The origin of Jaisalmer city dates back to the 12th century when a Bhati Rajput King named Rao Jaisala decided to shift his capital from Ludharva to a safer place. Thus the birth of Jaisalmer city in the year 1156 AD. In 1949, the city was included in the state of Rajasthan and granted the status of a district. Jaisalmer slopes towards the Ran of Kutch and is surrounded by the international border that runs for 471 kilometers.

Jaisalmer, places to visit in Jaisalmer often referred to as the “Golden City,” is a popular tourist destination located in the state of Rajasthan, India. It is known for its impressive sandstone architecture, stunning desert landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. The city is home to several forts, palaces, and temples that are a testament to its glorious past.

Places to visit in Jaisalmer This ‘Golden City’ is located close to the Pakistan border and near the Thar Desert. The city’s most prominent landmark is the Jaisalmer Fort, also called Sonar Qila (Golden Fort). Unlike most other forts in India, Jaisalmer Fort is not just a tourist attraction. It houses shops, hotels, and ancient havelis (homes) where generations continue to live.

Gadisar Lake

Laser Water Show at Gadisar Lake is one of the first and largest Laser Water Show having water screen projection mapping using 3-chip DLP projectors of 25,000 lumens. The show depicts the story of the founders of Jaisalmer city, Jaisalmer fort, places to visit in Jaisalmer attacks of invaders on the fort & sacrifice of brave Rajput to save their land, glimpses of other tourist locations in Jaisalmer region e.g. Tanot Mata Temple, Lodruva Temple, Laxminarayan Temple, Longowala war scenes, etc.

Jaisalmer Fort

The Jaisalmer Fort also goes by the name Sonar Quila (Golden Fort) as it rises from the desert itself and seems to become one with the golden hues of the sand. The setting sun adds its magic and shrouds the fort with mystique. places to visit in Jaisalmer The fort is constructed in the classic style of the royals by local craftsmen. This fort is a world heritage site and forms an important plot point in one of Satyajit Ray’s famous Feluda stories and corresponding movie, Sonar Kela (The Golden Fortress).

NATHMAL JI KI HAVELI

Two architect brothers built Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli in the 19th century. places to visit in Jaisalmer They worked on the haveli from two sides and the outcome is a beautiful blend of symmetrical construction. Miniature-style paintings and mighty tuskers carved out of yellow sandstone are used for decoration.

SALIM SINGH KI HAVELI

This haveli was built in the first half of the 18th century and a part of it is still occupied by descendants of the original residents. The high-arched roof is supported by carved brackets designed in the shape of peacocks. Legend has it that two additional wooden stories made it match the Maharaja’s palace in height, but he ordered for the upper level to be demolished

PATWON KI HAVELI

Among the largest and the most elaborately carved havelis in Jaisalmer, this five-story structure sits proudly in a narrow street. While the haveli has lost some of its early glory, a few paintings and mirror work art can still be seen on the inside walls.

JAIN TEMPLES OF JAISALMER

The Jain Temples located inside the Jaisalmer Fort date back to the 12th and 15th centuries. The temples are dedicated to Rikhabdevji and Shambhavdevji, famous Jain hermits known as ‘Tirthankars’ (wise teachers who taught people how to attain nirvana). Like all other structures in Jaisalmer, places to visit in Jaisalmer the temples are carved out of yellow sandstone. They have been built in the famed Dilwara style which is known for its beautiful architecture.

BADA BAGH

About 6 kilometers to the north of Jaisalmer lies Bada Bagh, also called Barabagh (literally Big Garden). This garden complex houses chhatris or royal cenotaphs of the Maharajas of Jaisalmer state, including that of Jai Singh II. places to visit in Jaisalmer The location of the garden is such that it offers wonderful sunset vistas to tourists

KULDHARA

The underlying history of Kuldhara has piqued the curiosity of one visitor too many and makes it one of the most enigmatic destinations to visit in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The story has a beautiful daughter, an unscrupulous minister, scared villagers, an exodus in the middle of the night, and no idea where the villagers vanished. This is not the story of a movie, but the unfathomable legend that lies behind the abandoned village of Kuldhara. Located about 18 km from the city of Jaisalmer is this old town that was abandoned by its villagers in the 1800s. It was like the entire town vanished in the course of a single night. With about 85 villages full of people, it remains a mystery as to how no one saw them leave; even to this date, no one knows where all of them went either. The village remains uninhabited to the day, in the same state that the villagers had left it, hundreds of years ago. The location has become a major tourist destination as people from all over the world travel here to revel in the mysteries of the past.

TANOT MATA TEMPLE

Some 120 kilometers away from Jaisalmer is the Tanot Mata Temple. Tanot Mata is considered to be a reincarnation of Goddess Hinglaj. There are many stories of how during the 1965 India-Pakistan war, Tanot was under heavy attack and shelling. However, none of the shells or bombs fired at the temple exploded. places to visit in Jaisalmer This reaffirmed people’s faith in the Goddess of the Temple. Post the war, the Border Security Force (BSF) rebuilt the temple and today, the temple is managed by a BSF Trust

LAUNGEWALA WAR MEMORIAL

One of the first major engagements in the Western sector during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the Battle of Laungewala is an inspiring tale of courage in the face of unconquerable odds. A shining example of the courage, bravery, and valor of the Indian soldiers, the Battle of Laungewala created history on 4 December 1971, when about a hundred Indian defenders halted the advancing troops of about 2000 Pakistani soldiers and 60 tanks. To celebrate the grit and steely resolve of the Indian soldiers who stalled Pakistani forces from their aim of cutting deep into the Indian Territory, the Desert Corps at Laungewala has constructed the Laungewala War Memorial. An inspiring destination, this war memorial commemorates the valor and the supreme sacrifice of our brave soldiers, instilling in you a sense of pride when you visit this site.