Jaisalmer – The Golden Desert Saga !!!

The golden city of “Jaisalmer” lies deep in the heart of Thar Desert bordering Pakistan in the west of Rajasthan. This enthralling city has been labeled as the “Golden City” because of the honey colour that bestowed on its stone bastion by the posing sun. The Jaisalmer City portrays the picture of massive forts, romantic palaces, magnificent havelis and exquisite temples that bask in the glory of setting sun. Most importantly the vision describes the thirsty desert and imperial fort, that can sheer you down with the magic of haze in the sand dunes of Jaisalmer. This elegant fort is impressive enough to brush you with the lost memories of Arabian Nights.

Jaisalmer’s Legendary Tales
According to myth, Lord Krishna, the head of Yadav Clan, foretold Arjuna that a remote descendant of the Yadav Clan would build his kingdom at the top of Trikuta Hills. His divination was fulfilled in 1156 A.D. When the Rawal Jaisal, a descendant of the Yadav Clan and a Bhatti Rajput, abandoned his fort at Lodhruva and founded a new capital Jaisalmer, nestled on the top of Trikuta Hills in Rajasthan.

The descendant of Duda continued to rule over the wise desert kingdom, and in 1541, the Luna Karna of Jaisalmer fought against Humayun, at the time when he passed through Jaisalmer en route to Ajmer, for seeking the blessings of Moin-ud-Din Chisti in Dargah (Sufi City). The relationship between both the dynasty “Jaisalmer rulers and the Mughal Empire” was not always faithful, and various marriages were contracted between the two parties to cement there accords. Later the Jaisalmer came under the confidence of Sabala Simha, who won the patronage of the Muslim Emperor Shah Jahan (governed 1627-58), when he fought with distinction in a campaign at peshawar. Although he was not a legal successor to the throne (Gaddi). But even though, the great Mughal warrior Shah Jahan empowered Sabala Simha with the power to rule Jaisalmer desert. As soon as the Sabala Simha grow in fame , he started annexed areas, which now fall in the geographical boundaries of Bikaner and Jodhpur.

The Falling of the Valor and Pride
In around 13th century “Ala-ud-Din Khilji” the emperor of Delhi, mounted an expedition to Jaisalmer to retrieve treasures, which the Battis had taken from a caravan train en-route to the imperial capital. He laid blockade the Jaisalmer Fort for nearly 9 long years. When the Bhatti Rajputs saw that the defeat was inevitable, it was decided to declare the Jahur act, after which the gallant women of Rajputana started committing self immolation, burning themselves to the flames, while the Rajput warriors donned saffron robes and rode out to certain deaths.

Getting There
Airways : Jodhpur Airport, 300 km is the nearest airport to Jaisalmer, it has
excellent airbase networks with the major cities of India like Jaipur, Delhi
and Mumbai, from where the tourists can hire taxis or take express deluxe buses to reach Jaisalmer.
Railways : Jaisalmer railway station is well connected to the major cities of India. There are regular trains from Jodhpur, Jaipur, Delhi, Alwar that connects Jaisalmer with in a span of few hours. The tourist can take DEE-JSM Express from Delhi’s Sarai Rohilla Station, leaves Delhi around 6 pm and arrives Jaisalmer around 12.45 pm.

Roadways : Jaisalmer is well linked to the national high way No.15, linking Pathankot via Amritsar via Bathinda via Ganganagar via Bikaner via Jaisalmer via Barmer via Samakhiali (near Kandla). Some important distnaces from Jaisalmer are Ajmer ­ 439 km, Jaipur ­ 570 km, Delhi ­ 793 km, Agra ­ 802 km, Mumbai ­ 1140 km.

Local Transport : The most convenient and cheap mode of transportation in Jaisalmer is Rickshaw and Bicycle, but beware of rickshaw drivers at times they can be much demanding, so bargain hard. whereas for good condition bicycle, you can access to Gandhi Chowk, Carpark area outside the Jaisalmer fort.