Desert of India - JAISALMER

 

Watching cartoons as a kid was the most amusing memory for all of us as we used to get fascinated by those full of life animated characters. The stories we saw were so interesting and magical, that we really wanted to be there in the magical world of sorcery, talking objects, surreal places, etc. One such cartoon was Arabian Nights and believe me, everyone wanted a flying carpet, a genie, be a prince (Sultan), have their own the palace and watch the sunset behind a carpet of sand dunes with each ray piercing every sand particle. 

TITLYY is going to unbox a secret and help you explore the magical world and be alive as a kid once again in the world of Arabian nights. 

Jaisalmer is the magical city that rises from the baked earth of the Thar Desert in India, the second-largest desert on the earth. A small city with a population of around 80,000 people, that sits beautifully on the sand dunes. Jaisalmer is like a fairytale come true brimming with colors everywhere, stone turrets, castles, that turns Gold in the setting sun. 

Welcome to Jaisalmer - The Golden City The city is famous for its forts made out of yellow sandstone temples, Havelis(Rajasthani Mansions),and puppetry that is a crowd puller on the streets. Jaisalmer fort also is known as Sonar Qilla (Golden Fort), which is extremely charming both from the inside and outside. It was in 1156 that the fort was built by the Rajputana ruler called Jaisal. While you walk the narrow lanes of the fort, there are wall hangings, handicrafts, puppets, children walking on a rope trying to perform some kind of tricks and with each turn, you might find a different story that submerges inside you which is what makes it so unforgettable. As soon as you enter the grand gates, you stumble your eyes upon enchanting views and grandeur rooms inside that make you feel like you're the prince in your own fairy tale. It is one of the oldest "living " forts in the world with one-fourth of the city's population still residing with the fort. 

This fort is a World Heritage Site and most interestingly it has been used by one of India's greatest filmmakers Satyajit Ray in his film "Sonar Kela". 

The Jain temples inside the Jaisalmer fort date back to the 12th and 15th centuries dedicated to Rikhabdevji and Shambhadevji who were famous Jain hermits called "Tirthankars".Even these temples have been made out of yellow sandstone like the fort itself. 

Just around 2kms away from the fort is a beautiful man-made lake called the Gadisar Lake. It was constructed in the 14th century by Maharawal Gadsi Singh to meet the needs of his dry and arid lands. Considering its importance, many small temples and shrines were built around it, transforming it into a pilgrimage center and a tourist attraction. It is a great place to be in for someone who loves a quiet and serene break from daily life's hustle. 

About 6kms to the north of Jaisalmer lies Bara Bagh (Big Garden). This garden has complex houses, chhatris, or royal cenotaphs of the Maharajas of Jaisalmer state.  

In this vast ocean if sands, an extremely interesting place other than these heritage sites is the Desert National Park. This national park displays the best of the Thar Desert's ecosystem and its varied wildlife. The park is formed of undulating sand dunes, jagged rocks and dense salt lake bottoms, Various species of animals like the Blackbuck, Chinkara, or The Indian Gazelle and Desert Fox reside in this place. The highly endangered Great Indian Bustard, one of the world's heaviest flying birds can also be seen here. 

When the winters hit the desert, we can see a huge variety of migratory Raptors like the Saker Falcon, Eastern Imperial Eagle, and the Himalayan and Eurasian Griffon Vultures. What makes this national park even more interesting is that it has a collection of fossils of animals and plants about 180 million years old. Some fossils of Dinosaurs of 6million years old have also been found. This national park is definitely a place you wouldn't want to miss out on. 

As a traveler, explorer and a foodie, there's definitely one thing you cannot miss out on, that is "The Desert Festival". This is and will be the most unique festival you can ever attend. The festival is held in Jaisalmer at the end of January from the 29th - 31st. Amidst the golden sand, you'll get to see colorful costumes, dance performances, camel races, enticing authentic Rajasthani food, handicrafts stalls and other enchantments. 

Jaisalmer is such a city that the word "Dream come true" can be replaced with "Mirage come true". Finding a place that matches your childhood imagination like the Arabian nights is an experience that can only be lived and is beyond explanation. History, imagination and the present come together and intersect in Jaisalmer and the effect is wondrous. 

It may be arid, but from its colorful villages to the camels, to the palaces and other wildlife that call the area home, Thar Desert is full of life.