Jaisalmer Fort
Facts about Jaisalmer Fort
The Jaisalmer fort is one of the wonders of Rajasthani design, especially of the stone carver’s workmanship. It is the second most seasoned of Rajasthan`s significant forts after Chittorgarh, yet is situated in a significant peculiar area, right amidst the Thar Desert, with its immense turrets pointing skywards. As one of the last regal bastions in the locale, this fort was well known for the boldness of its rulers and for the stylish sense spoke to by their royal residences and Havelis. The Jaisalmer Fort seems like a yellow sandstone texture that appears to issue skywards from the brilliant sands. It is roosted at a tallness of 76 meters on the hill. Its sheer enchantment and amazing excellence make it a well-known tourist fascination in Jaisalmer. This was worked by the Bhati Rajput Maharawal Jaisal around 800 years prior and fortified by progressive rulers. The fort housed a whole township inside its immense bulwarks. The fort of Jaisalmer has 99 bastions and its barriers were strengthened by having gigantic round stones set all around its defenses. In war circumstances, these were flung downward on their adversaries underneath.
The bastion conceals an entire township that comprises of royal residence complex, the Havelis of rich shippers, a few sanctuaries, and the private buildings of the armed forces and dealers. This brilliant – yellow sandstone of Jaisalmer Fort, more than 800 years old, crowns the Trikuta Hill. It is otherwise called “Sonar Quila” or the Golden fort since it is comprised of yellow sandstone and appears to touch off into a brilliant fire when burned by the forsake sun. Inside its dividers, safeguarded by 99 turrets, lies the old city, almost a fourth of present-day Jaisalmer.
How to reach
Jaisalmer Fort is located in the city of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India. To reach the fort, one can take the following modes of transportation:
- Air: The nearest airport is the Jodhpur Airport, which is approximately 285 km from Jaisalmer. From there, one can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the fort.
- Train: The Jaisalmer Railway Station is well connected to major cities in India and is located just 2 km from the fort.
- Bus: Jaisalmer has a well-connected network of roads and there are frequent bus services from cities such as Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Jaipur.
- Car: Jaisalmer is well connected by road and one can easily drive to the fort from cities such as Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Jaipur.
History of Jaisalmer Fort
The city has a fascinating legend related to it, as per which, Lord Krishna-the leader of the Yadav Clan, prognosticated Arjuna that a remote descendant of the Yadav Clan would assemble his kingdom on the Trikuta Hill. It at that point happened that the Bhatti Chief Raja Jaisal, a descendant of the Yadav group, developed the Jaisalmer fort in 1156 that went to wind up plainly one of the finest forts in the nation. Also, he did it on the command of a nearby recluse named Eesaal. He manufactured this fort as his capital, as the prior fort Lodurva was excessively defenseless, making it impossible to attacks. In this manner, he manufactured the fort and the city encompassing it, along these lines satisfying Lord Krishna`s prescience in the Mahabharata.
There were different shippers who served and obtained an extraordinary arrangement of energy and honorable status in the illustrious courts of Bhatti Rajputs who established the state in the twelfth century and continued further. Yet, the rich shipper enlivened by the exemplary style of the royals, developed tremendous Havelis neighboring each other in the idea of medieval culture and plentifully finished dividers and roofs and complicatedly cut outside and insides.
The architecture of Jaisalmer Fort
The fort is 1,500 ft (460 m) long and 750 ft (230 m) wide and is based on a hill that rises over tallness of 250 ft (76 m) over the encompassing wide open. The base of the fort has a 15 ft (4.6 m) tall divider forming the fort’s outermost ring, inside its triple ringed barrier engineering. The fort’s upper bastions or towers form a protective internal divider perimeter that is around 2.5 mi (4.0 km) long. The fort now consolidates 99 bastions, of which 92 were assembled or considerably remade between the times of 1633-47. The fort additionally has four fortified doors or entryways from the town side, one of which was once watched by cannon. Other purposes of enthusiasm inside the fort’s dividers and grounds include Four massive entryways through which guests to the fort must pass, arranged along the main way to deal with the bastion. The Raj Mahal royal residence, the former living arrangement of the Maharawal of Jaisalmer.
What are the timings and the entry charges?
The Jaisalmer Fort Palace Museum and Heritage Centre are open from 09-00 hours to 18-00 hours. The entry fee for Indians is Rs 30 per head while for foreign nationals it is Rs 70 each
What does the past say?
Built in 1156, the Jaisalmer Fort is the second oldest fort in the state of Rajasthan. It was Rawal Jaiswal who began the construction of the fort. The fort interestingly appears to be rising out of a desert haze. Due to its golden hue in the afternoon sun, it is also popular as the Sonar Kila or the Golden Fort. Within the fort, complexes are numerous beautiful Havelis (Mansions) and a group of Jain temples dating between the 12th and the 15th centuries.
What are the nearby attractions?
Gadisar Lake
Gadisar Lake is not far from the town center. Formerly, it was Jaisalmer’s chief water source. Today, the lake is a popular picnic spot, attracting a good number of tourists and travelers from all around.
Desert Culture Centre and Museum
The Desert Culture Centre and Museum is a fabulous attraction for tourists, displaying an interesting collection of fossils, coins, and musical instruments.
Bada Bagh
6 km away from the city is the place called Bada Bagh. The cenotaphs of the Bhattis are located here. The cenotaphs are either pyramidal or dome-shaped. Close by, there is also an array of windmills that are no less attractive.
Mool Sagar
About 10 km from Jaisalmer is the place called Mool Sagar. It is a small royal-pleasure garden facing a lake. Though the lake is dry most of the time, the garden is truly worth a visit.
