Top 12 Places to Visit in Jaisalmer is a glittering city in the desert state of Rajasthan and a popular tourist attraction of India. Decorated with yellow sandstone castles set against golden sand, the city is known as the ‘Golden City’. Founded by Rawal Jaisal in 1156, Jaisalmer exudes a primordial vibe and narrates stories of valor of the Rajputana warrior kings. Besides hosting tourists from across the globe, the city fortifies our country along the India-Pakistan border.
Jaisalmer translates to ‘the Hill Fort of Jaisal’, and is embellished with a vibrant history, colorful attire, and kaleidoscopic culture. It is popular for its picturesque sand dunes, iconic forts, and sprightly camels. Jaisalmer Fort, Sam Sand Dunes, Bada Bagh, Desert National Park, the Jain temples, and numerous Haveli are prominent tourist attractions of Jaisalmer.
The ancient Akal Wood Fossil Park, unearthly Kuldhara Village, and reverential Longewala War Memorial are among the offbeat places to visit in Jaisalmer. Experience the assorted culture of Rajasthan and explore its rich heritage by visiting the Top 12 Places to Visit in Jaisalmer from the list below.
Jaisalmer Fort – Heart of Jaisalmer
The Jaisalmer fort also known as Sonar Quila is the most important icon of the city amongst the list of places to visit. Rising from the sandy plains of the desert in all their majestic splendor, the fort rises in all its splendor with massive battlements, thick embattled sandstone walls, and has about 99 bastions around its imposing facades. Raja Rawal Jaisal, a ruler of Bhatti, founded the city who ruled somewhere around 1156 AD Jaisalmer Tour Packages.
Today, the fort is one of the most important tourist places and still hosts the following generations of the original inhabitants of the city. Inside, among ruined huts and colorful stalls, examples of exquisite architecture lay intact in its many Havelis and other structures. The wells inside the fort remain an important source of water. Being located at the top of the Trikuta hill, the fort immediately attracts attention. It has many doors. And, the internal structure has beautiful palaces and sandstone figures, delicate pavilions, splendid balconies. The fort is almost five stories high and is popular with local and international travelers Top 12 Places to Visit in Jaisalmer.
Sam Sand Dunes- Embrace the enchanting golden Sands
Any excursion to the city of Jaisalmer Tourism is incomplete without venturing to see the great deserts of Rajasthan. And, Sam’s dunes are the ideal place to visit. Sam has truly spectacular views of vast dunes and layers upon layers of sand, which extend as far as the eye can see, with little or no vegetation dotting the area.
Therefore, it is a great place to enjoy Desert Safari, which is organized here for travelers and guests. Visitors can join camel safaris, taking them to the heart of the Thar, where the tents are closed, allowing them a full experience of the Indian desert. Seeing the sunset behind the horizon and watching the fantastic view of the stars rising in the sky is breathtaking Top 12 Places to Visit in Jaisalmer.
During February and March, the entire region becomes a cultural center with a series of organized festivals and events. All showcasing the colorful glory and lifestyle of Rajasthan. Many attractions such as various cultural competitions, camel races, folk dance performances, puppet shows, and other similar festivals are highly appreciated by locals. Travelers who come here to take full advantage of their surroundings have a unique atmosphere and distinctive eminently characteristic of the region.
Gadi Sagar Lake -Divine bliss of temples and tranquil waters
Located on the outskirts of the main city of Jaisalmer. One of the most important places to visit in Jaisalmer is Gadsisar Lake and forms a major tourist attraction for people who arrive in “The Golden City”. The lake, however, is not an oasis but a water conservation project, established around 1400 AD. C. from the then Maharaja of Jaisalmer, Maharwal Gadsi Singh. At that time it served as the only water reserve for the city of Jaisalmer. And, thanks to its natural inclination and its surroundings. It was also a site for rainwater conservation.
In the following years, the addition of numerous religious temples and shrines took place, and hence, it gained importance as a place of pilgrimage. Now popular as a tourist spot, visitors can venture into the lake in winter. Moreover, they have the chance to see a variety of migratory and local birds, they descend here due to its proximity to the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Don’t forget to bring a good pair of binoculars and a quality camera to capture the fascinating essence of the place Top 12 Places to Visit in Jaisalmer.
Salim Singh Ki Haveli – Revel in the grandeur of Past
Built with a unique structure with incredibly elegant architecture, Salim Singh ki Haveli is quite an attraction. Hence, it ranks 5th in the list of places to visit in Jaisalmer The Havelis on the site today are built on older Havelis that were a structure from the late 17th century. Salim Singh commissioned the current structure in 1815, who was the Prime Minister of the kingdom. At a time when the city of Jaisalmer was the capital. The haveli is decorated with an excellent and beautiful design.
The roof of the structure is built in the shape of a peacock. And, the front facade is reminiscent of the stern of a ship, which is why the building is also called the Jahaz Mahal. There are a total of 38 balconies, all with a different and complex setting and style. Like all Havelis that dot the region, Salim Singh ki Haveli is also decorated with sandstone fangs that look quite fascinating. The site remains open from early in the morning until 5 in the morning and remains full of visitors throughout the day Top 12 Places to Visit in Jaisalmer.
Patwon ki Haveli – Hedonism at its peak
Patwon ki Haveli is one of the most important structures of Jaiselmer, being one of the most precious from the architectural and historical point of view of the city. The structure is important, as it was the first haveli constructed in Jaisalmer. It is also a set of 5 Havelis built together, which is unique. The first of these structures, which is also the largest of all, was built in 1805, then 5 more floors were added. However, the whole building has been completed in about 60 years Top 12 Places to Visit in Jaisalmer.
Today it is a frequently visited place and attracts visitors to its door for its exquisite architecture and elegant views. However, it is currently in use and the office of the Archeological Survey of India and the State Department of Arts and Crafts are located within the building. But despite its frequent use and consumption, it still has enough charm in the form of beautiful paintings, a mirror world, and elegant representations on the walls to fascinate its admirers.
Tanot Mata Temple – Get the holy blessings from the divine Tanot Mata
The incredible gathering of Indians with magic and supernatural has been known since time immemorial. And, many such stories have been popular in folklore throughout its history. The Tanot Mata temple is also associated with a fascinating history as it has become a popular tourist spot for curious, local, and international visitors. According to legend, during the controversial war between India and Pakistan in 1965, the Pakistani army dropped several bombs to destroy the temple, fortunately, and surprisingly, none of them hit the temple.
Also, several bombs dropped near the temple have not even exploded. As a result, the temple became known in the region as familiarity with divine or magical powers. After the war, Indian border security forces jawans (soldiers) have been managing the temple. The temple now has a museum that displays many of the warlike objects, including unexploded and scattered bombs Top 12 Places to Visit in Jaisalmer.
Kuldhara Village – Get ready for the Spooky Experience
One of Jaisalmer’s most famous sites, the Kuldhara Chudail Trail is popular for most mysterious and incredible tales. Although the site is now in ruins, the associated legend has a charm that has made Kuldhara a frequently visited tourist destination. The history of the place is as follows: Kuldhara was the home of the 12th century Paliwal Brahmins. The government planned the city well with perpendicular roads, ending with houses with adequate rural structures for water, etc.
However, after living there for many generations one night, the villagers suddenly disappeared without a trace. Questions such as where and why they went have long puzzled scientists, historians, and ordinary people. However, a conjectural story about Kuldhara is famous. That the kingdom minister who was ruling at the time saw the village chief’s girl and wanted to marry her. He imposed a 24-hour ultimatum on them to marry the girl with him. Otherwise, he would forcibly enter the village and take her away.
It was to save his daughter’s pride and honor that the heads of the 84 villages met and decided to leave the region. But questions like how they managed to escape at the same time, that nobody saw them go and couldn’t find where they went, still confuse many people who visit and know Kuldhara. Out of curiosity or frightening charm, the place has become a famous landmark and resort for unconventional travelers in Top 12 Places to Visit in Jaisalmer.
Bada Bagh- Bagh of Royal Grandeur
Bada Bagh, which is located around 6 km from Jaisalmer. It is one of the popular places to visit in Jaisalmer, where all the tourists love to visit once for sure. Situated at a short distance from Jaisalmer, this beautiful garden is home to royal tombs.
The artificially built dam in this garden is the main source of water for this garden. Not only for this garden but this dam is also played an important role in serving water to the inhabitants of the city. While visiting this garden, you will see Govardhan Stambh, which was built to celebrate the construction of this artificial dam.
Keep in mind that, among these tombs, some are as old as Jaisalmer’s history, and visit such a historical place will be among the Top 12 Places to Visit in Jaisalmer for you.
Camel Safari – Get Ready Thrill Seekers
A camel safari is one of the best ways to explore the vast dunes and the expanses of solitude and distance as far as the eye can see. Several tour operators organize these safaris, from a single day of stay to excursions of more than a month during which items such as food, water, and shelter are needed, etc. are brought. An escort is provided safely, while most operators also offer local entertainment for evening guests Top 12 Places to Visit in Jaisalmer.
For most travelers, this is one of the most memorable experiences in Jaisalmer. Enjoying local culture, monuments, and monuments during the day while sleeping under the canopy of stars at night is wonderfully incredible. Therefore, tourists also await the camel safaris. And, this is usually their first impression of the city.
Lodhruva – Enchanting deserted ruins, Sublime
Before disappearing into the folds of time Lodhruva was the capital of Jaisalmer in ancient times. This place is one of the offbeat destinations of Jaisalmer. The major attraction of this place is in its Jain temples which are a marvelous example of Dilwara style architecture, Jali works and Maru Gurjara style of architecture.
Lodhruva is also popular for the doomed love story of princess Mumal and Mahendra which is still recited in local folklores and songs. If you are planning to visit Jaisalmer, the charms of Lodhruva will never cease to attract you with its mesmerizing views Top 12 Places to Visit in Jaisalmer.
Akal Wood Fossil Park – Travel back to the prehistoric times
Located 17 kilometers from the city, The Akal Wood Fossil Park on Barmer Road is among the most intriguing places to visit in Jaisalmer. Popular among archeologists and historians, the park is frequently visited by curious tourists, including enthusiastic kids Top 12 Places to Visit in Jaisalmer.
It was declared as a prominent National Geological Monument of India in 1972, as it is strewn with fossils from the prehistoric era. The park sprawls over 21 hectares of land, featuring fossils of wood logs, petrified trunks of non-flowering trees such as Redwood, Deodar, Chir, and exposed tree trunks. These are preserved using iron grills and covered by tin sheets.
You can also witness ancient fossils of Petrophyllum, Equisetitis, and Ptyllophyllum species dating back to around 180 million years, belonging to the early Jurassic period. Fossils and footprints of Pterosaurs were found at Thaiyat.
The fossils of gastropod shells in the area indicate the presence of a sea in the days of yore, and the climate wasn’t as dry as it is today. The park was excavated and maintained by the Geological Survey of India till 1985 and is now maintained by the Forest Department of the Government of Rajasthan.
The Thar Heritage Museum – Exquisite antique pieces of Jaisalmer
This Thar Heritage Museum is a private museum arranged by LN Khatri. He was a student of history and folklorist he collected all the things in his life and then this museum was arranged. This museum consists musical instruments, fossils, kitchen hardware, manuscripts, turbans, weapons etc. Collections of this museum speak about cultures and traditions of Rajasthani people Top 12 Places to Visit in Jaisalmer.
Other attraction of this museum was the puppet show. Here evenings puppet shows will be performed on birth, marriage, demise etc. These puppet shows are famous and attract the tourists very much. And the snake and ladders game is also famous here. These are the collections and attractions of the Thar Heritage Museum.
