JODHPUR - JAISALMER TOUR IN 5 DAYS (FROM JODHPUR)

At a distance of 3.5 km from Jodhpur Junction and 6 km from Jodhpur Fort, Umaid Bhawan Palace is a royal palace located on Chittar Hill in Jodhpur City of Rajasthan, India. It is one of the world's largest private residences and also one of the popular Jodhpur tourist places.

Umaid Bhawan Palace is named after Maharaja Umaid Singh, grandfather of the present Maharaja Gaj Singh. Maharaja Umaid Singh had laid the foundations of this opulent 347 room edifice on 18th November 1929. However, the construction work started in 1943. It took 16 years to complete. This sandstone monument is the only 20th-century palace that was built for a noble cause. The purpose was to give employment to the people of Jodhpur during a long period of drought and famine.

Situated on Chittar Hill, the highest point in Jodhpur, the palace is a blend of Indian and European architectural influences. Edwardian architect Henry Vaughan .....

At a distance of 6 km from Jodhpur Junction, Mehrangarh Fort is an ancient hill fort situated in Jodhpur City. It is one of the renowned historical forts in Rajasthan, and among the must include places in Jodhpur sightseeing packages.

Situated at 410 feet above the city, Mehrangarh Fort was built by Rao Jodha in 1459 AD when he transferred his capital from Mandore to Jodhpur. The fort was named Mehrangarh, meaning 'Fort of the Sun'. Though the fortress was originally started in 1459 by Rao Jodha, most of the fort which stands today dates from the period of Jaswant Singh of Marwar (1638 -78). Today, this fort is preserved and owned by Maharaja Gaj Singh II - the current Rathore ruler.

According to popular folklore, it is believed that to develop the Mehrangarh Fort, the Rao Jodha displaced a hermit called Cheeria Nathji (The lord of birds), who was the hill's lone human occupant. Being angry upon this forced displacement, .....

At a distance of 1 km from Mehrangarh Fort and 5 km from Jodhpur Junction, Jaswant Thada is a royal cenotaph located near Mehrangarh Fort entrance in Jodhpur city of Rajasthan state. It is famed as one of the most beautiful white marble cenotaphs in Rajasthan and also one of the popular Jodhpur tourist places.

Jaswant Thada was built by Sardar Singh of Jodhpur in 1899 CE in memory of his father, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. This cenotaph is an example of architectural brilliance in India. Famed as the Taj Mahal of Marwar, Jaswant Thada is a perfect example of Rajputana style of architecture. It is a white marble memorial, built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. These sheets are extremely thin and polished so that they emit a warm glow when illuminated by the sun.

The main memorial has been built like a temple with intricately marble stone carvings, and impressive sculptures, frescos, domes and pillars. The cenotaph has two more tombs within it. The cenotaph of Maharaja .....

At a distance of 8 km from Mehrangarh Fort and 9.5 km from Jodhpur Junction, Mandore Garden is situated at Mandore, the former capital of Maharajas of Marwar before the establishment of Jodhpur. This is a popular picnic spot for the people of Jodhpur.

The extensive Mandore Garden has high rock hill terrace, making it a popular local attraction. The cenotaphs of former rulers of Jodhpur can also be seen inside the Mandore Garden. These cenotaphs are not of usual shape and are built along the lines of a Hindu temple. These are built of red sandstone and are four stories high, with fine columns and an elegant spire. The cenotaphs of the Maharani are set on a rocky outcrop over the hill. One of the most prominent cenotaphs is that of Maharaja Ajit Singh which was built in 1793 CE.

The garden also has a hall of heroes which holds idols of various folk heroes of the past. Their statues, carved out of rocks and enhanced with brilliant bright colors can be found in this hall. Adjacent .....

At a distance of 1 km from Jodhpur Fort and 5 km from Jodhpur Junction, Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park lies at the foot of Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur city of Rajasthan.

The Park extends across 70 hectares about 200 acres of rocky land surrounding the fort. It was created in 2006 for restoration of natural ecology of rocky wasteland and was opened to the public in 2011. This sandy desert park has rock loving plants which adapts to the arid surroundings.

Mehrangarh Fort here was once a rocky wasteland, colonised by an invasive plant from Mexico known as mesquite or baavlia. In 2006, Jodhpur's current maharaja Gaj Singh II entrusted filmmaker and environmentalist Pradip Krishen with the mammoth task of converting this baavlia­dominated wasteland into a green zone. It was Gaj Singh's great grandfather Maharaja Umaid Singh's wish to convert this arid landscape into a green zone. But the painstaking efforts of a man and his team have transformed the land into a paradise for migratory .....

At a distance of 1.5 km from Jodhpur Junction and 3 km from Jodhpur Fort, Ghanta Ghar, also known as clock tower, is situated in Jodhpur city of Rajasthan. It is one of the major landmarks in Jodhpur and also one of the top places to visit in Jodhpur.
Ghanta Ghar was constructed by Maharaja Sardar Singh Ji of Jodhpur. Beside the tower, there is the Sardar Market that is frequented by tourists on shopping spree. From this market, tourists can purchase Rajasthani textiles, clay figurines, miniature camels and elephants, marble inlay work and classic silver jewellery. One can also shop here for the finest variety of spices. It is a great place to ramble around at leisure.

Timings: 10 AM to 9 PM

At a distance of 2.5 km from Jodhpur Junction and 3 km from Mehrangarh Fort, Sardar Government Museum is located in the middle of the beautiful Umaid Public Gardens on the High Court Road in Jodhpur. It is one of the most famous museum of Rajasthan and also one of the best places to visit in Jodhpur.

Sardar Government Museum was established in 1909 and formally opened to public on 17th March, 1936. Only a century old, the museum was built during the rule of Maharaja Umaid Singh under the able guidance of Edwardian architect, Henry Vaughan Lanchester. The museum is named after Maharaja Sardar Singh of Jodhpur.

The museum is renowned for its fascinating exhibition of the historic items of the bygone era. There are various exhibits and galleries inside the museum which comprise miniature paintings, textiles, stuffed animals like birds, weapons, and local crafts. The museum also exhibits paintings of the rulers, scriptures and images of Jain Tirthankars. The military section of .....

At a distance of 1.5 km from Jodhpur Junction and 4 km from Mehrangarh Fort, Umaid Garden or Umed Garden is a public garden situated in the heart of Jodhpur city. It is one of the popular gardens of Jodhpur and also one of the top places to visit in Jodhpur.

Spread over an area of 82 acres, the famous Umaid Garden was developed by Maharaja Umed Singh and is named after him only. The garden has five separate gates around it to facilitate entry to the garden from different directions. It has lush green lawns with beautiful roses and other seasoned flowers. A walk in the lush environs is refreshing and rejuvenates mind and body. There is also a museum, artistically designed fountains, a library and a zoo inside the garden.

Viceroy Willington of the British Raj had inaugurated the zoo. The zoo is home to tigers, lion, zebra, ostrich and an emu. Monkeys are also seen swinging from trees. A 'Walk-in Aviary' in the zoo was constructed on the garden in 1978. The aviary houses different .....

At a distance of 1.5 km from Jaisalmer Railway Station, Jaisalmer Fort locally known as Sonar Quila (Golden Fort) is located in the heart of Jaisalmer city. It is one of the largest forts in India, and among the must include places in Jaisalmer holiday packages.

Jaisalmer Fort is a World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO under the group hill forts of Rajasthan. Jaisalmer Fort was built atop the Trikuta Hill in 1156 AD by the Bhati Rajput ruler Maharawal Jaisal Singh. It was the center of several historical encounters between the Bhattis, Mughals, and Rathores of Jodhpur. The Fort of Jaisalmer survived several attacks by the Muslim rulers like Aladdin Khilji and Mughal Emperor Humayun. The city also served as a refuge and way-station for caravans and travelers along the Silk Road.

Standing proudly in the middle of the great Thar Desert, this fort is regarded as 'The Pride .....

At a distance of 500 m from Jaisalmer Fort and 2 km from Jaisalmer Railway Station, Nathmalji ki Haveli is a renowned architectural marvel in the heart of Jaisalmer near Patwon ki Haveli. It is one of the prominent Jaisalmer places to visit.

Nathmalji ki Haveli was constructed by Maharawal Berisal in 1885 CE, to serve as the residence of Diwan Mohata Nathmal, the then Prime Minister of Jaisalmer. The chief architects of this haveli were two brothers, named Hathi and Lulu. There is a very interesting story regarding its construction. It is believed that both the brothers started building the facets of the haveli simultaneously. The two sides are similar, but not identical.

This haveli is famous for its architecture that reflects the fusion of both Rajput and Islamic styles. The building is planned around two courtyards; the one in the front is much smaller than the rear one. The front part of the .....

At a distance of 500 m from Jaisalmer Fort and 1.5 km from Jaisalmer Railway Station, Patwon-ki-Haveli is situated in a narrow lane near the Patwa Complex in Jaisalmer. It is the first haveli to have been erected in Jaisalmer and also one of the top places to visit in Jaisalmer.

The Patwon ki Haveli is considered to be the one of the largest as well as the finest haveli of Rajasthan. This haveli is essentially a cluster of five havelis, which was constructed in 1805 CE by Guman Chand Patwa. A rich trader, Guman Chand Patwa constructed five separate sections for his five sons. The first haveli is the main and also the grandest haveli in the complex. The entire construction took over 55 years to complete.

Located in the center of the city, it is truly an outstanding piece of architecture. It is renowned for its ornate wall paintings, intricate yellow sandstone-carved jharokas or balconies, gateways .....

At a distance of 1.5 km from Jaisalmer Railway Station, Salim Singh ki Haveli is an old edifice located at the heart of Jaisalmer city near Jaisalmer Fort. This beautiful architectural building is one of the major tourist places in Jaisalmer.

Salim Singh ki Haveli was built in 1815 CE by Salim Singh, the then Prime Minister of the kingdom when Jaisalmer was the capital. It is said that once the Haveli of Salim Singh had two additional wooden storeys in an attempt to make it as high as the maharaja's palace but the Maharaja did not take this attempt in good spirit. Currently it has only five stories as the upper two tiers were demolished as per the order of the king.

The architecture of this haveli is unique as compared to the other havelis. This mansion was not created with the help of cements and mortar- the stones are connected with strong iron .....

At a distance of 1 km from Jaisalmer Fort and 1.5 km from Jaisalmer Railway Station, the Desert Cultural Centre & Museum is located on the Gadisagar Road in Jaisalmer. It is one of the popular tourist attractions in Jaisalmer.

The museum was established by Mr. N. K. Sharma in the year 1997. The Desert Cultural Centre and Museum exhibits the art, craft and culture of Jaisalmer beautifully. The museum has a large collection of traditional instruments, medieval coins and ethnic artifacts. This is the treasure trove of ethnic Rajasthani jewellery, handicrafts, weapons and fossil works. The museum is maintained by the Tourism Department of Jaisalmer and is a must-visit for history buffs.

Various musical instruments and folk dance related costumes can be found in this museum. Costumes of the erstwhile maharajas and maharanis can also found in the museum. Kitchen tools and culinary tools can be found here, while the Rajasthani arts are presented in the walls, which belonged to painters .....

At a distance of 1.5 km from Jaisalmer Railway Station and 1.5 km from Jaisalmer Fort, Gadisar Lake or Gadsisar Lake is an artificial reservoir in Jaisalmer. It was the only source of water for the Jaisalmer city in the olden days and also one of the best sightseeing places in Jaisalmer.

The Gadisar Lake was constructed by Raja Rawal Jaisal, the first ruler of Jaisalmer, and later reconstructed by Maharawal Gadsi Singh in the year 1367 AD. It is said that this rainwater lake once provided water to the entire town. At present Gadisar Lake gets water from Indira Gandhi Canal so it never dries.

Located towards the south of Jaisalmer city, the entrance to the Gadisar Lake is through a magnificent and artistically carved yellow sandstone archway that is known as the Tilon-Ki-Pol. There are numerous shrines and small temples on the embankment of this lake which can visit during your trip to Jaisalmer. The .....

At a distance of 40 km from Jaisalmer, Sam Sand Dunes are situated at the edge of Jaisalmer Desert National Park in Rajasthan. Lies in the midst of the Thar Desert, these sand dunes are amongst the most popular places to experience Rajasthan Tourism, and also one of the prime places to visit during Jaisalmer tour.

Sam has a truly magnificent stretch of sweeping dunes, with sparse or no vegetation. The 3 km long, and 1 km wide sand dunes reflect the true image of Rajasthan. Undeniably one of the most picturesque spots in the desert, the Sam Sand Dunes have gained a tremendous tourist reputation over time. The unrelieved ocean of sand constantly changes its appearance at every gentle gush of wind. The whirling air currents of this area match with those of the sandstorms in the Sahara.

Camel Safari at Sam Sand Dunes is one of the top things to do in Jaisalmer. The .....

At a distance of 8 km from Jaisalmer Railway Station, Lodurva is a village in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. Famous for Jain temples and other historical monuments, Lodurva is one of the top places to visit in Jaisalmer.

Lodurva was the ancient capital of the Bhatti dynasty till 1156 AD, when Rawal Jaisal founded the Jaisalmer state and shifted the capital to Jaisalmer. The town of Lodurva is much older than Jaisalmer and was sacked several times, most notably by Mahmud of Ghazni in the 11th century CE and then by Mohammad Ghori in the next century.

Today, it is a popular tourist destination, known for its architectural ruins and Jai temples. The temples at Lodurva exhibit some more fine examples of intricate craftsmanship on yellow stone. The Parshvnath Temple is the oldest and the most beautiful of the Jain temples. The temple is dedicated to 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvnath. The walls of the sanctum .....

At a distance of 8 km from Jaisalmer Railway Station and 7 km from Jaisalmer Fort, Bada Bagh or Bara Bagh is a historical garden located on Ramgarh road and halfway between Jaisalmer and Lodurva in Rajasthan.

Bada Bagh means big garden. It is a garden of cenotaphs or chhatris of the royal family of Jaisalmer. A descendant of Maharawal Jaisal Singh, Jait Singh II, commissioned a dam to create a water tank in the 16th century AD. This made the desert green in this area. After his death, Bada Bagh was fully developed by his son Lunakaran.

The garden stands at the foot of a hill and several chhatris or cenotaphs stand in memory of the late rulers of Jaisalmer. Cenotaphs are also known as chhatris and one cenotaph is erected for each ruler. The cenotaph of Maharawal Jait Singh is the oldest of all. Many cenotaphs were built by subsequent rulers for the Bhatti royal family of Jaisalmer. This continued till the 20th century when .....