Amar
Saggar
6 kms. on way to Luderwa the natural spot
developed by Maharawal Amar Singh is a water
reservoir in 1688 AD. The dams were
constructed to hold rainwater. Several
terraces are formed where summer palaces,
temples are constructed & Garden developed.
On the south of the lake stands the
exquisitely carved Jain temple constructed
by Himmat Ram Bafna, the descendant of
famous patwas.Jaisalmer Fort
Built in 1156 by the Bahtti Rajput ruler
Jaisala, and reinforced by later rulers, the
fort crowns the 80m - high Trikuta Hill.
Over the centuries it was the focus of many
battles between the Bhatties, the Mughals of
Delhi and the Rathores of Jodhpur. This is
one of the planets only living forts, with
one quarter of the old city's population
residing in it. The fort has 99 bastions
around its circumference and is protected by
three walls. The lower wall is of solid
stone blocks which reinforce the loose
rubble of which Trikuta hill is composed.
The second wall snakes around the fort, and
between this and the third, of inner, wall,
the warrior Rajputs hurled boiling oil and
water, and massive round missiles on their
unwitting en emies below.
It is fascinating to9 wander around this
living fort. It is packed with houses,
temples, handicraft shops and honeycombed
with narrow, winding lanes, all of them
paved in stone. It is also quite as vehicles
are not allowed up here. Even building
materials have to be carried up by camel
cart. The fort walls provide superb views
over the old city and surrounding desert.
Strolling around the outer fort ramparts is
a popular activity at sunset. The fort is
entered from First Fort gate tough it is
forbidding series of massive gates via an
enormous stone paved ramp, which leads to a
large courtyard. The former Maharaja's seven
storeys Palace, Rajmahal, fronts onto this.
The square was formerly used to review
troops, hear petitions and present
extravagant entertainment for important
visitors.
Patwon ki Haveli
The Haveli built between 1800 and 1860, was
built by five Jain brothers who made their
fortunes by trading jewellery and fine
brocades. This Haveli is divided into five
apartments. The first Haveli is a private
museum and shop, featuring displays of old
furnishings and household items. The second
and fifth Havelis are government run. They
are em pty but you can wander around and soak
in the atmosphere. Only the ground floor is
open on the second Haveli. The third Haveli
is an antique shop and the fourth, a private
residence, is not open for public.
Tazia Tower
The delicate pagoda like Tazia Tower rises
from Badal Mahal (Cloud Palace). Rising in
its five-tiered splendor, with each storey
graced by a delicately carved balcony, the
tower is of historical significance. Muslim
craftsmen built it in the shape of a Tazia
and gifted to their royal patron. Tazias are
ornately decorated bamboo, paper and tinsel
replicas of a bier carried in procession
during Muharram.
Gadisar lake
This tank outside the city walls, once held
the town's water supply, and, befitting its
importance in providing precious water to
the inhabitants of this arid city, is
surrounded by small temples and shrines. A
wide variety of waterfowl flock here in
winter. The tank was built by Maharaja Gadsi
Singh, taking the advantage of a natural
declivity that already retained some water.
The Jain Temple
Within the fort walls, there are seven
beautifully carved Jain Temples built
between the 12th and 15th centuries. The
cluster of temples is connected by a series
of corridors and walkways. Shoes and all
leather items must be removed before
entering the temple. The first temple you
come around is the one dedicated to
Chandraprabhu, the eighth tirthankar (Jain
Teacher), whose symbol is the moon. It was
built in 1509 and features fine sandstone
sculpture in sandstone in Mandapa (Fore
chamber of the inner sanctum of the temple).
Other temples which may be currently
closed to the non - Jains, include the
temple dedicated to Parasnath, a few steps
behind Chandraprabhu. Entry is via an
enormous and beautifully carved torana
(Gateway) that culminates the image of the
Jain tirthankara its apex. There is a
voluptuous carving of an apsara balancing a
set of balls on her raised forearm.
Sam Sand Dunes
Sam village is on the edge of the Desert
National Park. One of the most popular
excursions is to the sand dunes on the edge
of the park, 42 km from Jaisalmer along a
very good sealed road. It is best to be here
at sunrise or sunset, , and many camel
safaris spend a night at the dunes. Just
before the sunset jeep carrying loads of
day-trippers arrive from Jaisalmer to be
chased across the sands by tenacious camel
owners. Despite of the tourist hype, it is
still quite a magical place, and it is
possible to frame pictures of solitary
camels against lonely dunes. The desert dung
beetles are fascinating to watch.
Desert National Sanctuary
The Desert National Park is an excellent
example of the ecosystem of the Thar desert
and its diverse fauna. Sand dunes form
around 20% of the Park. The major landform
consists of craggy rocks and compact salt
lake bottoms, inter medial areas and fixed
dunes which are quite suitable for the
chinkara to move at high speed. The black
buck is another common antelope of this
region. Its other notable inhabitants are
the desert fox, Bengal fox, wolf and desert
cat. Sudashri forest post is the ideal place
for observing the wildlife of Desert
National Park and is the most suitable in
the entire 3162 sq. kms. of this park for
watching and photographing the activities of
the animals from behind cover.
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