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Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Quila) seems to arise out of the vast sandy plains of the Thar Desert like a colossus, mesmerizing onlookers with its mighty structure and awesome power.
Built almost 800 years ago, in 1156 AD, its yellow sandstone walls and massive fortifications have withstood brutal enemy attacks and weathered the harshness of extreme climatic changes.
The fort flourished along the ancient trade routes that passed through Jaisalmer, and is considered among the world’s largest forts… so large that it accommodates a sizable population even today, almost 4000 people, who live in mansions inside the fort.
Today, Jaisalmer fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site & is best to look at in the evenings, when it glows with a golden glow, and at night, when lights illuminate the entire fort, making it look surreal, against the backdrop of a dark night sky.
There are ornate merchant havelis, built with traditional architectural styles & ethnic Rajasthani décor inside. They have multiple rooms & floors, with decorated windows, finely carved jharokhas (balconies) and doors. People still live in these havelis since many centuries. Haveli’s names are mentioned below on this page.
There is the intricately carved Laxminath Temple, & many other Jain temples, dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras inside the fort. They are built of yellow sandstone and have amazing temple architecture.
Raj Mahal, the Maharaja’s Palace is now converted into a museum, where you can take an audio guide and see galleries having armoury, swords, king’s throne, palanquins, statues, and other priceless treasures. Queen’s Palace has lattice windows, or jaali screens to protect the privacy of royal ladies.
Walking on the small lanes inside the fort will take you to different sections of the fort. The fort has many street shops, from where you can shop for traditional garments, bed sheets, quilts & local handicrafts. Wallets, purses, handbags made of camel leather are a hot favorite with tourists.
There are numerous view points on the top of the fort, where you can find huge cannons. You can spot several other attractions of Jaisalmer, along with stunning panoramic views of the city from these points.
Jaisalmer Fort is built on the scorching sandy plains of the Thar Desert. Avoid summer months by all means, and go only in the winter months, i.e. between October to March. During daytime, you will not feel excessive heat of the sun, and evenings are cooler, and best for sightseeing and shopping.
Jaisalmer Fort is the most famous attraction in the city of Jaisalmer, and can be seen from almost anywhere in Jaisalmer. You can catch a tuk tuk or cabs from railway station or chowks and get to Jaisalmer Fort. And the best will be to rent a car in Jaisalmer for as low as Rs 1600-2000 per day.
And you can always plan a trip to Jaisalmer with us and for this we would suggest you to view our Jaisalmer tour packages.
