Jaisalmer

City in Rajasthan

Jaisalmer is a renowned tourist destination in the Indian State of Rajasthan, fondly referred to as the ‘Golden City’ due to its abundance of golden sand dunes and castles constructed from honey-hued sandstone. Jaisalmer is a city with many attractions, from its lagoons and ornamental Jain temples to its lavish havelis. But it also offers an offbeat desert safari experience that promises a truly unforgettable journey into the vast Thar Desert. If you’re looking for something more cultural, there are plenty of colorful handicraft marketplaces full of traditional Indian culture and heritage. Jaisalmer is home to some of the most iconic attractions in India, including the majestic Jaisalmer Fort, live desert national park, ancient Kuldhara Village, intricate Jain temples, tranquil Gadisar Lake, rustic Sam Sand Dunes, artistic Tazia Tower and Badal Palace, ornate Patwon ki Haveli , glorious Bada Baggh , and many more significant tourist sites. Visiting Jaisalmer is a great way to get an unforgettable desert experience. You can go on a jeep or camel safari tour and traverse through the sands, explore the campsites in the evening where you’ll witness traditional performances of music and dance, as well as sample some delicious authentic Rajasthani cuisine. Jaisalmer is a hot destination all year round, with scorching summers from April to July, monsoon rains in July and August, and milder temperatures during the winter months of December to March.

Places to Visit in Jaisalmer

Come explore some of the must-see sights that make Jaisalmer so unique.

  • Light and sound show at Gadisar Lake
    The Laser Water Show at Gadisar Lake is a spectacular event, featuring water screen projection mapping with 3-chip DLP projectors of 25,000 lumens. This show highlights the story of Jaisalmer’s founders and fort as well as invasions from outsiders and the sacrifices made by brave Rajputs to protect their land. It also gives viewers glimpses into other tourist attractions in the area such as Tanot Mata Temple, Lodruva Temple, Laxminarayan Temple and Longowala war scenes.
  • Jaisalmer Fort
    The Jaisalmer Fort is known as the Sonar Quila (Golden Fort) due to its majestic presence in the desert, which glows with a golden hue under the setting sun. Constructed by local craftsmen in classic royal style, this world heritage site has been featured as an important plot point of Satyajit Ray’s Feluda story and movie – Sonar Kela (The Golden Fortress).
  • Jaisalmer Government Museum
    Established by the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Jaisalmer’s Government Museum is a must-visit for tourists. The museum houses an impressive display including the trophy of Rajasthan‘s state bird Godawan (the great Indian bustard) as well as traditional household items, rock-cut crockery, jewellery and statues from the 7th and 9th century AD – all remnants of Jaisalmer’s rich cultural heritage.
  • Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli
    In the 19th century, two architect brothers constructed Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli. This symmetrical masterpiece was built by the brothers working on each side simultaneously and features intricate miniature style paintings and mighty tuskers carved from yellow sandstone for decoration.
  • Salim Singh Ki Haveli
    This majestic haveli, constructed in the first half of the 18th century, still has some descendants of its original residents living there. Its high arched roof is supported by carved brackets shaped like peacocks and legend suggests that it was once as tall as a Maharaja’s palace with two additional wooden storeys; however, these were ordered to be demolished.
  • Patwon Ki Haveli
    Nestled in a narrow street of Jaisalmer, the five-storey haveli is one of the largest and most intricately carved structures. Despite losing some of its original grandeur, it still features stunning paintings and mirror work art on its interior walls.
  • Mandir Palace
    The Badal Mahal (Cloud Palace), a five-storeyed masterpiece, is further enhanced by its pagoda-like Tazia Tower. Each floor of the palace features an intricately carved balcony, showcasing the remarkable skill of Muslim craftsmen who shaped this structure in the form of a traditional Muharram procession float – known as a ‘Tazia’.
  • Jaisalmer Fort Jain Temples
    The Jaisalmer Fort is home to two ancient Jain temples, dedicated to Rikhabdevji and Shambhavdevji – renowned Tirthankars (wise teachers who taught people how to attain nirvana). Dating back to the 12th and 15th centuries, these beautiful structures are carved out of yellow sandstone in the iconic Dilwara style.
  • Bada Bagh
    Located around 6 kilometers north of Jaisalmer, Bada Bagh (also known as Barabagh) is a beautiful garden complex with chhatris or royal cenotaphs dedicated to the Maharajas of Jaisalmer state. The most prominent among them is that of Jai Singh II. Tourists flock here for its stunning sunset views and other attractions like lush greenery and peaceful ambiance.
  • Desert National Park
    The Desert National Park is an incredible display of the Thar desert’s unique ecosystem and its diverse wildlife. Featuring undulating sand dunes, jagged rocks, dense salt lake bottoms, and inter-medial areas, it is home to a variety of animals such as black bucks, chinkara, desert foxes and even the highly endangered Great Indian Bustard—one of the world’s heaviest flying birds. During winter months you can also observe a wide array of migratory raptors including Himalayan Griffon Vultures, Eurasian Imperial Eagles and Saker Falcons.
  • Kuldhara Village
    Established in the 13th century, Kuldhara was once a prosperous village inhabited by Paliwal Brahmins. However, it suddenly became abandoned during the early 19th century for unknown reasons; some speculate that it may have been due to dwindling water supply or an earthquake while local legend claims that it was because of the atrocities committed by Jaisalmer State’s minister Salim Singh.
    kuldhara has long been known as a haunted site, and the Government of Rajasthan took steps to capitalize on its popularity in the 2010s by turning it into an attraction for tourists.
  • Tanot Mata Temple
    Located 120 kilometers from Jaisalmer, the Tanot Mata Temple is a revered site believed to be a reincarnation of Goddess Hinglaj. During the 1965 India-Pakistan war, it was heavily attacked and shelled; however, none of the bombs or shells exploded near it – an event that strengthened people’s faith in its divine protection. Afterward, the Border Security Force (BSF) rebuilt the temple and now manages it through a Trust.
  • Ramdevra Temple
    Situated 12 kilometres from Pokhran on the Jodhpur – Jaisalmer route lies Ramdevra Temple, dedicated to renowned saint Baba Ramdevji. It marks the eternal resting place of this revered figure and is visited by people of all faiths throughout the year. Every August – September, a large fair known as ‘Ramdevra Fair’ takes place here, drawing in huge numbers who come together to sing devotional songs all night long.
  • Longewala
    Longewala is a small town located in the Thar Desert of Jaisalmer. According to the Census 2011, this border town has a population of 188 people.

Jaisalmer Desert Festival

The Department of Tourism organizes the Desert Festival every January-February, providing a unique opportunity to experience vibrant Rajasthani folk culture. Highlights of this festival include puppet shows, acrobatics, camel races and polo matches, as well as traditional dances.

Best Time to Visit Jaisalmer

Visiting Jaisalmer is best done during the winter season, between October and March. The weather is pleasant at this time of year, making it ideal for sightseeing as well as adventurous activities in the desert. Summers are hot and dry so they’re usually avoided by tourists; however, if you do visit then make sure to bring warm clothes as temperatures can drop significantly at night. A popular event held in February each year is the Desert Festival which attracts visitors from around the world.