Jaisalmer

There is an interesting legend about Jaisalmer. Lord Krishna, the chief of the Yadav clan, told his friend Arjuna that one of his remote descendant would establish a kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. The prophecy came true in 1156 AD when Rawal Jaisal, the feudal chief of Bhatti clan of Rajputs who believe themselves to be descendants of Krishna, founded Jaisalmer. A local hermit Eesal advised him to abandon his Lodurva Fort and shift to a more strategic position on the hilltop, 16 km to the southeast.

Bhatti Rajputs used to extort forced levy from the caravan merchants who crossed their territory. Falling on the ancient trade route of Delhi and Sind, Jaisalmer prospered on the traditional taxes levied on merchants who came to India to trade precious silks and spices from as far as Persia, Egypt, Arabia and the West. The remote location kept Jaisalmer safe from the onslaught of invaders for a long time but when Bhatti Rajputs looted the imperial caravan train of Ala-ud-din Khilji in the 13th century; they had to face the wrath of the emperor.

Khilji besieged the fort for nine years. Duda, who was a Bhatti hero, also perished in the battle. His descendants ruled Jaisalmer, until they fought the army of Mughal Emperor Humayun in 1541. Their relations with the Mughals became friendly over time and Sabala Simha fought for Shaha Jahan at Peshawar. His distinctions won him the right to rule Jaisalmer again. Jaisalmer was the last princely state to sign agreement with the British during the Raj period. The Arabian Night feel of the legend has rubbed off to the city and fort palace of Jaisalmer.

Medieval majesty expresses itself in different forms in the living city inside the citadel. Splendid Palaces, majestic Havelis, and magnificent Temples can be seen on both sides of the narrow lanes throughout the city. Camels are everywhere in this desert town and so are skilled artisans. The beautiful golden yellow shimmer of city resembles the golden sands around and seem miraculous to the first time visitor to the city. Desert Festival held in January or February every year at Jaisalmer multiplies its charm by multifold. The melodious tunes of the desert, rhythmic compositions and graceful sweeping movements of the folk dances seem to add life to this desert city. International tourists find competitions held here quite interesting and exotic.

The turban-tying contest is one of the most clicked events of this fair festival. Colorful craft bazaars display and sell myriad varieties of Rajasthani handicrafts, while the camel races are exclusive to a handful of desert regions of the world. The folk performances on the full moon night at the famous Sam Sand Dunes present such a grand sound and light vision that they will hook you to Rajasthan tourism forever. Magic and brilliance of sandy desert stretches of Jaisalmer, its daunting 12th century Jaisalmer Fort, interesting and highly wrought Havelis of wealthy merchants, and Camel Safari amidst ever-shifting sand dunes of the Thar Desert constitute a true golden fantasy for international tourists.

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