JAISALMER
Major Places to visit in Jaisalmer
-
1) Jaisalmer fort
2) Patwa ki haweli
3) Nathmal ki haweli
4) Sam sand dunes and camel riding
5) Gadisar Lake
Jaisalmer was our next destination and on our return journey we planned to cover Bikaner. We decided to start after getting fresh in early morning so that we do not end up wasting time in Jaisalmer. We reached Jaisalmer by around 8:30 AM, luckily found a local guide and took some guidance from him and by 10 we were in the Jaisalmer fort. Took a guide (he was just hovering around there) there and started the fort visit. We booked the tickets for the Swiss camp in the Sam sand dunes from the fort only.
It is advisable not go to Sam and then book there. Book from the agencies in the fort and prefer KK. Both the guide and the local person suggested the same. They are government approved and very good. Do bargain for a thousand bucks or so, they will negotiate. Around Rs 3500 for a night in the camp (3-star facility) for 3 people and everything included (including camel ride, dinner, evening snacks, morning breakfast) is quite reasonable. Jaisalmer fort is more about residence for Brahmins in one side and the Kshatriyas on the other side. The guide showed us the places of shooting in the fort, the various gates, the famous temple inside. Do not miss the amazing Jaisalmer view from the fort top and the view of the Last railway station of India (Jaisalmer junction). A special thing about the fort architecture is the interlocking system being used, using the Jaisalmer stone for the construction of the fort, temple, havelis and all.
Jaisalmer Fort
We completed the fort in an hour, and from there on the guide took us to the for Patwa ki haweli through the awesome Marwari houses in the galiyas. It’s almost incredible to describe the architectures of the houses of the Marwari people there.
Marwari Colony
Amazing Marwari house in Jaisalmer
Each house has its own architecture identified by the amazingly created balconies. Patwa ki haweli is about a Marwari garment seller during the time of king. It’s another similar haweli worth noticing for its architecture.
Patwa ki Haweli
The guide explained about the descendents of Patwa who are currently staying in the haweli. Then the guide took us to Nathmal ki haweli. We did not enter it, but look at the architecture from outside. In Nathmal ki haweli one thing worth watching the difference in the haweli of two brothers. The haweli are adjacent and one could not actually find out the difference quickly.
Nathmal ki haweli, Jaisalmer
Did some shopping, where the guide himself took us. We purchase some beautiful glasses created with Jaisalmer stone. By 1 PM we were done and then went for lunch on a cafe on way. And this is the ideal time to taste some special Rajasthan Dal Baati. We could not cover Gadisar Lake.
Started for SAM sand dunes by 2:15 PM. Be sure, you have your petrol tank at least half full, there are no petrol pumps on way to Sam and beyond. And then starts the awesome journey of the Thar deserts. Awesome straight road to the SAM around 42 KM and takes around 45-60 minutes. After the BSF toll, no issues in finding the KK resort.
Sam sand dune Swiss tents
Sam Swiss camp
Checked in our luggage in the Swiss camp. Its very good with wonderful attached western style toilet cum bathroom. Got an extra bed for me. Car parking was outside the campus. After an hour of rest, started for Camel riding at around 4:30 PM through the lovely sand dunes. Sitting on a camel is altogether a different experience. Till the sunset we sat on the sands for. Watching the sunset is the most beautiful part no doubt in that.
Sunset in the desert :phase-1
Sunset desert:phase-2
Sunset : middle stage
Final stage of the sunset
After the sunset, came back to the camp and the evening snacks was ready with the stage about to be set for the Rajasthan local music and folk songs program. There were snacks along with tea served and also there is a bar where one can have drinks. This was followed by the dinner and DJ night. It’s really cold during the night as the sand gets colder very quickly. It’s advisable to take warm clothes. Went for a sound and had a wonderful sleep in the tent. Woke up in the morning. Got fresh. Hot water facility is also available. The breakfast with hot tea was ready. Nice lovely breakfast with poori bhaji, bread butter, poha.
This completed our Jaisalmer trip and it was time to head towards Bikaner
Best time to visit: November->January
BIKANER
Bikaner was not in our plans but with our travel itinerary, we reached Bikaner around noon on Day 4. Still having half a day, before we could start for Delhi, we decided to at least visit areas which we can within the limited time. So we started with the Junagarh fort and the museum. And no doubt, it is better than the previous two forts in Jodhpur and Jaisalmer we visited. The amount of armory in the museum and the way they have been arranged, the POP work of the walls, the height of the fort and the overall architecture, assured us we did not wasted our time. There are free guides available.
Junagarh fort museum
Inside the museum
Junagarh Fort, Bikaner
Junagarh natural air-conditioner
After that we had our lunch and then toured around the city with our car. Finally we went to a shop to get some bikaneri famous mixture, they are quite good. Please get them for sure, otherwise you will miss something. Another two things worth purchasing are the canned roshogullas (canned roshogullas were first started in Bikaner) and special Rajasthan papad. After that we came back to a hotel arranged by one of my dad’s friends had a nice lovely sleep and next day early morning started for Delhi.
Best time to visit: November->January
This finished one of the more beautiful drives of mine. Overall it has been an excellent experience and new insights came in terms of the highways and historic places of Rajasthan. I hope this description will be really helpful to many. Please put in comments on the areas where I can improve my posts.
???? ?????? ????? ? ??? ??????? ?? ??????? ??????
???????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ?? ??? ?? ?? ???? ???? ?? ? ???? ????? ??? ????? ? ??????? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ?? ????? ?? ???? ????????? ?? ???? ??? ?? ??? ??? ??? ? ??? ???? ???
Anupam,
It was a really a breathtaking post for me as I have a strong desire to visit this Jaisalmer sand dunes and Havelis. The houses of marwadis in Jaisalmer are really amazing, their architecture and carvings as i could see through your pictures are really worth seeing.
The description, the photographs and the way you have portrayed the place really deserves appreciation. I’ll rate this post a 10/10.
How long is the Pak border from here?
Thanks.
the border is 150 kms
Thanks Mukesh for your support.
From SAM sand dunes, the Pak border is around 65 KM, but one can only move ahead another 10-20 KM before BSF blocks the movement.
Regards
Anupam Mazumdar
Dear Anupam ,
This was fantastic series . I thoroughly enjoyed it. All the three monuments you showed in Jaisalmer were fantastic. Even Junagarh fort in Bikaner was amazing.
But I think icing on cake was your Stay in Sam swiss camp. I believe you must have absolutely enjoyed each and every moment the most.
I liked the innovation of showing sunset in desert in phases. Good Job Keep it up……………………
As Neeraj says Bahut badhiya , majaa aa gaya . its true.
As far as posts are concerned , both the chapters were fantastic . Only thing which was disturbing to me was clothes hanging in Jaislamer Fort on the walls ( see photos 2nd and 3rd) . They were some what taking away beauty of the fort …………..
And as far as improvement is concerned,please write with full zeal and passion what all you experienced in the trip , automatically the post becomes overwhelming . Its my belief…………
Like you did in this post……………………..
Finally Thanks once again for virtul tour of these places , beacause already these are on my wish list……………………..
Hi Anupam ,
Thanks for putting up this post with such lovely pictures depicting the antiquity of Raj .
Anupam the post was very short … with very little information about the palaces and forts . I have been to Bikaner and devoted some 5-6 hours in the Jungarh Fort built by the Rathore King ” Rao Bika” on whose name Bikaner was established in the 15th century .
Many pictures of Jungarh are lacking captions . Most prominently the 5th photograph of Bikaner section is of the Council Room in Anup Mahal completely carved and ornamented by gold motifs. The last photo is of Badal Mahal .
You should have even included the famous Durbar Hall where the 7th Century sandalwood throne is placed which the Rathore rulers have brought from Kannauj (Kannauj is the place in UP from where the Rathore’s originated) …… The Durbar Hall has european cathedral like architecture which looks very majestic ……… Even Maharaja Ganga Singhs’ private jet which is placed near the Durbar Hall is missing . There are many misses than hits in this post . ……… I hope you put more pictures of Bikaner.
Anupam you should have added more insight to the post . This excursion of your’s is more looking like you have participated in the reality show “The Amazing Race”.
Try out Rasagoola at Bhikamal Chandmal on the Station Road if you visit again ………… or Lal ji near Kotgate …. very yummy ….
Dear Shekhawatji,
thanks for giving more inputs on “Bikane”… thoroughly enjoyed reading it….
Thanks Giriraj,
But Bikaner was never on our itinerary. As i mentioned, we got some time, so we thought of visiting whatever we can in Bikaner. If I do get to Bikaner in future, i will do that for sure.
Regards
Anupam
????? ??,
?????? ????. ????? ??? ????????? ????? ?? ?????? ??. ???????? ?? ?? ???????? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ??? ?? ???????? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ?? ???? ??.
?? ?????? ??????? ??? ?? ???????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ???, ???? ?? ?? ??? ????? ?? ?? ???????? ?? ???????? ????? ??? ?? ??? ????. ???? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ???????? ??.
???????.
Thanks Kavita,
Canned Roshogullas were started in Bikaner, not the roshogullas :-)
Regards
Anupam Mazumdar
Rana (Anupam),
Its really very informative. The pics of the Havelis are really breathtaking. To me its almost as if I have visited the places…
Keep up the great work.. waiting for the 3rd post on Rajasthan…
love,
Monish Guha (Mausaji)
:-
beautiful story,very good photos.
?? ????? ? ?????? ???????? ????? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?? ???? ??? ?? ??? ?????, ?? ???? ??? ????? ?? ??? ???? ???????
??? ????? ?? ??? ?? ???? ?? ???? ??? ????? ?? , ??? ???? ??? ?? ??? ? ?? ??? ??? ??? ?? ???? ??? ??? ???? ?? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ??? ? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ? ?? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ????? ??? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ? ??? ? ??? ???????? ????? ?? ??? ?? ? ???? ?
?? ??: ??????? ??????
?? ???? ??? ????? ?? ??? ?? ?????, ???? ??? ????? ???? ?? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ?? ?? ?? ????? ?? ??, ???? ???? ???? ???? ??? ?? ????? ??????, ??? ??? ????? ?? ???? ???? ???? ??? ??, ???? ???? ?? ?? ???? ??? ??? ?? ?? ???? ??? ??? ???? ?? ??? ?? ???? ????? ????, ??? ??? ???? ???-??? ??? ??, ?? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ?, ?? ?????? ???? ?? ?? ??? ?? ????? ?????, ????? ??? ?? ??? ?? ????? ?? ??, ???? ????? ??? ????? ???? ??, ??? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ?? ?? ????? ??? ??? ??? ????, ?? ??? ??? ?? ?? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ?? ???? ??? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ??? ??? ?? ??? ????, ????? ?????, ????? ?????? ??, ?????, ??? ???? ??? ???? ???? ??? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ?? ???? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ????? ??? ??? ???? ????? ?? ?? ??????? ?? ? ?????, ??? ???? ?? ??? ???? ?? ?? ???? ?? ????, ??? ???? ?? ????………… ??? ???……………
??? ??????? ??? …..?? ??? ??
??? ?? ?? ????? ?? ????? ???? ?? |
???? ?? ?? ??? ?? ?? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ?? ??? ????? ?? ??? ?? ???? ?? …..?? ?? ??? ?? ?? ????? ?? ???? ??? … ??? ??????? ???? ???? ?? ???? ??? ?? …..
??? ?? ???? ?? ?? ??????? ??? ????? ???? ?? ??? ????? ????? ????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ???? ???? ?? ???? ????? …..
” ????? ???? ????????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ?? ” ???? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ?????? |
???????…
?????
?? ????? ??? , ?? ??? ???? ?? ??? ?? ?? ?? ???? ?? ????????? ??? ????? ?????? ? ????????? ??? ?? ?? ??? ????? ?? ?? ??????? ??? ?? ??????? ?? ???? ? ???? ???? ?? ???? ?? ????? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ??? ?? ? ???? ??? ??? ??????? ?? ??? ?? ??????? ?? ?? ??? ??? ???? ??? ????? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ??? ???? ?? ????? ????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ??? ?? ?? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????
?????? ??, ?? ???? ???? ??? ?? ??? ?? ??? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ??? ??? ??????? ??? ???, ????? ????? ?? ??? ??? ??? ?? ??? ????? ???? ??? ? ??? ??? ??????? ?? ???? ?? ??? ???? ???? ???? ????? ?? ???? ??? ????? ?? ?? ???? ????? ?? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ??? ?? ???? ???? ??? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ???, ??????? ???????? ?? ???? ?? ??????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ???????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ??????? ?? ?? ??? ?? ??????? ???? ??? ???? ??? ???? ???? ??? ????? ???? ?? ??? ??? ???? ??????? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ??? ?? ???????? ??? ?? ???????.??? ?? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ?? ???? ?? ????, ??? ?? ?? ??? ??? ???? ??? ?? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ??? ?? ?? ??? ??? ?? ???? ???? ?? ??? ??? ?? ????? ???? ????? ??????? ???????.??? ?? ???? ???? ????? ??? ??? ??? ?? ???? ???? ????? ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ??? ???? ???, ????? ?? ??????? ???????? ?? ??? ??? ?? ??? ?? ??????, ??????? ?? ?? ??? ?? ?? ?? ??????? ???? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ???
Aanupam Mazumdar ji
Well written post alongwith awesome and beautiful Haweli & Fort pictures……Sunset pictures are very beautiful….
Nice to know canned roshogullas (????????? ?????????) were first started in Bikaner but roshogullas were first started from Orrisha after W.Bangal.
One suggestion for you that please mentioned Road Condition, National Highway Name, Conveyance, Expenses etc. in your next post.
Thanks for nice post
Ritesh………
Thanks Ritesh, but this is just part 2. Part 3 is yet to be published which the one with Road Review.
Also please go through part 1 for jodhpur.
Regards
Anupam Mazumdar
??? ???? ??? ????? ???????????? ?????? ???, ???? ???? ?? ???? ???? ????? ?? ??? ?? ???, ?? ???? ???? ??????????? ??? ?? ??? ?? ???? ?? ???? ????? ?? ???? ????? ????? ??? ????? ???? ??? ??? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ???????? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ?? ?? ???? ?? ???? ???? ??? ????? ????? ??? ??? ??????? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ??????? ???? ???? ??????? ?????
??????, ??? ?? ????? ??; ??? ?? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ?? ????? ???? ???? ?? ?? ??? ??? ?? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ???????? ???? ??? ?? ??? ????? ??? ?? ????? ???????? ???? ?? ??????? ??????? ????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ????? ???????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ??????? ???????? ??????? ???? ?? ?? ??? ??????? ???? ????
?? ?? ??? ?? ?? ???? ???? ????? ???????? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ??? ???, ???? ??? ?? ????????? ??? ???? ???????? ???, ??????? ?? ????????? ???? ?? ?? ???? ?? ??? ????? ????? ??? ??? ???? ???? ??? ????? ?? ???????? ???? ???? ?????? ????? ?????????? ???? ???????
??? ???, ?????? ???, ????????, ???? ????? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??? ???? ?????????? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ?? ?? ???? ?? ???? ??? ????? ?? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ???? ???????? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ? ??? ?? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?? ??? ?????
Anupam Superb pics. There is another beautiful temple at the outskirts of Jaisalmer. As for Bikaner apart from museaum the Katni Mata Temple is also. worth a visit.
sorry for tupo its Karni Mata tTemple where rats are all over the place :)
Manish….. that is “Deshnok Temple ” devoted to Karni Mata ……. She was born there and attained moksha in Deshnok itself……….
Rats are protecting the temple and is considered as a “vahan” for mata ji
Self driven tour of 5 days require great courage and planning. Hats off to you.
Clock museum is really interesting. And the camel ride seems so enchanting on the sand too.
So did u roll over in sand?
Oh yes, i did offcourse :-)
Its actually amazing to roll over in the sand. The local muslims will also encourage you for going for a camel racing if you want :-)
Anupam Mazumdar
well done mr anupam and i m really happy the way you have explained everything and i felt good to know ur taste to go for longer drive .u can try delhi to kanyakumari after the comletion of north-south corridor which should around 33oo km. Keep posting ur further such nice drive experiences
Hi Mr Sunil,
Thanks for the motivation and encouragement. Although not possible in the near future, but i will never have the drive from Delhi to Kanyakumari once atleast in my life. Don’t know when that dream will be fulfilled :-).
Regards
Anupam Mazumdar
Well done Anupam but I am more with Giriraj on adding more insights, info :-).
Our trip to Sam didn’t go well. The tents were pretty basic and non-inviting and it went very very cold. We were staying at ‘Mandir Palace’ (King’s palace, a portion of which is given to ‘Welcome Group’ and they run it as a ‘Welcome Heritage’ property) so those comforts pulled us back but I have been thinking of SAM ever since. Some day, to stay there and watch a star studded night in the veerana of Thar.
Thanks Nandan, i agree, but as i mentioned i can add insights only when i visit in more detail.
For Bikaner it was a limited time and within that whatever we covered i tried to put that. Bikaner was never in our itinerary.
If you go through Jaisalmer and Jodhpur, i have tried to provide a more detailed insight.
And again thanks for continously providing your valueable feedbacks :-).
Regards
Anupam Mazumdar
Rana,
Darun laglo writeup ta pore aar chhabi gulo dekhe… Guess who am I…
hi
anupam g
greeting from k.k. resorts
we thanks alot write about us
k.k. resorts
if u like our place plz review us on tripadviser
http://www.tripadvisor.in/Hotel_Review-g297667-d1750643-Reviews-KK_Resorts_Camps-Jaisalmer_Rajasthan.html
thanks alot
Hi Anupam,
Thanks for the valuable information.
Hi …friend. Great to read your descriptive experience of vibrant Rajasthan. Makes me want to go there soon., and Jaisalmer and Bikaner are definately on my must visit places. One of our group members is from Bikaner, and has invited to visit.
Thanks
Manju Mam, you can go through my other blogs in ghumakkar also, specially this complete series in 3 parts
https://www.ghumakkar.com/author/anupam-mazumdar/
Happy to be of help