The
desolate yet captivating town of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan is truly an
irresistible destination for tourists. Located in the middle of the Thar
Desert, all alone, it narrates the legends and history of its glorious days
through its rugged forts and exquisite havelis. The Jaisalmer Fort has the
distinction of being the second oldest fort after Chittorgarh. All the romance
and mystery of the fort will unfold if you are fortunate to make a trip to
the fort by nightfall.
Glimpses From The Past
The antiquated fort was built back in 1156. Raja Jaisal, the founder of the
city of Jaisalmer, was on the lookout for a place of safety as his earlier
capital at Lodurva was not secured enough. To escape the foreign attacks, he
chose the spot and established the city called Jaisalmer.
Right from the time the Jaisalmer Fort was erected, it sheltered the whole
populace of the town within its huge ramparts. Even the fort had a weather
forecasting gadget on top of it. Everything seemed to get along until the
time when the population of the town began to grow. And it was only during
the 17th century when the people started emigrating from within the fort
premises. No wonder, still today one can observe a lot of activities going
on in the meandering streets and alleys of the fort.
Architectural Attractions of Jaisalmer Fort
The
Jaisalmer Fort stands in five storeys and rises to a height of two hundred
and fifty feet. The rugged outlook of the fort along with its huge ramparts,
bastions and crenellated walls are truly heart-stirring. Also known as the
Golden Fort or the Sonar Quila, the fort wonderfully carved balconies and
windows too. Though the exterior is quite uneven and sturdy, the interior
displays the typical styles of Rajput architecture. The paintings and the
efficient use of tiles inside are worth watching.
You have to climb your up a cobbled pathway before you actually reach the
gates of the fort. A crenelated sandstone wall, which is 30 feet high,
surrounds the fort. The fort can be entered through four gates - Ganesh Pol,
Suraj Pol, Hawa Pol and Bhoota Pol. Even the leading paths to the fort make
it quite invincible. There are 99 bastions in all; out of which 92 were
constructed between 1633 and 1647.
Even today, around 25% of the total population of Jaisalmer inhabits the
fort. Inside, you come to see a number of streets lined with houses, shops,
parlours etc. The Raj Mahal or the Royal Palace is a big attraction for
tourists inside the fort. Apart from that, Jaisalmer fort also houses seven Jain
temples. Take time out to visit the Gyan Bhandar that displays an
interesting collection of rare manuscripts and paintings.
Reaching There
Jaisalmer's airport lies at a distance of 5 km from the city centre. The
airport, however, operates flights only between September and March. The
Jodhpur Airport, at a distance of 285 km, is the most convenient option. The
rail routes of Jaisalmer link it with places like Jodhpur, Agra, New Delhi
and Mumbai. Jaisalmer has excellent road links with Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner
and the other important destinations of the country.
Best
Golden Traingle Tour (7D) 
