About Jaisalmer Fort
Jaisalmer is a medieval fortress town in the remote desert of
Rajasthan. Because it was located on the caravan routes between Egypt,
Arabia, Persia and India, it became an extremely prosperous town.
Unfurl
the past !
The Jaisalmer fort was built by Jaisal Bhatti in 1156 AD on Trikuta hills.
The citadel contains within it, one fourth of the city's population. The
walls of the fort are built in dry masonry. Badal Mahal, Rana Mahal, Gaj
Vilas and Moti Mahal have pillared galleries, carved balconies and long
corridors. Megh Darbar, King's well, Mandi Palace and Hindu and Jain temples
are the other main features of the Fort.
» The Architecture : Two hundred and fifty feet tall
and reinforced by an imposing crenellated sandstone wall 30 feet high, it
has 99 bastion, 92 of which were built between 1633 and 1647. Wells within
the fort still provide a regular source of water. A cross-cultural merging
of Rajput and Islamic architectural styles is visible in this fort.
» The Fort echoes with the Present : Today the fort
has a population of merchants and shop owners living within its walls.
Small, winding lanes are packed with houses, temples, and shops. Jaisalmer
fort is alive with people going about their daily routines. Many tourists
make it to this exotic town where camel safaris are popular as is the annual
desert festival in February. The Havelis or mansions built by the wealthy
merchants in the 19th century are famed for their exquisitely carved
sandstone facades. Today, many have been converted into shops or hotels.
However, one has been preserved as a museum.
How to get there !
» By Air: Indian Airlines links Jaisalmer with
Jaipur, Jodhpur, Delhi and Mumbai. Hotel Moomal, an RTDC hotel, houses the
office of Indian Airlines.
» By Rail : The Jodhpur Express and the IIJP connect
Jaisalmer with Jodhpur.
» By Road : All buses start from Hotel Neeraj, which
is very conveniently located. There are frequent deluxe buses to Jodhpur and
Bikaner. A 13-hour ride will take you on the only deluxe bus to Jaipur. One
can book on these deluxe buses through most travel agencies in the city. You
can hire a jeep from the Gandhi Chowk for Khuri or Sam, and share it with
others to split the cost. Autorickshaws and rickshaws ply in the city. A
bicycle on hire is a nice way to get around the city. These are available
just outside the main gate of the fort.
