Rajasthan • 4 monuments
An assemblage of the royal lifestyle, cultural heritage and historical specimen of Rajasthan, the Desert Culture Centre & Museum has to be in your list when visiting Jaisalmer. Visitors to this place are enticed by the rare collections of imperial coins and manuscripts put on display. This is not all as the place boasts of other exhibits including royal weapons and armaments, regal attires, traditional musical instruments, beautiful utensils and much more. Developed by Mr. N.K. Sharma, the venue also displays collections textiles designed using spectacular arts from different parts of the region. Karal, a traditional utensil used for mixing opium, is among the most noteworthy items. Ancient and medieval period fossils can easily gain your attention. When at this popular place, don’t miss the extremely entertaining puppet shows organized in the evening. It also hosts many cultural programmes that are worth attending.
Gadisar Lake (also called Gadsisar Lake) is an eye-pleasing treat in the arid land of Jaisalmer. Excavated as a water tank in 1367 by the local ruler Gadsi Singh, it has attained the designation of a mesmerizing lake over centuries. Numerous richly carved royal cenotaphs (called chattris) add regal glory to the lake. Numerous temples dotting the ghats (banks) of the lake have endowed it with pilgrimage value. Krishna Temple, known for a beautiful statue of Lord Vishnu, is the most notable of these temples. Tilon ki Pol is a magnificent two-storey gateway to the lake and has unprecedented architectural excellence to its credit. Visit the lake in the summer and you can enjoy the presence of numerous migratory birds which make it a worthwhile bird watching destination. Another engrossing activity is a boat ride on the lake. A charming sunrise view is rewarded to the visitors reaching the lake early morning. At evening, the beautiful reflections of sandstone structures in the lake’s waters boast of heavenly grandeur.
Rajasthan’s second oldest fort which shines like gold throughout the day, Jaisalmer Fort is a sandstone wonder which stands on Trikuta Hill amidst the boundless Thar Desert. A witness to numerous battles, the fort came into life in the 12th century when Bhatti Rajput Rao Jaisal built it as his stronghold. The way it changes shades from tawny lion to honey gold towards the day’s end, the fort is rightly called ‘Sonar Quila’ or ‘Golden Fort’. One of the World’s largest forts, it still accommodates life (about a quarter of Jaisalmer’s population). Enter the grand fort from one of the many spectacular gateways, including Akshya Pol, Hawa Pol and Suraj Pol, and an entire world of spectacular architecture opens in front of eyes. Some beautiful palaces inside the fort include Jawahar Vilas, Rang Mahal, Gaj Mahal, Zenana Palace and Moti Mahal. The must-visit sites are the stunning Jain Temples which boast of fascinating carvings. Laxmi Nath Temple, a Hindu religious masterpiece, is yet another wonderful attraction. A trip to the fort is incomplete without exploring the exquisite designs and paintings of numerous mansions (havelis) at the fort. Raj Mahal which now serves as Jaisalmer Fort Museum & Heritage Centre is another section worth visiting as it displays many interesting items of the bygone era. Entry ticket to this part costs INR 30 for Indiana, INR 250 for foreigners and INR 50 and INR 100 respectively for still camera and video camera. One can also purchase interesting handicrafts and traditional clothes from the shops within the complex.
Royal havelis (mansions) are the distinctive attractions in the city of Jaisalmer. Among the most interesting of these structures is Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli which was constructed as the royal residence of city’s Prime Minister Diwan Mohata Nathmal in the late 19th century. A blend of Rajasthani and Islamic architectures, the haveli is most admired for its wall paintings and carvings. One can explore spectacular depictions of animals, cars, fans and a variety of floral designs on the interior walls. Two Muslim brothers Hathi and Lulu were the architects of this grand mansion with two yellow sandstone elephants guarding its doors. The interesting irregular shape of the mansion resulted from the fact that the two architects started building the haveli from two different facets. Beautiful window cuts, fabulous balconies and many amazing architectural elements add to the haveli’s exquisiteness. Even after so many years, the place maintains its royal grace which is worth exploring.
Explore Way to India
© 2026 Way to India. All rights reserved.