Visitor Information
- Famous for: History, Craftsmanship, Architecture
- Entrance fee: 50 per person for Indians and Rs. 250 per person for foreigners
- Visiting time: 6 AM to 5 PM (Daily)
- Visit Duration: 2 -3 hours
Jaisalmer Fort is located in the magnificent city of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. Set on the Trikuta Hill in the midst of the vast Thar Desert, this fort is an epitome of strength and symbolizes the power of the Rajput dynasty. Constructed way back in the 12th century by the mighty Rawal Jaisal, this imposing fort is famed to be one of the largest ever built. Throughout history, this fort has been the center of many important changes and has repeatedly witnessed the siege of Muslim rulers. Even though during the rule of the British, the eminence of the place temporarily diminished, it came back to prominence due to its geographical setting. Locally called the ‘Sonar Quila’ and popularly nicknamed the ‘Golden Fort’ due to the golden aura that seems to engulf the fort during each sunset, this fort is one of the most popular tourist spots of Rajasthan.
Traveler Tips
- Carry hats, sunglasses and do drink lots of water to combat the heat.
- The fort is a mini-city in itself and requires a lot of walking around to explore the multitude of shops and eateries around.
- Allocate time to look around as there is a lot to take in and is better done when not in haste.
Things to do
- Visit the intricate and calm Laxminath and Jain temples for some serenity.
- Walk to the top of the hill and look down at the mesmerizing view of the surrounding locality.
- Roam through the zigzagging alleys and explore every nook and corner inside the Fort.
- Lay back and look at the changing hue of the fort at different times of the day.
- Try out the ethnic, local cuisines from the plethora of eateries at Dussehra Chowk.
Availability of Guides
Guides are available in both Hindi and English for a fee. Rs.400 would be the ideal amount to hire these guides for.
Best Time to Visit
This majestic structure is situated right in the middle of the desert and so, the best time to visit would be during the colder months of October to March in order to avoid the scorching heat. The evenings are relatively cooler and are good to sightsee.
How to Reach
As it is a prime tourist spot, there are many autos and cabs available from all the main locations like the Railway Station. It is located in the Manak Chowk on the Fort Road. A walk on the hillside is how the fort is reached.
Interesting Facts and Trivia about the Jaisalmer Fort
- It is the second largest fort in Rajasthan and is located at an altitude of about 250 meters on top of a hill.
- It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its prominent architecture and the importance it had during the course of history.
- The structure is a fortification consisting of three layers, with the outermost being made totally out of stone as it was the first layer of protection against enemies.
- It has a total of 99 bastions with almost 93 of them being constructed at a later point in history at around 1638 AD.
- A novel, Sonar Kella, and a consecutive movie was made with this location as the prime spot by the renowned novelist Satyajit Ray. This led to the spread of the fame of this site.
- Alauddin Khilji attacked the Fort and gained control over it for a period of almost 9 years.
- It has a blend of both the Rajput and Mughal style of architecture.
- This fort can be accessed by the four entrances with one of them having cannons in front of them.
- An intricate drainage system called the ‘Ghut Nali’ was designed for allowing proper disposal of drainage from the Fort area.
Nearby Attractions
- Kuldhara Village
- Bada Bagh
- Patwon Ki Haveli
- Government Museum
Nearby Restaurants
- Lakeview Lounge Restaurant
- Trio
- Jaisal Italy
- Desert Boy’s Dhani
- Natraj Restaurant
- Kabab Corner
This amazing structure which houses so many people and contains a whole different world within itself is a must-visit for anyone wanting to get to know the true history and culture of Rajasthan. With a plethora of options to eat in, shop and roam around while continuously marveling at the ingenious craftsmanship and architecture, this Fort truly captures the soul of both the ancient and modern Jaisalmer.
