If you are planning to visit Jaisalmer ensure that you have included the tourists’ places mentioned below in your itinerary. Winters (from November to February) is the best time to visit Jaisalmer. At this time, you will get pleasant and breezy weather.
Every city has some unique facts and saga to impress. Here we are, talking about that city of India; Jaisalmer – the gateway to the Thar Desert. Jaisalmer is also perceived as the Golden City of India. The most famous characteristic of the city is the plethora of structures built using peculiar yellow sandstone. These structures make the location a picture-perfect spot. The Rawal Jaisal established the city in the 12th century. The Jaisalmer city has many artistic structures, historical monuments, and abandoned villages.
Jaisalmer is one of the beautiful places to visit in Rajasthan. You can easily travel from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur by train or bus within 5 hours.
Jaisalmer Fort
The Jaisalmer Fort is a massive yellow sandstone fortress, and it turns into honey-gold at sunset, which justifies the name Sonar Quila. The Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal built the Jaisalmer fort in 1156 and also founded the Jaisalmer city at the same time. It’s one of the few living forts in the world, which makes it incredible. There are thousands of people living inside the fort, resides many hotels, temples, handicraft, general stores, restaurants, and the former king’s palace.
You can get into the fort without any fees, but you have to spend a few pence to visit the palace’s museum. When I went to Jaisalmer, I lived in a hotel resides in the fort. The hotel has the coolest rooftop from where you get a beautiful view of the Jaisalmer city. The city’s view is fascinating both day and night. You should not miss out on the Sunset. So, I am suggesting you stay in a hotel having a rooftop and a sunset view inside the fort. The cost of the hotel is very reasonable.
Sam Sand Dunes
To have the feel of the desert and bumpy camel ride, you have to visit Sam Sand Dunes. It is the must-visit location in Jaisalmer. I don’t think anyone will miss to include this place in their plan to visit Jaisalmer. The dunes are famous for 3 things; Camel Ride, Desert Safari or Camping, and Sunrise or Sunset view. Nowadays, you will also see Paragliding adventure sport in Sand Dunes.
Jaisalmer Sand Dunes are at a distance of approximately 42 kilometers from the Jaisalmer fort. The best time to visit Jaisalmer Sand Dunes is in the February month. Usually, the Jaisalmer Desert Festival is held at this time of the year.
I suggest you take 1 or 2 days’ desert camp at Sam Sand Dunes and enjoy all the desert activities there. Make sure to book a camp, which organizes the folk dance or music organized in the evening for you to enjoy. You can also visit the Khuri village. It’s a substitute to the Sam Sand Dunes. The Khuri village is not much crowded and you can get all the desert activities here as well.
Gadi Sar Lake
If you are looking for a beautiful lake in the desert then, you have to visit the Gadi Sar Lake. The first ruler of Jaisalmer; Raja Rawal Jaisal constructed the Gadi Sar Lake. It is a rainwater lake and supplies water to the Jaisalmer city. Just like other lakes, you can enjoy boat rides and a small market for Rajasthani handmade objects.
Kuldhara village
Kuldhara is an abandoned village that was once a fortunate and the largest, occupied by the Paliwal Brahmins in the 19th Century. People consider the Kuldhara village as cursed and haunted. There are many haunted stories around this village; some say the ghosts walk around in the night. However, the story which mostly true is that the Paliwal Brahmins cursed this place before leaving.
The Ruler in the 19th century harassed villagers for paying high taxes. One day, the ruler set his eyes on the daughter of the village’s head. The ruler forced the head to marry her daughter with him otherwise, villagers have to face drastic consequences. Instead of agreeing to the Ruler’s demand, the whole village decided to leave the town in the night. Before leaving, they cursed the village to never have any kind of human showdown. This has been proven true to this date. Nobody exactly knows where do villagers went. But, as per the story, all Paliwals were gone to Paliwal town near Jodhpur district.
The Kuldhara village is located on the way to the dunes from Jaisalmer Fort. If you are curious and want to know more about the Kuldhara village then, you can go there at day time.
Apart from the above must-visit places in Jaisalmer, you can also visit Patwon-ki-haveli, Bada Bagh, Nathmal-ki-haveli, Salim Singh-ki-haveli, Desert National Park, and Jain Temples. If you have more days available in your Itinerary then do visit these places.
Tanot Mata Mandir
The Tanot Mata temple lies near the Indo-Pak border. It is also known as the sister temple to Hinglaj and Karni Mata. The Indian Army maintains the temple. In 1971, at the time of war between India and Pakistan, Pakistan’s army bombarded the Indian army base and the Tanot Mata temple. It is said that due to the blessings of the Goddess, the Indian army could fight the war and was victorious.