Jaisalmer is a western city in Rajasthan which makes us wonder whether we have come to a place in our dreams. As the name suggests, does the city have any trace of Gold associated with it? If you consider the things the city offers us, as tourists, we can be sure of one thing, Jaisalmer is much more precious than Gold. From among the long checklist of itineraries, have a look at the list of the most popular things to do in Jaisalmer that you shouldn’t miss out on a visit to the Golden city.
A marvellous city by the centre of the Thar desert with endless constructions of sandstone architecture has what gave the place its Golden stature. An astonishing fort which engulfs all the attention, sitting atop the hill by the middle of the city would make you lost for words. A thrilling camel safari through sand dunes basking in the sunset coupled with an alluring campfire dinner, all add to the unforgettable experience.
- Check out the grandeur of Jaisalmer Fort
When it comes to a visit to any of the ancient forts and palaces across the country you can be more or less sure of one thing, there would be an entry fee to start with. But to my surprise, Jaisalmer Fort is open to all without any tickets. This marvellous architectural wonder is also known as ‘Sonar Qila’ or Golden fort and it came into existence in the year 1156 AD. One of the main attractions of this architectural monument is that it’s a living fort. It resembles a village and has houses, shops, restaurants and temples, all within the beautiful fort walls at a height of 30ft.
Jaisalmer fort stands at a height of 250ft, making it a stupendous construction visible from anywhere in the city. Walking through twisted and narrow lanes inside the fort would prove to be an amazing experience. We can also buy Rajasthani crafts and textiles as you can find numerous shops within the fort walls. It won’t be hard for you to locate several cafes atop which gives you a stunning view from above Jaisalmer city which feels amazing by the colourful light of the sunset. Before we got into the fort, we had our lunch of Rajasthani cuisine from Thar cafe outside. All this makes it one of the most important things to do in Jaisalmer for tourists to visit this attractive fort.
2. Spend some time at the Jain Temple
One of the main architectural wonders in Jaisalmer is the Golden colour Jain Temple located inside the famous Jaisalmer Fort. This beautiful monument was built in the 12th to 15th centuries. Taking a visit to this astounding temple would surely be one of the things to do in Jaisalmer. Apparently, the Jain temple is constructed according to the world-renowned Dilwara architecture. It can surely stake its claim as a must-visit for people who loves history and ancient architecture.
The series of seven interconnected temples provides a stupendous view as it’s been made using golden Jaisalmer sandstones which glow in broad daylight. Each minute detail within the temples has been carved out with utmost precision and care. The fascinating sculptures depicted throughout the temple would make you wonder about the effort which had gone in carving out such a marvellous creation. It is located close to the parking area and you would be helped by shopkeepers and multiple signboards to locate the spot.
3. Swing by the beautiful Gadisar Lake
Daytime would be hot from the Jaisalmer sun and Gadisar Lake is an important place to visit in the morning as well as in the evening. In fact, Gadisar lake is more appealing to witness the colourful sunset which has a refreshingly calming influence. In the midst of the Rajasthan desert landscape, the water source was of utmost importance. By taking into account the people’s needs, Gadisar Lake was built by Raja Rawal in the 14th century.
The Gadisar lake is located near the Jaisalmer fort and it has been considered a relief from the scorching sun during the daytime. Attractive temples are built in the water and it feels as though these constructions are staying afloat in the lake. Boat riding is available through the lake. The colour changes in the sky followed by the descending sun, look more appealing from a boat ride. The Rajput architecture used in these constructions is what’s making Gadisar Lake more attractive for visitors.
4. Book your stay in a Haveli
Havelis are nothing but large and attractive houses built by wealthy merchants of the past. These are some of the most unique architectural mansions of Jaisalmer. Some of them have been transformed into hotels and some others require payment to have a visit. Apparently, these highly decorated buildings were built in the 18th and 19th centuries. This was the period when trade routes through the land were considered to be the most profitable option, long before the sea routes became prominent.
Each of these Havelis was made of beautiful yellow sandstones and it has extensive architectural designs on the exteriors, especially at the front side of the building. These also include latticed screens and beautiful balconies and all these give a royal look. We stayed in a Haveli by the name Helsinki House and it was beautiful to see the Jaisalmer fort from the rooftop of this building.
5. Have your stay at a campsite in the desert
Jaisalmer being the Golden city has many surprises up its sleeve to make you fall in love with this beautiful place. Thar desert is one of the main attractions of the Jaisalmer experience. In fact, it’s very common for tourists to make plans for a camp stay in the midst of desert sand. Camping in Jaisalmer would prove to be a real escape from your daily routines with the thrilling Camel Safari and even a Jeep ride through this golden desert land.
There is a plethora of choices available to us in selecting a campsite according to our budget. It ranges from a normal stay involving basic features to ultra-luxurious campsite experiences across this desert. Irrespective of what campsite you choose, you would be able to witness the fascinating and beautiful cultural programs of Rajasthan in the evening. We travelled 40km from Jaisalmer city to get to the Helsinki campsite provided by the same Haveli we stayed. These tents in campsites have all facilities like air conditioning as the temperatures in the desert might go indifferent. It would be an ideal option for a getaway with your family and friends. The winter season starting from the month of October to the month of March will be ideal for a visit to these campsites.
6. Go for a camel safari through the sand dunes
If you think of Jaisalmer and Rajasthan, you cannot afford to miss out on a desert ride through the sand dunes on a camel. The slow and rhythmic movement through the desert land would give you a first-hand experience of rural desert life. One thing you should take note of while going for a ride through the desert is having enough stock of water in your backpack. Some packages even serve you beverages like tea in the midst of a desert ride and it would be a nice feeling.
Even though I had an experience with the journey through the desert on a camel, I felt jitters and fear throughout this trip. It was nervous to hold on to the camel when it strides down the sand dunes. The camel had zebra-like markings all through its neck and it was quite intriguing. We came to know that these markings were not natural and in fact, these were done by the people who take care of these animals to increase the charm. You can even walk through these desert land or you can have Jeep rides through the deserts.
7. Enjoy the campfire and cultural shows
Campfires at the desert camp coupled with beautiful cultural shows would prove to be an eventful experience. The cultural show normally includes traditional dances and indigenous music from the desert region which is popular among the people of Jaisalmer. Cultural shows may also include storytelling and poetry recitation. All these cultural programs would normally be performed in an open space to provide a peaceful and cosy desert ambience. It would enable us, tourists, to enjoy the cultural diversities of the region and help us in knowing more about the people of Rajasthan. The dance performances in the backdrop of drums and intriguing songs would be a visual treat.
8. Try out the food varieties from Rajasthani cuisines
We will also have the option to taste a variety of food items from Rajasthani cuisines that would make you demand more. Laal Maas, Daal Baati Churma, Ker Sagri, Lassi, Gatte Ki Sabji and Pittor Ka Saag are some of the unique recipes of Rajasthan. Laal Maas is a meat recipe which is the most popular dish across the state. Goat meat is predominantly used for its preparation and the use of indigenous chilli variety imparts a reddish tint.
Daal Baati Churma is a classic Rajasthani preparation. It is a form of lentil stew containing hard balls made of wheat and chickpea flour. This is known for its nutritious content as well as its delicious taste served along with meals throughout the desert region. Baati once prepared can stay fresh for days and hence be considered a food variety to take with you on a journey through Thar.
9. Make a visit to Bada Bagh
Bada Bagh is another major attraction of Jaisalmer which is at a distance of 6 km from the city. Bada Bagh has the literal meaning of ‘big garden’ and it contains several marvellous cenotaphs built close to each other. Cenotaph is nothing but a small construction resembling a temple which is built as a tribute for the relatives who have lost their lives. In many parts of India, this cenotaph is known as Chhatris and it’s because of the elevated dome-like construction erected from the base. It has been believed that each of these beautiful monuments was built to honour the memory of kings and queens from the royal family.
Apparently, Jai Singh II in the 16th century has taken steps in setting up a dam close to this spot. This later resulted in converting barren desert lands to fertile areas with lush greenery. And this flourishing landscape gave the land the name Bada Bagh. Later when the king lost his life, his son built the first cenotaph in memory of his father. The artistical carvings on the roofs of these monuments increase their beauty. These adjacent yellow-coloured cenotaphs give an outstanding view in the late evenings when the sun sets down the horizon.
10. Explore the splendid Tazia Tower
Tazia tower is a five-storied architectural monument situated in Badal Palace Complex. It is yet another prime attraction of Jaisalmer that we should include in our itinerary. The tower is believed to be constructed by artisans of the Muslim community as a present to their ruler, Maharawal Berisal Singh. It is different from the traditional Rajasthani and Rajput architecture which is apparently so prominent in Jaisalmer. The magnificent structure is constituted similarly to that of a design of sacred importance for Muslims during the Muharram procession. Each storey of the tower displays a unique combination of craftsmanship and architecture which makes it so attractive. Giant balconies are available on each floor and these depict Islamic tombs which apparently is a sign of the festivities of that religion.
11. Experience the shopping spree in Jaisalmer
We all might have acquaintance with the shopping spree in Malls, boutiques and high-end shops in main cities across the country. Jaisalmer on the contrary would provide a completely unique experience in purchasing beautiful products from its vibrant markets. There exist seven famous shopping areas in Jaisalmer, each having its share of importance in a distinct fashion. Sadar Bazaar, Sonaron Ka Bas, Bhatia Bazaar, Pansari Bazaar, Mank Chowk, Seema Gram and Light of the East are the names of these well-renowned markets. Even if you are planning to explore Jaisalmer for its Forts, sand dunes and desert rides, the visit to the Golden city won’t be complete without paying a visit to its busy markets.
The Golden city offers some fine souvenirs and gift items like lamps, carved wooden boxes, antiques, brassware, carpets and rugs. The influence of the desert lands and the presence of camel helps us in securing some of the fine camel leather products from the Sadar Bazaar. Another major item we would be able to lay our hands on is the beautiful mirrorwork embroideries which would be hard to look away from at Bhatia Bazaar. Jewellery and Jaisalmer fossil stones are some other main products to be purchased from the market called Sonaron Ka Bas.
