Are you someone who loves stepping into the days that are long gone? Do you like exploring campuses and premises that stand as evidence of the rich historical past? Then nothing can be better than Rajasthan. As colourful and historically enriching the city is, the monuments present here are even more enticing. One such location is the Jaisalmer Fort Rajasthan. A popular tourist destination, the Jaisalmer Fort is one of the oldest living forts present today. This means a significant population still lives within the fort complex.
Now how captivating that sounds already .The Jaisalmer Fort images would not do justice to how splendid the fort looks so you must visit this fort in person. In this article I will mention all the details that you would need to plan a perfect trip to the Jaisalmer Fort. After all this is one such place that you cannot afford to miss visiting. So keep on reading.
Location: Fort Road, Near Gopa Chowk, Amar Sagar Pol, Manak Chowk, Jaiwalmer, Rajasthan
Entry fee: For Indians the entry fee is Rs. 50 per person and for foreigners it is Rs. 250.
Jaisalmer Fort Timings: 9 am to 6 pm
How to reach Jaisalmer Fort:
By Flight:
Jodhpur Airport, the nearest airport is well connected to most of the major cities nearby. From there the distance of Jaisalmer fort is 275 km. You can take a cab or hire a car to reach there.
By Road:
You can drive from the nearby cities to reach the Jaisalmer Fort. You can also take the state buses from nearby cities of Jodhpur, Jaipur, Bikaner or Ahmedabad. This is the most affordable option to travel even though the time taken can be a little more.
By Train:
Jaisalmer Railway Station is the nearest railhead that is well connected with other cities. The Jaisalmer fort is only 15 minutes away from the station. You can easily take a taxi or auto rickshaw to reach the fort from there.
Best time to visit Jaisalmer Fort:
Ideally October to February is the best time to visit this fort. The weather is mostly pleasant during this time and that promises a more comfortable experience for sure. Furthermore, if you are visiting during the winter months you can enjoy the different cultural events that are hosted there. The Jaisalmer Desert Festival is the most popular event. Average temperature of the place remains around 7 degrees to 24 degrees. Summers are too hot here and the outdoor activities will be a little tough to carry out during that time. So it’s better to visit during the winter season any day.
About Jaisalmer Fort:
Jaisalmer Fort or Sonar Qila or the Golden Fort is one of the names in the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site List. The Fort is also known as Trikutgarh as it is located on the Trikuta Hill. This majestic fort is not just any other historical monument. Till date this fort remains as a living heritage with a significant population inhabiting inside the fort premise. The narrow lanes of the fort are occupied with beautiful shops that sell various items like handcrafted jewelleries, handicraft items, textile goods and many other traditional Rajasthani items. Moreover there are restaurants and cafes inside the fort and some of them even offer a rooftop set up. It is like exploring a hidden gem and the inside of the Jaisalmer Fort is like a treasure trove for any visitor.
Moreover, this living heritage is facing a lot of challenges at the moment with the influx of tourists. The preservation of this fort is already becoming an issue in the era of modernization. Therefore a lot of efforts are made in order to preserve the fort and its grandeur. One of the major problems is also the construction location. This fort is constructed on top of weak sedimentary rocks and therefore it is more vulnerable to seepage. Moreover, a major chunk of the fort like the Rani Ka Mahal and some other parts and boundaries has led to a collapse already. Therefore major restoration works have been undertaken by the Archeological Survey Department and World Monuments Fund. Efforts are being made to strike a balance between the restoration and preservation of the fort and the commercial and touristy activities inside the complex.
Jaisalmer Fort History:
The construction of the Jaisalmer Fort goes back to the 12th century. This fort was constructed in 1156 by Raja Rawal Singh. The Jaisalmer Fort is a witness to many historical battles and clashes. Once, this was an important ground for the contention between the Bhati Rajputs and other opposing forces. It was also an important trade centre that connected India with Central Asia. However, after Indian independence the earlier trade route was completely closed.
The fort also became popular after eminent filmmaker Satyajit Ray filmed a major chunk of his film Sonar Kella here. After the success of this classic Bengali film, even today many people from Bengal visit this fort to experience the site shown in the film and to get engrossed in that world.
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Architecture of Jaisalmer Fort
The Jaisalmer Fort has been made following an amalgamation of the Rajput and Islamic style of architecture. It is a living example of the medieval Rajasthani architectural style. This fort stands with a height of 250 feet with multiple entry points. There are a total of 4 gates of the fort namely the Hawa Pol, Ganesh Pol, Akshya Pol and Suraj Pol. The intricately designed gates and carved entrances look splendid. Furthermore, you can find some elevated platforms inside the Jaisalmer Fort that serve as viewpoints of the surroundings. These further enhance the aesthetic appeal of the whole fort as well.
One of the main attractions inside the fort is the Maharawal Palace and its marble throne. Just opposite the palace there is a five storied tower known as the Tazia Tower. The Jawahar Palace is another attractive spot here which was previously used as a residential place for the royal families. There are beautiful temples constructed inside the fort. The Jain Temples dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras are one of the attractions in the fort. Along with that you can find several palaces inside the fort as well that look impressive. The ornate balconies are examples of fine mastery of art and architecture. Also the pillars are intricately carved and look spectacular. The Havelis are another major point of attraction inside the fort premise. Salim Singh ki Haveli, Patwon ki Haveli, Nathmal ki Haveli are some of the popular ones there.
Things to do at Jaisalmer Fort
There are a number of activities that you can indulge in while making a visit to the Jaisalmer Fort.
Visiting the Palaces
Within the fort itself you will find many havelis and palaces to explore. The grand Royal Palace, Raja Mahal are some of them that you need to check out. These palaces are intricately made putting in a lot of thought into the architecture. In a way you would also get an overview of how things would have been in the days long gone. The exquisite murals, intricate craftsmanship and the gorgeous view would win over you.
Exploring the architecture
For people who have an eye towards everything intricate, the architecture of the Jaisalmer Fort will leave them mesmerized. The narrow lanes, the carved balconies, ornate palaces and the temples, everything speaks for its grandeur. These structures stand tall in their own charm. The reflecting light from the yellow sandstone gives an illusion of golden glow that looks even more beautiful with the colour changing days and nights.
Enjoying the view
The fort has some specific points that promise stunning views. You can climb up to the top of the fort to get breathtaking views of the sunsets and sunrises. Furthermore from specific points you can even enjoy the panoramic view of the Thar Desert. Along with that the fort offers views of the landscape around including the crowded streets of Jaisalsmer .
Visiting the Jain Temples
You will find many Jain temples inside the fort premise. These temples are mostly prominent for their spiritual significance. Along with that the architecture of these temples are just mesmerizing to look at. You should surely visit the Shree Mahaveer Ji Temple that is a temple dedicated to Lord Mahaveer. The detailed carvings on the walls and the intricate craftsmanship will leave you awestruck. Moreover, the peaceful ambience of the temple is going to serve you a slice of bliss amidst the chaos.
Shopping
For the shopaholics Rajasthan is a paradise. The colourful shops and markets within the fort will surely force you to spend a lot. Especially if you love ethnic outfits, prints and jewelleries then this is a heaven for you. The intricate mirror work clothing items, the traditional prints and the vintage charm of the items are just perfect pieces to grab. Silver jewelleries, embroidered textile items, handicrafts are other things that you can check out. The local handicraft items, camel leather goods and souvenirs are found in abundance. To crack a good deal you must polish your bargaining skills a little. And you can get many beautiful pieces to take back home along with you. In a way this would also encourage the local craft and craftsmen with their businesses.
Attending Cultural Programmes
Many cultural events are organized inside the Jaisalmer Fort to entertain the visitors. These programmes are a way to showcase the rich culture of Rajasthan. The Rajasthani Traditional dance forms and Rajasthani Folk Music are the main highlights of these programmes. Dance forms like Ghoomar and Kalbeliya are the most popular ones.
Furthermore, there is a special event hosted here that is the Jaisalmer Desert Festival which happens in the month of February. If you are willing to visit the fort around that time do not forget to attend the event. There are many cultural programmes along with different competitions held at that time. It is the best way of showcasing the heritage of Rajasthan. Fun competitions like Turban tying, camel races also take place. The Jaisalmer Fort looks even more vibrant during this festival.
Enjoying the Rajasthani cuisine
Out of every other activity that you indulge in, this has to be the most enriching one. Exploring the local cuisine of a place is one of the things that would give you an insight of the community. The Rajasthani food is delicious with its rich gravies and tasty sweet dishes. There are various cafes and restaurants inside the Fort premise that you can visit and get the taste of authentic Rajasthani dishes. The main dishes that you should not miss are Laal Mas, Dal Baati Churma, Gatte Ki Sabzi, Rajasthani Kadhi. Among sweet dishes Ghewar, Imarti, Balushahi, Badam ka Halwa, Malpua are a must try. You can also try the various savory snacks like Pyaaz ke Kachori or Mirchi Vada there.
Hotels in Jaisalmer Fort
You can opt for hotels outside the complex as Jaisalmer has good options of hotels. Otherwise you can check out the hotels inside the vicinity of the fort as well. In both the cases it is advisable that you do proper booking especially if you are travelling during peak holiday seasons.
Some of the popular hotels and resorts that you can check out are Hotel Rajmandir, Desert Haveli Guest House, Hotel Garh Jaisal Haveli, Marigold Homestay, Zostel Jaisalmer, Hotel Golden Villa, Hotel Suraj, etc.
Some interesting facts about the Jaisalmer Fort
The architecture of the fort is a mix of Rajput as well as Muslim architecture styles because many times the rule changed its hands here. Whoever was in power at a given period of time has contributed to the architectural development of this fort.
The fort is also known as Sonar Qila or Golden Fort because of the yellow sand surrounding it. The sandy desert is also perfect for activities like camel rides, sand surfing and jeep safaris.
At present this is the only living fort in India where a generous chunk of the population resides inside the fort complex. However, not just a residential complex, this fort also houses many shops, restaurants and hotels and therefore also serves as a commercial complex alongside.
During the dawn, the yellow fort would look like an illusion by the golden hour and be almost invisible against the view of the yellow sand of the desert. The fort was made with yellow sandstone to create this illusion to save the fort from enemies.
This fort was made in a unique way to get saved from the enemies. The fort has three layers of wall. First layer of the wall is made of stone blocks so that the initial foundation is strong enough. Then the second layer is made that goes around the entire fort as a protective barrier. And the third layer is made in such a way that the soldiers could put hot boiling oil or water on the enemies if they ever get caught between the second and third walls.
The people still inhabiting the Jaisalmer Fort is one of the tempting facts of this fort. A fort that is so old and ancient holds so much to its history already. Till today this fort is serving as a residential area for such a chunk of population. Everything about this fort would make you mesmerize. Furthermore, the fort area speaks for its richness and you will be enriched after a visit to this spectacular location. After the challenges being faced by the fort, the restorations and maintenance has been taken care of. And you cannot miss out on visiting such a beautiful place in the heart of Rajasthan.
Have you ever been to Jaisalmer or Rajasthan? And have you ever planned a visit to this Fort? If not, then this is your calling. Plan a trip to the Jaisalmer Fort Rajasthan and get engrossed in the heritage formation and cultural abundance. I am sure you are not going to regret your experience. In fact this might be one of the enriching experiences for you that you would like to hold on to for a lifetime.
