Places
to See
The
Fort :
The
golden hued fort is a sentinel to the bleak desert escape 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 lanes doted with some lovely
havelis, three beautiful sculptured Jain temples of the 12
th-15
th
century A.D. and five interconnected palaces. The fort is approached through
four gateways-Akhaiya Pol, Ganesh Pol Suraj pol and hava Pol. Manak Chowk
and Havelis : A main market place outside the fort leads to the narrow lanes
doted with famous havelis.
Gadsisar
Lake :
A scenic rain water lake with numerous beautiful
shrines around and a spectacular avian variety. The lake is an idyllic spot
for outings.
Tazia Tower :
A pagoda like structure looming up from the "Badal Mahal" with beautiful Taazias' - ornately decorated bamboo, paper and tinsel
replicas of a bier, carried out in processing during Moharram by the
Muslims.
Havelis :
Some
of the most exotic mansions or havelis, all intricately latticed are strewn
all over Jaisalmer each with different façade.
Nathmalji-Ki-haveli
:
The late 19
th century haveli with intricate
architecture a display of sheer craftsmanship. The left and right wings of
the mansions, which were carved by two brothers, are not identical but very
similar and balanced in design. The interior walls are ornate with splendid
miniature paintings.
Patwon-ki-Haveli :
The most elaborate and magnificient of all the Jaisalmer havelis. It
has exquisitely carved pillars and exquisitely carved pillars and extensive
corridors and chambers. One of the apartments of this five story high haveli
is painted with beautiful murals.
Salim
Singh-Ki-Haveli :
This 300 year old Haveli of Jaisalmer's
Prime Minister to Maharaja Rawal Gaj Singh Salim Singh, has a beautiful blue
cupola roof with superby carved brackets in the form of peacocks. This
extraordinary mansion in yellow stone is covered with intricate carvings and
has an elaborate projecting balcony on the top storey. The mansion is one of
the most notables of the array of havelis.
Jain
temples :
The fort has three exquisitely carved Jain temples
dedicated to the Jain Tirthankara-Rishabdev, Sambhavnath and Parswanath.
Gyan Bhandar of Library :
Some of the oldest manuscripts of India are found in this library
established as a part of jain temples.
