Jaisalmer

Magical Desert
Jaisalmer is one of the India's most precious jewels. Fortified in golden stone, it rises like a mirage from the barren Thar desert of Rajasthan. The unimaginable beauty and magic of dessert is still maintained because it is untouched by the outside influences. The name Jaisalmer itself evokes a vivid picture brilliant desert.

Palaces And Havelis
Jaisalmer is known for it's aesthetic palaces and Havelis. It was founded on what was the cross-roads of lucrative trade routes, thus the rich merchants engaged stone-craftsmen, who worked with great dedication on the sandstone mansions they built, by filling up facades with sculptural filigree, screen windows, delicate pavilions and beautiful balconies. Today, these veritable art-museums are still inhabited, and their colorful celebrations and festivals have placed Jaisalmer firmly on the world tourism map.

Fair Festival
Desert Fair (14th-16th Feb, 2003) Jaisalmer exercises immense charm, but with the staging of the annual Desert Festival (January - February), it has also become one of the annual calendar.

Shopping
Jaisalmer is famous for embroidery, Rajasthani mirror work, rugs, blankets, old stonework and antique. The dye and other fabrics are made at Kadi Bundar, north of the city.

Relevant Places

Jaisalmer Fort
The golden hued fort is a sentinel to the bleak desert scape from its 80 meter high perch on the hill,housing the entire township within its ramparts. It has an enchanting cow-web of narrow lanes dotted with some lovely Havelis, three beautifully sculptured Jain Temples of the 12th-15th century A.D.

The Havelis Of Jaisalmer
Jisalmer is famous for its intricately latticed Havelis with conspicuous facades. Some of the famous Havelies are Patwon-Ki-Haveli, which is the most elaborate and magnificent of all the Jaisalmer Havelis, Salim Singh Ki-Haveli, which have a blue cupola roof and an exquisite projecting balcony and Nathmalji-Ki-Haveli has excellent craftsmanship of the stone carver, which is illustrated in the gossamer quality of the screened windows.

Jain Temples
Jaisalmer has the oldest and the most beautiful of the Jain temples The world famous Parswanath Temple have sanctum, which are carved with animal and human figures.

Sam
From Jaisalmer, it is possible to get an insight into desert life by visiting Sam. It is great place to see patterns carved out by winds on the sand. Camel rides on the sand dunes are an unforgettable experience as is the sunset.