli
The
beautiful havelis which were built by wealthy merchants of
Jaisalmer is yet another interesting aspect of Jaisalmer.
Manak Chowk is the main market place outside the Jaisalmer
Fort. Manak Chowk forms the gateway to visit the beautiful
havelis of the famous Jain merchants of medieval time like
Nathmalji ki Haveli, Patwon ki Haveli and Salim Singh ki
Haveli.
Patwon ki Haveli is the largest and most elaborate haveli
in Jaisalmer which stands in a narrow lane. This five-storeyed
building is extensively carved and is known for its
jharokhas (balconies). In the early 19th century, the
family of Ghuman Chand Patwa, an extremely rich patwa
(trader of brocades and expensive embroidery) began
construction of this haveli. The construction of this
haveli was undertaken by two architect brothers. This
construction took about half a century.
While
one brother concentrated on the construction in the right
side of the haveli, while the other concentrated on
construction in the left side of the haveli. As such this
haveli is constructed in a symmetrical manner.
Patwon ki Haveli is divided into six apartments out of
which two are owned by Archaeological Survey of India, two
are owned by families who operate craft shops and two are
the private homes. There are remnants of miniature
paintings on some of the inside walls as well as some
mirror work. Mighty tuskers carved out of yellow sandstone
stand as guards to the haveli.
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Ludarwa
- Ludurva is an important tourist site which is
located about 16 km north west of Jaisalmer. Ludurva
was the capital of the Bhati Rajputs befor Rawal
Jaisal founded Jaisalmer in 1155 AD. Ludurva was a
flourishing town in the 10th and 11th AD. It was a
centre of art and architecture. The exquisite carvings
and other remains of the ancient monuments provide a
glimpse of Ludurva's glorious past. The Ludurwa Temple
is a pilgrimage center of the Jains. The high ornate
arch at the temple entrance with splendid carvings and
the divine tree "Kalpataru" are the major attractions
of this temple. This temple attracts pilgrims and
devotees for all over the world.
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Wood Fossil
Park:
Wood Fossil Park or Aakal is situated about 17 km away from the
city. In this place you can discover the geologic cataclysms that
have taken place in the Thar Desert 180 million years ago.
Desert
National Park: The Desert National
Park is located in the vast tracts of desert sands around
Jaisalmer. The Desert National Park was established in 1980 in
Jaisalmer and covers an area of 3162 square km. The vegetation in
the park comprises of very few grasses, shrubs, and some
indigenous trees on the rolling landscape of sand dunes. The
Desert National Park is associated with the endangered great
Indian bustard. This bird lives in small flocks and has strong
legs which are meant for walking and feeds on everything from
cereals and berries to grasshoppers, locusts and snakes. Other
birds which are found in this park are sandgrouse, gray partridge,
quails, peafowl, bee-eaters, shrikes, orioles, drongos, warblers
and babblers. Houbara, the lesser bustard and the desert courser
which breeds in the Thar on its migratory journey through the
desert can also seen in this park. Thousands of bustards, falcons
and eagles migrate here during the winter. This park supports a
unique variety of wildlife species and reptiles like the desert
hare, hedgehog, Indian wolf, desert cat, fox, spiny tailed lizard,
sandfish, chameleons, and snakes that include the deadly
saw-scaled viper and Sind krait. The best time to visit this park
is during September to March. |
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Jaisalmer Fort |
Introduction of Jaisalmer Fort
Jaisalmer Fort is a magnificient monument in Jaisalmer. The
Jaisalmer fort is the second oldest fort in Rajasthan after
Chittorgarh. Jaisalmer fort is also known as the "Sonar Quila" or
the Golden fort. This fort was built by the Bhatti Rajput
chieftain Rawal Jaisal in 1156 AD, on the highest point of the
Tricuta hill. |
Architecture of Jaisalmer Fort
The architecture of the Jaisalmer fort is exquisite. The ramparts,
bastions and the long stretching walls of the fort dazzle
gloriously during early morning and at the sunset. The fort is two
hundred and fifty feet tall and reinforced by an imposing
crenellated sandstone wall which is 30 feet high. The fort has 99
bastion, out of which 92 bastions were built between 1633 and
1647. The fort stands almost 30 metres over the city and about one
fourth of the population of Jaisalmer lives within the huge
ramparts of the fort. It is approached through Ganesh Pol, Suraj
Pol, Bhoot Pol and Hawa Pol. |
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The five storey fort adorns itself with balconies and windows that
displays some of the finest masonry work, while the interior is
painted and tiled in typical Rajput style. The bastions envelops a
whole township that consist of palace complex, the havelis of rich
merchants, several temples and the residential complexes of the
armies and merchants. These merchants served and acquire a great
deal of power and noble status in the royal courts of Bhatti
Rajputs who founded the state in the 12th century and proceeded
further. But the rich merchants inspired by the classic style of
the royals, constructed huge mansions or havelis. These merchants
engaged stone - craftsmen who worked delicately on the sandstone
mansions. They filled up facades with sculptural figures, screen
windows, delicate pavilions and beautiful balconies. The main
attractions within the fort are a group of beautifully carved Jain
temples built between the 12th and 15th century. |
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Museums
in Jaiselmer
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Folklore
Museum:
Folklore museum is divided into six sections and has a rich collection
of paintings, photographs, costumes, hair styles and jewellery,
utility articles of rural life, camel and horse decorations, fossils,
ornamental arches, as well as articles connected with folk and
cultural lifestyles.
Government
Museum:
The Government museum in Jaisalmer was opened in 1974. It houses a
large collection of wood and marine fossils and gives an insight into
the geological past of the area. The sculptures from the ancient
townships of Karamu and Lour dating back to the 12th century pulsate
with youth and grace and depict the skill of the time.
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Excursion
from Jaiselmer |
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Sam Sand Dunes
If you want to
explore the undisturbed beauty, the rich culture and the
picturesque sand dunes then Sam Sand dunes is the right place. Sam
Sand Dunes are located about 42 away km from Jaisalmer. Sam Sand
dunes is the most popular place to see the total sandy bush less
desert. Sam dunes have a truly glorious stretch of sweeping sand
dunes. The dunes touched by the wind, and therefore becoming as it
were wrinkled, create a mystical picture. The best time to visit
these sand dunes is during sunrise or sunset. By visiting the Sam
Sand Dunes one can get an insight into real desert life.
The best way to experience the brilliant sunrise and sunset is by
having a Camel Safari. Exciting desert camel safaris allow you to
get the real feel of the desert on the camel back. Camel rides on
the sand dunes are a thrilling experience, as is the brilliant
sunset. The culture, the people, their way of life, and the
breathtaking beauty of the surrounding desert landscape complement
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This place has still not lost it magic as the desert festival is
held in the month of February each year. This festival is full of
fun, color, laughter and cultural events and competitions.
Various cultural programmes are organised every day against the
backdrop of these fascinating sand dunes.
Any trip to Jaisalmer is indeed incomplete, without a trip to the
most panoramic Sam Sand dunes. |
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Festival
of Jaiselmer
Desert
Festival (January)
Desert Festival is one of the most popular and important festival of
Rajasthan. This festival is celebrated on the Sam Sand Dunes, about 25
km from Jaisalmer, in the month of January. In this festival, the
camels from all over Rajasthan gather here and present a beautiful
show on the sands of the desert. This festival is celebrated for three
days and during these days, the barren land of Jaislamer comes to life
and is clustered with the colouful dressed people. The Desert Festival
provides a cultural platform for the rich dance and music tradition of
the state. Some of the major attractions of this festival are the
Gair and fire dances, the turban–tying competition, camel races,
tug-of-war and Mr. Desert contest, puppet shows, ballads, dances. As
darkness falls, the Sam dunes come alive to the balladeers’ soulful
songs of the soldier-kings and their consorts as the puppeteers
dramatise the epics. In the end, the prize is given to the best
dressed camel. If you want to experience the rich traditions of
Rajasthan, then prepare your itinerary around this festival with
Rajasthan-Tour-Package and you will not be disappointed.
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