Jaisalmer
Arrival In Jaisalmer
The Palace on Wheels arrives in Jaisalmer at around 08.15 hrs. After
breakfast on board, set out to explore yet another beautiful city of
Rajasthan in a luxury coach.
About Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer was founded by Rawal Jaisal in 1156 AD on the top of Trikuta
Hills. Legends say that long before Jaisalmer actually came into existence,
Lord Krishna predicted its establishment by a distant descendant of his
clan. Rawal Jaisal was a Bhatti Rajput ruler belonging to the Yadav clan,
and when he founded Jaisalmer, he turned into reality Lord Krishna's
prediction. After its foundation, Jaisalmer became an important trading
center because of its strategic location on the camel trade route.
Jaisalmer is built completely of yellow sandstone and is therefore, often
called the 'Golden City' of Rajasthan. One of the three important
destinations lying in the Thar desert region, Jaisalmer has numerous
attractions within its area.
Morning Sightseeing
» Jaisalmer Fort - Standing at a towering height of
250 m on the Trikuta hills, the Jaisalmer fort has 99 bastions and four huge
gates. A considerable portion of the city population still resides within
the fort walls. Most of these people are traders, merchants and shop owners.
There are five interconnected palaces in the fort that have jaali screens.
Also three beautifully sculptured Jain Temples adorn the interiors of fort.
The golden yellow sandstone, of which the fort is built, gives the fort a
charming look, especially during the dusk, when the setting sun adds its
grace to the beauty of the fort.
» Nathmalji ki Haveli - The Nathmalji ki haveli was
built by the efforts of two architect brothers. The surprising part about
the construction of the Haveli was that the two brothers separately worked
on its right and left side.Yet, the overall appearance of the haveli
discards any incongruence. Inside, the miniature paintings adorn the walls
of the haveli and provide an elegant look to it. There are also screened
windows and projected balconies in the haveli.
» Salim Singh Ji ki Haveli - This haveli served as
the residence of the Prime Minister of Jaisalmer during the time when
Jaisalmer was the capital of the princely state. An interesting story
associates itself with the haveli. It is said that two extra storeys were
built in this haveli so as to make it appear higher than the Maharajas
palace. This, obviously, did not please the Maharaja, and he ordered the
demolition of the top storey. Today, this haveli, though still occupied
partly, attracts a whole lot of visitors. The highlight of the haveli are
the blue roof and row of peacocks below the arched balconies.
» Patwon ki Haveli - The Patwon ki Haveli is the
most magnificent of all havelis in Jaisalmer. Its construction was started
off by the family of Ghuman Chand Patwa. The haveli has five storeys and is
segregated into six apartments. Two of each apartment are occupied by the
Archaeological Survey of India, craft shop owners and private families. The
haveli is adorned by beautifully carved pillars, corridors and chambers. One
of these apartments is also decorated with beautiful murals.
» Shopping - Jaisalmer is the place where tourists
can pick up fine pattu shawls, mirror work & embroidered articles,
wooden boxes, trinkets, silver jewellery and curios. The Rajasthali - only
Emporium of the Rajasthan Government is the best place to shop for authentic
Rajasthani goods at fixed rate.
» Lunch - Have Lunch on board and rest for a while.
Post Lunch Sightseeing
» Sam Sand Dunes - Jaisalmer lies in the exotic
desert region of Rajasthan. Hence, any trip to Jaisalmer will remain grossly
incomplete till the time tourists have had the pleasure of going around the
magnificent dunes on the back of a camel. The beauty of the dunes are simply
irressitible and tourists will be forced to pick up their camera and click a
photograph.
Enjoy a lively cultural show at a hotel in Jaisalmer and have your dinner.
Back to Palace on Wheels
Tourists are brought back to the Palace on Wheels and the train leaves for
Jodhpur at around 23.00 hrs.
Jodhpur
Arrival In Jodhpur
The Palace on Wheel arrives in Jodhpur at 07.00 hrs. After breakfast,
passengers are boarded on the luxury coach and taken to visit quiet a few
important attractions of the city.
About
Jodhpur
The second largest city of Rajasthan, Jodhpur, was founded by Rao Jodha in
the year 1459. Jodhpur's history has had not only the Rajput Rathores vying
for its possession but also the Great Mughals. Since Jodhpur is situated on
the Delhi Gujarat route, it was strategically very important from trading
point of view. Today, the old Jodhpur is a walled city with eight gates. The
new Jodhpur has emerged in the southern and the eastern part of the old
Jodhpur.
For tourists visiting Jodhpur, there are plenty of attractions in store.
The royal grandeur of the past still reflects in these attractions.
Morning Sightseeing
» Mehrangarh Fort - The Mehrangarh fort was
constructed at the time when Rao Jodha founded the city of Jodhpur. It is
situated atop a hill which was known as the Bakharchiriya, meaning the nest
of the bird. As per its name, the fort provides a magnificent view of the
surrounding area. Infact, tourists can also see the Kumbhalgarh fort from
here. The walls of the fort, that give it an impressive look, are 7-20
meters thick and around 40 meters high. The rampart of the fort extends upto
10 km. Within the fort complex, there are various structures that are worth
seeing. The main entrance to the fort is the Jai Pol which was erected in
the year 1808. Some of the other entrances of the fort are the Fateh Pol,
Lakhna Pol, Amrit Pol, Loha Pol and Suraj Pol.
Suraj Pol takes you to the Moti Mahal via a flight of stairs. Moti Mahal is
a grand hall with its ceiling covered with mirrors and gilt. This is
supposed to be the place where the King met his subjects. Umaid Vilas is
adorned with beautiful Rajput miniature paintings and the Ajit Vilas is a
store house of musical instruments and royal costumes. These two Vilas are
interconnected by means of a mirror room. Phool Mahal, or the Flower Palace
is the place where Jodhpur Coat of Arms is kept. Lastly, there is the Maan
Vilas that showcases the armoury of the Rathores and a 'tent room' used by
Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in a battle against Shah Jahan.
Other structure of the fort includes the Jhanki Mahal, Khabka Mahal, Daulat
Khana Palace and Sardar Vilas. There are also quiet a few temples in the
fort complex like the Chamunda Mata Temple and Nagnechiji Temple.
» Jaswant Thada - Jaswant Thada is located very
close to the Mehrangarh fort and is a memorial built by Maharaja Sardar
Singhji as a mark of respect to his father, Jaswant Singh II. Jaswant Singh
ruled the region between the period of 1873-95, and was hugely revered by
his subjects due to his miraculous healing powers. Infact, he was worshipped
like a God by his subjects. Hence, after his death, his son built this
marble cenotaph to pay him his due respect. Jaswant Thada also houses the
memorials of the wives and concubines of the late king who committed sati on
his funeral pyre.
» Shopping - Take some time out to shop for
exquisite handcrafted articles including the famous breeches, embroidered
shoes, metal curios, silverware, paintings and tie and dye fabrics. These
items are extremely pretty and loved by tourists at large.
» Lunch - At 13.00 hrs, have your lunch at Umaid
Bhavan Palace Hotel.
Back to Palace on Wheels
Thereafter the coaches will bring you back to the Palace on Wheels.
Departure for the next destination at 15.30 hrs.
