You must be very familiar with the name
‘Feluda’. All the literary buffs out there, who are fond of the mind-boggling
work of Satyajit Ray, must have read the renowned ‘Sonar Kella’. Haven’t you?
Well, the exquisite beauty of the ‘Sonar Kella’, as portrayed by Satyajit Ray
in his book, gave us all an urge to apparate to it. This ‘Sonar Kella’ is
nothing, but the very famous- Jaisalmer Fort! The Jaisalmer fort is the very
pride of Rajasthan, rather India!
Every year, Jaisalmer, The Golden City of
India, is visited by a large number of folks from around the world, owing to
the majesty of this great fort. Jaisalmer is an excellent place to visit for
vacations, by a large number of people from all nearby states and cities, like
Jaipur, Agra, and the capital New Delhi, as is evident from the legions of
flights being booked everyday to Jaisalmer, with the most popular ones, being
the New Delhi to Jaisalmer flights.
India, is visited by a large number of folks from around the world, owing to
the majesty of this great fort. Jaisalmer is an excellent place to visit for
vacations, by a large number of people from all nearby states and cities, like
Jaipur, Agra, and the capital New Delhi, as is evident from the legions of
flights being booked everyday to Jaisalmer, with the most popular ones, being
the New Delhi to Jaisalmer flights.
Built in 1156 AD by Rawal Jaisal, the then
Rajput ruler, this fort stands out gloriously on the Trikuta Hill. Located in
the heart of the Jaisalmer city, it seems to be drowned in the great Thar
Desert. This region had been the battleground for a plethora of battles fought
among the Bhattis, the Mughals of Delhi and the Rathores of Jodhpur.
Rajput ruler, this fort stands out gloriously on the Trikuta Hill. Located in
the heart of the Jaisalmer city, it seems to be drowned in the great Thar
Desert. This region had been the battleground for a plethora of battles fought
among the Bhattis, the Mughals of Delhi and the Rathores of Jodhpur.
This magnificent fort is built entirely from
the yellow sandstone, which gives it a honey-gold colour. In the daytime, when
the bright rays of the sun kiss the fort, they glitter it with a golden touch;
and along with the yellow Thar Desert all around it, the entire city appears
golden and lustrous, just like an enormous gold mine! For this reason, the
Jaisalmer Fort is also popularly known as the Sonar Quila (Sonar, which means
golden; Quila, which means fort).
the yellow sandstone, which gives it a honey-gold colour. In the daytime, when
the bright rays of the sun kiss the fort, they glitter it with a golden touch;
and along with the yellow Thar Desert all around it, the entire city appears
golden and lustrous, just like an enormous gold mine! For this reason, the
Jaisalmer Fort is also popularly known as the Sonar Quila (Sonar, which means
golden; Quila, which means fort).
There are four entrances to the fort, Raj
Mahal (Royal Palace), Laxminath Temple, four massive gateways and Merchant
Havelis. The merchant Havelis are owned by wealthy merchants of Rajasthan and
other parts of northern India. These are now housed by the descendants of the
original builders. These havelis have a number of floors and contain countless
doors, balconies, archways and windows, each made of crafted wood, which
reflects the work of that time. There are approximately 3000 people residing
within the walls of these havelis! The Vyas Haveli and the Shree Nath Palace
are two of the oldest havelis of all. Some of these havelis have now been
converted into museums.
Mahal (Royal Palace), Laxminath Temple, four massive gateways and Merchant
Havelis. The merchant Havelis are owned by wealthy merchants of Rajasthan and
other parts of northern India. These are now housed by the descendants of the
original builders. These havelis have a number of floors and contain countless
doors, balconies, archways and windows, each made of crafted wood, which
reflects the work of that time. There are approximately 3000 people residing
within the walls of these havelis! The Vyas Haveli and the Shree Nath Palace
are two of the oldest havelis of all. Some of these havelis have now been
converted into museums.
Inside
the fort, one can stroll among the streets, selling a multitude of Rajasthani
items. The most sought after is the silver jewellery and the silverware. Do not
forget to buy a piece of the intricately carved silver jewellery for your young
lady! Even the to-be-brides crowd in the shops to buy the jewellery, sold here.
the fort, one can stroll among the streets, selling a multitude of Rajasthani
items. The most sought after is the silver jewellery and the silverware. Do not
forget to buy a piece of the intricately carved silver jewellery for your young
lady! Even the to-be-brides crowd in the shops to buy the jewellery, sold here.
Brassware
is also sold here in abundance. Items of metals like an iron lamp, utensils of
copper and brass, toys of wood and brass are quite adored by the tourists. They
are also a major source of bread and butter of the city locals.
is also sold here in abundance. Items of metals like an iron lamp, utensils of
copper and brass, toys of wood and brass are quite adored by the tourists. They
are also a major source of bread and butter of the city locals.
The
streets are also adorned with colourful Rajasthani puppets, wall hangings, and
other art pieces. One can have a nice treat with the puppet shows, another
popular perk for visiting Rajasthan.
streets are also adorned with colourful Rajasthani puppets, wall hangings, and
other art pieces. One can have a nice treat with the puppet shows, another
popular perk for visiting Rajasthan.
So, come
to Jaisalmer, and experience an altogether different India, the incredible
India!
to Jaisalmer, and experience an altogether different India, the incredible
India!