 Cities
in Rajasthan |
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Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer is an important destination of the western state
of India, Rajasthan. A desert city, it was founded by the Bhatti Rajput
chieftain Rawal Jaisal in the year 1156. Jaisalmer could be regarded as
the western sentinel of entire India and a place worth visiting to get
an idea of the native Rajasthan. Located at the heart of the great Thar
Desert, it offers the visitor an enchanting world of fable domestic and
foreign tourists., colour, and history. Moreover, the magnificent wood-and
stone-carved mansions and buildings display the love and interest Rajputs
had for the fine arts. The desert festival held here by the end of the
winter season, during the months of January and February, attracts a large
number of domestic and foreign tourists
The city has an interesting legend associated with it, according
to which, Lord Krishna, the head of the Yadav Clan, foretold Arjuna, one
of the Pandava brothers of the Mahabharata that a remote descendent of
the Yadav Clan would build his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. His prophecy
was fulfilled in 1156 AD when Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the Yadav
Clan and a Bhatti Rajput, abandoned his fort at Lodurva and founded a
new capital Jaisalmer, perched on the Trikuta Hill. Bhatti Rajputs of
Jaisalmer were feudal chiefs who lived off the forced levy on the caravans
laden with precious silks and spices that crossed the territory en route
to Delhi or Sindh. These caravans earned the town great wealth. Chivalric
rivalry and ferocity between various Rajput clans was the order of the
day and the Bhatti Rajputs of Jaisalmer were regarded as a formidable
force throughout the region. While Jaisalmer largely escaped direct conquest
by the Muslim rulers of Delhi, it did experience its share of sieges and
sacking with the inevitable jauhar (collective sacrifice) being declared
in the face of certain defeat. For years Jaisalmer remained untouched
by outside influences and there is perhaps no other city in which one
can conjure up the spirit osf those time
Places To See
The Jaisalmer Fort : Jaisalmer Fort is the most alive of any museum,
fort or palace that you are likely to visit in India. It was built in
1156 by the Rajput ruler Jaisala. About a quarter of the old city's population
resides within the fort walls. The fort is entered through a forbidding
series of massive gates leading to a large courtyard.
Tazia Tower : The delicate pagoda like Tazia
Tower rises from Badal Mahal (Cloud Palace). Rising in its five tiered
splendour, with each storey graced by a delicately carved balcony, the
tower is of historical significance
Jain Temples : Just follow the line of tourists,
and you'll eventually get to the Jain temples. This group of temples were
built in the 12th to 15th century. They are beautifully carved and dedicated
to the saints Rikhabdevji and Sambhavnathji. The Gyan Bhandar, a library
containing some extremely old manuscripts, is within the temple complex
Gadisar Lake : Gadisar Lake is a man-made lake
constructed by Maharaja Gadsi Singh Ji in 1367. It is very scenic, with
numerous temples around the lake and one in its centre. An ideal place
for boating. It used to be main source of drinking water. There are many
small shrines & temples festooned all around the lake attracts gateways.
The Havelis of Jaisalmer : AJaisalmer has some
of the most exotic mansions or havelis in India. Intricately latticed
and with conspicuous facades, these are quite unique. Tradition determined
that prior to a Hindu wedding, the front wall of the bride's house was
painted with an image of Lord Ganesh. The paintings have considerably
expanded in theme.
Nathmalji-Ki-Haveli : One very interesting fact
about this late 19th century haveli is that two brothers carved its two
sides. Although the motif used by one is not similar to the other, they
are in harmony. One has to look very closely to spot dissimilarities.
The interior walls are ornate with splendid miniature paintings.
Patwon-Ki-Haveli : This is one of the largest
and most elaborate havelis in Jaisalmer. It is five storeys high and extensively
carved. 
Mool Sagar : Located about 9km west of
the city, this is another pleasant garden with a tank. It belongs to the
royal family of Jaisalmer and is a perfect picnic spot.
Lodurva : Located beyond Amar Sagar and about
15km northwest of the city, this town was the ancient capital before the
move to Jaisalmer. The Jain temples here, rebuilt in the 1970's, are the
only reminders of the town's former magnificence. The main temple has
an image of Parsvanath, the 23rd Jain tirthankar (apostle). In the temple
is a hole from which a cobra is said to emerge every evening and it is
considered auspicious to see it.
Excursion
Bada Bagh :A fertile oasis on the bank of an
vegetable are grown here. Surrounded by dense trees are the royal cenotaph
with beautifully carved ceiling and equestrian statues of the former rulers.
Wood Fossil Park, Aakai : Lying on the barner Road,
this pack takes you back to the Jurassic period (when the whole thar region
lay under the sea) with 180 million year old fossils-the geological landmarks
for the study of the thar desert.
Sam Sand Dunes : Located at a distance of 42
kilometres from Jaisalmer, Sam Sand Dunes is the closest point to witness
the total sandy desert. You can also see the patterns and motifs created
by the shifting sands and air. Moreover, Sam Sand Dunes also provide you
with an unforgettable experience of camel rides and the sunset.
Desert National Park : It preserves the eco-system
of the desert within its confines. The Monitor lizards, desert foxes,
porcupines, occasional wolves and black bucks, and the Great Indian Bustard
(a protected bird ) are found here, forming an ecological chain revolving
around cactii and other hardy desert plants.
Barmer Barmer is a small and lively desert town, known
for its hand block printing industry, carved wooden furniture and colourful
costumes worn by its friendly people. The best time to visit is during
the gay Barmer festival held every year in the month of march.
Festivals : The Desert Festival is a colourful extragavanza of
music and gaeity. The grand finale is a trip to the sand dunes at Sam,
where one can enjoy a camel ride and, simultaneously, view the troupes
of musicians and dancers performing on the dunes.
Camel Safaris : An intriguing way of exploring the vast desert
around Jaisalmer, is the Camel Safari - a prime attraction for visitors.
Most safaris last 3 to 4 days, and thread their way through Amar Sagar,
Ludharva, Mool Sagar, Bada Bagh and Sam, as well as several abandoned
villages on the way. The best time for a safari is October to February.
Jalore : Located just south of the Sukri River,
which is a tributary of the Luni River, a medieval stronghold, Jalore
was the 12th-century capital of the Chauhan Rajputs (the warrior rulers
of the historic region of Rajputana) and was captured in 1310 AD by the
Delhi Emperor 'Ala-ud-Din Khilji. An 11th-century hill fort overlooks
the city. In the ancient- medieval times, Jalore was known as Jabalipur.
The city is also referred to as Suvarnagiri after the name of the hill,
at the foot of which it is situated.
Jalore was a flourishing town in the 8th century AD. It was
ruled by Pratihar kings and consisted of beautiful temples and residential
houses. The fort and the palaces passed into many hands before finally
falling into the hands of the rulers of Marwar. During those times the
Hindu rulers were great patrons of art and culture. Two of the greatest
poetic works in any Indian language, namely, 'Kuvalayamala' and 'Kanhad
Dev Prabandh' were composed in Jalore.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
Jalore Fort : Jalore is famous for its fort built
by the Parmaras, probably in the 10th century. It is one of the most famous
forts in the state that is standing atop a perpendicular hill. The palaces
here are simple, without any superfluous embellishment. The fort of Jalore
has a proud past aptly expressed in this famous couplet- "Let the
sky be torn, The earth turned upside down, Let the iron armour be cut
to pieces, Heads severed, Body fighting alone, But Jalore still would
not surrender." The fort has four gigantic gates but it is approachable
only from one side, after a two-mile long serpentine ascent. The fort
is built on the lines of traditional Hindu architecture.
Mosque of Malik Shah :In the centre of the spacious
enclosure of the fort is the mosque of saint Malik Shah, which is said
to be built by Allauddin Khilji.
The Jain Temples : Jalore abounds in Jain temples
dating back to 8th century AD. Most famous among them are those dedicated
to Adinath, Mahavir, Parsvanath and Santinath.
Bhinmal : It
was a renowned centre of Brahmanical learning under the rulers of Jalore.
The ancient town is believed to have been buried due to a natural calamity.
Sanchore
145-km from Jalore, the ancient town of Sanchore was a great centre of
Jainism and Shaivism and a prominent centre for learning.
How To Get There
Air: Jodhpur (285 km)
is the nearest airport.
Road: Regular bus services link Jaisalmer to Jodhpur, Ramdeora
and Bikaner.
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