Jaisalmer Fort - The Golden Fort of Rajasthan

 

Jaisalmer fort is the largest forts in the world and is the most popular landmark of Jaisalmer city. Unlike other forts of Rajasthan, Jaisalmer fort houses museum, shops, restaurants, residential accommodations, hotels, etc. There are 4 gateways like Ganesh Pol, Akshya Pol, Suraj Pol and Hawa Pol to reach this fort. Jaisalmer Fort is situated on Trikuta Hill and had been the scene of many battles. The main attractions inside the fort are: Raj Mahal (Royal palace), Jain temples and the Laxminath temple.

 

 

The fort was built in 1156, and is a proud chattel of the Bhati clan. Rawal Jaiswal was the founder of Jaisalmer city and Jaisalmer fort was built in his reign. It is a 250 foot tall fort, which is protected by 30 feet long walls. The fort constitutes 99 bastions, amongst these 92 were built between 1633 and 1647. One can see the fusion of Islamic and Rajput architecture in Jaisalmer fort.

 

 

Jaisalmer fort is popularly known as the "Golden Fort or Sonar Kila" because it is made of yellow sandstone. The fort looks golden in the early morning when the first rays of the sun reach the ground. The Jaisalmer fort seems like a palace in the fairy tales and dominates the tinted small town of Jaisalmer. In Jaisalmer there are many elaborate havelis carved from yellow sandstone. Some of these have many floors and countless rooms, with decorated windows, archways, doors and balconies. Some havelis are today museums but most in Jaisalmer are still lived in by the families that built them. Some of the doors and ceilings are notable examples of old carved wood from many hundreds of years ago.

 

 

Jaisalmer serves rest of India by well maintained network of roadways. Deluxe and ordinary buses of Rajasthan Roadways as well as many private operates connects Jaisalmer with Jodhpur, Jaipur, Bikaner, Barmer, Mount Abu etc.  Jaisalmer is served by both broad gauge and metre gauge railway tracks. Direct trains from Delhi, Jaipur and Jodhpur can be availed to reach Jaisalmer. The luxury train 'Palace on Wheels' can also be availed to reach Jaisalmer. Once you reach the Jaisalmer it is very easy to reach the Jaisalmer fort as it is at a walkable distance from the city.