Everything to know about Jaisalmer Fort
Introduction
The Jaisalmer Fort is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Jaisalmer. The fort directly reflects the authenticity and beauty of Rajasthan. The fort is entirely made up of yellow sandstones, and it shines like gold and seems like a building entirely made up of gold when the sun hits it, this is why the fort is also called as “Golden Fort”. The fort is situated on top of a hill, like a king proudly sitting on its main chair. The fort gives an amazing and beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding dessert.
Inside the fort, there are narrow, crowded streets that are filled with beautiful iconic buildings, temples, and vibrant markets. One of the amazing things about the fort is that people still live there. Visitors can walk through the narrow lanes, see authentic handcrafted walls, pillars, and their faces, and enjoy the stunning views of the desserts from the top. The fort’s architecture is so beautiful and amazing, which is why the UNESCO World Heritage Site has put forth so many efforts to keep the fort safe and protected. Apart from its historic significance, the fort has a lot more.
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History of Jaisalmer Fort
The Jaisalmer Fort was constructed a really long time ago, in 1156 AD. The person behind the construction of the Jaisalmer Fort was a Rajput ruler named Rawal Jaiswal. It is situated on Trikuta Hill in Jaisalmer City, the vast Thar Dessert. The reason behind the construction of Jaisalmer fort on a hill is to get height advantage from enemies attacking the fort. In the past, the fort had played a crucial role in protecting important trade routes. Valuable items like spices and silk were traded through this route. Inside the fort, there were beautiful buildings such as palaces, temples, mansions, and hand craved walls and pillars, which showed the authenticity and uniqueness of the architecture of the Rajput rulers.
Over time, the fort had faced a lot of attacks from rival kingdoms. But its strong walls, protective design, and strategic location helped it overcome all these obstacles. After the Rajputana era, when British rule came, the fort lost all its military importance. But the people of the fort continued to live there to preserve its cultural heritage. In 2013, the fort was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort recognized its historical significance and architectural beauty. Over a period of time, the fort gained so much attention from tourists that it became one of the most popular tourist destinations in Rajasthan.
Jaisalmer Fort architecture and visual appearance
The architecture of Jaisalmer Fort reflects the authenticity and amazingness of Rajput rulers. The fort is wholly made up of golden sandstones and looks like a building made up of gold when sun rays fall on it. Inside the fort, there are amazing palaces, temples, mansions, and authentic handcrafted walls, pillars, and entrances, which show the amazing skills the artisans who crafted them hold. Jaisalmer
Forts don’t only have historical stuff to showcase; visitors can also experience cultural performances, art galleries, camel rides, and panoramic views of the surrounding desserts. The fort is so big and beautiful, which showcases the luxurious and huge architectural style of the Rajput rulers who used to live there. The visual appearance of the Jaisalmer Fort is a perfect blend of architectural brilliance and natural beauty, which makes it a must-visit place in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
Information on reaching the fort if you’re planning to visit
How to reach Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan
By Air: The nearest airport to Jaisalmer Fort is Jaisalmer Airport (IATA: JSA), located approximately 5 km from the city center. The distance between the Jaisalmer Fort and the Jaisalmer Airport is approximately 14 km. You can either take an autorickshaw, a taxi, or a bus to reach the fort.
Note: Jaisalmer Airport has limited flights and may not be available from major cities like Delhi and Mumbai. Alternatively, you can consider landing at Jodhpur Airport (IATA: JDH), which is approximately 285 km away from Jaisalmer.
By Train: The nearest train station to Jaisalmer Fort is Jaisalmer Railway Station (JSM). The distance between Jaisalmer Railway Station and the Jaisalmer fort is approximately 2 km. You can either take an autorickshaw or hire a taxi to reach the fort.
By Road: Jaisalmer is well connected to major cities in Rajasthan and neighboring states like Delhi and Mumbai through roads. You can reach Jaisalmer by bus, taxi, or cab service. National Highway 15 connects Jaisalmer to many major cities, like Jodhpur and Jaipur.
By personal Vehicle: If you have your vehicle you can use Google Maps to reach there.
Phone number: 02992252404 and 02992252981
Jaisalmer Fort Address: Khejer Para, Manak Chowk, Amar Sagar Pol, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan 345001
Important information about the Jaisalmer Fort
Jaisalmer Fort opening and closing timings
| Days | Timings |
| Monday to Sunday | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Jaisalmer Fort Ticket price
| Nationality & Category | Ticket Price |
| Indians | INR 50 |
| Foreigners | INR 250 |
| Photography | INR 50 |
| Videography | INR 100 |
Main attractions of Jaisalmer Fort
Here are the main attractions of the Jaisalmer fort that you shouldn’t miss.
Explore the entire fort: The fort is a marvelous piece of ancient Rajasthani architecture. Many visitors especially visit the fort just to see and experience its amazing architecture. The fort is made up of yellow sandstone marbles and looks like a building made of gold when sun rays fall on it. Moreover, the fort is located on a hill and provides stunning and iconic views of the surrounding desserts.
Visit and explore the Raj Mahal (Royal Palace): Under the fort complex, there is a very beautiful place named Raj Mahal. The mahal consists of amazing and iconic paintings, detailed handcrafted designs, and beautiful mirrors. All this stuff showcases Jaisalmer’s history.
Visit Jain Temples: The fort itself consists of some of the most beautifully crafted Jain temples. One of the temple’s main attraction is its remarkable and complicated marble cravings and its iconic architecture. These temples are devoted to Jain Tirthankaras and have immense significance for Jains.
Visit Laxminath Temple: The Laxminath temple is another stunning and beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Lakshmi. The fort itself consist an architectural marvel temple. One of the temple’s greatest draw is its complex and beautiful structure. The temple is visited by both tourists and worshippers.
Explore the old havelies: The narrow lanes of the fort consist of numerous havelis (traditional mansions). These havelis are decorated with beautiful cravings, balconies, and beautiful entrances. Some of the famous and must-visit havelies are Salim Singh ki Haveli, Patwon ki Haveli, and Nathmal ki Haveli. All of these havelies show unique Rajasthani architecture and reflect how skilled the people who created them were.
Explore the Jaisalmer Fort Museum: If you want to know more about Jaisalmer’s history, you should definitely visit the museum. The museum offers knowledge and stuff about Jaisalmer’s history, culture, and how people of that time used to live. The museum consists of very old things like weapons, royal stuff, and handwritten notes, which make it a great place for history enthusiasts.
Enjoy the beautiful views of the surroundings: The fort is located on a hill, which gives people a great chance to see the entire Jaisalmer from the top. You can enjoy amazing panoramic views of the desserts that surround the fort. The fort is great to experience the sunset and to click some of the most amazing pictures of your Jaisalmer trip.
Vibrant cultural events: Many cultural events are actively organized in the fort throughout the year. These cultural events include traditional Rajasthani folk music, dance, puppet shows, and other festivals. These events are great if you want to experience the authenticity of Rajasthan’s traditions.
Shop from near markets: If you enjoy shopping, then Jaisalmer has a lot to offer you. You can shop for amazing traditional Rajasthani handcrafted items such as textiles, clothes, jewelry, and souvenirs. Don’t forget to bargain, as it’s a usual practice in the market.
Amazing things you can do in Jaisalmer Fort in a glance
Here are some of the most amazing things you can do in the Jaisalmer fort in a glance.
- Visit the beautiful haveli’s inside the fort. Must-visit havelies are Salim Singh ki Haveli, Patwon ki Haveli, and Nathmal ki Haveli.
- Explore the Jaisalmer Fort Museum, as it has an amazing collection of Rajasthan’s old stuff like weapons, royal stuff, and many more.
- Enjoy the amazing, beautiful views of the desserts that surround the fort.
- Attend cultural events, as it is best to learn more about Rajasthan’s culture and traditions.
- Visit the beautiful temples named Laxminath Temple and Jain Temple inside the fort.
- Shop handcrafted authentic Rajasthani stuff from the nearby markets.
- Explore the iconic Raj Mahal Place.
Most unique facts about Jaisalmer Fort
Here are some of the most unique and amazing facts about the fort.
Golden Fort: The fort is entirely made up of yellow sandstones, and it shines like gold and seems like a building entirely made up of gold when the sun hits it. This is why the fort is also called “Golden Fort.”.
Beautiful Havelis inside: There are many beautiful, publicly accessible havelis inside the fort. The names of a few havelis are Ki Haveli, Salim Singh Ki Haveli, Patwon Ki Haveli, and Nathmal Ki Haveli.
People still lives in the fort: The fort is one of the few forts in which people live. People started living inside the fort to protect its authenticity and importance.
No cement or mortar is used in its construction: The fort is entirely made up of stones put together by an interlocking system and metal rods, which makes it an amazing piece of engineering from that time.
Is it worth it visiting Jaisalmer Fort?
Yes, of course, visiting the Mahal is totally worth it. It’s a very unique experience to visit this fort. The fort offers the best views of the entire Jaisalmer city. Moreover, you’ll learn about the authenticity of Rajasthani culture and tradition. Moreover, you’ll also get to know how amazing and creative our ancestors really were.
Suggestions
- During the summers don’t visit during daytime due to the high temperatures and try to bring a water bottle along with you.
- Visit the Mahal during day time if the temperature is pleasant to avoid crowd which make your experience much better.
Who should visit Jaisalmer Fort?
- According to me, people who are busy in their hectic day-to-day lives and who want to plan a trip in a interesting place should visit the place.
- History enthusiasts must visit the fort, as it has museums in which old Rajsthani stuff is kept.
- College going students finding a place for a trip with their friends can visit the Mahal.
- Families can also visit the place.
Best time to visit the Fort
According to me, the best time to visit the fort is in the morning, when the temperature is a little low and sunlight falls onto the fort of the Mahal, making it look like a building made up of gold.
Nearby attractions from Jaisalmer Fort
Here are some of the best nearby attractions from the Fort you can consider visiting on your Jaisalmer trip.
Gadisar Lake: Gadisar Lake is approximately 1.6 km away from the fort. You can do amazing stuff in Gadisar Lake, like boat rides, and enjoy amazing scenic views of the surroundings.
Patwon Ki Haveli: Patwon ki Haveli is very near the fort, at around 650 meters. The Haveli is located just outside the fort; it showcases beautiful and iconic mansions built by the super-wealthy people of the 19th century.
Kuldhara Village: Kuldhara village is located about 20 kilometers from Jaisalmer. It’s an abandoned and mysterious village. Earlier, people used to live there, but one night everyone vanished. This incident made this village a mysterious and haunted place.
Dessert Safari: If you love to thrill, you can do a dessert safari. It is approximately 40 km away from the fort at Sam San Dunes. The place also offers camel rides and much more interesting stuff.
Nathmal ki Haveli: Nathmal ki Haveli is also very near the fort, which is around 500 meters away. It’s a stunning haveli for its amazing architecture, showcasing beautiful cravings and delicate work.
Jaisalmer Fort pictures
What is Jaisalmer Fort?
The Jaisalmer Fort is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Jaisalmer. The fort directly reflects the authenticity and beauty of Rajasthan. The fort is entirely made up of yellow sandstones, and it shines like gold and seems like a building entirely made up of gold when the sun hits it. This is why the fort is also called “Golden Fort.” The fort is situated on top of a hill, like a king proudly sitting on its main chair. The fort gives an amazing and beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding dessert.
When was Jaisalmer Fort built?
The Jaisalmer Fort was constructed a really long time ago, in 1156 AD. The person behind the construction of the Jaisalmer Fort was a Rajput ruler named Rawal Jaiswal.
How long it take to explore Jaisalmer Fort?
On an average it takes 2 to 3 hours to explore the entire Jaisalmer Fort.
What are the major attractions of Jaisalmer Fort?
Some of the major attractions of Jaisalmer Fort are Raj Mahal (Royal Palace), Jain Temple, beautiful Havelis, Laxminath Temple, Jaisalmer Fort Museum, and vibrant cultural events.
Are there entry fees for Jaisalmer Fort?
Yes, there is an entry fee to visit the Jaisalmer Fort: INR 50 for Indians, INR 250 for foreigners, INR 50 for photography, and INR 150 for videography.
Visit official website from here.
Know More about Rajasthan Tourist places : Complete information about Hawa Mahal.
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