Jaisalmer - Rajasthan - India

Rajasthan, the combination of two Hindi words (1) King (2) Place, means Place of Kings. Before becoming Rajasthan, it was scattered in many small states ruled by different kings of their time. All these states were united by Mewar's Rana's and turned it into a whole big state of India as Rajputana (Rajasthan). There are so many heritage sites and places which you would like to visit.

Jaisalmer:

                Majority persons of Jaisalmer are of Bhati Rajput Kin.  Former Jaisalmer Ruler Kings were related to Chandravansi Yadu Rajput family. The Sixth Successor of Bhati Dynasty After Deoraj Bhati, took over the charge of kingdom and formed Jaisalmer and the Jaisalmer fort in 1156 on Trikuta Hills, which is also known as Sonar garh Fort or Sonar Qila. For the maintenance of the fort, he started recovering taxes from persons bypassing with camels from nearby roads/ways.

               Jaisalmer is not only the prime location for visitors but also for Bollywood industry. Many ads films and movies had been shot here from which some as below. 
         1.   Kachche Dhage
         2.   Krishna
         3.   Sarfarosh
         4.   Tushion
         5.   Rudali
         6.   Coca Cola, BoroPlus and Pepsi and Hero Honda's Ads films

                 L aden with exotic spices and precious silks, these trading caravans were en route to cities like Delhi or Sindh, but had to pass directly through Jaisalmer. This strategic location continued to serve Jaisalmer well, as it lay right on the two main routes connecting India with Persia, Egypt and farther west. He later made it his capital as he moved from his former capital at Lodhruva (which is situated about 15 km (9.3 mi) to the north-west of Jaisalmer). In 1293, the Bhattis so enraged the Sultan of Delhi Ala-ud-din Khilji that his army captured and sacked the fort and city of Jaisalmer, so that for some time it was quite deserted. Some Bhatti's from the Royal family migrated to Jaisal (Now in Pakistan), a place near to Chiniot Distt and some migrated to Talwandi, now Nankana Sahib in Distt. Nankana Sahib (Punjab, Pakistan) and others settled in Larkana (in Sind, Pakistan) under the name of Bhutto. In Nankana Sahib, the Bhatti Clan can be traced from the lineage of Rai Bhoe and Rai Bular Bhatti. After this there is nothing to record until the time of Rawal Sahal Singh, whose reign marks an epoch in Jaisalmer's history in that he acknowledged the supremacy of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Following the collapse of the Mughal Empire in the 18th century, Jaisalmer, like the rest of Rajputana, became subservient to the Marathas,^[4] until it came under the protection of the British East India Company following the British victory in the Third Anglo-Maratha War. In 1818, the Rawals of Jaisalmer signed a treaty with the British, which protected Jaisalmer from invasion provided it was not the aggressor and guaranteed the royal succession.                                                                                                                               

• Sand Dunes:         A dune is a hill of sand built by either wind or water flow. Dunes occur in different shapes and sizes, formed by interaction with the flow of air or water. Large dune fields are known as ergs. Sand dunes, Moving from one place to other in few minutes with the flow of air. In the summer, so fast moving hot air is called 'Loo'. Most kinds of dunes are longer on the windward side where the sand is pushed up the dune and have a shorter "slip face" in the lee of the wind. The valley or trough between dunes is called Dhore.  A "dune field" is an area covered by extensive sand dunes.  

• Gadsisar Lake:            Gadsisar Lake was Excavated in 1367 by Rawal Gadsi Singh, it is a scenic rainwater lake surrounded by the small temples and shrines of Amar Sagar. Earlier, this lake was used to be the main water source of Jaisalmer. Water pond in middle of desert.  Bollywood Movie 'Nanhe Jaisalmer' was filmed mostly on this lake. 

• Sonar Quila/ Jaisalmer Fort:
               This is the most famous place and monument being visited in this deserted city of the state, because Its made of yellow stones and sands without calcium carbonate. This is the special and unique thing about this fort that how without cement or concrete, this is standing in high speed wind flowing area/desert and from the years and years ago (constructed nearly 858 years ago). More than 1200 houses are there inside the fort. This fort seems like honey golden fort at the time of sun set. So beautiful to watch this golden fort made in middle of desert. That's why its called Sonargarh (golden fort). it is also known as the Sonar Quila or Jaisalmer Fort.  There are ninety nine Burj (towers). where canons are placed to safe-guard the fort from invaders. These canons can be seen at present time also.
     
              Situated at a height of 250 feet and surrounded by 30 feet high walls, the face of the fort is not visible to others. Any one trying to observe the face of the fort from any side, they got deceived by its architecture and till they got the right entry gate, they were attacked to defeat or run away.          It is one of the largest fortifications in the world and included in world heritage by UNESCO. It is situated in the city of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. It is a World Heritage Site. It was built in 1156 AD by the Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal, from whom it derives its name. (Rawal Jaisal's son was Shalivahan II; Manj and Bhati Rajputs are descended from him. The fort stands in the middle of the sandy expanse of the great Thar Desert, on Trikuta Hill, and has been the scene of many battles. Its massive yellow sandstone walls are of a light brown to brownish orange color during the day, fading to honey-gold as the sun sets, thereby exploit the natural surroundings to disguise something the fort in the yellow desert.  The fort is located in the very heart of the city, and is one of the most notable monuments in the locality.
             Many Jain temples are inside the fort and tourism  is the second profession in the city after stones business.

• Lakshminath's Temple: 
              There is temple of god Krishna, which is known as God Lakshminath Temple. A very attractive marble image of god Krishna attracts every one. It is believed that once, In Jaisalmer, a bad famine happened, The king then placed his sword at the feet of lord Krishna's Statue in the temple and take an oath, that till the famine deminishes, he will not pick up his sword in hands. And the Magic happened that year and a huge rain fall in the state.
• Krishna Kund (Pond):
                        There is a story of Mahabharat time that once Shri Krishna and Arjun visited this 80 meter high Trikuta Hills, and then Arjun felt thrust, there was no water near about and hence Shri Krishna Hit and Arrow and dug the well for him. He drunk the water and satisfied his thrust. This Pond is known as Krishna Pond.
• Desert National Park):
               This is one of the largest national parks, covering an area of 3162 km². It is situated in the town of Jaisalmer. This is the Only national park in the country which spreads in the desert. Many type of birds and animal can be viewed here which comes from throughout the world.