Jaisalmer is a district of Rajasthan state in western India with the city of Jaisalmer as its administrative headquarters. It is the least populous district of Rajasthan as per the census of 2011. The city of Jaisalmer is nicknamed as The Golden City. Located 575 kilometers west from the state capital of Jaipur, it was once known as the state of Jaisalmer. A ridge of yellowish sandstone, where the town stands, is crowned by a fort, containing the palace and many ornate Jain temples. The houses and temples of the city are finely sculptured.

Being the largest district of Rajasthan and the third largest in the country in area, it lies  in the Thar Desert, spreading across the border of India and Pakistan. It shares boundaries with Bikaner District on the north east, Jodhpur District on the east, Barmer District on the south, and Pakistan on the west and north. It shares a total of 471 km of international border with Pakistan. The city is famous for monuments made of yellow stone which are uniquely carved.

Jaisalmer forms a part of the Great Indian Desert and is almost entirely a sandy waste. There is an enormous general sea of sandhills, of all shapes and sizes, some rising to a height of 150 ft In the area. The western sandhills are covered with log bushes whereas the eastern sandhills are coveres with tufts of long grass. There is a huge scarcity of water. It is generally brackish in nature. The wells have an average depth of about 250 ft. Perennial streams are not found. A small river called Kakni, flows through the region, which after a distance of 28 m., spreads over a large surface of land, forming lake called the Bhuj-Jhil.

Jaisalmer History

Maharawal Jaisal founded the fort & town of JAISALMER in the year 1156 AD after his capital was shifted from Ludharva to a safer place. The Bhati Clan of Yadu Rajputs of Chandrawasnshi race, claiming to be the descents of Lord Krishna,the ruler of Dwarka, ruled the former state of Jaisalmer. Historically, the Bahttis trace origin from the couplet which says that the Yadu Rajputs ruled and constructed eight Forts at Kashi, Mathura, Pragvad, Gajni, Bhatner, Digam, Dirwal, Lodurva and the ninth one in Jaisalmer.

Largely composed of the former JAISALMER state, the present district was one of the Rajputana States to be ruled by the Britishers. The authority of Jaisalmer was granted to the ruler and his posterity by the treaty between Maharawal Moolraj-II and the British government on 12th December 1818. This treaty enacted the ruler of the State to assist the British Government in administration. The British Government expressed its grateness to the ruler of the state Maharawal Gaj singh for his timely help and cooperation by making excellent arrangements for transportation of British troops during the time of Afgan War in 1938-39. After the annexation of Sindh by the Britishers in 1844, the Forts of Shahgarh and Ghotaru were restored to the State, which were previously parts of the state. There was not any major change in the area after its merger with the state of Rajasthan in the year 1949. The region was given the status of a separate district on October 6, 1949.

Jaisalmer Climate

Jaisalmer is situated 229 meters above from the sea level, covering an area of 5.1 km, located near the border of India and Pakistan in the Western part of Rajasthan. The maximum temperature is around 41.6 C in summer season while the minimum temperature is 25 C. The maximum temperature in winter season is around 23.6 C and the minimum temperature is 7.9 C. The average rainfall is 150 millimeters. Highest temperature recorded is 48.0 C and the lowest temperature recorded is −5.9 C.

Jaisalmer Tourism

Although Jaisalmer is a remote district, there are many artistic structures and monuments of local historical significance, inculcating tourist interest. Jaisalmer is famous for its medieval mud fortress and walled township. The surrounding landscape of the region imparts a pure sense of beauty.It is also very popular among the tourists for Camel safaris through the nearby desert areas. It can give an altogether different experience of peaceful atmosphere, unlike the usual chaotic surroundings of big Indian cities. This place has a significant place on the international tourist map. Generally known as theGolden City, it has the following place of tourist interests:-

Tourist places in Jaisalmer

Fort & inside fort-Jain Temples & Royal Palace.
Patwa Havelies.
Salim Singhs Haveli.
Nathmals haveli.
Madir Palace (Tazia Tower).
Gadsisar Lake.
Govt. museum & the folk museum.
Excursions
Badabag (Royal Cenotaph, Garden).
Amar Sagar.
Ludarwa.
Mool Sagar.
Kuldhara (Remains of Deserted town hundreds of year ago).
Sam Sand Dunes (The Sunset & Camel Safari are special attraction).
Khuri Sand Dunes.
Akal Wood fossils Park (Having 180 million years old wood fossils).
Sudhasari (Desert National Park having the great Indian Bustard and other wild life).