Places to visit in Jaisalmer
Planning a trip to Jaisalmer ? here you have the details of best places to visit in Jaisalmer and when is the best time to travel
Ever been to a place which is actually mesmerizing to you? Imagine that in this world, you are not just restricted to greenery and water but you actually have places to explore which are carpeted by beautiful golden sand, a sight that must not be missed. Jaisalmer is one of those desert towns which everyone needs to pay a visit to at least once in their lives. Jaisalmer is a place which has such a rich culture that it revolves around the air. You see people around you wearing bold Rajasthan attire which we have heard about all our lives. It beautifully contrasts with the yellow town so the town looks even more beautiful in public places. Here is our Travel guide for the best places to visit in Jaisalmer, and the main attractions of this golden town.
In today’s world, there are very few places where culture is still alive and Jaisalmer is one of those places. Once you see this place where camels just roam around, and an iconic hill-fort just stands above the city, you will have no doubts that this is one of the top best tourist attractions of Rajasthan. All of this just means that you must get a travel guide to visit Rajasthan today.
Jaisalmer, “The Golden City”, is a small city of about 78,000 inhabitants, a village by Indian standards, which belongs to the Indian state of Rajasthan. This small desert city is located on top of a sandy yellowish rock and is crowned by an impressive fort. To visit Jaisalmer we will have to enter the Thardesert, near the border with Pakistan. Jaisalmer means “The fort on the hill of Jaisal”. Frequently it is known as “The Golden City” because of the golden color that yellow sand gives it. Visiting Jaisalmer is usually on the list of unique sites to see in India.
List of best places to visit in Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer Fort
There is no entrances applicable to enter to the fort, however there is a Palace Museum which has the entrances applicable as follows :
| Foreigners : Adult | Palace Musuem | Rs500 : approx. 7.5 USD |
| Indian : Adult | Palace Musuem | Rs 100 |
One of the most priced properties of Jaisalmer is the Jaisalmer Fort. It is built of yellow sandstone which looks extremely beautiful with the desert backdrop of the city. What makes the sight of the fort even more breathtaking is when the sunlight falls on it and it glistens like gold so during the sunset it looks even more magnificent. Due to the golden appearance of the fort, this princely bastion is also known as the Golden Fort or the Sonar Quila. This is a world heritage and sight like this is so rare to find anywhere else in the world. This magnificent fort was built in the 12th century by Raja Jaiswal so it has a very rich history attached to it as well. The best thing is that it not only looks amazing during the sunset but looks stunning at night as well. It’s astonishing to see how it still holds the essence of the Royal life which once lived here.
Visiting Jaisalmer is a pleasure for the senses. Within the fort there are magnificent buildings such as the Maharaja Mahal palace, seven Jain temples and two Hindu temples. Many of the temples and buildings are sculpted with great wealth.
The entire area they occupied was part of the Gurjar-Pratiharaempire and until the 11th century it was controlled by a powerful Bargujar king. Jaisalmer was in a strategic position and was a place of passage along the traditional trade route traversed by camel caravans of Indian or Asian merchants. The route linked India with Central Asia, Egypt, Arabia, Persia, Africa and the west.
Visiting Jaisalmer is an important part of the any itinerary for a Rajasthan trip, for its incredible beauty, millennial charm and the unforgettable feeling of seeing a city lost in time. It is a city that is located in the desert, very close to the border with the brother country and at the same time enemy, Pakistan, and that is very far from the large urban centers. It is ideal for the traveler looking for some adventure and a little bit of tranquility.
Jain Temples in Jaisalmer
| Foreigners : Adult | Jain Temple | Rs200 : approx. 3 USD |
| Indian : Adult | Jain Temple | Free |
Inside the hill-fort, it is not just the fort that requires your visit but nestled inside are the old shrines of Jain Temples. These temples carry the entire culture of Jaisalmer and actually are a quite significant and important place there.
Overall there are seven temples; they stand out with their Dilwara Architecture and are similar to those in Mount Abu. Just like most of the buildings in Jaisalmer, Jain Temples are also made of yellow sandstone so these too are extremely mesmerizing to see. What makes this even more beautiful is the background of the Thar Desert. Both the religious significance and the location make this one of the most important places in Jaisalmer.
Patwon Ki Haveli
| Foreigners : Adult | Rs250 : approx. 4 USD |
| Indian : Adult | Rs 100 |
It is one of the biggest havelis in Rajasthan. Haveli is formed by a group of five small havelis. Its construction began on the orders of Guman Chand Patwa, a wealthy banker, and was completed by his children almost 55 years later.
The haveli is completely covered with a golden tone and draws a lot of attention for the complexity of its architecture. It is famous for its beautiful mural paintings, beautiful jharokhas (balconies), arches and doors. It is highly recommended to include it in the tour of the city.
There are usually not many tourists and you can explore our air, even going up to the roof for fantastic views of the city. Be careful, in some room there may be bats.
Nathmalji Ki Haveli
| Foreigners : Adult | Free |
| Indian : Adult | Free |
The location of this Haveli is great as it is in the heart of Jaisalmer. The architecture is truly so marvelous that it is highly appreciated throughout the city and is actually one of the points of pride of the city. It was created by two Muslim brothers in the 19th century. The Haveli is truly breathtaking and royal and served as the residence of the Prime Minister of the time it was created, DiwanMohataNathmal. A very rare to find but truly fascinating is the blend of Rajput and Muslim Architecture; both separately are appreciated and when combined together these look extremely grand and beautiful. It truly adds to the grandeur of the entire city of Jaisalmer and holds the true feel of the city. Almost 300 years old, the haveli adorns a beautiful arched ceiling in the shape of a peacock. A part of the haveli is still occupied. This place is a must see if you are thinking of visiting Jaisalmer.
Gadsisar Lake
| Foreigners : Adult | Free |
| Indian : Adult | Free |
This majestic reservoir located southeast of Jaisalmer was, until 1965, the only water supply in the city. In the past, the lake was the main reservoir of Jaisalmer, feeding the entire city with water. The lake is surrounded by temples and shrines.
Built in 1367, its importance was such that the inhabitants made it a sacred place. It is surrounded by many small temples and small shrines. The place is charming. It attracts many birds and it is good to spend a few hours, quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Jaisalmer.A beautiful door allows a glimpse of the whole site.
Bada Bagh
| Foreigners : Adult | Rs150 : approx. 2.5 USD |
| Indian : Adult | Rs 100 |
Located approximately 6 kilometers from Jaisalmer, another good place for a sunset are the cenotaphs of BadaBagh (Big Garden). It began to be built during the period of MaharawalJait Singh, at the beginning of the 16th century. His son Lunakaran completed the construction after the death of his father. The garden served as a monument where the nobles and their families were incinerated so that you can see many cenotaphs. The place is completely isolated and offers beautiful views. It is advisable to visit during the sunrise or sunset, as you will witness the magic that is created in this beautiful place.
The Thar desert : Village of the desert and sand dunes
Also known as the Great Indian Desert, the Thar Desert or Thar Desert is a vast arid zone that extends over an area of 200,000 km2 and forms a natural border between India and Pakistan. It is the 18th largest desert in the world.
Famous for its dunes, Khuri is a small village located about 50 km from Jaisalmer and It takes about an hour.Less known than Sam’s dunes, those of Khuri offer a much more pleasant experience. After discovering the city of Jaisalmer, go on a camel safari to explore the Thar Desert in all its splendor.
From the city you can visit this desert to explore its camel dunes and see an incredibly starry sky. In the incredible India we recommend reserving a sunset at this place when visiting Jaisalmer. We also usually inform our clients that they do not expect a desert with infinite dunes as far as the eye can see, and that if they have already been to other great deserts such as the Sahara, it may not be worth the visit.
The most traditional thing is to do a camel ride through the dunes to later dine at a camp in the area, with the option of spending the night in tents or directly in the open. Keep in mind that in summer it can be quite hot and in December and January cold at night, but it is a unique experience.
How to get to this fascinating city
The main setback is its geographical position. But now there is a direct flight from Delhi to Jaisalmer and Jaisalmer to Jaisalmer. Another option is rail transport, but from Delhi it takes 17/18 hours in an overnight train which has comfortable airconditionedsleepers RUNICHA EXPRESS 17:35/11:45 +1
By road Jaisalmer is very well connected and very important part of any Rajasthan trip when you are spending 12 – 14 days in Rajasthan.
Approximate kilometric distances from the other cities of Rajasthan for the best places to visit in Jaisalmer
Agra 800 km
Ajmer 440 km
Bikaner 330 km
Jaipur 570 km
Jodhpur 300 km
Mumbai 1140 km
New Delhi 800 km
Udaipur 575 km
Getting lost in the alleyways of the fort can be an experience that takes us back to times when camel caravans roamed India laden with spices. There are several cafes within the fort from where you can enjoy the sunset with a chai in hand and some of the most spectacular views to see in India.
To help you plan the perfect vacation, we have gathered all the travel information for Jaisalmer that a first time visitor will need. Follow our thorough travel guide for the top places to visit in Jaisalmer to ensure wonderful experience this wonderful city.