It was founded by the Bhatti Rajput chieftain Rawal Jaisal in the year 1156. Located at the heart of the great Thar Desert, it offers the visitor an enchanting world of fable, colour, and history. Moreover, the magnificent wood-and stone-carved mansions and buildings display the love and interest Rajputs had for the fine arts. The desert festival held here by the end of the winter season, during the months of January and February, attracts a large number of domestic and foreign tourists.

Places to visit: Jaisalmer

The golden rays of the setting sun, the colourfully adorned locals, the massive forts and mansions, the extremely fascinating craftsmanship, Rajput havelis, all these make Jaisalmer a place of must visit in Rajasthan. Moreover a visit to the Jaisalmer Fort (the second oldest fort in Rajasthan after Chittaur), Patwon ki Haveli, (the grandest haveli of Jaisalmer), Desert Culture centre and museums gives you some glimpse of this small town's past. The Jain temples meet your religious taste, Salim Singh ki haveli and Nathmal-ki-haveli give you some more idea of the haveli architecture of the town. Besides these, Gadsisar Lake is also an interesting spot that you must visit in this desert city.

Excursions : Places nearby city - Jaisalmer

Apart from many places to visit in Jaisalmer, there some other excursion sites you must not miss out. These sites include many nearby local villages, desert resorts, and places of historical as well as contemporary importance. Khuri, a village that provides you with an earthy feeling of the local Rajasthan, Manvar, a place that would give you once in a lifetime experience of the desert and the famous Pokhran range are some of the sites that needs a mention. You can also go for camel safaris during days and evenings. Ideal for viewing sunsets, these sites will also give you a chance to capture the picturesque sand dunes in your camera. Staying in the desert camps of the above mentioned places with local delicacies served is a heavenly experience.

Jaisalmer - Golden splendour amid the desert

Unlike any other city, this desert fortress is one of Rajasthan's most exotic and unusual towns. Jaisalmer, an important ancient trading centre because of its strategic location on the camel trade routes, is often described as the 'golden city'. The havelis, built by merchants of the 19th century, are exquisitely carved from golden-yellow sandstone and are still in a beautiful condition. The fort built by Rawal Jaisal in the 12th century, stands on the 80 metre high Trikuta hill, with beautifully carved Jain temples. The annual desert festival take place in January and February each year and is a riot of colour and activity. Jaisalmer is also famous for its embroidery, Rajasthani mirror work, rugs, blankets, antique, stonework and camel safaris into the barren sand-duned desert.

Added attraction

• Camel ride to Sam dunes and overnight in tented camps.

How to get there

• Road: A good network of road joins Jaisalmer with many destinations in and around Rajasthan.
• Air: Jodhpur airport is 285 Kilometers and the only convenient to this city.
• Rail: