Jaisalmer: A beautiful desert in the west of India

How about ditching all the beaches and mountains for a moment and thinking about visiting the home of the second-largest hot desert in the world?

Yes, it is the Mighty Thar located in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. It may sound mediocre and less riveting but one will have second thoughts once they get a glimpse of how travelers around the world are just flocking in there every season and are amazed by the grandeur and hospitality of this place. Sitting in the extreme western corner of this country, Jaisalmer has a lot more to offer than one could imagine.

So, how about a trip to the city of palaces that is home to the rustic culture of the largest state in India?

Best Time to Visit Jaisalmer:

Jaisalmer is a reason why Rajasthan is called a place of utter heat and drought. People who are extra sensitive to stepping out in the sun must avoid this place during summer, especially during May and August. You could burn yourself if you’re not used to walking in the heat the entire day. This place just boils during the summer and that’s why it’s pretty quiet during the daytime. Maybe because of the smaller population or extensive heat waves during the daytime, the city looks marooned in some places. If you’re complaining too much about why life is unfair to you, just pay a visit to the Jaisalmer border area where soldiers would patrol for hours in that scorching heat without any rest.

Anyway, the best time to visit Jaisalmer is from September to January when the temperature witnesses a fall and touristy activities start to occur. The biggest reason why this place is famous is because of the Desert Festival that happens in December and is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to witness. Some events take place during the festival and tourists are allowed to participate in most of them such as Camel Racing, Rifle Shooting, Kite Flying, and Rajasthani Music Festival.

Also, if you’ve booked your ride in advance, you may get to see the long stretch of the India-Pakistan border in a private jeep which otherwise won’t be possible due to yearly restrictions and sweltering temperatures for the rest of the months. So plan your holidays accordingly and visit this golden city in December for once in a lifetime experience.

How to Reach the Place:

By Road:

If you’re planning to hit the road and looking forward to an adventurous road trip, then NH11 and NH125 are your routes.
Jaisalmer is easily accessible by roads through either Jaipur, Jodhpur, or Barmer. These 3 cities could be considered a gateway to Jaisalmer. The duration it shows on Google Maps is the same or it may take even longer due to the village passing for a few kilometers during your journey.

If you want to put your camera to work, take the Jodhpur route NH125 and NH11 as it’s a road to heaven. You would pass through the ethnic Rajasthani villages and get to see the authentic culture along with local mouth-watering delicacies on the way.

Views throughout the National Highway are surreal till Jaisalmer city. Lots of small chai tapris and pakora stalls can be found within a few kilometers to munch upon and there’s enough accommodation available along the route in case you do not want to stretch.

By Train:

There are frequent trains from Jodhpur every day and the best part is that they are not crowded at all. There are frequent trains from Jodhpur every day and the best part is that they are not crowded at all. While making a reservation, ensure that you’re booking your seats in an AC tier else be ready to soak yourself into the blast of sand while the train marks its entry inside the Jaisalmer border.

It takes 10-12 hours through a train journey from Jodhpur and 12-14 hours from Jaipur. The route is not sIt takes 10-12 hours through a train journey from Jodhpur and 12-14 hours from Jaipur. The route is still scenic though but most of the trains depart during late-night hours so you would miss all that glimpse of that express piercing through the desert.

The Jaisalmer station is pretty spotless and usually clear in the offseason. The commute is easily available to your hotel and a maximum of 100 INR will be charged to drop anywhere within the city limits.

By Flight:

Jaisalmer Airport operates as a civil enclave on an Indian Air Force base therefore no passenger flights operate on a routine. The entire area is a militarized zone and you may get into trouble if you plan to wander around the place just for a few selfies out of curiosity. Better hit the road or take a train to reach Jaisalmer.

Booking a Hotel:

Here’s a loophole that comes with online platforms which we easily ignore just to make our lives more comforting. Before people plan to prepare their itinerary, the first thing they do is to book a hotel online and that’s not a smart idea all the time. The offline market just works pretty much more hassle-free sometimes than online ones.

Hotels that are listed with a price of INR 2k or above on online portals may cost you way cheaper when you deal with people offline in Jaisalmer. Also, there could be a case that some hoteliers might reject your request to check into the hotel because they haven’t received the confirmation from these online portals yet. So, avoid all the hassle and opt for an offline booking which is much easier. And don’t panic, the city never runs out of rooms even in a peak season.

The best location to book your hotel is near the Jaisalmer Fort which sits pretty much in the heart of the city. There are ample Heritage Havelis to give you a feel of royal treatment under lavish suites and banquets. Jaisalmer is the only city that has the most flexible check-in time among all the hotels considering the comfort of its guests. Their clock isn’t fixed, unlike other hotels where check-in and check-out time is fixed. You could step in at 2 AM and stay there for 24 hours pay the day’s tariff and leave. Surprising is it??? But it’s true.

The best and budget-friendly hotels that you could book near the fort are listed below:

Hotel Royal Haveli (2000 INR/day)

This is the ideal hotel to book within the Jaisalmer city limits. Situated within walking distance of the Jaisalmer Fort, its spacious room and king-sized bed could easily accommodate a family of 4 with ease. All the rooms have AC and a mini-fridge and the price is negotiable during the off-season.

Hotel Swan Haveli (1500 INR per day)

Centrally located with all the amenities and equidistant to all the sightseeing places within the city, this is a perfect choice for budget travelers. They also have in-house jeep rentals that you could hire to stroll around the city.

Hotel The Surya (1600 INR per day)

Located inside the Jaisalmer Fort, this is a perfect budget-friendly hotel for your trip. You may need to give up on the housekeeping though as most of the hotel staff are always busy attracting more customers by lobbying outside the fort all the time.

Food:

Savor your taste buds with some authentic Rajasthani delicacies in Jaisalmer at every corner of the street/restaurants/desert dhabas etc. Food is cheaper but limited items on the menu are available. To accommodate the taste of tourists from Western countries, every restaurant has a variety of Pizzas and Pasta available along with Rajasthani cuisine.

If you’re within the city limits, you may find ample Tibetan restaurants as well that remain usually closed during the off-season. The variety of cuisines is very limited in Jaisalmer because of the lack of culinary skilled chefs and also for the reason that tourists look forward to enjoying the authentic flavors of Rajasthani cuisine.

For people having a thumping diet, unlimited Rajasthani Thalis are the best option as it includes more than 30 items on a plate with unlimited servings. Ker Sangri, Pittod ki Sabzi, Govind Gatta, Masala Papad, Jhakolma Puri, Urad ki Daal, Baati, Chane ki Daal, Daal Pakwan, and many more items are served without a stop until your stomach surrenders completely.

Tourist Sightseeing:

Jaisalmer Fort:

The pride of Rajasthan, Jaisalmer Fort.
This fort of Jaisalmer, built in the 12th century, was built by Maharaj Jaisal Singh Ji. This marvelous yellow stone workmanship was globally popular at that time. Jaisalmer came to be called the Golden City due to the workmanship of yellow stones that shine like gold. It is a huge fort with 108 domes and 188 cellars. There is a huge pool for the ladies of the royal family and many grand temples are situated at the different gates of the palace. A large part of this fort is open to tourists except for some private rooms and cellars.

The special thing about this fort is that even today the houses of the villagers are settled here and when you enter the fort, you will be able to see a sizeable population living their daily life. To enter the fort, you will need a ticket, which will be available at the ticket window located outside, and costs up to Rs.50. Although they charge a separate fee for carrying a camera, you can save that money if you don’t tell them you have one. No security inside checks the ticket of the camera.

There are many souvenir stalls inside the fort, which have different types of hats, Rajasthani dresses, caps, showpiece items, and different things. You need at least 3-4 hours to visit the fort. Many food shops, dhabas, and restaurants will be found outside the fort, which will provide better food at reasonable prices.

Gadisar Lake:

This river, built by Maharaja Jaisal Singh in the 12th century, is one of the most attractive places in Jaisalmer. In the initial period, this river was a big source of water in Jaisalmer, but after the death of Maharaja Jaisal Singh, Maharaj Gadsi Singh got it rebuilt. He not only got it enlarged but also built many storages in it which would collect rainwater and maintain the water level in the river. The scenic beauty of this river in the evening is a beautiful sight. Many local expatriates come here to spend their time and also enjoy boating. There is a ticket of Rs 20 to enter the river and there is a provision of a pedal boat for the tourists which has a separate charge.

Patwaron ki Haveli:

Situated in the heart of the city, this haveli is a famous tourist spot in Jaisalmer. This mansion, built by the Patwars in the 15th century, is spread over a huge area. Situated between many small and thick streets, this street is the last sign of the family of Patwars. It has been converted into a kind of museum by the government, where you will get to see the old-fashioned living conditions. In these, many old utensils, kitchen appliances, and modern home appliances are kept as they are.

War Museum:

Probably the go-to place for all the Indians. The War Museum was built to display India’s rich military history and showcase real war efforts as they happened in the past. The Jaisalmer War Museum aims to promote greater awareness of the sacrifices made by heroes of the Indian Army. While it showcases the antiques and heroics of our beloved soldiers, different sections have been designed so the general public can easily navigate and get a glimpse of historical events.

The most famous section is the Laungewala hall which showcases the progression of the Battle of Laungewala as it took place on the night of 4 December 1971. The Hall also displays Indian Army operations in Eastern and Western Sectors during Indo-Pak War of 1971. The 106mm RCL Gun displayed in the Central Foyer had a vital role in stopping the initial armor assault during the Battle of Laungewala.

It is then followed by Indian Army Hall and Siachen Hall where artilleries used by Indian soldiers are kept and the rugged uniforms of troops are kept to be looked by the general public.

Kuldhara Village:

Also called the Ghost Village, this ransacked place carries the ruins of what was once the most famous architecture in Jaisalmer called Kuldhara Village. It used to be a village playing a hand, but today it has become a mere ruin in the hands of the poor ruler of that time, Salim Singh. Paliwal society was started in this village and at that time this village was the residence of those people.

But due to the terror of Salim Singh, they had to leave the village overnight and today it has become a mere tourist spot.
According to the local villagers, this place is the abode of ghosts. That’s why it is forbidden to stay here in the evening. Tourists can come here during the day, but the gates are closed after 6 o’clock.

Thar Desert:

This is where the heart of the Jaisalmer lies. The second-largest hot desert in the world and is also home to thousands of rare camel species found in Rajasthan. This is the reason why tourists flock to Jaisalmer and crave to see the sunset in the sweltering sand. You may need to book your desert safari in advance to avoid all the rush. It takes 1.5 hours minutes from Jaisalmer city to reach the desert safari camp where you can get that adrenaline rush going on all those dunes.

Usually, hotels have their tie-ups with desert safari operators and you can directly book it through your hotel which also has a gala dinner included. From riding the camels to desert safari, sunset in the evening to Rajasthani folk dance show, every bit is worth the hype. Usually, the package starts from 5k per person but you can negotiate with the locals and get a good deal.

Tanot Mata:

If you’ve seen the border movie, then you’ve probably heard of Tanot Mata Temple which miraculously survived the pounding attacks by Pakistani forces in the India-Pakistan war. It was attacked by the Pakistan Army during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 during which 3,000 bombs were fired toward the temple. However, as per local lore, the bombs either missed their target or did not explode.

After the 1965 war, India’s Border Security Force (BSF) took charge of the temple and the responsibility for managing and maintenance. The temple is some 122 kilometers from the City of Jaisalmer, and it takes about two hours to reach by road. The temple is open to the public between 6 AM – and 8 PM. The road to Tanot is surrounded by miles and miles of dunes and sand mountains. The temperatures in the area can go up to 49 °C and the ideal time to visit the place is from November to January.

India-Pakistan Border:

It is a border town in the Thar Desert in the western part of the Jaisalmer district which became famous after the Battle of Longewala that took place between India and Pakistan in 1971. Though it is located very far from the usual tourist destinations but is worth visiting to get a glimpse of the valor that the Indian Army showed during those war times. The Pakistan border is visible from the post and few areas are restricted due to BSF guards the post in the scorching sun without a snag. Your chest would swell with pride upon seeing the Indian flag flying high on the border areas and the team of soldiers ready to protect your integrity day and night.

So next time when you are planning a visit to Rajasthan, don’t forget to add Jaisalmer to your list and experience the hospitality of one of the most traditional parts of India…!!!

Read our other blog if you’re looking to experience dunes in a completely remote place called Khimsar.