:: Wellcome to Jaisalmer :: Jaisalmer Tourism, Jaisalmer Tourism in India, Lakesparadise !

Jaisalmer situated in the heart of the great Thar Desert is India's most precious jewels and today it is one of Rajasthan's best-loved tourist destinations. Rawal Jaisal laid the foundation of this city in 1156 AD and Tricuta was the hill chosen and he abandoned his old fort at Lodhurva and established this new capital. All the buildings in the city are uniformly made of yellow sandstone and hence Jaisalmar is also known as 'Golden City'.

Attractions In & Around

Akal-Fossil Park :- (17km from Jaisalmer)It is a fossil park where 180 millions years ago stood a forest. The fossil trunks lie scattered in this part.
Covering about 10 sq. kms of bare hillside, the Fossil Park contains 25 petrified trunks, the largest measuring 13 m in length. The 21-hectare preserved area of the park lies about 17 kms. from Jaisalmer on the road to Barmer.

Amar Sagar :- (7km west of Jaisalmer)This was once a pleasant garden with a lake. The lake here dries up in the summer season. Close by is the Jain temple where one can see some beautiful carvings.

Bada Bagh :- (5km from Jaisalmer)It is a fertile oasis on the bank of an artificial lake and much of the city's fruits and vegetables are grown here. Surrounded by dense trees are the royal cenotaphs with beautifully carved ceilings and equestrian statues of the former rulers.

Gadsisar Lake :- A scenic rainwater lake with numerous beautiful shrines around and in winters a wide variety of water birds flock here, making this lake is an idyllic spot. There is a beautiful arched gateway across the road down to the tank.

Gyan Bhandar or LibraryThe Gyan Bhandar, a library containing some extremely old manuscripts, is within the Jain Temple complex. Situated in the centre of the city, it was originally established as an adjunct to the famous Jain temples. Some of the oldest manuscripts in the country are preserved here.

Havelis :- Havelis are the mansions built by the wealthy merchants to flaunt their ever-growing status in society. The most beautiful havelis built by Jaisalmer's wealthy merchants are Patwon ki Haveli, Salim Singh ki Haveli and Nathmal ki Haveli.

Jain Temples :- These groups of fine Jain temples were built in the 12th to 15th century within the Jaisalmer Fort. They are beautifully carved and dedicated to Rikhabdevji and Sambhavnathji. There is also a Shiva and a Ganesh temple within the fort.

Jaisalmer Folklore Museum :- N.K. Sharma established The Lok Sanskritik Sangrahalaya or Jaisalmer Folklore Museum in 1984. Situated on the bank of Gadsisar Lake in Mehar Bagh Garden this museum is divided into six sections and has a rich collection of paintings, photographs, costumes, jewellery, camel and horse decorations and fossils. It is open on all days of the week.

Jaisalmer Fort :- The Rajput ruler Jaisala built it in 1156 and Jaisalmer Fort is the most alive of any museum, fort or palace that one is likely to visit in India. About a quarter of the old city's population resides within the fort walls. Built over the Trikuta hill, this fort is the biggest and the most beautiful landmark of the city.

Khurri :- (40 kms from Jaisalmer)About 40 kms. southwest of Jaisalmer, lies the village of Khuri. It is a peaceful place with houses of mud and straw decorated like the patterns of Persian carpets. The main attraction here is the desert solitude.

Lodurva :- (17 km from Jaisalmer)Northwest of Jaisalmer, Lodurva is an important centre of Jain Pilgrimage. A trip to this important pilgrimage centre is a rewarding experience.

Sand Dunes :- (42 km from Jaisalmer)42 kms. from Jaisalmer lie large stretch of dunes which is the closest point to witness the total sandy desert. Sam has a truly magnificent stretch of sweeping dunes, with little or no vegetation. The best way to get here, of course, is on camelback.

Manak Chowk :- This is the main market place called Manak Chowk, the centre of local activity. From Manak Chowk, one can walk into the lanes where the famous carved havelies are to be found.

Moolsagar :- Located about 9 kms. west of the city, is this pleasant garden with a tank. It belongs to the royal family of Jaisalmer and is a perfect picnic spot.

Pokhran :- Located at the junction of the Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Bikaner roads 110 kms. from Jaisalmer, this is the site of a fort rising from the desert land. It is also the site where India detonated five nuclear devices in May 1998. Pokhran is the ideal lunch halt between the long Jaisalmer-Jodhpur journeys. The quiet town springs to life at it's annual cattle fair.

Rama Kunda :- Ramkunda, considered as a holy place, has a beautiful landscape and several Hindu temples.

Vyas Chhatri :- This cenotaph is also known as the Sunset Point as it gives a wonderful view of picturesque Jaisalmer at sundown. Sage Vyas was the man who compiled the Hindu epic Mahabharata, the longest scripture in the world with almost 300,000 verses. He dictated the Mahabharata to Ganesh, the god with an elephant-head and son of Shiva the Destroyer.

Wood Fossil Park :- (17 km)17 kms from the city this 180 million years old park stands witness to the geologic cataclysms that have taken place in the Thar desert.

Getting in, Around & Away
AIR : The nearest airport is Jodhpur (285 km)
RAIL : Jaisalmer is connected by rail with Jodhpur, which in turn is connected with major cities and towns in India.

Tourist Information Center
1 Tourist Information Centers(Govt)
Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (RTDC) - Tourist Information Bureau, Hotel Moomal, Jaisalmer 345 001 (Rajasthan) India

Tourist Information Bureau
Address: Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (RTDC), Hotel Moomal
City: Jaisalmer
Phone: 91-2992-52392

Tourist Office Rajasthan
Address: Near TRC, Station Rd, Gadi Sagar Pol
City: Jaisalmer
Phone: 91-2992-52406