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Jaisalmer Sightseeing |
| Gadsisar Lake |
| Gadsisar Lake in
Jaisalmer, the rainwater fed reservoir, was built in 1156 AD and rebuilt
in 1367AD by Maharwal Garsisingh.
This is a attractive rain water lake with numerous beautiful shrines
around and a impressive variety of birds frequenting it. This is a
perfect place for a romantic ride in a boat. |
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| Jaisalmer Fort |
| jaisalmer Fort is the most alive of any museum, fort or palace that
you are likely to visit in India. It was built in 1156 by the Rajput
ruler Jaisala.The fort stands almost 30
metres over the city and houses an entire living area within huge
ramparts. Walking through the narrow lanes is an experience worth
savouring. It is approached through Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol, Bhoot Pol and
Hawa Pol. Also, within it are many beautiful havelies and a group of
Jain temples dating from the 12th to the 15th centuries.
Jaisalmer fort by nightfall is a sight to behold, it has all the romance
and suspense of a Hitchcockian mystery. |
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| Nathmalji Ki Haveli |
| The lovely haveli was built in 19th Centurey by two architect brothers.
Paintings in minuscule style monopolies the walls in the interior. Mighty tuskers carved out of yellow
sandstone stand guard to the haveli. The left and right wings of the mansions,
which were carved by two brothers, are not identical but very similar and balanced in design. |
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| Salim's Singh Haveli |
| This haveli was built about 300 years ago and part of it is still engaged.
Salim Singh was the prime minister when Jaisalmer was the capital of a princely state, and his house
has a beautifully vaulted roof with superb imprinted brackets in the form of peacocks. The mansion is
just below the hill and it is said, once had two additional wooden storeys in an attempt to make it as high
as the Maharaja's palace,but the maharaja had the upper storeys torn down. The mansion is one of
the most notables of the array of havelis |
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| Jain Temple |
| The first temple you come around is the one devoted to Chandraprabhu, the eighth tirthankar (Jain Teacher),
whose symbol is the moon. It was built in 1509 and features fine stonework sculpture in sandstone in Mandapa.
Visiting the group of Jain temples in Jaisalmer will turn out to be a different, yet exclusive experience.
These fine temples were built in the 12 th to 15 th century, within the Jaisalmer Fort. They are beautifully
imprinted and dedicated to Rikhabdevji and Sambhavnathji. The Gyan Bhandar, a library containing some extremely
old manuscripts, is within the temple complex. |
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| Manak Chowk |
| Outside the fort is the main market place called Manak Chowk which is the centre of local activity.
The market area is very colorful abounds in various souvenirs. It is a perfect place to visit a number of
the breathtakingly beautiful havelis with latticed facades. It was wonderful the view the
comprehensive architectural work in various havelis as well as Patwon ki haveli and Salim Singh ki haveli. |
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| Patwon Ki Haveli |
| The five Patwa havelis were the first ones to crop up in Jaisalmer and are known
locally as the Patwon-ki-haveli. The first was constructed circa 1805 by a merchant
called Guman Chand Patwa and is the biggest and the most pretentious. Patwa was a man of
significant means, and for his five sons he built the elaborate five-storeyed complex which
reportedly took 50 years to finish. All five houses were constructed in the first 60 years
of the 19th century. The havelis are also known as the ‘mansion of brocade merchants’ as the
family ostensibly dealt in threads of gold and silver used in embroidering dresses. |
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