Jaisalmer Fort

A Rare Living Fort

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Overview

Popularly known as 'Sonar Quila', this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the few living forts in the world. It is home to the royal Raj Mahal, hotels, temples, handicraft stores and restaurants.

Open Hours

Suggested Duration - 3-4 hours

What To Expect?

Featuring around 99 bastions and massive gateways, the majestic views of the city that this red sandstone marvel offers are to die for. Do visit the historic Laxmikanth Temple and Raj Mahal when here.

Tips

Early morning and sunset are the best time to be here.
Photography is chargeable in select places, so do check the rules before using your cameras.
The timings of the fort are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., so plan your visit accordingly.
You can easily hire an auto rickshaw to reach here.

About Jaisalmer Fort Overview: The Sonar Quila of Rajasthan

Jaisalmer Fort, known as a living fort, is built on the Trikuta Hills and is known as the golden crown of Rajasthan. This fort has a blended architecture and has various heritage aspects to explore within the premises like the havelis, market, and the local community residing here. The elevated Jaisalmer Fort height also opens to an expansive view of the endless desert it is located around.

Jaisalmer Fort Information -

Famous For	Being a World Heritage Site, mesmerizing architectural style, royal beauty, history of Jaisalmer
Timings	9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Best Time to Visit	Between October and March
Entry Fee	INR 50 for Indians and INR 250 for foreigners
Time Required	3 to 4 hours
Nearby Attractions	Desert National Park, Bada Bagh, Patwon ki Haveli, The Fort Museum, Sam Sand Dunes, Tanot Mata temple, Gadsisar Lake

Key Points to Know About Jaisalmer Fort

The fort is built with yellow sandstone, and thus the name ‘Golden Fort’.
The fort is approximately 870 years old and its architecture is a blend of Islamic and Rajput styles.
The fort was built in 1156 AD by Rawal Jaiswal, a Bhati Rajput ruler, which decided the beginning of the city of Jaisalmer.
It has witnessed many battles across the years, creating a long and sustaining Jaisalmer Fort history.
The architecture of the fort is unique and is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
The royal palace and havelis of the place, the vibrant community, the ancient temple, the traditional crafts, and festivals held here make it rich in culture.

Heritage and Other Activities at Jaisalmer Fort

Exploring the heritage architecture of the fort.
Experiencing camel and jeep rides offered as a part of desert safari.
Camping and dining with loved ones in the middle of the desert.
City sightseeing and religious tours of the place also form a part of touring Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer.

How to Arrive at Jaisalmer Fort

The nearest railway station is at a distance of 5 km from the fort, popularly known as Jaisalmer Railway Station. From the station, take an auto rickshaw or a cab to reach here.
There are two airways options available to reach here. One is the Jaisalmer Airport, which is a military airport and receives minimal commercial flights. The other is the Jodhpur Airport, which is approximately 275 km from the fort.
You can also travel easily to the fort via direct roadways connectivity with major cities.

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions about Jaisalmer Fort

How to explore a place by yourself?

"Adventure is out there!" - You just need to know the 'whats' and the 'hows' of it. You need to realize the things that will make exploring a place completely worthwhile and satisfy all of your travel cravings. This can be achieved by -

Taking Yourself Out To Eat At A Restaurant

Learn The Public Transportation Routes

Check Out A Local Planetarium Or Observatory

Take A Drive To The Nearest Coastal Town Or National Park

Join A Group Of Tourists On A Sightseeing Tour

Take Pictures At A Botanical Garden

Go Shopping At A Local Farmers Market

How to choose a destination to travel to?

Travelling is exhilarating - and a little bit intimidating too. You are venturing into the unknown and you really have very little ideas about what things will be like there when you arrive. It's always a massive learning curve when you leap into the new (which is why it's important to thoroughly research a travel destination before you go.) Some of the important things to keep in mind while deciding on a destination to travel are :

Figure out how to travel to a destination, where to stay and what are the things to do amongst other things. Trip Ideas by MakeMyTrip brings you a plethora of knowledge about a destination ranging from images and videos to lists of all the activities

Read posts by travel bloggers who have been there and if needed email them

Watch documentaries and reach out to people who have been there

How do you plan for the perfect trip to any destination?

To plan the perfect trip, the following will help cover any caveats for your to arrive at the best plan for your vacations :

Where do you want to go? - Your first step in how to plan a vacation is to choose a travel destination that meets your interests and travel budget.

Once you have chosen your destination, the next step in planning a trip is to book flights. And learning how to find and book cheap flights will help you reduce one of your biggest expenses when it comes to travelling

Where you stay is your other major travel expense, so choosing the best stay for your needs at a price that suits you will free up more money for activities

Another major thing to consider while planning a trip is to find out the transportation options in your chosen destination, be it public or private and the costs involved

When you plan a trip you should also research about the must-visit attractions and the best free things to do in your destination of choice

Know the visa requirements for visiting the destination

Depending on where you are planning your trip in a particular country, it's important to get the correct advice for any necessary vaccinations that needs to be taken care of before your travel dates

Make copies of your important documents and keep them handy