Jaisalmer India is a fascinating city with a rich history and plenty to see and do. It is called the Golden City because of its yellow sandstone buildings and architecture.
Not typically high on the list of places to visit in India, Jaisalmer should be! We think of the Taj Mahal and Agra, Varanasi, Goa, Kashmir, the Himalayan region, etc. Jaisalmer is in the Thar Desert in the western part of the state of Rajasthan in northwestern India.
Rajasthan, the “Land of Kings,” evokes visions of a land with a rich history filled with kings & merchants, majestic palaces & forts, trading, warfare & battles and of course temples & shrines. Top destinations in Rajasthan include Jaipur (The Pink City), Udaipur (The Whit City), Jodhpur (The Blue City), Pushkar, and Ranthambore National Park and of course The Golden City.
Jaisalmer was the capital of the kingdom of Jaisalmer and a medieval trading center. Jaisalmer Fort stands above the city atop Trikuta Hill. The fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site: in 2013 it was made part of the six Hill Forts of Rajasthan. It is one of only a few remaining “living forts” meaning that almost 25% of the residents of the city still live inside the walls.
The fort was built in 1156 AD. It is camouflaged against the background gold color of the surrounding desert. Hence the nickname “Golden Fort” or “Sonar Quila”. The fort is 1500 ft by 750 ft and has 99 bastions which are 30 ft high. Architecturally it is a blend of Islamic and Rajput styles.
The Fort dominates the city. Other points of interest include its spectacular Havelis, which are intricately decorated mansions or palaces typically built by wealthy merchants. These include Nathmal Ki Haveli, Salim Singh Ki Haveli and Patwon Ki Haveli.
Additionally, don’t miss Pokhran Fort, Vyas Chhatri, Bada Bagh, Gadisar Lake, Kuldhara, Hotel Killa Bhawan, Mandir Palace and Desert National Park!
The images below show what this magical city has to offer! Hopefully you are encouraged to visit Jaisalmer.
Skyline with Fort Overlooking the Golden City
Panoramic Sunset View of the Fort
The Fort Illuminated at Night
Close Up of the Fort
Jaisalmer Fort Illuminated at Night from Above
Nearby Bada Bagh Cenotaphs
Salim Singh Ki Haveli
Gadisar Lake
Mandir Palace with the Fort in the Background
Patwon Ki Haveli
Pokhran Fort
Kuldhara Abandoned Village
Vyas Chhatri Cenotaphs
Nathmal Ki Haveli
Sunset View of Jaisalmer Fort and Mandir Palace
The Fort Illuminated Above the Golden City at Night
Image Credits
- Golden Walls of Jaisalmer Fort at Sunset: Rajasthan Tourism
- Skyline with Fort Overlooking the Golden City: Wikipedia
- Panoramic Sunset View of the Fort: South China Morning Post
- The Fort Illuminated at Night: Wikipedia
- Close Up of the Fort: Fodors
- Jaisalmer Fort Illuminated at Night from Above: Jasailmer Fort
- Nearby Bada Bagh Cenotaphs: Tripoto
- Salim Singh Ki Haveli: Thrillophilia
- Gadisar Lake: Wikipedia
- Mandir Palace with the Fort in the Background: Rajasthan Hotels
- Patwon Ki Haveli: Rajasthan GK
- Pokhran Fort: Bontaks Travels
- Kuldhara Abandoned Village: Incredible India
- Vyas Chhatri Cenotaphs: Chetram Voyages
- Nathmal Ki Haveli: Incredible India
- Sunset View of Jaisalmer Fort and Mandir Palace: LBB
- The Fort Illuminated Above the Golden City at Night: South China Morning Post