Arrive Jodhpur – the Blue City and
transfer to your hotel. An oasis in the arid Thar Desert, Jodhpur is the second
largest city in the state of Rajasthan. Representing this colourful city with
shades of blue, Jodhpur has a history that is rich and a present that beckons
strongly to the discerning tourist. Forts and palaces, temples and havelis,
culture and tradition, spices and fabrics, colour and texture, Jodhpur has them
all and in plenty. Situated in Western Rajasthan, Jodhpur has long attracted
both the domestic and foreign tourist. It not only offers tangibles, in terms
of what you can see and buy but also fills one with a sense of history and the
splendours of an era gone by. The hospitality of the locals, the demure women,
and the colourful turbans -all set against the beloved desert (Marwar) is
something to feel, not just see. Every pore of Jodhpur tells its own tales of
heroic deeds that made legends out of kings and soldiers, romances that
continue to warm the heart and a time when epics were lived out on the streets
by everyday man.
Later proceed for half day city
tour of Jodhpur. Visit the Mehrangarh Fort, situated on a low sandstone hill.
The palace apartments like Sukh Mahal, Phool Mahal, and Sheesh Mahal etc are
beautifully decorated and house Jewellery, costumes, armoury, palanquins,
howdahs and other remnants of the past. See the Jaswant Thada, an imposing
marble memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II built in 1899. Later the royal
crematorium and three other cenotaphs were also built here. Also visit Sardar
Bazaar and Clock Tower markets where you can see the vegetable, spice, Indian
sweets, and textile and silver markets. These colourful markets with tiny shops
dot the narrow lanes replete with woodcarvings, wrought iron, lacquer work,
silver and ivory ornamentation and leather handicrafts.
Overnight at Hotel
After breakfast drive to
Jaisalmer; Arrive Jaisalmer and transfer to your hotel. Jaisalmer - a
fairy-tale town in the Thar Desert founded about 800 years ago by Rawal Jaisal.
Unlike any other city, this desert fortress is one of Rajasthan's most exotic and
unusual towns. Jaisalmer, an important ancient trading centre because of its
strategic location on the camel trade routes, is often described as the 'golden
city'. The havelis, built by merchants of the 19th century, are
exquisitely carved from golden-yellow sandstone and are still in a beautiful
condition. The fort built by Rawal Jaisal in the 12th century, stands on the
80-meter-high Trikuta hill, with beautifully carved Jain temples. The annual
desert festival takes place in January and February each year and is a riot of
colour and activity. Jaisalmer is also famous for its embroidery, Rajasthani
mirror work, rugs, and blankets, antiques, silver jewellery, and stonework. Do
not miss a camel safari – on direct payment here.
After breakfast leave for the city
tour of Jaisalmer. Visit the Gadsisar Lake a water conservation tank made
around 1400 A.D. by the then maharaja of Jaisalmer, Maharawal Gadsi Singh. This
structure just outside the city walls once acted as a reservoir that controlled
the entire supply of water to the arid city. There are lot of temples and
shrines surrounding the lake.
Visit the famous Havelis
(mansions) known for their frescoes. Jaisalmer's strategic position on the
camel terrain route brought it great wealth. The merchants grew prosperous and
commissioned great havelis, or mansions, to flaunt their ever-growing status in
society. Made of local golden-yellow sandstone and wood, some of the havelis
are still in excellent condition. The most elaborate and magnificent of all the
Jaisalmer havelis is the Patwaon Ki Haveli. Five Jain brothers built the Haveli
between 1800 and 1860. Salim Singh Ki Haveli and Nathmal Ki Haveli are the
other two havelis that are open to visitors.
Built in 1156 by the Bhatti ruler,
Jaisal, THE FORT here stands atop the 80 m high Trikuta hill. Three walls and
99 bastions surround the fort. Over the centuries, the golden sandstone
fortress witnessed many battles between the Bhatti Rajput’s, the Mughals and
the Rathore’s of Jodhpur. Within the fort complex lie the beautifully carved
Jain Temples built between the 12th and 15th centuries. The Maharawals (rulers)
of Jaisalmer were devout Hindus but were tolerant of Jainism and encouraged art
and religion. There are 7 temples in the complex - Chandraprabhu, Parasnath,
Shitalnath, Sambhavnath, Shantinath, Kunthunath and Rikhabdev Temple. The
temples are all connected by a series of corridors and walkways. Close by is
the Gyan Bhandar, a library founded in 1500 A.D. This houses priceless ancient
manuscripts and other exhibits like astrological charts, besides the Jain
equivalent of the Christian Shroud of Turin.
In the evening, proceed Sam Sand dunes. Located at 42 kilometers
from Jaisalmer, Sam Sand Dunes is the closest point to witness the total sandy
desert. You can also see the patterns and motifs created by the shifting sands
and air. Moreover, Sam Sand Dunes also provide you with an unforgettable
experience of camel rides (on direct payment) and a beautiful mesmerizing
sunset.
Overnight at Hotel
After breakfast drive to Jodhpur;
arrive and in time transfer to Jodhpur Airport / Railway Station to board your
flight / train for onward journey to your next destination.
