Jaisalmer, our last stop in Rajasthan

Our last stop in Rajasthan was a small town called Jaisalmer which is on the edge of the Thar Desert and approximately 100kms from the Pakistan border.

On the way there were lots of camels seeking shade under the trees...

It is a very dusty and dirty town, in fact the dirtiest we have seen so far in India, people throw their garbage in the streets for the pigs...

So needless to say we weren’t too impressed and then when we arrived we had no room so got moved to another place, not a good start, but it got better!

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.

Jaisalmer traces its inception to the 12th century. History tells us of Rawal Jaisal, the eldest heir of the Rawal of Deoraj, was passed over for the throne of Lodurva and a younger half-brother was crowned king. Rawal Jaisal went looking for a new location to set up his capital when he came across sage Eesul. The sage told him about Krishna’s prophecy which said that a descendant of his Yaduvanshi clan would found a new kingdom at this same spot. It was in 1156 that Rawal Jaisal constructed a mud fort, named it Jaisalmer after himself and declared it his capital.

As one of the largest forts in the world it towers over the town and looks massive as you approach the gates...

This picture shows the height of one of the gates...

When this fort was built in the 12th century it was located on the trade route across the desert and as a long history as a merchant town which is still evident inside the fort....

Everywhere there is someone selling textiles...

The fort is made of yellow sandstone and does appear to be golden in the sunlight...

People go about their daily lives...

Many of the homes have been converted into small hotels with wonderful roof top restaurants which we enjoyed everyday...

Our coffee spot...

Brightly decorated spaces...

Sometimes a tune or two...

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, the temples are carved out of yellow sandstone. They have been built in the famed Dilwara style which is known for its beautiful architecture.

The rooftops of the temples...

One of the entrances...

A sculpture....

The ornate walls...

Some shots around the fort showing the grand architecture and the fine detail...

We enjoyed a few relaxing days here with great food like the chicken that came out of this tandoori oven...

And a dinner with a fort view...

And of course dancing in the streets...

We are now a month into our trip through North India and have marvelled at the beauty we have seen and the people we have met. Our next stop is Kathmandu where we are joining a small group tour through part of Nepal and then overland back to India to see the Holy Ganges and the Taj Mahal. So the adventure continues!