JAISALMER

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.

Places to Visit in Jaisalmer

• Visiting Jaisalmer itself means a visit to the Jaisalmer Fort. Built over the Trikuta hill, this fort is the biggest and the most beautiful landmark of the city. The fort is occupied by shops, stalls, and a number of other business concerns. This fort accommodates quarter of the city's population.
  
• Just outside the fort is the Manakchowk, the famous marketplace of Jaisalmer. It is a good place for bargaining the local products.
  
• The Jain temple, a place worth visiting, is also situated inside the fort itself. The temple, made between 12th and 15th century, bears testimony to Rajasthan's unique artistry.
• Havelis are the mansions built by the wealthy merchants, which are still in very good condition. The intricate craftsmanship is beyond parallel. The havelis like the Patwon-ki-Haveli and Salim-Singh-ki-Haveli are remarkable for their exclusive cutwork, yellow and red stone treatment and the bracket-shaped decoration of peacocks.
  
• Gadsisar Sagar Tank is a famous place for an outing. Earlier it used to be the source of water for the entire city. A number of migratory birds flock this place during the winter season.
  
• Desert Culture Center and Museum is another place that would give the visitor a clear insight of the place. The museum has a number of old coins, different kinds of textile, traditional Rajasthani instruments, and some fossils that were found in the desert.
  
• Baba Bagh is an oasis at the bank of a man-made dam. It has greenery all around to give a much-needed relief to the local people.
  
• The Jain temple of Lodhruva, which reminds of the glory of the former capital city Lodhruva, is a place worth visiting.
  
• Sam Sand Dunes, situated at the edge of the Thar Desert, is a place gaining tremendous tourist attraction these days. This sandy place is famous for watching sunset and taking a camel ride.
  
• Khuri, another place in this glittering golden sand, impresses the tourists with its mud houses and straw roofs.
• Desert National Park is another place that preserves the natural ecosystem of the desert land. Cactus, thorny trees and shrubs could be seen growing easily without being taken care of. It has some vegetation that survives in the dry and arid soil. It also has few animal species like the monitor lizard, desert foxes, porcupines and black bucks, etc.

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