Jaisalmer , also known as “The Golden city”, is a famous city within the Indian state of Rajasthan, situated 575 kilometres (357 mi) west of the capital of the state Jaipur. The town stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone and is crowned by the traditional Jaisalmer Fort. This fort contains a royal palace and a number of other ornate Jain temples. Many of the homes and temples of both the fort and of the town below are built of finely sculptured sandstone. The town is located within the heart of the famous Thar Desert (the Great Indian Desert) and has a population, consisting the residents of the fort, of about 78,000. It is the administrative headquarters of Jaisalmer District
Jaisalmer is the largest district of the state Rajasthan, 3rd largest Town by territorial region in India, hugged on the west & south-west by Pakistan. The range of the international border attached to Jaisalmer is 464 km (288 mi). It is situated 790 kilometres far away from Delhi.
Jaisalmer Fort was built in 1156 by the Bhati Rajput ruler Jaisal, is located on Meru Hill and named as Trikoot Garh has been the site of the many battles and wars. Its gigantic sandstone walls are tawny lion coloured during the day, turning to a magical honey-gold as the sun sets. The famous Indian director Satyajit Ray has written a mystery novel and later a movie was made − Sonar Kella (The Golden Fortress) which described this fort in detail. Almost about a quarter of city’s population live inside the Jaisalmer fort. The center of attractions inside the fort are: Raj Mahal (Royal palace), the Laxminath temple and the Jain temples.
Jaisalmer has been boosted by the Jain community, which has adorned the town with beautiful temples, these temples are dedicated to the 16th Tirthankara, Shantinath, and 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvanath.
There are total seven Jain temples which are located within the Jaisalmer fort constructed during the 12th and 15th centuries. Among these seven temples, the most important is the Paraswanath Temple; the others are Chandraprabhu temple, Rishabdev temple, Kunthunath Temple, Shitalnath Temple and Shantinath Temple. Famous for his or her exquisite work of art and architecture that was predominant within the medieval era, the temples were built out of yellow sandstone and have complicated engravings on them.
Jaisalmer has a number of the oldest libraries of India which contain rarest of the manuscripts and artefacts of Jain tradition. There are many pilgrimage centres around Jaisalmer like Lodhruva (Lodarva), Amarsagar, Brahmsar and Pokharan.
Gadsisar Lake – Excavated in 1367 by Rawal Gadsi Singh, it’s a scenic rainwater lake surrounded by the tiny temples and shrines of Amar Sagar. Earlier, this lake was wont to be the most water source of Jaisalmer. With an increase water demand for agriculture, the lake is severely threatened to dry out.
Desert Festival of Jaisalmer is that the most awaited and famous cultural and vibrant event of Rajasthan. Camel races, Turban-tying and Mr. Desert competitions are organized. It is held within the month of February per annum. The festival displays Rajasthani folk songs and dance and it’s very eye-catchy to foreign tourists. Gair and Fire dancers which are the main attraction of the Jaisalmer desert festival celebrations. This is the simplest time to go to Jaisalmer to witness humanistic discipline like Kalbelia dances and folk songs and music.