The outstanding Jaisalmer Fort with more than 800 years old stands in the heart
of the Thar Desert. Crowning Trikuta Hills the
fort in better times was an important
centre and fell on the ancient silk routes.
The valiant rulers and intricately carved stonework in its palaces and havelis marked
the old city of Jaisalmer. Made of sand stones and locally known as Sonar Quila,
the Jaisalmer Fort is a dominating structure amidst sands and surrounded by the
fortification walls and 99 turrets. Overlooking the city from 30 meters above, it
houses an an entire living area and narrow winding lakes that twist like snake and
are a pleasure to walk through. The four entrances of the fort,
Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol, Bhoot Pol
and Hawa Pol, lead you to havelis with the most delicate, latticed
windows and a group of Jain temples that date back from 12th century to the 15th
century. There are five interconnected palaces in this sandcastle.
Jaisalmer Fort has the distinction of being the second oldest fort in Rajasthan
and being the oldest living fort in India. It is a monument worth visiting and worth
retaining in your conscious mind. Like various other cities of Rajasthan, in Jaisalmer
too you will find different facets of its own glorious heritage. Visitors can find
historical monuments scattered all over the city.
Jaisalmer Fort
The main attractions inside the fort are Raj Mahal (Royal palace),
Jain temples, Laxminath Temple, 4 massive
gateways and Merchant Havelis. These havelis are large
houses often built by wealthy merchants in Rajasthani towns and cities in North India, with beautiful, ornate sandstone carvings with many hundreds of years old.
Some are elaborate from golden sandstone, and others have many floors and countless
rooms, with decorated windows, archways, doors and balconies. Today some havelis
are museums too. Another example is the Shree Nath Palace which was once inhabited
by the Prime Minister of Jaisalmer, some of the doors and ceilings are wonderful
examples of old carved wood from many hundreds of years ago.
History
Jaisalmer fort, once time ago was one of the finest in the country but one which
looks rather incongruous given the desolation around it. Located bang in the middle of the Thar desert (literal meaning abode of the dead), it rises like a mirage from
the sands, with its huge turrets pointing skywards. Built in 1156, Jaisalmer is
the second oldest of Rajasthan’s major forts after Chittorgarh. Constructed by
Raja Jaisal, who was searching for a new capital as the earlier one
Lodurva was too vulnerable to invasions, he built the fort and the city surrounding it, thus fulfilling Lord Krishna's prophecy in the Mahabharata