Jaisalmer

JAISALMER, the golden city of India located in the heart of Thar desert is due to cater to not just people seeking a historical Indian essence, but also to people who thrive for music, adventure and thrill.

How to reach here:

Air : JAISALMER AIRPORT (JSA) is a military airport, where initially only chartered flights were supported. But since Oct 2017, various airlines added this airport into their domestic network; making commuting to Jaisalmer plain sailing.

At first Jodhpur Airport being the closest, was the only way to reach Jaisalmer via air. And thereafter 5 - 6 hours drive (285 km) to Jaisalmer.

Rail : JAISALMER RAILWAY STATION is well connected with most of the cities in India. Upon Arrival at the station, one can opt for a Taxi (around ₹ 700/-*) or an auto-rickshaw (around ₹ 500/-*) to take you to your camps.

Road : Either Bus or Self Drive via road will take you around 17-18 hours to reach Jaisalmer city from the NCR.

Best time to visit:

November to March is best suitable for Jaisalmer or for that matter any place in Rajasthan. While planning a trip in April - June should be avoided due to boiling hot summer.

Me having had firsthand experience of witnessing Creamfields in UK (a story for another time), how could I miss something similar my own country was hosting? The brilliantly unique and vividly majestic Music festival called RAGASTHAN (https://www.ragasthan.com/).

Now I am not saying that other Music fests don't do what this one did. I am saying, none of them do it in the middle of a desert. Talk about a perfect setting, lying on the sands, under the twinkling stars for roof, and over 30 bands from all over the world playing their original songs for you. Add a chilled beer in your hand or the hand of your partner as in my case, and you'll end up with a night you'll never forget.

RAGASTHAN:

Month - In february each year
Duration - 4 days
Price - ₹ 2,000- 5,000
Pro tip - Carry cash at the event, as you won't find any ATM vending machines in middle of the desert, nor does any stall support Card payment due to no network area.

Besides this, the traditional trip to Jaisalmer is incomplete without camping in middle of sand dunes, the camel ride, parasailing, and jeep safari. If thrill as I mentioned before is what you seek, then the haunted Kuldhara village is another place you just need to be at. The place is closed after 6. For some reason the haunt kicks in after 6 at all haunted locations in India.

CAMPs RECOMMENDED:

Economic - Royal Pavillion Camp (from ₹ 1700) new with modern amenities
Luxurious - Le Royal Camp (from ₹ 5,200) swimming pool facility

KULDHARA VILLAGE:

Timings - 8am- 6pm Daily
Duration - 1 - 1.5 hours
Fees - ₹ 10/ person & ₹ 50/vehicle

Paying a visit to Longewala with the enthralling view of the desert, and towering windmills on a 2 hrs drive will warm your heart. And I'm talking literally, it's over 45 degrees on a normal day. The museum itself is about the Battle of Longewala which was fought between India and Pakistan in 1971. Y hour hearts will fill with pride as the military guide recites the tale of the battle and how our motherland was threatened with invasion.

LONGEWALA WAR MEMORIAL:

Timing - 8 am- 6 pm Daily
Duration - 2- 3 hours
Entry Fees - Free
Short Movie Fees - ₹ 25/person
Further extension - From Longewala you can extend your trip further, to Tanot Temple. And later try your luck to get permission for Border Pillar 607 (India- Pakistan Border) from there itself. Nothing can beat the feeling of being there.

At last the trip can be concluded with the Golden Fort. The sunset points with cannons is so epic that , that you would leave every last bit of your troubles behind you for a moment to just acknowledge what you are witnessing. You can see the whole city from this point; or rather 3/4th of the city, because well the remaining 1/4th dwells inside the fort itself. We chatted with a couple of locals and they told us that these houses have been passed down to them by their ancestors. They might not have the documents of their residency but that is just how this historic city functions... TRUST.

GOLDEN FORT:

Timing - 24*7 (Fort); and 9am- 5pm (Privately owned Palace Museum inside)
Entry Fees - Free (Fort); and ₹50/person (Privately owned Palace Museum inside)
Things to do - visit palace museum, enjoy sunset/rise from cannon points, visit jain temple and laxminath temple for peace and serenity, try out open cafes within the fort, Plan to visit Patwon ki Haveli nearby, to appreciate the architecture.

I must say we met some of the most amazing people on this trip. Rajasthani folks come to you with humble words and politeness, is amazing. A big thumbs up to India's Golden City.

Jaisalmer

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