Area: 575 Km (357 mi)
Designated: at the 36th session of UNESCO World Heritage Committee
Location: Fort road, Manak Chowk, Amar Sagar Pol, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Built by: Rawal Jaisal in 1155 AD
Part of: Hill Forts of Rajasthan
Controlled by: Jaisalmer city in Rajasthan, India
Famous for : The gigantic Jaisalmer fort is world famous for its Architecture, History & Craftsmanship.
INTRODUCTION
Situated in the city of Jaisalmer in the Rajasthan state in India, Jaisalmer Fort is believed to be one of the very few, perhaps the only ‘living forts in India’. It is Rajasthan’s second oldest fort which is made up of sandstone in Jaisalmer with the beauty of place, inheritance & culture. Originally known as Sonar Quila, the famed majestic fort is one of the largest forts in the world that has withstood many valor strengths of ancient rulers. Laxmikanth and the Jain Temple, Raj Mahal & numerous other temple & gateways are the most visited places of this fort. Thus, it is called an epitome of strength that signifies the power of Rajputana dynasty.
HISTORY
Built in the year 1156 CE by the Indian Rajput ruler, Rawal Jaisal, this gigantic fort is also known as the ‘golden fort of Rajasthan’. Situated on the crowns of 80 m high Trikuta Hills & had been the scene of various battles. Many beautiful Havelis & a group of Jain temples dating back from the 12th to 15th centuries are present in Jaisalmer. Its massive yellow sandstone walls are of lion color during the day. This imposing fort has been the center of great changes & has also continuously witnessed the siege of Muslim rulers.
FORT TIMINGS
The fort opens from 9 in the morning till 6 pm in the evening on all 7 days of the week.
ENTRY FEE
There is no fee for the entrance in the fort. However, if you bring a camera or video camera inside the Palace Museum, then you’ll need to pay a sum of Rs. 50, 100, respectively, for the same.
Best Time to visit
Months between September – February, and March will be the best time to visit the impressive yet gigantic fort because of excessively hot weather throughout the year in the hottest state Rajasthan.
Things to do in Jaisalmer Fort
A lot of things is there to do & explore for those who plan to visit the ‘Sone ka Quila’ urf, ‘Jaisalmer Fort’. Some of the top things & key attractions of the fort as follows:
1. Known for its marble stone, Maharawal Palace is the popular structure in the fort.
2. Entrance gateways: Ganesh Pol, Jawahar Pol, Hawa Pol & Rang Pol are all crafted/ designed uniquely.
3. A rustic splurge of Islamic as well as Rajputana architecture can be well seen inside the fort.
4. A famous tourist place, Jawahar Palace due to its impressive magnificent designs & architectural excellence.
5. Royal Place -Raj Mahal is a must-visit place.
6. Tazia Tower & Badal Palace is a 5-storeyed tower which exclusively is architecture in this manner.
How to Reach
The city of Jaisalmer is well-connected with major cities of India through all the 3 means of transportation. Also, local transport here is available quite good.
By Air: The city is not connected directly to any part of India via air as there is no air connectivity except a military airport that too allows chartered flights only.
However, located at about 300 Km away from the main city, Jaisalmer, the nearest airport to the desert land on which travelers can rely upon is Jodhpur domestic Airport. From there, people can hire cabs or regular taxis to reach the point.
By Rail: The city has well-established rail connections to the most prominent cities of India like Jodhpur, Jaipur, and New Delhi. Visitors can also avail some of the regular to & fro running trains like Howrah Jaisalmer Express, Delhi Jaisalmer Express & Lalgarh Jaisalmer Special.
By Road: The cheapest mode of transport in Jaisalmer is Auto Rickshaw. One can quickly get one from local stands. For those who choose to travel through road, they can make use of bus services from Jaipur as there is no direct bus facility from New Delhi.
The distance of Jaisalmer from major cities:
New Delhi- 921 Km, Ahmadabad- 626 Km, Jaipur- 620 Km, Mumbai- 1177 Km
So, plan your visit to the most captivating Jaisalmer Fort for making an ever memorable journey in 2019!