Places to See
The
Jaisalmer Fort
The golden hued fort is a sentinel to the bleak desert escape from its 80 meter
high perch on the hill, housing the entire township within its ramparts. It
has an enchanting cow-web of narrow lanes dotted lanes doted with some lovely
havelis, three beautiful sculptured Jain temples of the 12th-15th century A.D.
and five interconnected palaces.
The fort is approached through four gateways-Akhaiya Pol, Ganesh Pol Suraj pol
and hava Pol. Manak Chowk and Havelis : A main market place outside the fort
leads to the narrow lanes doted with famous havelis.
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Gadsisar
Lake
A scenic rain water lake with numerous beautiful shrines around and a spectacular
avian variety. The lake is an idyllic spot for outings.
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Tazia Tower
A pagoda like structure looming up from the "Badal Mahal" with beautiful
Taazias' - ornately decorated bamboo, paper and tinsel replicas of a bier, carried
out in processing during Moharram by the Muslims.
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Nathmal
ji ki Haveli
The late 19th century haveli with intricate architecture a display of sheer
craftsmanship. The left and right wings of the mansions, which were carved by
two brothers, are not identical but very similar and balanced in design. The
interior walls are ornate with splendid miniature paintings.
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Patwa
ki Haveli
The most elaborate and magnificient of all the Jaisalmer havelis. It has exquisitely
carved pillars and exquisitely carved pillars and extensive corridors and chambers.
One of the apartments of this five story high haveli is painted with beautiful
murals.
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Salim
Singh ki Haveli
This 300 year old Haveli of Jaisalmer's Prime Minister to Maharaja Rawal Gaj
Singh Salim Singh, has a beautiful blue cupola roof with superby carved brackets
in the form of peacocks. This extraordinary mansion in yellow stone is covered
with intricate carvings and has an elaborate projecting balcony on the top storey.
The mansion is one of the most notables of the array of havelis.
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Jain
Temples
The fort has three exquisitely carved Jain temples dedicated to the Jain Tirthankara-Rishabdev,
Sambhavnath and Parswanath.
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Gyan Bhandar of Library
Some of the oldest manuscripts of India are found in this library established
as a part of jain temples.
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