Jaisalmer – The Golden City

Jaisalmer is famous city of Thar desert region of Rajasthan. It is located on western most part of Rajasthan bordering country of Pakistan. It is also famous as Golden city because of extensive use of golden sand stone in the construction of its fort, temples and beautiful havelis. The city has a living fort – Sonar Fort which is one of the most different fort in the country because inside the walls of the fort, about 40000 people are living. There are some beautiful Jain temples along with some very good hotels, restaurants and havelis inside its boundaries.

The majority of the people living in Jaisalmer are Bhati Rajputs. The Jaisalmer Dynasty was started by Deoraj, a famous prince of Bhati Family. In 1156, Rao Jaisal , sixth successor of Deoraj founded the fort and city of Jaisalmer and got constructed the Fort and city of Jaisalmer.

The city has a strategic position since times immemorial as it served as a halting point to the traditional trade route traversed by the camel caravans of Indian and Asian traders. The route linked India to Central Asia, Egypt, Arabia, Persia, Africa and the west.

Most of the area of Jaisalmer comes under a sandy waste, forming a part of the great Indian Desert – Thar. The general aspect of the area is that of sea of Sand dunes, of all shapes and sizes. Those in the western region are covered with log Bushes, Cactuses and tufts of long grass. Water is scarce. The annual rainfall records to 150 mm. because of which there are no perennial rivers. The climate in Summers generally raises to about 45 degrees in the noon time. The evening are generally pleasant in the deserts if there are no sand storms. There is little agriculture practiced in the area with the crops like Millets, Til wheat, Barley etc.

Places of tourist Interests

• Markets of old City
• Patwa Havelis
• Diwan Nathmal ki Haveli
• Jain temples inside the fort
• Amarsagar – Jain Temples on the lake
• Lodruva – Old capital of Jaisalmer
• Kuldhara – A deserted village on Sam Road
• Bada Bagh and sun set Point – A place for the cremation of the Royal Family with many beautiful cenotaphs.
• Villages of Sam and Khuri for Camel Safaris and to experience real life of Thar Desert.