Golden City of Jaisalmer

This is a place whose skyline is crafted in Gold, has been a travellers’ delight since long. Located in the heart of scorching and arid Thar Desert the Golden Yellow colour becomes a delight to eyes much before the majestic “Jaisalmer” begins.

 

Boarding an early morning train (Delhi-Jaisalmer Express) from Blue City of Jodhpur, we comfortably arrived in “Golden City” at 11:15 AM with second half still with us to explore. The mighty and impregnable fortification of “SONAR Qila” rising like a mirage from the ground, which is also the largest living fort on this earth is the landmark and defines the skyline of this city.

Jaisalmer has so many spots that rest should be the last thing on your mind. It is very important to stick to the timelines strictly here; else you might end up missing some of the attractions. As soon as you arrive here, just start moving. Probable itinerary can be...

Day1, 2^nd Half: Have your lunch and head towards Sam Sand Dunes. All good things should start with prayers to GODs, the road to adventures start with praying at Amar Sagar Jain Temple, which is just at exit of Jaisalmer.
Time Required: 30-45 minutes to feel the depth of this masterpiece

Though simple in appearance, every stone has been carved with utmost perfection. 

After praying we started for Sand Dunes. 

It took us around 30 minutes to reach SAM SAND DUNES.

Time Required: Till Night... Night stay can also be done in the tents.

The uber dazzling sands of the desert will surely appeal to your vibrant self. It is the time to be a child again, you can run on the sand, jump, slide, glide and whatever you feel like leaving all the worries behind.

Enjoying the sunset on a camel ride will be a memory to cherish forever:

Many local artists are also here to entertain the visitors with traditional Rajasthan folk songs. Please fix the charges beforehand.

Best way to enjoy this phenomenal place is hiring an open top Geep, which are easily available here and enjoy the adrenaline rushing drive.

Once you have had enough of dunes bashing, you can shift the action to a night carnival amidst the desert sands. Sit comfortably and relax for the spell binding session of folk songs and musical instruments duets. But the occasion is not complete without the universally acclaimed “Kalbeliya Dance”, energy filled fire dances and group dances performed with exquisite craft. You can take pleasure in enjoying the carnival along with a cup of tea and snacks. 

Have a look at the program:

• Fire Dance: Fire dance is one of the most unique dances of Rajasthan, mostly performed by banjara community, centered around Bikaner and Churu districts. The performer/ dancer artistically mesmerizes the gathering with 2 flamed sticks in his hands. He fills his mouth with kerosene oil and pours it over the burning sticks along with dance steps to craft an aura par excellence. Watch the performance...

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• Instrumental Duet or Jugalbandi: Synchronised play of instruments. Watch the performance...
• Kalbelia Dance: Majorly performed by Kalbelia tribe, a nomadic community of Rajasthan, it is one of the most acclaimed dances worldwide. Enjoy the performance...
• Dance with a cycle wheel: Elegant display of balance and composure by the artist. Enjoy the performance..

By the time the cultural extravaganza is coming to end, a compelling aroma of the freshly prepared food will start pulling you for the dinner. Dinner is all about local delicacies like Kair Sangree, Besan ki Curry, Gatte ki Subzee and Dal-Bati-Churma. The heavenly taste and the over worked adventure filled day will ensure “EAT till you DROP”. The best thing about the food is that it is not too spicy, even small kids can enjoy the dinner.

Day 2, Morning 09:00 AM: Day 1 was amazing; Day 2 was going to be much better. Start early and head straight to grand Jaisalmer Fort.

Time required: 1.5 - 2 hours

Around 5,000 people reside inside the walls of this fort and also numerous tourists who prefer to feel the royalty from within the fort. Fort is a self contained unit with markets, temples and eateries well inside its walls.

Fort also houses a huge collection of antiques. All the collection of antiques, paintings and artefacts have been preserved remarkably well.

Some weapons too. Weapons have been intricate part of the Rajasthani folklore...

Other then the fort there are beautifully carved out Jain temples with numerous sculptures of Lord Buddha. Check out the beautiful sculptures...

Take my words, this is only one of the intricate sculptures, Jain temples are full of much more statues which will keep you spellbind. 10 minutes’ walk from the fort will take you to “Salim Singh ki Haveli”, a noted prime mister of Jaisalmer.

By 11:00 AM you can start for other attractions, Patwaon Ki Haveli (big residential house), 15-minute distance from the Fort.

Time Required: 30 minutes

Patwas used to be the traders, and their residence is in no way less ornamental than the Fort itself. It will

By 11:45 AM, one can start for Tazia Tower, a 5 storey minaret.
Time Required: 15 minutes

Also adjacent to it is "Badal Mahal", which has been now converted in to a hotel. There are lot of good eateries nearby and shopping options, as Tazia Tower is amidst to the local markets. 
Last spot of the itinerary of the 1^st half was Lake Gadisar.
Time required: 15-20 minutes. Though we came there in the afternoon, this is an excellent spot for a leisurely and romantic evening walk.

By 1:00 PM it was the time to provide some respite to the hungry stomachs.

Be ready by 2:30 PM, it is time to get set to Bada Bagh. It takes about 30 minutes to reach Bada Bagh, the cenotaphs of erstwhile rulers of Jaisalmer.
Time Required: 15 minutes.

Sunlight sparkles the structures into an array of Golden spectacular panorama.

By 3:00 PM start to Kuldhara, one of the most cursed and haunted place in India. The community which vanished one night. cursed the place that it will be never inhabited.

Though it will be difficult to stick to the timeline in Kuldhara, try to reach Khaba fort by 5:30 PM to witness the amazing sunset.

Read more about Kuldhara and Khaba Fort.

By 7:00 PM we were back at our hotel and day was still not over yet. At a walking distance from our hotel, Desert Cultural Centre and Museum; Museum hosts Puppet shows for the visitors from 7:30 PM. Rs. 30 is the entry fees, and that is all it takes to enjoy a number of puppet shows and one can also buy local handicrafts/ puppets, which are sold by the artists and are reasonably priced too.

Click to Check out the Puppet Show...

Last but not the least an amazing dinner and a good night sleep for the next day.

Day 3 Morning, 09:00 AM: We had our train in the evening, so first half was still with us. On the list was “Akal Wood Fossil Park”. Akal Wood Fossil Park takes you to pre Jurassic era. 180 million years back, here once stood a forest. Then the area got submerged in to a sea and tree trunks got preserved as fossils.
Read more about Akal Wood Fossil Park.

By 11:00 AM we were out of this Park and it was the time for shopping. Adjoining fort is the area for shopping and cherishing local eateries.

To try here: Makhaniya Lassi, Sweet called Ghotua, Dal Baati Churma, Pyaz Kachori, Tea prepared out of camel milk and whatever preferred in this region. Do not forget to take Jaisalmer caps/ Pagdi for a royal look.

If you have one day more in Jaisalmer, one can also visit to Border Tanot Mata Temple, 125 kms. from Jaisalmer. This temple is located close to Pakistan border and has remained untouched despite heavy shelling during 1971 India-Pakistan war. Outcome of Longewala battle is also credited heavily to this temple. Keep at least 6 hours for the journey.

Area wise Jaisalmer is the largest district in state of Rajasthan and is a World Heritage Site. However, share of population is the least.
Jaisalmer is 300 Km. from Jodhpur, journey by road takes around 4.5 hours. To summarize, enchanting Jaisalmer has taken a bit sheen off Jodhpur, but that is the beauty and charm of exploring the land called India.

While returning you can take night train (2355 hrs, No. - 12467, LEELAN Express) and a day for Bikaner (300 km.) noted for Junagarh Fort, Karni Mata Temple. 

Keep travelling Guys...