Origin of Name
Jaisalmer is named after its founder Rawal Jaisal (see History). "Jaiaslmer"
means "the Hill Fort of Jaisal".
History
The majority of the inhabitants of Jaisalmer are Yadav Bhatti Rajputs,
who take their name from an ancestor named Bhatti, renowned as a warrior
when the tribe were located in the Punjab. Shortly after this the
clan was driven southwards, and found a refuge in the Indian desert,
which was henceforth its home. Deoraj, a famous prince of the Bhatti
family, is esteemed the real founder of the Jaisalmer dynasty, and
with him the title of rawal commenced. In 1156 Rawal Jaisal, the sixth
in succession from Deoraj, founded the fort and city of Jaisalmer,
and made it his capital as he moved from his former capital at Lodhruva
(which is situated about 15 km to the south-east of Jaisalmer).
Geography
Jaisalmer is located at 26.92° N 70.9° E[1]. It has an average
elevation of 229 metres (751 feet).
Jaisalmer is situated on the border of India and Pakistan in West
Rajasthan. The area of Jaisalmer is 5.1 km2. The maximum summer climate
is around 41.6 °C while the minimum is 25 °C. The maximum
winter climate is 23.6 °C while the minimum is 7.9 °C. The
average rainfall is 15 cm. [1]
Jaisalmer is almost entirely a sandy waste, forming a part of the
great Indian desert. The general aspect of the area is that of an
interminable sea of sandhills, of all shapes and sizes, some rising
to a height of 150 ft. Those in the west are covered with log bushes,
those in the east with tufts of long grass. Water is scarce, and generally
brackish; the average depth of the wells is said to be about 250 ft.
There are no perennial streams, and only one small river, the Kakni,
which, after flowing a distance of 28 m., spreads over a large surface
of flat ground, and forms a lake orjhil called the Bhuj-Jhil. The
climate is dry and healthy. Throughout Jaisalmer only raincrops, such
as bajra, joar, motif, til, etc., are grown; spring crops of wheat,
barley, etc., are very rare. Owing to the scant rainfall, irrigation
is almost unknown.
Temperature :Extremely hot summers with maximum temperature touching
47 °C.,
Cold winters - min 1°C
Ideal Time to Visit : October- March
Distances:
New Delhi (864 km), Jaipur (558 km), Mumbai (1177 km), Ahmedabad (626
km).
Jaisalmer Fort
Built in 1156 by the Bhati Rajput ruler Jaisal, it is situated on
Trikuta Hill and had been the scene of many battles. Its massive sandstone
walls are a tawny lion color during the day, turning to a magical
honey-gold as the sun sets. The famous Indian film director Satyajit
Ray wrote a detective novel and later turned it into a film –
Sonar Kella (The Golden Fortress) which was based on this fort. This
is a living fort and about a quarter of city's population still live
inside the fort. The main attractions inside the fort are: Raj Mahal
(Royal palace), Jain temples and the Laxminath temple.
Havelis
Patwon-ki-Haveli: Built by Guman Chand
Patwa (and later by his five sons), a wealthy merchant and banker
who had over three hundred trading centres from Afghanistan to China.
This ornate five-storey complex took fifty years to complete. This
is the largest, the most magnificent, and the most elaborate of Jaisalmer
havelis.
Salim Singh-ki-Haveli: It was built by
the scheming Prime Minister Salim Singh in 1815. It has a beautifully
arched roof capped with blue cupolas and carved brackets in the form
of peacocks.
Nathmalji-ki-Haveli: Bult by a Prime
Minister of princely state of Jaisalmer. Its facade is a riot of ornamentation:
flowers, birds, elephants, soldiers, a bicycle and even a steam engine.
Museums
•Desert Culture Centre & Museum
•Jaisalmer Folklore Museum
•Government Museum
•Gadi Sagar Excavated in 1367 by Rawal Gadsi Singh it is a scenic
rainwater lake surrounded by small temples and shrines.
Shopper's Paradise
Shopping in Jaisalmer is a great way to experience the beauty of the
state. There are some major shops inside the fort which include Sadar
Bazaar, Sonaron ki Bass Manak Chowk, Pansari Bazaar, Gandhi Darshan,
Seema Gram and various Rajasthani Govt Shops.
In neighbourhood
•Bada Bagh
•Amar Sagar
•Lodhruva
•Mool Sagar
•Kuldhara
•Desert National Park
•Sam sand dunes
•Khuri village
•Akal Wood fossil Park
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