10 famous tourist spots of Jaisalmer
This article includes information about ten famous tourist places of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. It includes history , features and other details about them. These all places are a must see for the people coming to visit the golden city of Jaisalmer.
Jaisalmer is one of the main tourist places in Rajasthan as it gives you a brief view of culture and traditions of Rajasthan. Jaisalmer is known for its architecture, art and desert. People still live in the traditional way their ancestors used to live. Best time to visit Jaisalmer is at the time of Desert Festival which is organized every year by the Department of tourism, art and culture. One can enjoy cultural programs and completions like camel race in the festival. The festival also gives opportunity to enjoy folk dance and music by local artists. The place becomes crowded with tourists during the desert festival. There are many famous tourist spots in Jaisalmer. Some of them are listed below.1. Jaisalmer fort
Jaisalmer fort which is the pride of city is located in the center of the city. The fort was constructed by Jaisal, who was a Bhati Rajput ruler. The fort is situated in Trikura hill and is believed to be constructed in the year 1156. The fort is also known as Sonar Kila which means golden fort as it shines likes gold in the sunset light. Fort houses many beautiful mansions temples and residential complexes for the soldiers. Today it is the house of around ¼ part of city people. Jaisalmer fort is one of the best architectural buildings from Rajput and Mughal times. Since the fort is located on the hill one needs to hire a transport from city to reach the fort. The visiting hours for the fort are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.2. Amar Sagar Palace
Amar sagar Palace is a beautiful palace located on the banks of Amar Sagar Lake which is an artificial water body. The Amar Sagar palace is located 7 km away from the main city. The palace was built in 17th century by King Maharawal Akhal Singh in the honor of Amar singh. There are many beautiful ponds, walls and a lord Shiva temple inside the palace. The lake is surrounded by many figureheads of animals which are carved on stones and were believed as protector of the royal families.3. Bada Bagh
Bada bagh is a huge park where royal cenotaphs (Chattris) were built by various rulers. From many famous cenotaphs, the cenotaph of King Maharawal Singh is the most beautiful and the oldest. There is also a big tank (Jait Sar tank) and a dam (Jait Bandh) inside the park which are made from solid blocks of stones. One can also choose to go to Gadsisar Sagar Lake which is located few kilometers away from Bara Bagh and which provides best opportunity to see many migratory birds in the winter season. Bada Bagh is located at a distance of 6 km from the main city. Local transport and rickshaws are available from main city to reach here.4. Mool sagar
Mool sagar is one of the famous tourist spots in Jaisalmer. It has a beautiful garden along with a water reservoir. Mool sagar was built as a place for the retreat of royal families in the beating heat of summer. There is also a Lord Shiva temple inside the garden. This place was made by King Maharawal Moolraj II in the year 1815. There are many beautiful wells and a Jain temple inside the garden complex. Whole garden is decorated with various paintings and attractive sculptures. Many public transports are available from main city to reach Mool sagar.5. Akal wood Fossil Park
The Akal wood fossil park takes you back to the prehistoric Jurassic time .It holds the wood fossils of 180 million years ago. The area of the park got submerged into the sea and the tree trunks got preserved in forms of fossils. The park is spread in vast area of 10 square kilometer and has total 25 prehistoric tree trunks. This park is 17 kilometers away from the main city and one can reach the park by local transport.6. Sam Sand Dunes
It is located 42 Kilometers away from the main city and famous for desert safari in Thar Desert. One can enjoy camel ride and explore the Thar Desert where nothing is there other than sand. One can camp at Sam Sand Dunes and enjoy the sunset in the great Thar Desert. After sunset one can also enjoy bonfires and enjoy the dances of Rajasthan. The best time to come here is February and March when the whole sam sand dunes turns into a cultural club. Many events like puppet show, folk dances, camel races, and many other entertaining activities take place and turn the journey into a fun.7. Desert National Park
The desert national park is another famous spot of Jaisalmer which is spread over an area of 3100 square kilometers. There are few animals and trees that can sustain in the scorching heat of the desert. This park is a famous place to see migrating birds which includes Eagles, Harriers, Buzzards, and many more. One can see the whole park by taking a jeep safari. The best place to come here is November to march when winter season is there. In this season one can save himself from the heat of desert and the park becomes the best place for the migrating birds. It is situated around 40 km away from the main city. One can reach the park through bus or hiring a cab from the city.8. Jain temples of Jaisalmer
Jain temples are situated in the Jaisalmer fort. It is a must visit place for the follower of Jainism. These temples were made in the 12th and 15th century. The walls of the temple are carved in Dilwara style with the humans and animal figures. These Jain temples are dedicated to the two famous Jain hermits - Rishab dev ji and Shambhav dev ji . These temples are made from beautiful yellow sandstone like all other structures in Jaisalmer .These temples are open for visitors from early morning to late night till 12 am. There is also a library which holds the books of archaeology and rear manuscripts of India.9. Patwon ki haveli(mansion of rich merchants)
Patwon ki haveli is one of the famous architecture building in Jaisalmer as it is the first haveli erected in Jaisalmer. There are total 5 havelis in the cluster. These were built by Guman Chand Patwa who was a rich merchant who used to deal in the gold and silver used in embroidering of dresses .Being rich he ordered five separate havelis for his son. The haveli is now used by government for different purposes and Archaeological survey of India is also situated in the haveli itself. Today also it is a famous tourist spot for the archaeology lovers with its painting and mirror work. It is open from early morning to 5 pm for tourists.10. Tazia Tower Jaisalmer
Tazia tower is one of the main tourist spot in Jaisalmer . All other tourist attractions in Jaisalmer are of Rajputana style but Tazia towers are mainly designed by Muslim architectures. It is in the shape of Tazia which are used in Islamic festival. Tazia tower is a five storied building. The main attraction in Tazia tower is the balcony on each floor, which is all different from each other in design. The architects gifted this building to royals and the place had been home for the royal families for years. It is situated in the middle of the city inside Badal Palace near Amar sagar gate. The place is open for tourists from 7 am to 5 pm and one can reach Tazia tower by taking a rickshaw.
Other good places to visit in Jaisalmer includes Desert cultural center , Nathmal ji ki Haveli, Salim ji ki haveli and many more.
