Jaisalmer, famous as the “Golden City,” is situated in the western state of Rajasthan. It is known for its golden-yellow sandstone architecture. In addition, Jaisalmer is famous for its desert safari amidst the vast sand of the Thar Desert.
There are so many fascinating reasons to visit Jaisalmer. Every corner of this city has fantastic things to offer, which boosts our interest in exploring this city more and more.
Ages ago, Jaisalmer was a thriving trade center which is the reason for the existence of Havelis and bungalows apart from structures built by local kings. However, many people don’t know that Jaisalmer is also one of the favourite film shooting locations in Rajasthan.
Are you wondering why there are so many windmills in Jaisalmer? Well, it is one of the largest wind farms in Rajasthan. Jaisalmer is famous for its glorified past, culture, heritage, nature, folk dance & music.
In this write-up, let’s go through the best places to visit in Jaisalmer, along with their details. During your trip, you must explore all these tourist attractions.
Suggested Reading: 8 BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN RAJASTHAN IN DECEMBER (WINTERS)
Top Places to Visit in Jaisalmer Rajasthan
1. Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Qila)
Jaisalmer Fort is the second oldest fort in Rajasthan, built-in 1156 AD. It is popularly known as ‘Sonar Qila’ or ‘Golden Fort’. The fort is located on the city’s southern edge. It is one of the very few “living forts” in the world.
Sonar Qila was initially named ‘Trikut Garh’ since it was triangular in structure and was also built over the Trikuta Hills. It is situated at an altitude of around 250 meters on top of a hill. The fort stands at the height of 250 ft.
Raj Mahal, Laxminath Shrine, Merchant Havelis, the ornate Jain temples, and the gateways are some significant astounding monuments within its premises. The best time to visit Jaisalmer is from November to March.
The fort has a population of around 5,000 people — primarily descendants of Brahmin and Rajput families who once lived here. Undoubtedly, this is among the most famous places to visit in Jaisalmer.
Visitor Information:
- Famous for: History, Architecture, Photography.
- Timings: Open all days (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
- Time Required: 3-4 hours
- Tickets: Indian: INR 30, Foreigner: INR 70, Still Camera: INR 50, Video Camera: INR 150
2. Gadisar Lake Jaisalmer
Gadisar lake is located on the outskirts of Jaisalmer. It’s a huge artificial reservoir built as a conservation reservoir for rainwater harvesting by Maharawal Gadsi Singh in the 14th century. It was the only source of water supply to the town till 1965.
The entrance has carvings made of yellow sandstone, which gives a breathtaking view. It is an ideal place for birdwatchers, especially during winters, because of exotic species of migratory birds from the nearby Bharatpur bird sanctuary.
The lake is surrounded by many temples, Holy shrines, and Chatteris. It is the most popular picnic spot in Jaisalmer. You can go boating or simply take a walk around the embankment.
Visitor Information:
- Famous for: History, Architecture, Photography.
- Timings: Open all days (8 AM – 8 PM).
- Time Required: 2-2.5 hours.
- Tickets: Free.
- Boating charges: Rowing boat 10 INR, Paddle Boat 50 INR, Shikara- 100 INR (for a 30 min ride)
Must Read: JAL MAHAL JAIPUR: RAJASTHAN’S AESTHETIC WATER PALACE (GUIDE)
3. Patwon Ki Haveli, Jaisalmer
Patwon ki Haweli is another famous tourist attraction in Jaisalmer. It was built in the 19th century by a famous trader named Guman Chand and his sons. It is located in the main city of Jaisalmer.
It is also known as “The Mansion of Brocade Merchants” as it is a combination of 5 different Havelis in one single premise. The entire monument is made of yellow sandstone architecture.
It is recognized as a renowned architectural as well as a historical site as it comes under the Archaeological Survey of India. Its important aspects are its gateways and arches.
This 5-story haveli comprises a museum having rare artifacts, furniture work, miniatures, mirror-work, and an extensive collection of paintings. Patwon ki Haveli is worth visiting!
Visitor Information
- Famous for: History, Architecture, Photography.
- Timings: Open all days (9 AM – 5 PM).
- Time Required: 1-1.5 hours.
- Tickets: Indians: INR 20, Foreigner: INR 100, Still camera: INR 50, Video camera: INR 100
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4. Sam Sand Dunes
Sam Sand Dunes is an ideal location for desert safari and desert camping. It is located right in the middle of the Thar desert, situated 45 kilometres west of Jaisalmer city.
The Desert Festival is conducted every year in February and March. It truly deserves to be on your list of things to do in Jaisalmer as you will witness folk dances, camel races, and other cultural events like paragliding, camel rides, etc.
The ideal time to visit Sam Sand Dunes is from October to March as the climatic conditions are quite favorable. It’s an ideal place for people who love stargazing.
The best time to reach Sam Sand Dunes is during dawn or dusk via camel or jeep. In Jaisalmer, you have 2 types of desert safari – camel safari & jeep safari. Jaisalmer desert safari gives you the best experience of thrill.
Visitor Information:
- Famous for: History, Architecture, Photography.
- Timings: Open all days.
- Time Required: Depends upon the activity you perform here.
- Tickets: No entry fee.
Suggested Reading: 7 MOST FAMOUS FESTIVALS OF RAJASTHAN YOU SHOULD NOT MISS
5. Jaisalmer War Museum
The Jaisalmer war museum was established in the military station of Jaisalmer itself. It is located on Jaisalmer- Jodhpur highway. It takes 2 hours from Jaisalmer to reach. It is also known as the “Longewala War Museum”.
It is a historical war museum set up by the Indian army to showcase its wartime experiences and sacrifices.
The Jaisalmer War Museum embraces the contribution of all the soldiers who fought the 1965 Indo-Pak War and the 1971 Longewala battle. The memorial also has an audiovisual theatre for the screening of the movie made on the battle of Longewala.
As one of the best places to visit in Jaisalmer, the war museum also has an Honour wall that is engraved with the names of all gallantry award winners of Param Vir Chakra and & Maha Vir Chakra.
The museum has tanks, guns, and military vehicles which were used to fight during these battles. There are 2 large display halls- Indian Army hall & Longewala Hall, an Audio Visual Room, a souvenir shop, and a cafeteria.
Visitor Information:
- Famous for: History, War, Photography.
- Timings : 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Time Required: 1-2 Hrs
- Tickets: No entry fee
6. Jain Temple in Jaisalmer
Another jaw-dropping architecture of Jaisalmer is the Jain temple. Jain temple is an amazing artwork of golden-yellow sandstone which takes us back to the 15th and 16th centuries. It is situated in the Jaisalmer fort and it’s a series of interconnected 7 Jain temples.
It is built in the Dilwara style which is a famous type of architecture all over the world. Being a pilgrimage spot, these Jain temples are dedicated to Rikhabdevi Ji and Shambhavdev Ji, the famous Jain hermits also known as ‘Tirthankars’.
Each temple has its tale to narrate for visitors. If you’re interested in finding ancient remains then you can visit Gyan Bhandar which is a library, founded in 1500.
Visitor Information:
- Famous for: History, Architecture, Photography, Pilgrimage
- Timings : 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Time Required: 1-2 hours
- Entry Fee: Indian nationals: Free, Foreign tourists: INR 10, Still camera: INR 50, Camcorder: INR 100
Also Read: BAPU BAZAR JAIPUR: ALL DETAILS (TIMINGS, SHOPS & MORE)
Conclusion:
Exploring the rich culture of Rajasthan and that too in Jaisalmer is one of the best decisions ever to make. The experience that you will gain from Jaisalmer is beyond your expectations. Also, Also, Rajasthani food is a must-try. The architecture, the food, and the culture, make this place worth visiting!
