It's the only living fort in the world. That should make one curious enough to visit this ancient fort city of Jaisalmer. Build out of yellow sand stone, its an imposing structure, that has withstood the test of time, invaders and even an earthquake.
Walking back to the hotel totally happy with yourself with all the bargaining and discount you managed to pull off, it's also kind of sad to see the city slowly falling apart. The earthquake did take it's toll on some of the older havelis. Sad to see abandones pillars, intricately carved balconies fallen apart in a corner. Speaking to the owners, they all have the same story. The government isn't doing anything to compensate or help rebuild these ancient structures. Now the families have to resort to opening little shops and sometimes even selling ancestral items from their own homes to making a living and save a bit of money every year to try and rebuild their houses. Some of them told me that rich hoteliers and politicians in cities like Delhi, even detach the beautifully carved balconies and pillars and transport it to their own homes. Something that's priceless sold for dirt out of desperation.
But the city still endures. As the harsh summer months are about to begin and the tourists slowly dwindle, the city folk and shop owners need to look for alternative sources of income like construction, back in october with a smile welcoming the truckloads of Europeans.
Where to stay: The Victoria Hotel
This family owned hotel has been their home for 26 generations! It's on the upper part of the old Jaisalmer fort, offering stunning views of the fort and the sandstone city from the terrace. It's the sort of place that would take you back to another time.
From the outside, it looks like a small place with maybe four to five rooms, but when the owner took us for a tour of the hotel through a labyrinth of rooms, it was like walking through a maze of history. Some of the rooms are hidden away and pretty tiny, but each unique and charming in it's own way.
The staff and owner are very friendly and helpful. The rooms are clean and affordable (about 1000 Rs per night)
view of the fort and city from hotel Victoria
Where to eat:
For a light snack before heading out for your long walks, the German Bakery is conveniently located inside the fort. They have the most amazing cheese and tomato sandwich. Yummy cakes and bread. the fruit flavored lassis are very popular amongst the tourists. Oh, try the apple pie as well.
Breakfast at 8th of July Cafe. They have some really nice pancakes and crepes, eggs to order and awesome black coffee.
For lunch and dinner, head straight to 'Trio' It's about a twenty minute walk from the fort, or you could take the rickshaw. It's in the heart of old city Jaisalmer, and they serve a very authentic Rajasthani cuisine. This restaurant has an additional treat of Rajasthani folk singers performing live. The terrace also offers a beautiful view of the lit fort at night.
The Jaisal Italy on the wall of the fort is also famous, i guess for the foreigners who prefer a more familiar cuisine.
But these apart, you have a variety of road side food carts, if you have the stomach to experiment with local fried delicacies.
Where NOT to eat: Safforn restaurant. It's over hyped, over priced. Poor service and awful. Strict NO.
That said, Jaisalmer is pretty much a walking city. Don't take the rickshaw but decide to walk to the Patwa nu Haveli. The sights on your way are as interesting as the destination. The architecture of some of the older houses just blow your mind. The town folk are very friendly and even show you around their homes, and tit bits of information of the old way of life. One of the houses had this interesting room with five doors. The main door was really small- about 3 feet high. It was made this way so that people who come in, were forced to 'bow' down as they enter, as a sign of respect. Another reason for the narrow door was when under attack, only one enemy could enter at a time, bending their head, and the owner who stood ready behind the door, could behead him with a slash of his sword.
The Patwa nu haveli itself is lavish and decadent. The colored glass murals from floor to ceiling, it gives us a glimpse of a bygone royal era. Honestly I don't know how they even lived here, my eyes would hurt. There is a 'turban gallery' displaying distinct turbans worn by different sections of the society, also making it very apparent the great class divide that existed during those times.
You can spend a leisurely four to five days in Jaisalmer. Exploring exploring nooks and corners of the fort, a day trip to the ghost villages of Khaba and Kuldera, back in the evening for hot masala chai and a book on the terrace, and the lingering melody of the 'raavan haatha' playing somewhere in the backdrop.
For more pictures : www.flickr.com/floydgal
Walking through these cobbled alleyways, you would want to get lost in the lego-like maze. Yellow with spots of bright colored fabric shops. Rajasthan famed for it's colorful 'badhini' dupattas, patchwork quits, colored stones and handcrafted slippers and Jaisalmer is a 'shop-till-you-drop' kind of place. It's a steal if you're looking for a good bargain especially for antiques. Now, one really can't say if they are really antique or just antique finish, but it shouldn't stop you from picking up some seriously unique curios. Look out of the locks. There are shops on the street that sell only locks, some very interesting ones which require up to twelve keys to open, and in a secret sequential order!
streets and shops inside the fort
Walking back to the hotel totally happy with yourself with all the bargaining and discount you managed to pull off, it's also kind of sad to see the city slowly falling apart. The earthquake did take it's toll on some of the older havelis. Sad to see abandones pillars, intricately carved balconies fallen apart in a corner. Speaking to the owners, they all have the same story. The government isn't doing anything to compensate or help rebuild these ancient structures. Now the families have to resort to opening little shops and sometimes even selling ancestral items from their own homes to making a living and save a bit of money every year to try and rebuild their houses. Some of them told me that rich hoteliers and politicians in cities like Delhi, even detach the beautifully carved balconies and pillars and transport it to their own homes. Something that's priceless sold for dirt out of desperation.
But the city still endures. As the harsh summer months are about to begin and the tourists slowly dwindle, the city folk and shop owners need to look for alternative sources of income like construction, back in october with a smile welcoming the truckloads of Europeans.
Where to stay: The Victoria Hotel
This family owned hotel has been their home for 26 generations! It's on the upper part of the old Jaisalmer fort, offering stunning views of the fort and the sandstone city from the terrace. It's the sort of place that would take you back to another time.
From the outside, it looks like a small place with maybe four to five rooms, but when the owner took us for a tour of the hotel through a labyrinth of rooms, it was like walking through a maze of history. Some of the rooms are hidden away and pretty tiny, but each unique and charming in it's own way.
The staff and owner are very friendly and helpful. The rooms are clean and affordable (about 1000 Rs per night)
Where to eat:
For a light snack before heading out for your long walks, the German Bakery is conveniently located inside the fort. They have the most amazing cheese and tomato sandwich. Yummy cakes and bread. the fruit flavored lassis are very popular amongst the tourists. Oh, try the apple pie as well.
Breakfast at 8th of July Cafe. They have some really nice pancakes and crepes, eggs to order and awesome black coffee.
For lunch and dinner, head straight to 'Trio' It's about a twenty minute walk from the fort, or you could take the rickshaw. It's in the heart of old city Jaisalmer, and they serve a very authentic Rajasthani cuisine. This restaurant has an additional treat of Rajasthani folk singers performing live. The terrace also offers a beautiful view of the lit fort at night.
The Jaisal Italy on the wall of the fort is also famous, i guess for the foreigners who prefer a more familiar cuisine.
But these apart, you have a variety of road side food carts, if you have the stomach to experiment with local fried delicacies.
Where NOT to eat: Safforn restaurant. It's over hyped, over priced. Poor service and awful. Strict NO.
That said, Jaisalmer is pretty much a walking city. Don't take the rickshaw but decide to walk to the Patwa nu Haveli. The sights on your way are as interesting as the destination. The architecture of some of the older houses just blow your mind. The town folk are very friendly and even show you around their homes, and tit bits of information of the old way of life. One of the houses had this interesting room with five doors. The main door was really small- about 3 feet high. It was made this way so that people who come in, were forced to 'bow' down as they enter, as a sign of respect. Another reason for the narrow door was when under attack, only one enemy could enter at a time, bending their head, and the owner who stood ready behind the door, could behead him with a slash of his sword.
colorful doors
the patwa nu haveli embellished from floor to ceiling
The Patwa nu haveli itself is lavish and decadent. The colored glass murals from floor to ceiling, it gives us a glimpse of a bygone royal era. Honestly I don't know how they even lived here, my eyes would hurt. There is a 'turban gallery' displaying distinct turbans worn by different sections of the society, also making it very apparent the great class divide that existed during those times.
You can spend a leisurely four to five days in Jaisalmer. Exploring exploring nooks and corners of the fort, a day trip to the ghost villages of Khaba and Kuldera, back in the evening for hot masala chai and a book on the terrace, and the lingering melody of the 'raavan haatha' playing somewhere in the backdrop.
For more pictures : www.flickr.com/floydgal
the abandoned town of Khuldera
street hawker playing the 'Raavan hatha'
