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Bada
Bag and Cenotaphs
Bada (big) Bag (garden) is a garden and large water tank 5km north of
Jaisalmer. It is a good place from which to watch the sunset, as the
sun turns the city of Jaisalmer a golden brown. There are beautiful
old chhatris built in memory of the maharajas of Jaisalmer. The garden
was began by Maharaja Jait Singh II and completed by his son, Maharaja
Loonkaran. The tank has an interesting underground drainage system,
so if the tank is full, the water will automatically leave the tank.
There is a mango grove here.
Admission Rs 10.
Video: Rs 20.
Inside
each chhatri are statues of the maharaja and maharani to which the chhatri
is dedicated and a plaque. The maharaja is seated on a horse and the
maharani is standing. If the maharaja and the maharani are together
on the plaque, it means the maharani became sati at her husband’s
death. There may be separate plaques for the maharaja’s courtesans.
The
chhatris of Maharaja Devidas and Jait Singh date from the 16th century.
The last chhatri to be built was that of Maharaja Jawahar Singh, who
was the Maharaja after India’s independence. It is incomplete
because Jawahar Singh died one year after Independence and the family
felt it was a bad omen and thus not a good idea to finish the chhatri.
The maharaja’s chhatri is the largest; his family members have
smaller chhatris.
Amar Sagar
This garden is northwest of Jaisalmer and is now poorly maintained.
There is a beautiful Jain temple here, currently being renovated. Admission
Rs 10. Camera/video 50/100
Lodarva
Lodarva, the old capital of the Bhatti Rajputs, is located 17km north
of Jaisalmer, close to the now dry Kak River. The city was destroyed
when Majez Khan, a general of Mohammed Gori, defeated Rawal Bhoja, the
last ruler of Lodarva. The Rawal of Jaisal, who was the uncle of Rawal
Bhaja, later killed Majez Khan in battle. Jaisal then transferred the
capital to Jaisalmer because Lodarva was not easy to defend.
Admission Rs 10;
Camera/video Rs 50/100. Hours: 6 am to 8 pm. A taxi to here and back
with 1 hours waiting should be around Rs 200-250.
There
is almost nothing left of the city except an old Jain temple
dedicated to Parasnath, the 23rd tirthankara. There are many intricate
carvings on the Jain temple, and the temple has now been almost completely
restored. There is one row of carvings on the temple which have been
left as they originally existed after they were defaced by invading
Muslims. The temple entrance (Toran Dwar) has impressive arches.
There
is a 10m high artificial Kalpa Vriksha tree made of
wood and metal here built by the Jains about 125 years ago. It is said
that if you stand near a kalpa vriksha tree and make a wish, it will
come true. Around the platform surrounding the tree are images of lions
and deer together, and birds and snakes together, symbolizing the Jain
belief in nonviolence, love, and friendship.
Across from the Kalpa Vriksha tree is a hole in the temple from which
a snake is said to come out of each night to drink some milk.
About
half a km walk from the Jain temple is a four-faced statue of Siva.
About
half a km from the Jain temple at Moomal ki Meri is where the palace
of Princess Moomal was located. It is now in ruins.
Mool Sagar
There is a garden, wells, and the Raj Mahal here. It is 9km west of
Jaisalmer. Admission; Rs 5.
Sam
Sand Dunes
About 45km west of Jaisalmer is Sam, the site of the only Saharan-type
sand dunes in the area. They are 3km long and 1km wide. Many visitors
come in the evening to take a camel ride and to see the sunset. Most
longer camel safaris come here. You can camp out on the dunes, but it
can get quite cold at night, so you need a sleeping bag or some thick
blankets. Only two buses a day come here from Jaisalmer, so if you are
coming for the sunset, you have to come by jeep or take a jeep/camel
tour.
Admission Rs 5.
Jeep Rs 10.
The
RTDC Motel Sam Dhani Hotel (02992 252392) has eight
rooms for Rs 300/400 and dorm bed for Rs 75. You should book a room
here in advance at the RTDC Tourist Bungalow in Jaisalmer.
Gandvi
Resort (94142 2005=62) has baic mud-straw hts for Rs 300/400.
Have nightly dance performances.
Royal
Desert Camp (booked at Royal Safari on Ghandi Chowk in Jaisalmer
02922 252538; Email: rsafari@sancharnet.in) has comfortable rooms for
$100. The price includes meals, a camel ride and nightly performances.
Desert National Park
The park is about 32km from Jaisalmer, near the Sam Sand Dunes. It has
just a few sand dunes and is mainly covered with scrub trees. There
is a Bishnoi village here. Blackbuck and chinkaras can be seen near
the village because the Bishnoi people protect them. In this park are
the great Indian bustard, desert foxes, wolves, desert cats, and various
types of eagles.
Visitors
require a permit to enter the park, which is issued by the Collector
of Jaisalmer. To get the permit, contact the Director of Research, Desert
National Park on Khuri Rd in Jaisalmer. There is a small rest house
here with six rooms.
Khuri
This pleasant village is 40km southwest of Jaisalmer. The houses are
constructed of mud anxe "Bada Bag" d straw and have patterns
on them like those found on Persian carpets. Because Khuri is close
to the Pakistani border, a permits is required to visit. They can be
obtained from the Chief Magistrate’s office opposite the hospital.
Admission Rs 5.
Jeep: Rs 10
A few buses from Jaisalmer (2½ hr) come here daily. A taxi to
here and back with 1 hour waiting times should be around Rs 700-800..
Khuri Guest House (03014 274044), near the bus stand, has rooms
with common bath for Rs 175/200 and with bath for Rs 300/350, which
includes meals.
Mama’s Guest House(03014 274023) has cottages
tradiional huts with common bath for Rs 600-700 a person. Vegetarian
meals are Rs 150.
Akal Tree Fossil Park
There are tree fossils here said to be 180 million years old. The forest
consists of huge, petrified trees. The park is 17km south of Jaisalmer,
3km off the road going to Barmer. It is best to come here by jeep.
Vesakhi
Vesakhi is a Hindu pilgrimage center located about 15km from Jaisalmer.
Deserted
Villages
Many
villages inhabited by Paliwal Brahmins were deserted about 200 years
ago because of the oppression of Salim Singh, Prime Minister of Mool
Raj II. There are houses here built of stone, some with carvings on
them.
Ramkunda
This was the home of Ramsnehi, the guru of Maharaja Amar Singh.
Ramkunda is 11km from Jaisalmer. Amar Singh’s wife, Mansukhi Devi,
built the Ramkunda Temple here. The main Deity in the
temple is Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu. People pass through this
town on camel safaris. There are basic places to stay here.
If you know of
a informationthat is not correct or if you would like to help update
our listings, please e-mail us at:
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