Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer, nicknamed "The Golden City", is a town in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The town stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone, crowned by a fort, which contains the palace and several ornate Jain temples. Many of the houses and temples are finely sculptured. It lies in the heart of the Thar Desert and has a population of about 78,000.

Jaisalmer Fort

Built in 1156 by the Bhati Rajput ruler Jaisal, Jaisalmer Fort is situated on Trikuta Hill and has been the scene of many battles. Its massive sandstone walls are a tawny lion color during the day, turning to a magical honey-gold as the sun sets. This is a living fort and about a quarter of city's population still live inside the fort. The main attractions inside the fort are: Raj Mahal (Royal palace), Jain temples and the Laxminath temple.

Havelis

Haveli is a term used for a private residence. They were status symbols and were able to house the extended family providing security and comfort in seculsion from the outside world. The main havelis in Jaisalmer are:

· Patwon-ki-Haveli: Built by Guman Chand Patwa , a wealthy merchant and banker who had over three hundred trading centres from Afghanistan to China. This ornate five-story complex took fifty years to complete. This is the largest, the most magnificent, and the most elaborate of Jaisalmer havelis.

· Salim Singh-ki-Haveli: It was built in 1815 and has a beautifully arched roof capped with blue cupolas and carved brackets in the form of peacocks.

· Nathmalji-ki-Haveli:. Its facade is a riot of ornamentation: flowers, birds, elephants, soldiers, a bicycle and even a steam engine.

Museums

· Desert Culture Centre & Museum

· Jaisalmer Folklore Museum

· Government Museum

Climate

Jaisalmer experiences very warm weather during the summer months that extend from April to the month of October when temperature may rise up to 45 C or 113 F. The winters are usually pleasant with temperature dipping to 2 C or 36 F during the night. October to March is the tourist season. January and February, when the renowned Desert Festival is taking place, is the best time to visit.

Jaisalmer