Shimmering sand dunes and brilliant turbans,
lissome lasses in gauzy veils and mirror-worked skirts, caparisoned camels and
a fortress in shades of burnished gold and latticed screens—Jaisalmer in the desert state of
Rajasthan is truly the clichéd Arabian Nights fantasy come alive. Condé Nast
Traveller picks ten things that you must do while here:
Be
a king for a day
Built in 1156, the golden yellow Jaisalmer Fort is the second-oldest in Rajasthan. The sandstone Fort crowns the Trikuta Hill and stands sentinel over the city. Within its walls, defended by 99 turrets, lies the old city. Walk through four gargantuan gates in to the chaotic streets of the squat Sonar Quila. The most extraordinary part of the fort is that more than 4,000 people still live within its ancient walls. Walk through the maze of tiny lanes lined with temples, havelis, and palaces as well as souvenir shops and skilled artisans. Finally, feast on panoramic views of the city from several ‘cannon points’.
Built in 1156, the golden yellow Jaisalmer Fort is the second-oldest in Rajasthan. The sandstone Fort crowns the Trikuta Hill and stands sentinel over the city. Within its walls, defended by 99 turrets, lies the old city. Walk through four gargantuan gates in to the chaotic streets of the squat Sonar Quila. The most extraordinary part of the fort is that more than 4,000 people still live within its ancient walls. Walk through the maze of tiny lanes lined with temples, havelis, and palaces as well as souvenir shops and skilled artisans. Finally, feast on panoramic views of the city from several ‘cannon points’.
Be
a culture vulture
Visit the Desert Cultural Centre as well as the Folklore Museum to get an insight into the rich cultural heritage of the region. Get a glimpse of paintings, post cards, old coins, ancient manuscripts, costumes, jewellery and ornate camel and horse decorations. Admire local handicrafts, wall hangings, portable altars and even clay reproductions of haveli facades. Don’t leave without watching the evening puppet show.
Visit the Desert Cultural Centre as well as the Folklore Museum to get an insight into the rich cultural heritage of the region. Get a glimpse of paintings, post cards, old coins, ancient manuscripts, costumes, jewellery and ornate camel and horse decorations. Admire local handicrafts, wall hangings, portable altars and even clay reproductions of haveli facades. Don’t leave without watching the evening puppet show.
Hit
a Spiritual High
The most beautiful part of the fortress is the cluster of sandstone Jain temples with soaring spires built in the 12th and 15th centuries with scalloped arches, cornices and delicate filigree work. Don’t forget to peek into the Parsvanath Temple dedicated to the 22nd Tirthankara with its ornate ceiling which has a sculpture of a demon-like head with four bodies arranged in a circle. As you walk around, the head seems to connect to each of the bodies. Don’t leave without visiting the dimly lit Gyan Bhandar library in the basement which houses rare manuscripts.
The most beautiful part of the fortress is the cluster of sandstone Jain temples with soaring spires built in the 12th and 15th centuries with scalloped arches, cornices and delicate filigree work. Don’t forget to peek into the Parsvanath Temple dedicated to the 22nd Tirthankara with its ornate ceiling which has a sculpture of a demon-like head with four bodies arranged in a circle. As you walk around, the head seems to connect to each of the bodies. Don’t leave without visiting the dimly lit Gyan Bhandar library in the basement which houses rare manuscripts.
Be a foodie!
Feast on Rajasthani cuisine which is predominantly influenced by the scarcity of water and fresh green vegetables. Meat eaters should sample the non-vegetarian delicacy laal maas, a dish of lamb cooked in red hot chilli peppers. Vegetarians will love ker saangri, an unusual but delicious vegetarian dish made with desert beans and capers and the calorific dhal bhati churma and panchkoota, five desert vegetation cooked in yoghurt. Drink local lassi topped with copius amounts of cream and indulge your sweet tooth with ladoos made out of gram flour.
