Jaisalmer is dominated by its fort. It’s often likened to a giant sandcastle rising from the precipitous rock face. When you see it, you can see why.
The fort is part of the old city, walled in by nearly a hundred bastions. There are several Jain temples in there and a royal palace too.
The fort and camel safaris are the main attractions apart from the golden sandstone town itself. Understandably it’s become a commercial centre for tourists. There are restaurants and shops selling clothes, ornaments, leather goods, and dazzling embroideries in the fort.
No amount of commercialism, however, diminishes the fort at the heart of what is called the Golden City.
The fort
The palace
Jain temple
Inside the sumptuous palace
Anil, owner of the antique shop
One of several gates to the fort
The fort at night
A lane in the fort
Palace courtyard
A view of the fort’s bastions from the inside
The fort lit up at night
A painting depicting an Indian Romeo and Juliet
Looking down inside the fort
An example of the stupendous amount of wiring in the fort whose infrastructure is overloaded
Inside one of several Jain temples in the fort. Amazingly intricate carvings.
A close-up
Another Jain temple
Inside a Jain temple
Inside a Jain temple
Inside a Jain temple
Inside a Jain temple
In the fort