Jaisalmer, lying in the middle of the Great Indian Desert of Thar evokes a vivid picture of sheer magic and brilliance of the desert. Founded by Rawal Jaisal in 1156 A.D., the remote location of Jaisalmer kept it almost unaffected by outside influences, even during the days of the Raj. There are very few cities, which boast of the magnificence and charm that encircles Jaisalmer. The romantic sand dunes here will remind you of the Arabian Night stories, which you must have read in your school days.

Tourist Attractions in Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer Fort
The Jaisalmer Fort stands about 100 m over the city and in fact houses a citadel within its massive ramparts. Walking down the narrow cobbled stone lanes, one can feel and sense the true magic of Jaisalmer. Several entrances called Pols, including the Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol, Bhoota Pol and the Hava Pol guard the Megh Durbar and the Jawahar Mahal which were occupied by the royal family. Outside the fort is the main market place called Manek Chowk. From Manek Chowk, one can walk into the lanes where the famous carved havelis are to be found. The Jaisalmer Fort is popularly known as the Golden Fort for its amber hue, which mesmerizes very tourist coming to the place.

The Havelis of Jaisalmer
Havelis of Jaisalmer are some very interesting places to visit. The intricately latticed Havelis of Jaisalmer are elaborately designed. Patwon-Ki-Haveli, Salim Sing ki-Haveli, Nathmalji-ki-Haveli all with exquisite lattice work are worth visiting.

Jain Temples
The Parswanath Temple is the oldest and the most beautiful of the Jain temples. The walls of the sanctum are carved with animal and human figures. There is a small dome which is crowned by an amalak and a waterpot containing a lotus flower.

Gadsisar Lake
A rainwater lake, now a picnic spot - ideal for boating. This is one of the best hangouts in Jaisalmer.

Lodurva
Once the capital of Rawal Jaisal, Lodurva now has ruins of the ancient townhip. It is an important center of Jain pilgrimage. The temples at Lodurva exhibit some more fine examples of intricate craftsmanship on yellow stone.

Sam
Sam, easily accessible from Jaisalmer displays an outstanding desert life. It is a great place to see patterns carved out by winds on the sand. Camel rides on the sand dunes are an unforgettable experience as is the sunset.