Jaisalmer Fort – Jaipur, Rajasthan

Jaisalmer Fort popularly known as Sonar Kila or the Golden Fort is situated in the Jaisalmer city of Rajasthan state. One of the oldest and massive forts of Rajasthan, Jaisalmer fort is located in the remote Thar Desert. In the medieval times, the location of Jaisalmer on the trade route made it a prosperous town. Jaisalmer Fort 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. Though you can find historical monuments scattered all over the city, the Jaisalmer Fort will immediately command your attention. Made of sand stones, the Jaisalmer Fort is a dominating structure amidst sands.

Legend

The city is said to be founded by one Raja Rawal Jaisal, a Bhatti Rajput ruler, in approximately 1156 A D. Legends go by that he did it on the behest of a local hermit named Eesaal. The raja choose Trikuta hill as the new site for his fort as his earlier adobe at Luderwa (16 km from present Jaisalmer) was too vulnerable to his comfort. But it should always be kept in mind that these legends are most of the time product of conscious minds that are very vulnerable to the oriental exaggeration.

About Jaisalmer Fort

This fort built in golden yellow sandstone is 250 feet tall & has a wall of 30 feet high with 99 bastions which were built between 1633 and 1647. There are a number of havelis with balconies & windows and beautiful carved Jain Temples built in 12th and 15th century AD and some palaces inside it. The fort also has 4 gates - Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol, Hawa Pol & Bhoot Pol.

It is a five storyed fort encompassing palaces, residential complexes of armies, havelis of merchants and several temples. The rich merchants wielded great power and status in the courts of the Bhatti Rajputs. They built huge mansion of royal style. They appointed skilled craftsmen who worked on the sandstone mansions. Beautiful balconies, screened windows mark the exteriors of the edifices while the interiors are beautifully painted in the typical Rajasthani style. Jaisalmer fort has five interconnected palaces. All the palaces have amazing "Jali" and 'jharokha' work.

Outside the Jaisalmer fort is the main market place called Manek Chowk. From the walls of the Jaisalmer fort one can have a marvelous view of the Old City and the adjoining desert.

At present, merchants and shop owners, living within the walls of the fort, crowd the fort. Small lanes inside the fort are surrounded with houses, temples and shops. The fort appears as a massive sand castle arising from the middle of a vast expanse of arid desert, simmering in the golden sunshine and merging with the yellow sands. You can enjoy the grandeur of the Jaisalmer fort in the winters and avail the enchanting camel rides to explore the dunes of Jaisalmer.

How To Reach jaisalmer Fort:-

Air:- The nearest airport is at Jodhpur, 285 Km away from Jaisalmer.

Rail:-Jaisalmer is connected to rest of India by well-laid railway tracks.

Best Time To Visit jaisalmer Fort:-

October to February