JAISALMER

Jaisalmer: A Journey into the Golden City

Jaisalmer, the “Golden City” is found in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, India.

The place where the city is found is well-known for its captivating landscapes, one of the best and deep history, and there are very exciting culture. 

The city is home to many impressive forts, temples, and fascinating villages that are a living legacy of the past. Below are five fascinating sites located in and around Jaisalmer that attract many tourists:

Jaisalmer Desert National Park

Longewala War Memorial

Jaisalmer Fort

Kuldhara Abandoned Village

Tanot Mata Temple

Let’s explore each of these sites and discover why people love to travel to Jaisalmer.

1. Jaisalmer Desert National Park

A Unique Desert Experience

The park is actually is the one of the biggest of the national parks in India featuring a territory of 3,162 square kilometers. Many species of plants and animals are live in the desert environment are found here. The area is replete with sandy dunes, rock formations, and salt marshes, creating a magnificent setting to explore.

Wildlife: A sanctuary that holds quite a unique and diverse range of wildlife; Indian Bustard which is at the verge of extinction, still, you can see it here among various others are the toppers. Desert foxes, Indian gazelles (chinkara), and many other species of birds are also frequently seen, mostly in winter when migratory ones fly in.

Why Visit:

The explorers who plan to travel to the desert area can opt for desert safaris to see the surreal beauty of nature.

Tourists who prefer to experience the nature of the deserted area can avail of a chance at the encampments to stay under stars in this breathtaking universe.

2. Longewala War Memorial

A Tribute to Bravery

Location: Longewala War Memorial,

 A distance of approximately 110 kilometers from Jaisalmer.

Lies near the India-Pakistan border it is a very momoerable places to visit 

Description: The Memorial is dedicated to the heroes who fought valiantly during the Battle of Longewala in the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Instead of taking the risk of a frontal assault, India chose to protect all of its troops in a “Linear Defence.”

Exhibits: The memorial showcases various artifacts, weapons, and photographs from the battle in the museum. In addition, one of the major attractions is a destroyed Pakistani tank, which serves as a reminder of how intense the battles were.

Why Visit:

This area is a way to pay homage to and remember the martyrs who fought for their motherland.

Through the museum, one can learn about the historical significance of the battle and gain a valuable learning experience.

It is an area that fills the people with national pride

Jaisalmer Fort

The Golden Fort

Location:

Jaisalmer Fort side on the center of the city and is one of the world’s biggest forts in the world.

Description: In 1156 AD, named Sonar Quila in the past.

The fort was built by Raja Rawal Jaisal. It is made out oft the yellow sandstone.

Which is sparkles in the warm sunshine, thus it looks like a golden hue. The golden fort is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites 

It is a living fort, which means people still live within its walls.

Architecture: When you venture inside the fortress, you will be able to see quaint streets, furnished with stunning havelis, vast temples, and streets filled with the local crafts, textiles, and jewelry. The architecture of the palace is a mix of Islamic and Rajput designs, which are complemented by elaborate carvings and breathtaking details.

Why Visit:

Stepping back in time, Katharine Butler’s nonfiction story helps to recreate almost real life-like recollections of the fallen Indian empire.

The fort which offers magnificent sights of Jaisalmer and the surrounding desert is the best place to get an overview of the city besides taking photographs.

It is a center of cultural practices where people can be part of the different musical and dance performance

Kuldhara Abandoned Village

A Mysterious Ghost Village

Location: The abandoned village of Kuldhara is situated a short distance from the Jaisalmer town.

Description: This erstwhile residence of nomadic people was an ancient one which was under occupation of people called Paliwal Brahmins, who were known for their agricultural skills. The story goes that the people disappeared one day overnight, around 200 years ago, leaving their village because they were forced by the king, who wanted to force them to marry the village chief’s daughter or to go to the mountains, where they could not grow crops. The local people still believe in the legends of The Lost Villages till now. Therefore, they visit the Kuldhara for fun.

Ruins: Today, Kuldhara is a hauntingly beautiful place with the help of haunted and narrow streets that tell a story of a once-thriving community. The place has a mystical ambience that makes visitors interested.

Why Visit:

It is quite obvious that the ruins reveal the way of life of the people who previously lived there and hence, give the tourists a real-time experience about the past times.

The village is protected by the desert background, which means a contemplative place for the people.

Tanot Mata Temple

A Special Pilgrimage Centre

Location: Tanot Mata Temple which is situated not so far away about 120 km from Jaisalmer to the near of India-Pakistan border.

Description: This temple is Tanot Mata’s veneration, the deity who took care of the Indian troops the 1965 Indo-Pak War. As to the legend, many bombs were thrown at the temple, which, however, none of them blasted, thus, many soldiers were saved from the horrible experience.

Exhibits: The temple also carries a miniature museum that showcases the bombs that have not been exploded during the war, is thus a remarkable historical site.

Why Visit:

It is a holy place that is frequented by people for prayer and looking for blessings from Tanot Mata.

It outlines the military expedition of different nations. The one topic that holds the hands of the nation and its cases with the opposite defending country.

The placid environment and spiritual ambience necessary for both meditation and prayer are also found in this area

Conclusion: Why Travel to Jaisalmer?

Experience of the wonders of nature and the rich set of cultural activities await travelers who venture to Jaisalmer. The Jaisalmer Desert National Park gives the desert landscape its unique scenery and wildlife, whereas the Llongewala War Memorial and Tanot Mata Temple preserve the courage and sacrifice of soldiers. Jaisalmer Fort ensures that tourists time-travel to the past while making an enigma out of Kuldhara Village, pondering its eternal charm.