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FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Desert Festival - JaisalmerDesert Festival is held in January or February every year on 'Purnima' or the full moon day. It is a three-day long festival and is the best showcase, one can ever want to view the rich and colorful and rich culture of the desert region of Rajasthan. The major attractions of the festivals are Gair and Fire dancers who wear vibrant and brightly colored costumes as they dance and sing and perform on the regional tunes that are mainly based on the ballads of tragedy, valor, and romance of the local heroes. Along with these folk performers are snake charmers, puppeteers, and acrobats. The ship of the desert camels, of course earn their special place in the festival and camel rides are quite popular here. Camel polo and camel dance are two unique feature events of the fair just as the turban tying competition and display of the most glorious moustaches. The thing to note here is that turbans and mustaches are considered symbols of honor in the region. There is also a Mr. Desert contest that further enhances the fun of the occasion.

The picturesque backdrop of Jaisalmer Fort and barren, silvery Sam sand dunes compliment the music and rhythm, graceful movements and brilliant hues of the performers and the traditional handicrafts that can bee seen in the fair. The full moon night completes the picture with its magic aura making it one of the most unforgettable events.

SHOPPING ATTRACTIONS
The jeweler's craftsmanship in the stonework of Jaisalmer is well known. You may also opt for the beautifully carved wooden boxes instead that replicate the intricacies of the stone carvers in wood. Tie and dye fabrics, unique embroidery patterns, mirror-work, typical Rajasthani silver jewellery, brilliantly hued traditional rugs, hand-woven blankets and shawls with typical Rajasthani weave are also good mementos to look out for. The items made out of camel leather are also a specialty. The major shopping spots include the market within the fort, Sadar Bazaar, Gandhi Darshan, Seema gram, Rajasthani Govt. Shop and Khadi Gramodyog Emporium.


WHAT TO WEAR
The most appropriate outfits to wear in Jaisalmer include loose cotton clothes in summer and heavy woolen clothes to keep you warm in winter. Use a hat or a scarf as a head covering and drink lots of water to avoid heat strokes. It will be advisable to wear comfortable footwear, as you will have to walk a lot here while sightseeing. Sunscreens are not to be forgotten to save yourself from sunburns you may get from the scorching hot desert sun in summers.


PRIME ATTRACTIONS

Forts, Palaces And Havelis

Jaisalmer Fort - Jaisalmer Jaisalmer Fort
Perched on the 250 feet high hilltop, Jaisalmer fort is the second oldest fort in Rajasthan (after Chittor) and provides an ecstatic overview of the desert land all around. There are three fort walls and four gates through which we pass to reach the palaces within, namely, Akhai Pole (Ganesh Pole), Suraj Pole, Bhuta Pole and Hawa Pole. There were deliberate sharp turns on the pathway to make it invincible. Sharp turns on the road topped by high defence gateways made it invincible. Meghadamber, an umbrella that symbolizes Lord Krishna perches on the highest point of the place. In the 15th century, the local Jain Panchayat built the first buttress wall. There were subsequent fortifications and additions by the Rawals later. There are five palaces in the fort - Sarvottam Vilas, Akhai Vilas, Gaj Mahal, Rang Mahal and Moti Mahal - which are interconnected. They have beautifully carved jail screens to protect the interiors from the raging desert storms and scorching heat and delicate and extremely beautiful murals painted on their arches and spandrels. The famous Jain temples located within the fort can be rightfully compared to Dilwara temples in their beauty, ornamentation and splendor.

These 'Havelis' (Rich Merchants' house) are the gems of the unique and grand architecture of Jaisalmer. Salem Singh haveli, at the eastern end of the city, is like a wild flower as if it is blossoming at the top. Situated in the heart of the city, Patwon ki Haveli was built by Guman Chand Patwa and his five sons who dealt in brocade, gold and silver embroidery that was famous from Afghanistan to China. It amazes us to see how the carving on stone reflects the beauty of the work on brocade and gold. The most magnificent mansion in Jaisalmer, it is like a out-and-out museum piece in the open. The third haveli was built by Nathmal, a later day prime minister, and his brother in 1885, as a gift to the Rawal but was allowed to retain it. Built by two brothers in 1885, this haveli has two identical looking portions, which are in fact two different parts united by a common façade. Look for the projected balconies, which seem to emerge from books of poetry. So ethereal and charming, the carving never looked better. A perfect example of jeweller's art applied to stone carving. The Muslim artisans did a breathtaking job leaving their marvelous legacy of craftsmanship excellent in detail and flawless in conception.

Lakes

Gadsisar Lake
The calm waters of this rainwater lake with its green surroundings, clusters of small temples and a quaint museum at its periphery is more known for its tich folklore tales than its beauty.

Patwon-Ji-Ki-Haveli
Patwon-Ji-Ki-Haveli is one of the largest Haveli in Jaisalmer and stands in a narrow lane. It is five storeys high and is extensively carved. It is divided into six apartments, two owned by archaeological Survey of India, two by families who operate craft-shops and two private homes. There are remnants of paintings on some of the inside walls as well as some mirror work.

Salem Singh ki Haveli
Salem Singh haveli is an Arabian Nights structure, which, like a wild flower, blossoms at the top. This haveli was built about 300 years ago and a part of it is still occupied. Salim Singh was the prime minister when Jaisalmer was the capital of the princely state and his mansion has a beautifully arched roof with superb carved brackets in the form of Peacocks. The mansion is just below the hill and it is said that once it had two additional wooden storeys in an attempt to make it as high as the maharaja's palace, but the maharaja had the upper storey torn down.

Nathmal ki Haveli
This haveli belongs to Nathmal, a later day prime minister who gifted it to the Rawal and was allowed to retain it. Built by two brothers in 1885, this haveli has two identical looking portions, which are in fact two different parts united by a common facade. So ethereal and charming, the carving never looked better. A perfect example of jeweller's art applied to stone carving. The Muslim silavats (artisans) did a wonderful job here and left a marvellous legacy of craftsmanship excellent in detail and flawless in conception. If only for viewing these havelis a trip to Jaisalmer is more than amply rewarded.

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