Havelis are the traditional townhouses having architectural and historical significance. Patwon Ki Haveli is the first-ever Haveli built in Jaisalmer and second ever in Rajasthan. Its making was started in the year 1805, and it took 60 years to build all the five Havelis which are collectively called Patwon Ki Haveli.
It was just one wealthy merchant who was the owner of this Haveli- Guman Chand Patwa, who built it for his five sons. All the five Havelis are located on a narrow street of Patwa Valley, Jaisalmer. This tourist spot is one of the most prominent and most visited places in Jaisalmer after Jaisalmer Fort.
This Haveli is also known as “Mansion of Brocade Merchants” because of the reputation of its owner as a wealthy brocade trader. There are even local tales about the Patwa family that how they used to make money with opium smuggling.
The Alluring 200 Years Old Architecture
- As we already know that the building took 60 years to stand, it is because of the paintings, mirror-works on the walls of different rooms, and fine carving on Jharokhas.
- The whole building is built with yellow-sand stones for which Jaisalmer is renowned. However, the gateway of Patwon Ki Haveli is in Brown Color.
- There are a lot of descriptive arches, and every arch has its own theme described with the help of mirror-works and carvings.
- A touch of Indo-Mughal architecture can be seen in the Jharokhas built in the Haveli; they are the pillared balconies having a dome-shaped covering on the top.
- Out of all the five Havelis, the first one the most majestic that has fine and detailed carvings even on the ceilings of every floor.
- Although the Haveli is erected on a narrow street, it has excellent air ventilation due to 60 balconies from where anyone can have the view of the courtyard of the Haveli complex.
Things to Do at Patwon KI Haveli
- There are a lot of historical items and artefacts presented in the Haveli by Archaeological survey of India. The organization even has an office in the Haveli.
- The 60 balconies are designed in Indo-Mughal style- in the form of Jharokhas. These balconies provide a panoramic sight of Haveli’s courtyard. While standing here, you can also get some memorable click of yours which a background that defines the culture of Rajasthan.
- The whole Haveli owns a royal ambience rich in decoration done with through mirror-work, wall painting, and carvings. Guides are available at the gate of Patwon Ki Haveli, and they provided a guided tour of all the five Havelis.
- To know better about Rajasthan and especially Jaisalmer, you can visit the museum present inside the Haveli. This museum depicts the lifestyle of people living in this state.
- You can go to the terrace and have a look of narrow paths and the city around you. It gives a complete idea of the buildings of Jaisalmer. One can even have a sight of Jaisalmer Fort from here.
How to Reach This Tourist Spot
- There are no airports in the Jaisalmer city, and the closest one is in Jodhpur, which is 300 km away. Therefore, you can travel by air to reach Delhi, and from Delhi, there are flights available to Jodhpur. From Jodhpur, you can travel through cab, bus, or train.
- Jaisalmer is well connected to other cities of Rajasthan, and from those cities, you can get the direct bus. However, from Delhi, you first need to come to Jaipur to get a bus.
- Patwon Ki Haveli can be reached on foot from bus and railway stations, and that would be the preferable way. While walking, you get the chance to explore the alleys of Jaisalmer.
Timings Of Patwon Ki Haveli
Visitors are allowed to visit Patwon ki Haveli, and its museum from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm on all the days of the week
Entry Fee
- INR 10 per Indian person for Haveli entrance
- INR 50 per foreigner for Haveli entrance
- INR 40 per Indian for museum entrance
- INR 100 per foreigner for museum entrance
- INR 30 for Camera Fee
- INR 40 for Video Camera
Nearby Places
- Jaisalmer Fort: It is the most iconic tourist destination in Jaisalmer. The fort is the second oldest fort in Rajasthan and has secured its place in UNESCO’s world heritage site list. It is one of the view a few forts where still people reside.
- Salim Singh Ki Haveli: It is the second most renowned Haveli in Jaisalmer after Patwon Ki Haveli, known for its carved brackets. It is just at a distance of 450 meters from Patwon Ki Haveli and can be reached on foot through narrow lanes of the city.
- Mandir Palace: It is a five-story building that owns prodigious exquisiteness due to its most magnificent feature- Badal Palace. It is located at a distance of 650 meters from Patwon Ki Haveli.
