Here is India’s quintessential land of maharajas, medieval forts, palaces, and kaleidoscopic festivals – Rajasthan. Rajasthan is one of the best and must-visit places in India, for both domestic and international tourists as it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. If you want to explore the local culture, cuisine and see the rich heritage of Rajwadas, you must visit this place and it’s totally worth it. Rajasthan attracts tourists for its historical forts, palaces, art and culture with its slogan ‘Padharo mhare desh’. Every foreign tourist who plans to visit India makes sure Rajasthan is surely a part of their itinerary to experience the palaces of Jaipur, lakes of Udaipur, and forts of Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer. These are the mainstream attraction and most preferred destinations of many tourists.

Many old and neglected palaces and forts have been converted into heritage hotels. It is the most beautiful place in India with the heritage of old buildings built up years ago by Maharajas of different castes. One such city is Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer is also known as the golden city, as it is located at the far end of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. One of the most elegant & magnificent cities of Rajasthan is Jaisalmer which is known for its historical pride, heritage, and royal triumph.

Must read: Desert Safari in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan – Explore the Incredible Sand Dunes

About Jaisalmer Fort

• Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit Jaisalmer Fort is from November to March. Jaisalmer tourism is at its peak and pulls maximum tourists at this time due to the comfortable weather and the happening Desert Festival in January – February.
• Jaisalmer Fort Timings: The Jaisalmer Fort is open daily from 6 am to 5 pm.
• Tariff: To enter inside Jaisalmer Fort, there are no admission charges. However, you might need to pay entrance charges for private museums and palaces if you wish to enter the area. It costs INR 50 for Indians and INR 250 for foreign travellers.

History of Jaisalmer Fort

The important hub of the Rajput Bhati rule was the Jaisalmer Fort. This yellow sandstone regal structure is more popularly known as the Golden Fort or Sonar Quila, raised by Rajput ruler Raja Jaisal in 1156. Jaisalmer Fort was the centre of a number of historical encounters between the Bhattis, the Mughals of Delhi, and the Rathores of Jodhpur. The history of Jaisalmer Fort also talks of multiple attacks on the fort by the Muslim kings like Ala-Uddin-Khilji and Mughal Monarch Humayun.

Present scenario of Jaisalmer Fort

The Sonar Quila is one of the prime places to visit in Jaisalmer in today’s time. Jaisalmer Fort is a UNESCO-listed world heritage site and comprises narrow crisscrossing lanes, temples, residents, handicraft shops, and restaurants. The fort has multiple entrance gates that consequently open to the Dashera Chowk, the most popular public square of the fort. A resident population of about 4,000 people are present, largely from the Brahmin and Daroga communities. They were mostly the followers of the working population of the Bhatti kings of Jaisalmer, who were allowed to live within the premises.

Architecture of Jaisalmer Fort

The architecture of Jaisalmer Fort is awe-inspiring and marvellous. It ranks among the glorious forts in Rajasthan due to its perfect blend of Rajput and Islamic styles, the golden tinge due to the yellow sandstone, and the enthralling carvings & sculptures.

Things to see inside Jaisalmer Fort

The Jaisalmer fort offers splendid views of the Golden City. As most of the houses & buildings are made of yellow sandstone, this monochromatic effect creates magic and charisma. Other than the architecture, you can also experience some of the most interesting things in Jaisalmer Fort like Maharawal in Chauhata Square, Raj Mahal, Jain Temple, Laxmikanth Temple, and Jawahar Palace.

You can also experience the museum showcasing arms, dresses, utensils, & ornaments of the Rajput kingdom which is absolutely fascinating. You should also experience the spectacular carvings and the beautiful design of Ganesh Pol, Rang Pol, Bhoota Pol, and Hava Pol, the four entrance gates of the fort. The narrow bustling lanes lined with classic houses, balconies, and ornate windows are outstanding.

Things to do in Jaisalmer Fort

Explore the splendid cafes and try some local cuisine, visit the numerous shops to check out silver jewellery, coloured puppets, souvenirs, and handicrafts. Utensils made of yellow sandstones are truly appealing and you should definitely stop by and purchase. To know the historical tales of the fort, take a professional guide to explore the fort. During sunset, watch the fort and capture a photogenic view for an enchanting memory.

Suggested Read: Shop till you drop at the best shopping places in Rajasthan

How to reach Jaisalmer Fort

To reach Jaisalmer Fort, railways is an easy, convenient and affordable mode of transport as the Jaisalmer railway station is 2 kilometres from the city. The Palace on Wheels is one of the luxury trains in India that can take you to Jaisalmer. Other than this, there are few trains from Delhi, Jaipur, and Jodhpur. Jaisalmer airport is 5 kilometres from the city and is well connected with Delhi, Jaipur, and Jodhpur. Inter-state buses also ply from Jaipur to Jaisalmer on a regular basis.

Suggested Read: 15 Tourist Places Near Jodhpur That Are Worth Visiting In Rajasthan

So, what are you waiting for? Now that reasons are outnumbered for you to kick-start your bookings to the vibrant city, head on to the tours you could book for a family vacation or take your friends to this stunning fort in Jaisalmer right away! Check some of the best holiday packages and book your dream vacation with Pickyourtrail for the best travel experience with lots of excitement. Start planning and Happy travelling.

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