Jaisalmer Fort is situated in Jaisalmer- “The Golden City of Rajasthan.” The city is famous for its yellow sandstone architecture, and Jaisalmer Fort is one of the best examples of this architecture.
A well-known fact about the Jaisalmer Fort is it is one of the very few forts which have permanent residents. Even now it accommodates nearly 4000 people. Most of them are the decedents of the people who initially got settled in Jaisalmer. The scenic view from the fort contains the yellow-painted city along with a glimpse of other colours.
History of Jaisalmer Fort
- The fort, built in the year 1156 CE is known to be the second oldest fort in the Rajasthan. It was built by Rawal Jaisal who was a Bhati Rajput, after whom the Jaisalmer is named.
- Initially, the fort itself was the city of Jaisalmer. There was a period of few years when the fort was abandoned after a successful siege by Sultan Alauddin Khalji, who was the ruler of Delhi.
- The fort had many rulers, and thus, from Rawals, it went in the hands of Mughals. Later, the Marathas took control of the fort, and it became an important location for international trade.
- After that, the population inside the fort gradually increased. This led to the relocation of many of the fort’s residents to the foot of Trikuta Hill.
- Currently, Jaisalmer fort receives around five to six hundred thousand tourists every year and known to be one of the most famous heritage sites of India.
The Magnificent Architecture of Jaisalmer Fort
There are good reasons why Jaisalmer Fort is included in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites List, and one of those reasons is its architecture. Rajasthan is a land of forts; each fort has quirkiness in its design, and that makes every fort unique. Thought the fort is nearly 1000 years old, it still stands high due to the unrivalled architecture it owns.
- The Jaisalmer fort is stretched 460 meters and has a width of 230 meters which makes it one of the most prominent forts in India. The iconic view is obtained from the fort because it is built on an isolated hill, making it comparatively higher than the surrounding.
- There are four massive gates from where you can enter the fort, and reach to the common ground.
- The fort owns a “triple ringed defence architecture” which had supported the fort to withstand massive attacks and wars.
- There are a lot of temples built inside Jaisalmer fort which are associated with different gods and goddesses of Hindu and Jain religion.
- The fort’s structure has a unique drainage system known as “Ghut Nali” which lets the river water effectively flow out of the fort in all the four directions.
What All You Can Do at Jaisalmer Fort
- Even before entering the fort or while roaming around the fort, you will find several shops containing different artefacts such as puppets, lanterns, handicrafts, and many other antique items.
- There are many viewpoints where you will find cannon placed in the centre. From those viewpoints, you can have the complete view of whole Jaisalmer city which would appear yellowish as all the houses are made of yellow sandstone. These viewpoints aren’t only picturesque, but also deliver calmness when visited in favourable weather.
- Inside the fort, there is a seven-story palace which was the home of former rulers of Jaisalmer. The palace contains a unique attraction- Rang Mahal, which is mirrored and uniquely painted bedroom of Mulraj II, Jaisalmer’s 18th-century ruler.
- The palace is converted into a museum containing belongings and war equipment of royal families who ruled over Jaisalmer.
- You can also visit the intricate temples of Hindu god- Laxminath and many other Jain temples.
- There are a few restaurants inside and at the gate of the fort which serve local delicacies. You can give it a try to please your taste buds.
How to Get to the Fort
- For reaching Jaisalmer Fort from Delhi, you can choose to ride on “Palace on Wheels” which is a luxury train that covers whole Rajasthan by conducting a nine-day tour. Jaisalmer is visited on the fifth day of the trip. There are other direct trains too from Delhi, Jaipur, and Jodhpur.
- If you wish to travel by air, Jodhpur airport is the closest one which is 300 km away from the Jaisalmer Fort. The Jaisalmer city is well connected to other parts of Rajasthan through roadways. However, it is unlikely to find a direct bus from Delhi.
- The Jaisalmer Fort is just 2 km away from both bus and railway stations. You can choose to walk from the stations to the fort if the weather permits and luggage is less. Otherwise, you can get a taxi or rickshaw which will drop you to the fort entrance.
Timings of the Jaisalmer Fort
The fort remains open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm on all the days of the week. The Timings of the Fort Palace and Museum are the same.
Entry Fee to the Jaisalmer Fort
- INR 50 per person for Indians
- INR 250 per person for Foreigners
- INR 50 for Camera Fee
- INR 100 for Video Camera
- Addition INR 100 is charged for Fort Palace and the Museum.
Best Time to Visit
- As Jaisalmer Fort is located in the desert city of Rajasthan- Jaisalmer, you will experience extreme heat in summer and extreme cold in winter. However, visiting Jaisalmer in winters is still a good choice as it provides a soothing view from Jaisalmer Fort where the city covered in mist. But, during summers, it becomes unbearable to travel Jaisalmer.
- You can also choose to visit the fort during March month or from August to October period when the weather remains pleasant as the average temperature lies between 20-30 degree Celsius.
Nearby Places
- Patwon Ki Haveli: One of the highly detailed carvings can be observed on the walls of this five-stored structure. It is located on a narrow street, 600 meters away from the Fort entrance.
- Government Museum, Jaisalmer: This is a significant attraction located 1.5 km away from the fort. The museum is established by the Department of Archaeology and Museums, and it holds rock-made crockery, statues, and jewellery from the period between 7th and 9th century.
- Salim Singh Ki Haveli: The most attractive attribute of this building is its carved brackets which are designed in shape similar to the peacock. It is located at a walking distance of 250 meters from the fort.
- Mandir Palace: This five-story attraction is also known as cloud palace whose beauty is enhanced by the inclusion of Tazia Tower. It is just 700 m away from the fort.
