The 'Golden City' was founded in 1156 A. D. by Rao Jaisal. Located in the heart of the Thar desert, few cities in the world can match its magnificence. It was the domain of Bhati Rajputs, who were known for thier valour and chivalry. They levied taxes on the caravans laden with precious silks and spices that crossed the territory enroute Delhi on Sind. Jaisalmer soon became rich, so mush so that the merchnts, who also served as ministers in the royal courts, came to command more power than the rulers themselves. No wonder the large mansions of the merchants, built adjacent to each other in the nature of medieval desert cultures, are so profusely decorated that the palace, in comparison, appears to pale. Traces of this former opulence are seen inthe majestic buildings built here in luminous sandstone. While the havelis and the palace, along with the temples, will warrant the mandatory visits, Jaisalmer is incredible for the experience it brings alive of a medieval township caught in a timewarp, as you move up its ancient cobbled streets. For most part, its incredible sculptors were Muslim crargsmaen sho were induced, on their journeys to the patrons in others parts of India, to stay. The results is an archi-tectural purity that, because of Jaisalmer's incredible isolation, is not seen elsewhere.

CITY SIGHTS
SONAR QILA: Built in 1156 a.D. by the Rawal Jaisal the Fort (often called sonar qila) crowns the 80m high Trikuta Hill. About a fourth of the old city's population resides within the fort walls, The fort has 99 bastions around its circumference. There is a group of five Jain Temples within the fort built between the 12th and 15th centuries. The temples are open only till 12 noon.

PATWON KI HAVELI: is the most elaborate and magnificent, best known for tis latticed facade.

SALIM SINGH KI HAVELI: was built baout 300 years ago and is still lived in. It has a beautiful arched roof with carved brackets in the form of peacocks.

EXCURSION
GHADISAR had once supplied water to the city; the temples and archways around it have been built by a courtesan. Puppet shows are held her in the evenings.

AMAR SAGAR has the ruins of a once-beautiful garden on the banks of a lake, which is usually dry in the summer months.

SAM is known for its shifting sand dunes and is the venue for the desert festivals

DESERT NATIONAL PARK: lying south-west of Jaisalmer , it is a protected bio-sphere reserve spreading over 3000 sq. km. The awe-inspiring Sam sand dunes are within the park. This also the bustard breeding location and wildlife park where you can see the Indian gazelle(chinkara), eagle and many birds and animals. Foreign tourists require permission from the District Magistrate and Desert National Park office to enter this area. Domestic tourists require permission from the Desert National Park office.

LODURVA has the ruins fo the earlier capital and jain temples which are being rebuilt as reminders of its past splendour.

KULDHARA: enroute to Sam dunes, is a fine example of city planning as it existed in the 13th century. A heritage village today, remanants of almost 600 houses built then show the distinct lifestyles of the era. With rooms marked for womenfolk on the rear side and for men upon entrance, the village testifies the architectural knowledge prevalent then. A temple in the centre of the village has the priest's house opposite it.

FESTIVALS:
Desert Festival. This festival is celebrated on SAM (sand dunes) in the month of Jan & Feb.
Nagaur Fair: A trading fair for cattle and camels in January-February. It is a wonderful opportunity to catch up on rural life as owners from all over the state come to camp onthe outskirts of Nagaur while they buy and sell animals.

SHOPPINGS: : Rugs, bedspreads, table-cloths in mirror work, embroideries and applique work style. Also you can find camel leather goods like bags, hats, wallets and juttis, etc with colorful embroidery. Even chunkey silver jewellery is available.

ACCESS:
By Air Jaisalmer is connceted with Delhi, Udaipur & Jaipur.
By Rail Jaisalmer is conncted to Jodhpur by a broad gauge line via Phalodi.
By Road it is connceted by good roads to Jodhpur (285 km), Bikaner via Pokran (330 km), and Barmer via Devikot (153 km).

SEASONBest season to visit the Jaisalmer in between the October to March

TEMPERATURE (C):

Season	Max.	Min.
Winter(October-March)	28	11
Summer(April-September)	40	25

CLOTHINGS
Summer Light Tropical
Winter Light Wollen

LANGUAGESEnglish, Hindi, Rajasthani,

Hotels in Jaisalmer

Accommodation:
Hotel Rawal Kot, Hotel Gorband Palace, Hotel Rang Mahal, Hotel Narain Niwas, Hotel Mahadev Palace.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY:

Camel Safari:

Quite the most unusual outdoors activity in Rajasthan is to take a camel safari for some or the entire duration of your trip. While the experience can be memorable, it provides an alternative way of exploring this desert state.

Day 01:

Drive out of Jaisalmer to Chandan, an hour-and-a half sway. From here, the camel safari begins for Meghasar camp, a six hour stretch interspersed with lunch.

Day 02:

Traverse some harsh, sandy tracts today to arrive at Jamaniyaki-Dhani for the overnight camp.

Day 03:

A short two-hour safari after breakfast fetches you to the Ashapurna temple where the safari terminates.