Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India

Jaisalmer (Rajasthani: जैसलमेर), nicknamed “The Golden City”, is a town in the Indian state of Rajasthan which is located 575 kilometres (357 mi) west from the state capital Jaipur. It was once known as Jaisalmer state. The town stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone, crowned by a fort, which contains the palace and several ornate Jain temples. Many of the houses and temples are finely sculptured. It lies in the heart of the Thar Desert and has a population of about 78,000. Jaisalmer is named after its founder Raja Jaisal a Rajput king.

“Jaisalmer” means “the Hill Fort of Jaisal”. Jaisalmer is sometimes called the “Golden City of India” because the yellow sand gives a yellowish-golden tinge to the city and its surrounding area.

Jaisalmer has been enriched by its Jain community, which has adorned the city with beautiful temples, notably the temples dedicated to the 16th Tirthankara, Shantinath, and 23rd Tirthankara, Parshva. It boasts some of the oldest libraries of India which contain rarest of the manuscripts and artefacts of Jain tradition. There are many pilgrimage centres around Jaisalmer such as Lodarva.

 

Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India.

 

Kathputli (Puppet) Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India. Rajasthani string puppetry is vibrant and thriving. These handmade wooden puppets are much more than just plaything or decorative dolls. They are a part of the traditional performance of puppetry – narrating an event from history, myths, folklore or legend, complete with music and speech. They are the repository of traditional wisdom, knowledge and social mores. Within them are contained the oral history of the region. The tradition of handmade string puppets of Rajasthan is more than a thousand years old. It is known as ‘Kaathputli’ (‘kaath’ means wood, and ‘putli’ is puppet, i.e. wooden puppet) and mainly practiced by the Bhat community.

 

Jaisalmer Fort is one of the largest fortifications in the world and is a World Heritage Site. It was built in 1156 AD by the Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal, from whom it derives its name. The fort stands amidst the sandy expanse of the great Thar Desert, on Trikuta Hill, and has been the scene of many battles. Its massive yellow sandstone walls are a tawny lion colour during the day, fading to honey-gold as the sun sets, thereby camouflaging the fort in the yellow desert. For this reason, it is also known as the Sonar Quila or Golden Fort. Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India.

Twin doors. Wooden door. The Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan, India. South Asia.

Gadisar lake built by Maharaja Gadsi Singh is surrounded by temples and tombs of saints. Tourist often do boating here. Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India.

Panoramic view of Gadisar Lake, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India. Gadisar lake built by Maharaja Gadsi Singh is surrounded by temples and tombs of saints. Tourist often do boating here.

Traditionally dressed Rajasthani lady in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India.

Traditionally dressed Rajasthani lady usually cover their heads (ghunghat) as a mark of respect and shyness particularly in front of non-family men or elders. Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India.

Portrait of a Kathputli (Puppet) maker, Rajasthan. Kathputli means a puppet which is made entirely from wood. However it is made out of wood, cotton cloth and metal wire. Both women and men make the kathputli as well as perform to folk songs. Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India.

Vyas Chatri, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India is still in use as cremation grounds. Wood is kept piled up and ready for a funeral. Hindus believe in the soul being indestructible; and that death symbolises end of the existence of a person’s physical being, but the start of a new journey for the soul. This soul then reincarnates in some other life form, and passes through the same cycle of taking birth, growing and eventually meeting death- only to begin the cycle afresh. Cremation of a person’s dead body is therefore, supposed to rid the departed soul of any attachments to the body it previously resided in.

Gypsy women dance with the men playing the music. Rajasthani Folk dancers and musicians, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India.

Portrait of Rajasthani Folk dancers, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India.

Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India.

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