• Amar Saggar

6 kms. on way to Luderwa the natural spot developed by Maharawal Amar Singh is a water reservoir in 1688 AD. The dams were constructed to hold rainwater. Several terraces are formed where summer palaces, temples are constructed & Garden developed. On the south of the lake stands the exquisitely carved Jain temple constructed by Himmat Ram Bafna, the descendant of famous patwas.

• The Fort

Built in 1156 by the Bahtti Rajput ruler Jaisala, and reinforced by later rulers, the fort crowns the 80m - high Trikuta Hill. Over the centuries it was the focus of many battles between the Bhatties, the Mughals of Delhi and the Rathores of Jodhpur. This is one of the planets only living forts, with one quarter of the old city's population residing in it. The fort has 99 bastions around its circumference and is protected by three walls. The lower wall is of solid stone blocks which reinforce the loose rubble of which Trikuta hill is composed. The second wall snakes around the fort, and between this and the third, of inner, wall, the warrior Rajputs hurled boiling oil and water, and massive round missiles on their unwitting enemies below.

Above the fort flies the Jaisalmer standard, which features a chatri against a red and yellow background. The fort looks especially magical when it is lit up at night.

It is fascinating to9 wander around this living fort. It is packed with houses, temples, handicraft shops and honeycombed with narrow, winding lanes, all of them paved in stone. It is also quite as vehicles are not allowed up here. Even building materials have to be carried up by camel cart. The fort walls provide superb views over the old city and surrounding desert. Strolling around the outer fort ramparts is a popular activity at sunset.

The fort is entered from First Fort gate tough it is forbidding series of massive gates via an enormous stone paved ramp, which leads to a large courtyard. The former Maharaja's seven storeys Palace, Rajmahal, fronts onto this. The square was formerly used to review troops, hear petitions and present extravagant entertainment for important visitors.

• Patwon ki Haveli

The Haveli built between 1800 and 1860, was built by five Jain brothers who made their fortunes by trading jewellery and fine brocades. This Haveli is divided into five apartments.

The first Haveli is a private museum and shop, featuring displays of old furnishings and household items. The second and fifth Havelis are government run. They are empty but you can wander around and soak in the atmosphere. Only the ground floor is open on the second Haveli. The third Haveli is an antique shop and the fourth, a private residence, is not open for public.

• Tazia Tower

The delicate pagoda like Tazia Tower rises from Badal Mahal (Cloud Palace). Rising in its five-tiered splendor, with each storey graced by a delicately carved balcony, the tower is of historical significance. Muslim craftsmen built it in the shape of a Tazia and gifted to their royal patron. Tazias are ornately decorated bamboo, paper and tinsel replicas of a bier carried in procession during Muharram.

• Gadisar Lake

This tank outside the city walls, once held the town's water supply, and, befitting its importance in providing precious water to the inhabitants of this arid city, is surrounded by small temples and shrines. A wide variety of waterfowl flock here in winter. The tank was built by Maharaja Gadsi Singh, taking the advantage of a natural declivity that already retained some water.

• The Jain Temple

Within the fort walls, there are seven beautifully carved Jain Temples built between the 12th and 15th centuries. The cluster of temples is connected by a series of corridors and walkways. Shoes and all leather items must be removed before entering the temple. 

The first temple you come around is the one dedicated to Chandraprabhu, the eighth tirthankar (Jain Teacher), whose symbol is the moon. It was built in 1509 and features fine sandstone sculpture in sandstone in Mandapa (Fore chamber of the inner sanctum of the temple). 

To the right of the Chandraprabhu Temple is Rikhabdev temple. There are some fine sculptures around the walls protected by glass cabinets, and the pillars are beautifully sculpted with apsaras (Celestial Maiden) and gods. This temple has a lovely and tranquil atmosphere. 

Other temples which may be currently closed to the non - Jains, include the temple dedicated to Parasnath, a few steps behind Chandraprabhu. Entry is via an enormous and beautifully carved torana (Gateway) that culminates the image of the Jain tirthankara its apex. There is a voluptuous carving of an apsara balancing a set of balls on her raised forearm. 

A door to the south side of the temple leads to the small Shitalnath Temple, dedicated to the 10th tinrthankar. The image of Shitalnath enshrined here is composed of eight precious metals. A door in the north wall leads to the beautiful Sambhavnath Temple. 

Steps lead from the courtyard before the Sambhavnath temple to the Shantinath Temple, which was built in1536. The enclosed gallery around the temple is flanked by hundreds of images of saints, some of marble and some of Jaisalmer sandstone. Steps lead below the temple to Kunthunath Temple, which was also built in 1536.

• Manak Chowk

Outside the Jaisalmer Fort, is the main market place called Manak Chowk which is the centre of local activity. From Manak Chowk, one can walk into the lanes where the famous carved Havelis are to be found. Each Haveli's facade differs from other. Built mainly during the 18 th and 19 th centuries, the carving in the Havelis of Jaisalmer is of a very superior quality.

• Nathmalji ki Haveli

This late 19th century Haveli was also used as a prime minister's house and has a superb exterior. The left and right wings of the building were carved by brothers and are very similar, but not identical. Yellow sandstone elephants guard the building, and even the front door is a work of art.

• Salim Singh ki Haveli

This private Haveli was built by Salim Singh who was the prime minister when Jaisalmer was the capital of a princely state. A part of the Haveli is still occupied.

There are stone elephants before the Haveli; these were traditionally erected before the homes of the prime ministers. This mansion is erected with no mortar or cement - the stones are connected with tongue-and-groove joints.

• Gyan Bhandar

Gyan Bhandar, a library founded in 1500 A.D. by Acharya Maharaj Jin Bhadra Suri. This small underground vault houses priceless ancient illustrated manuscripts, some dating from the 11th century. Other exhibits include astrological charts and the Jain version of the Shroud of Turin: the Shroud of Gindhasuri, a Jain hermit and holy man who died in Ajmer. In a small locked cabinet are the images of Parasnath made of ivory and various precious stones including emerald and crystal. There are plans to shift the library outside the present location within the Jain temple so it can be visited.

• Lodurva

Further beyond Amar Sagar, 15 km northwest of Jaisalmer, are the deserted ruins of Lodhurva, which was the ancient capital before the move to Jaisalmer. It was probably founded by the Lodhra Rajputs, and passed to the ruler of Devagarh, Bhatti Devaraja, in 10th century. In 1025, Mahmud of Ghazni laid siege to the town, and it was sacked various times over subsequent decades, prompting Jaisala to shift the capital to a new location, resulting in the foundation of Jaisalmer in 1156. 

The Jain Temples, rebuilt in the late 1970s, are the only reminders of the city's former magnificence. The main temple enshrines an image of Parasnath, the 23rd tirthankar, and is finely wrought in silver and surrounded by fine sculptures.

• Wood Fossil Park

Just 17 kms from Jaisalmer and a kilometre away from the Barmer Road are fossilised remains of 180 million-year-old forests. These are beautiful forest vistas and any forester around can show you. 


Sam Sand Dunes
Sam village is on the edge of the Desert National Park. One of the most popular excursions is to the sand dunes on the edge of the park, 42 km from Jaisalmer along a very good sealed road. 

It is best to be here at sunrise or sunset, , and many camel safaris spend a night at the dunes. Just before the sunset jeep carrying loads of day-trippers arrive from Jaisalmer to be chased across the sands by tenacious camel owners. 

Despite of the tourist hype, it is still quite a magical place, and it is possible to frame pictures of solitary camels against lonely dunes. The desert dung beetles are fascinating to watch.

• Desert National Sanctuary

The Desert National Park is an excellent example of the ecosystem of the Thar desert and its diverse fauna. Sand dunes form around 20% of the Park. The major landform consists of craggy rocks and compact salt lake bottoms, inter medial areas and fixed dunes which are quite suitable for the chinkara to move at high speed. The black buck is another common antelope of this region. Its other notable inhabitants are the desert fox, Bengal fox, wolf and desert cat.

Sudashri forest post is the ideal place for observing the wildlife of Desert National Park and is the most suitable in the entire 3162 sq. kms. of this park for watching and photographing the activities of the animals from behind cover.

Birdlife in this sandy habitat is vivid and spectacular. Birds such as the sandgrouse, partridges, bee-eaters, larks and shrikes are commonly seen. Demoiselle crane and Hobard arrive in the winter. The birds of prey seen here are tawny and steppe eagles, long legged and honey buzzards, falcons and kestrels. But the most outstanding of the avifauna is the great Indian bustard. This tall, heavy bird is an epitome of confidence and grace. It is good to see five or six bustards near Sudashri water hole.

Entry Requirements
All visitors to Desert national sanctuary need to pay an entry fee of Rs 100 per person and for jeep, car fee is Rs.100 and for coach fee is Rs. 200

Accommodation and other facilities
Fortunately for tourists, accommodation is not a problem in Jaisalmer. The town (not the park) has a number of guest houses, forest lodges and hotels, including some luxurious heritage properties.

Besides the accommodation in the town, there are two forest lodges and two restaurants within the park. The restaurants are however, extremely basic and it’s advisable to bring your own food if you plan to spend the entire day within the park. To learn more about the hotels

• Bada Bagh

Bada Bagh was built by Maharaja Jai Singh II and completed after his death by his son.

Above the gardens are picturesque royal chhatries (Cenotaphs)with beautifully carved ceilings and equestrian statues of former rulers. Bada Bagh is now surrounded by windmills used to generate electricity.

• Sam Sand Dunes

Sam village is on the edge of the Desert National Park. One of the most popular excursions is to the sand dunes on the edge of the park, 42 km from Jaisalmer along a very good sealed road. 

It is best to be here at sunrise or sunset, and many camel safaris spend a night at the dunes. Just before the sunset jeep carrying loads of day-trippers arrive from Jaisalmer to be chased across the sands by tenacious camel owners. 

Despite of the tourist hype, it is still quite a magical place, and it is possible to frame pictures of solitary camels against lonely dunes. The desert dung beetles are fascinating to watch.

• Mool Sagar

Situated 9km west of Jaisalmer, this is another pleasant, but rather neglected , small garden and tank. It belongs to the Royal family of Jaisalmer and was originally built as a cool summer retreat. In the lemon groove there's a small Shiva temple carved from two pieces of sandstone

• Barmer

Barmer is famous for its wood carving, carets, embroidery, block printing and other crafts - handicrafts produced here are found in shops throughout Rajasthan. The center for embroidery is Sadar Bazaar; crafts are for sale on Station road at more reasonable prices than elsewhere. There is no fortress here. Perhaps the best part of journey here through peaceful, small villages, their mud - walled houses decorated with geometric designs.